Heathrow is the UK's largest and busiest airport, handling more international passengers than any other airport in the world. Situated 14 miles west of central London, it has been ...
✈ 79.2 million (2023) passengers🛫 2 runways📅 Est. 1946🏢 Heathrow Airport Holdings
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Heathrow Airport Parking
Compare Park & Ride, Meet & Greet and on-airport car parks side by side. One search — all the major providers. Find your price, then book direct with them.
💡 Parking tip: Heathrow has on-airport parking at all four terminals but it is among the most expensive airport parking in the UK. Off-airport Park & Ride options (APH, Purple Parking, NCP) can be significantly cheaper — often 40–60% less — with shuttle buses running frequently. Meet & Greet is available at all terminals and is the most convenient option if budget allows. Book as far in advance as possible — prices rise sharply close to travel date.
Airport
Drop off
11/05/2026
Pick up
18/05/2026
Departure time
Heathrow Airport Hotels
Stay the night before and wake up five minutes from the terminal. Compare hotels with parking, breakfast and shuttle options. Find the best deal, then book direct.
💡 Hotel tip: Hotels within walking distance of terminals are premium priced. The Sofitel T5 is directly connected to Terminal 5 — ideal for very early departures. Most Park & Stay packages (hotel + parking) offer better value than booking separately. Hotels on the Bath Road (A4) corridor are 5–10 minutes by shuttle and significantly cheaper.
Airport
Drop off
11/05/2026
Check out
18/05/2026
Departure time
Heathrow Airport Lounges
Day passes for every lounge at Heathrow. Food, drinks, Wi-Fi and a quiet space before your flight. Compare prices and facilities, then book direct.
💡 Lounge tip: Heathrow has one of the largest lounge selections of any airport in the world. Beyond airline lounges, paid-access options include No1 Lounge (T1 area, T3, T4), Aspire Lounge (multiple terminals), and Plaza Premium. Day passes typically cost £30–50 and are worth comparing — facilities and prices vary significantly between terminals.
Airport
Date
11/05/2026
Pick up
18/05/2026
Departure time
About London Heathrow Airport
Heathrow is the UK's largest and busiest airport, handling more international passengers than any other airport in the world. Situated 14 miles west of central London, it has been the gateway to Britain since 1946. With four active terminals spread across a large campus, it is essential to know your terminal before you arrive — parking, drop-off zones and lounges all differ by terminal.
Terminals
▶Terminal 2 — The Queen's Terminal (Star Alliance)
▶Terminal 3 (oneworld, SkyTeam)
▶Terminal 4 (KLM, Malaysia Airlines, some charter)
▶Terminal 5 (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus)
⚠️ Terminal 1 is permanently closed. Always check which terminal your airline uses before booking parking — the wrong terminal can mean a long walk or bus.
History
Originally a small airfield built for long-haul flights to the Far East, Heathrow grew rapidly after World War II and was formally opened as London's main airport in 1946. The first terminal opened in 1955. By the 1980s it was processing over 30 million passengers a year. Terminal 5 — the most recent major addition — opened in 2008 after 19 years of planning and construction. Heathrow handled 79.2 million passengers in 2023, making it the third busiest airport in the world by international passenger numbers.
Fast facts
Busiest UK airport
By passenger volume — 79.2m in 2023
Check-in advice
Arrive 3 hours before long-haul, 2 hours short-haul
Security
Can be lengthy — Heathrow recommends using Fast Track if available
Shops & dining
Extensive retail and food options airside in all terminals
Wi-Fi
Free throughout all terminals
Currency exchange
Available at all terminals — rates better at Travelex pre-order
📍 Nearby: Windsor Castle is 7 miles from the airport. Kew Gardens 12 miles. Central London 14 miles via the M4 or A4.
👨👩👧👦 Travelling with children: Heathrow has dedicated family security lanes at most terminals — look for the signs on arrival. All terminals have baby changing facilities, soft play areas airside, and buggy-friendly layouts. Terminal 5 is particularly well set up for families. Meet & Greet parking is strongly recommended with young children — the terminal campus is large and shuttle buses with luggage and a buggy are stressful.
Getting to Heathrow Airport
Elizabeth line (Crossrail)
Fastest central London link. Paddington in 26 minutes. Runs every few minutes. Connects T2/T3 and T4/T5.
Heathrow Express
Non-stop to Paddington in 15 minutes. More expensive than Elizabeth line but quickest.
London Underground
Piccadilly line. Slow but cheap. Central London around 50–55 minutes.
National Express coaches
Nationwide coach services to hundreds of UK destinations.
Taxi/minicab
Black cabs available at all terminals. Pre-book minicabs for better rates. Central London approx £45–70.
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