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Heathrow Airport Guide

Everything you need to know about Heathrow airport

Heathrow is the world's busiest international airport and is considered the hub of the air travel world. It serves more than 180 destinations and is still growing - terminal 5 opened in 2008, and a third runway is planned.

Facilities at Heathrow airport - shopping, food and drink

Facilities include shops, restaurants, bars, a beauty salon in terminal 5, exclusive lounges, cash machines, bureaux de change, internet access points, games arcades, baby changing rooms, and a postbox in terminal 4.

Getting to Heathrow airport

Heathrow airport is 15 miles west of central London and is easily accessible from junction 4 of the M4 and junctions 14 and 15 of the M25.

For directions visit our Heathrow airport directions page.

If you are using a satnav, use these postcodes: terminal 1, TW6 1AP; terminal 3, TW6 1QG; terminal 4, TW6 3XA; terminal 5, TW6 2GA.

Can I stay overnight at Heathrow Airport?

Heathrow airport has some decent places to rest if you're planning on staying overnight. All terminals remain open 24 hours a day and are connected to each other by bus should you need to travel between them. In terminals 2, 4 and 5 there are soft seats and rows of padded benches without armrests where you can lay down if needed, and in terminal 3 there are designated rest zones with lounge chairs. However, Heathrow is quite noisy, bright and can get cold so we'd recommend coming prepared with a sleep mask, some earplugs (or noise-cancelling earphones), and some extra layers to be as comfortable as possible.

Heathrow lounges like the Plaza Premium Lounges & No. 1 Lounges have napping rooms, which are perfect if you're looking a little bit of peace and quiet. These can be booked for up to 3 hours before your flight.

If you're looking for a much more comfortable (and safer) night's sleep, there's one hotel inside the airport, Aerotel London Heathrow in T3, plus there's a number of hotels connected to Heathrow , that are ultra-convenient and more wallet-friendly.

Hotels Connected to Heathrow Airport Terminals
Hotel Name Terminal Hotel ➔ Terminal Room Only Price* Hotel & Parking Price*
Hilton Garden Inn Terminal 2 Walk 5 mins £92.00 £180.00
Hilton Heathrow T4 Terminal 4 Walk 5 mins £88.50 £148.00
Premier Inn T4 Terminal 4 Walk 6 mins £-- £110.00
Crowne Plaza Terminal 4 Terminal 4 Walk 5 mins £68.00 £180.00
Holiday Inn Express T4 Terminal 4 Walk 6 mins £46.75 £133.00
Sofitel Heathrow Terminal 5 Walk 4 mins £101.40 £181.00

Parking at Heathrow airport

Parking at Heathrow could cost you more than your flight if you don't book it in advance. We can save you up to 60 per cent if you book with us.

We offer more than 20 parking packages at Heathrow, with on-airport, off-airport and Meet and Greet options at all four terminals. Whatever your priorities, we'll have something to suit you. Visit our Heathrow airport parking page to have a look at the options.

Heathrow by rail and coach

You can get to terminals 1, 3 and 5 on the Heathrow Express train, which takes 15 minutes from London Paddington, and terminals 1, 3 and 4 on the Heathrow Connect train, which takes just under half an hour.

National Express coaches serve all five terminals - and we can save you money if you book an airport hotel with us. Visit our Heathrow airport by coach page.

Hand luggage restrictions at Heathrow airport

  • Only one piece of hand luggage with most airlines
  • Maximum size for most airlines: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
  • You can take a handbag as well as your hand luggage
  • Liquids are permitted in containers of up to 100ml
  • They must fit into one transparent resealable bag no bigger than 20cm x 20cm
  • Anything bought after security is allowed on the plane

For more information about security at the airport and the rules concerning luggage, visit our Heathrow airport baggage and security page.