Do you need an ETA or visa?
Leaving the airport means passing through UK border control. Since 25 February 2026 the UK has strictly enforced its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for 85 visa-exempt nationalities, including the USA, Canada, Australia and EU countries. It costs £20, lasts two years and is usually approved within a day, though it can take up to three working days.
If you stay airside and don't pass the border, Heathrow transit passengers currently don't need an ETA. Travellers who normally need a visa need a Visitor in Transit visa to leave the airport. British and Irish citizens don't need an ETA.
How much time you need
| Step | Allow |
|---|---|
| Landing to leaving the airport (border and exit) | 30–75 min |
| Train into central London | 15–40 min each way |
| Back at the airport before an international flight | 2–3 hours |
| Time in London | Whatever is left |
In practice, a layover of about seven to eight hours gives two to three hours in the centre. Ten hours or more is comfortable. Heathrow itself advises against leaving the airport on short connections.
Left luggage at Heathrow
Excess Baggage Company runs left luggage desks in every terminal, open roughly 05:00–22:00.
| Storage time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 hours | £10 |
| 3–24 hours | £15 |
| 24–48 hours | £27.50 |
Fastest ways into town
- Heathrow Express: 15 minutes from Terminals 2&3 to Paddington, every 15 minutes. £30 same-day return.
- Elizabeth line: direct to Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street in 30–40 minutes. £15.50 each way.
- Piccadilly line: slower (about 50 minutes) but direct to Knightsbridge, Green Park and Piccadilly Circus.
What to see in a short visit
Keep to one area. From Bond Street, take the Jubilee line two stops to Westminster for Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and a riverside walk to the London Eye. From Green Park you can walk to Buckingham Palace, and from Piccadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden.
Fares and times checked September 2026. Prices change, so confirm with the operator before you travel.