Heathrow Airport Guide 2026: Terminals, Transfers & Practical Tips

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Heathrow is the UK's busiest airport and one of the world's great hubs — five terminals, hundreds of destinations, and tens of millions of passengers a year. Navigating it, and getting to and from it, is easier with a practical guide. This is your Heathrow overview: the terminals, transport options, and fixed-price transfers to London and the Home Counties.

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Heathrow at a Glance

The Terminals

Terminal 2

The Queen's Terminal — Star Alliance and others.

Terminal 3

Long-haul carriers including oneworld members.

Terminal 4

SkyTeam and various international airlines.

Terminal 5

British Airways' main home, plus Iberia.

Getting To & From Heathrow

Heathrow offers plenty of options: the fast Heathrow Express to Paddington, the Elizabeth line across London, the Piccadilly line for the cheapest route, National Express coaches, and taxis and private transfers. Each suits different needs — the train for speed to one point, a transfer for door-to-door with luggage. For a full comparison, see our Heathrow Express vs taxi guide.

Fixed Transfer Fares (One-Way)

FromSaloonExecutiveMPV8-Seater
London City Airport£91£101£103£111
Central London£93£104£106£112
Luton Airport£141£165£169£166
Stansted Airport£147£173£160£174
Gatwick Airport£123£142£146£158

Return Fares (save ~10%)

FromSaloonExecutiveMPV8-Seater
London City Airport£164£182£185£200
Central London£167£187£191£202
Luton Airport£254£297£304£299
Stansted Airport£265£311£288£313
Gatwick Airport£221£256£263£284

Fixed-price, door-to-door, flight-tracked. Saloon seats 4, MPV 6, 8-seaters for groups and luggage.

💡 Know your terminal: Heathrow's terminals are spread out, so always check which one your flight uses before travelling. A pre-booked transfer takes you straight to the right terminal door — no inter-terminal shuffling.

Why a Fixed-Price Transfer?

Heathrow Guides

For more detail, see our dedicated guides on Heathrow parking, hotels, lounges, drop-off charges, and terminal-specific transfers — each covering a part of the Heathrow experience in depth.

Navigating Between Terminals

One thing that catches many Heathrow travellers out is the distance between terminals, so it's worth understanding the layout. Terminals 2 and 3 sit together in the central area and are within walking distance of each other via pedestrian connections. Terminal 4 lies to the south, and Terminal 5 to the west — both separate and reached by the free inter-terminal transit or the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line, which connect the terminals internally at no charge. This spread matters for two reasons: first, always confirm which terminal your flight uses before you travel, as arriving at the wrong one can cost you precious time; and second, if you have a connection that involves changing terminals, allow extra time for the transfer between them. A pre-booked transfer sidesteps the first problem entirely by taking you straight to the correct terminal door. For arrivals, knowing your terminal helps your driver meet you in the right place. The terminals themselves are well signposted once you're there, but the sheer scale of Heathrow means a little planning around which terminal you need — and how you'll reach it — makes for a far smoother journey.

Heathrow FAQs

Q: How many terminals does Heathrow have?

A: Four in use — 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Terminal 1 has closed).

Q: How far is Heathrow from central London?

A: Around 15 miles; a transfer to central London is fixed-price.

Q: What's the fastest way into London?

A: The Heathrow Express to Paddington for speed to one point; a transfer for door-to-door.

Q: Do you cover all terminals?

A: Yes — straight to the right terminal door, flight-tracked.

The Bottom Line

Heathrow, the UK's busiest airport, has four terminals and every transport option. A fixed-price transfer is the door-to-door choice — flight-tracked, straight to the right terminal, with luggage and groups handled.

Flying From Heathrow? Book Your Transfer

Door-to-door to the right terminal — fixed-price, flight-tracked.

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