Premier Inn London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5: the complete traveller's guide
The UK's biggest budget brand, right by Terminal 5 — reliable, comfortable and cheap, with Hypnos beds, a 24-hour Costa, a proper grill and kids-eat-free breakfast. An honest, detailed rundown — rooms, prices, breakfast, parking, WiFi, accessibility, the bus to T5, and the smartest way to book.
Hotel overview
Premier Inn London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 is the T5-focused branch of the UK's largest budget hotel brand — dependable, comfortable and cheap, in Longford, on Bath Road, about a mile or two from Terminal 5. It's the natural budget pick for a T5 flight, delivering the consistent Premier Inn formula: the famously comfy Hypnos beds, a proper in-house grill (Thyme Bar & Grill), a 24-hour Costa Coffee in the lobby, and an unlimited buffet breakfast where up to two children under 16 eat free per paying adult.
Rooms are clean, air-conditioned and strongly soundproofed — a real plus so close to the runway — with runway-view and upgraded Premier Plus options. It's a straightforward, value-first hotel: there's no swimming pool, but you get a reliable, quiet night's sleep and good-value food. The T5 rail station is about five minutes away, and the public 423 bus runs to T5 every 15 minutes.
It suits budget-minded T5 flyers, families (kids-eat-free breakfast, family rooms), and anyone wanting a predictable, comfortable, low-cost night before a flight. It's not terminal-connected and runs no shuttle, and a couple of extras (parking, faster WiFi) are chargeable — so plan those in.
| Official website | premierinn.com |
|---|---|
| Address | Terminal 5, 420 Bath Road, Longford, West Drayton |
| Star rating | 3-star (budget) |
| Signature | Comfy Hypnos beds; 24-hr Costa; kids-eat-free breakfast |
| Check-in / check-out | From 3:00 PM / by 12:00 noon |
| Distance to T5 | ~1–2 miles (~10-min drive to T2/3) |
| Parking | On-site, paid (pay by QR at check-in) |
Star rating and what it means
Premier Inn is a 3-star budget brand. It focuses on doing the essentials — a great bed, a clean room, a decent meal — consistently and cheaply, rather than offering full-service facilities.
| Level | What it broadly means in the UK |
|---|---|
| ★★★★★ Five-star | Luxury: extensive facilities, near-flawless service |
| ★★★★ Four-star | Upscale: full-service, restaurant, good facilities |
| ★★★ Three-star (this hotel) | Budget consistency: comfy Hypnos beds, clean en-suite rooms, grill & bar — value & reliability are the draw |
| ★★ / ★ Budget | Simple, functional accommodation |
The Premier Inn promise is consistency: you know exactly what you're getting. Reviewers (~8.2/10) repeatedly praise the comfy Hypnos beds, strong soundproofing and value, while noting pricey extras like parking. You're paying for a reliable night's sleep near T5, not facilities.
Brand, ownership & business profile
A Premier Inn hotel — the UK's largest hotel brand.
- Premier Inn — the UK's biggest budget hotel chain, owned by Whitbread. Known nationwide for consistent quality, the comfy Hypnos "Premier Inn bed," and a good-value formula.
- Whitbread — the British hospitality group behind Premier Inn; there's a Costa outlet in this hotel.
Premier Inn doesn't run an international points-based loyalty scheme like the big global chains — it competes on price, reliability and its "Good Night Guarantee." Book direct on premierinn.com for the best rates and full flexibility. Note there's a separate Premier Inn nearer Terminals 2 & 3 (Bath Road) — check which one you're booking.
Business profile
| Category | 3-star budget airport hotel (consistent, value-focused) |
|---|---|
| Primary market | Budget T5 flyers, families, early departures, value business travellers |
| Brand / owner | Premier Inn / Whitbread |
| On-site | Thyme Bar & Grill · 24-hr Costa Coffee · buffet breakfast · paid parking |
| Signature | Comfy Hypnos beds; kids-eat-free breakfast; reliable value |
Takeaway for travellers: a dependable, comfortable, cheap T5 stay from a brand you can trust to be the same every time — great for families and anyone prioritising a good night's sleep and price over facilities.
Rooms, beds & prices
Standard double, twin, family and triple rooms, plus upgraded Premier Plus and accessible rooms. All have the signature comfy Hypnos kingsize bed (choice of firm or soft pillows), air conditioning, blackout curtains, a powerful shower, tea/coffee facilities and an en-suite. Family/triple rooms have a double bed plus a sofa bed and pull-out. Rates are among the cheapest at Heathrow; ranges below are indicative.
| Room type | Beds | Sleeps | Off-peak from | Peak from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Double | Kingsize Hypnos double | 2 | ~£60 | ~£115 |
| Twin | Two singles | 2 | ~£65 | ~£120 |
| Family / Triple | Double + sofa bed + pull-out | 3–4 | ~£85 | ~£150 |
| Premier Plus | Kingsize + upgraded features | 2 | ~£85 | ~£150 |
Prices are per room, per night, room-only (breakfast & park-and-fly packages available). The Hypnos beds are a genuine highlight — reviewers single them out. Premier Plus rooms add a coffee machine, mini-fridge, bedside USB ports, an iron and an upgraded workspace, plus Ultimate WiFi included. Travel cots are provided free for families.
- Bed quality: premium Hypnos pillow-top mattresses, choice of pillows — consistently praised.
- Large & family rooms: family/triple rooms for up to four; free travel cots.
- Premier Plus: coffee machine, mini-fridge, USB ports, upgraded workspace, faster WiFi included.
What's in every room
| Category | Included in every room |
|---|---|
| Entertainment | Flat-screen TV with Freeview |
| Connectivity | Free WiFi (standard); Ultimate WiFi upgrade ~£3–£5 (included in Premier Plus) |
| Hot drinks | Tea & coffee making facilities (coffee machine in Premier Plus) |
| Sleep | Comfy Hypnos kingsize bed, choice of pillows, blackout curtains |
| Bathroom | Modern en-suite with a powerful shower, hairdryer |
| Comfort | Air conditioning; strong soundproofing against airport noise |
One thing to note: standard WiFi is free but capped for speed; the "Ultimate WiFi" upgrade (about £3–£5) is worth it if you need reliable speed for work or streaming (it's included in Premier Plus rooms). A few guests noted occasional missing toiletries — ask at reception if needed.
Dining & breakfast
The in-house Thyme Bar & Grill serves burgers, curries, pasta and pizza (with a children's menu and gluten-free, dairy-free, veggie and vegan options), there's a bar, an outdoor eating area, and a 24-hour Costa Coffee in the lobby. Breakfast is the unlimited Premier Inn buffet — with up to two children under 16 eating free per paying adult.
| Venue / meal | What to expect | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast buffet | Unlimited full English + continental; kids under 16 free (2 per adult); weekdays 05:30–10:00, weekends 06:00–11:00 | ~£9.50–£13.99 adult |
| Thyme Bar & Grill | Burgers, curries, pasta, pizza; kids' & dietary menus; food to 21:45 | £10–£18 mains |
| Bar | Drinks until midnight; outdoor eating area | £5–£10 / drink |
| Costa Coffee (24-hr) | Coffee & snacks any time — ideal for early/late flights | Costa prices |
The kids-eat-free breakfast (up to two under-16s per adult) and the 24-hour Costa make this a strong family and early-flight pick. The unlimited buffet gets consistently positive reviews. Meal deals (dinner + breakfast) can save money if booked with your room.
Facilities & services
| Parking | On-site paid parking (pay by QR code at reception during check-in); long-term via partner Holiday Extras; park-and-fly packages |
|---|---|
| Airport transfer | No hotel shuttle; public bus 423 to T5 every 15 min (Stand 6); Heathrow Hoppa to all terminals; National Express; taxis; pre-booked cars |
| Dining | Thyme Bar & Grill, bar, outdoor eating area, 24-hr Costa Coffee |
| Self-service | Efficient self-service check-in; QR-code parking payment |
| Nearby | Longford village (<½ mile) for shops; McDonald's nearby; T5 rail station ~5 min |
| Money / SIM | Not on site — nearby shops & the terminals; Costa on site |
| Safety & security | 24-hour reception, luggage storage, lifts; photo ID + card at check-in |
| Pool / pets | No swimming pool; pets not allowed (assistance dogs excepted) |
Accessibility & suitability for elderly guests
As a modern budget hotel, it's a solid accessibility choice with lifts, accessible rooms and step-free public areas — though it's not terminal-connected, so the airport leg needs the bus, Hoppa or a car.
Accessible strengths:
- Lifts to all floors and step-free public areas
- Accessible rooms available with appropriate bathroom fittings
- Ground-floor rooms and easy self-service check-in
- 24-hour reception and luggage storage
Worth confirming first:
- Book accessible parking ahead (on-site parking is paid and can be limited)
- Not terminal-connected — the bus/Hoppa adds a step; a door-to-door car may be easier
- Accessible room numbers are limited — book early and state exact needs
Suitability verdict for elderly & less-mobile guests: good — a reliable, lift-served hotel with accessible rooms, easy check-in and comfy Hypnos beds. Book accessible parking ahead, and consider a door-to-door car for the airport leg rather than the bus.
Insider details
The comfy Hypnos bed & strong soundproofing
Premier Inn's reputation rests on a good night's sleep, and this hotel leans into it: premium Hypnos pillow-top beds with a choice of pillows, plus notably strong soundproofing that keeps aircraft noise out despite the T5 location. For a pre-flight stay where you mainly want to sleep well and cheaply, that's exactly the point.
Two chargeable extras to plan for
Two honest catches on top of the cheap room rate. First, parking is paid (you pay via QR codes at reception) and reviewers flag it as a pricey extra — book long-stay via the partner car park if you're leaving the car. Second, the free WiFi is standard-speed; the "Ultimate WiFi" upgrade (about £3–£5) is what you want for work or streaming — it's included if you book a Premier Plus room.
The 24-hour Costa & the 423 bus
Two genuinely useful touches for T5 travellers: the 24-hour Costa in the lobby is perfect for a 4am coffee before an early flight, and the public 423 bus runs to Terminal 5 every 15 minutes (from Stand 6) — a cheap, frequent alternative to the Hoppa. The T5 rail station is also only about five minutes away.
WiFi coverage & signal strength
Free standard WiFi runs throughout; the Ultimate upgrade is about £3–£5 (included in Premier Plus). Signal-strength-by-area detail (which floors are strongest) isn't published, and some guests note the standard WiFi can be patchy — confirm with hotel, or share guest reviews and we'll add specifics.
If you need dependable speed for video calls or streaming, pay for Ultimate WiFi or book Premier Plus — the free tier is aimed at light browsing and gets occasional reliability complaints.
Practical information
| Check-in | From 3:00 PM (self-service check-in) |
|---|---|
| Check-out | By 12:00 noon |
| ID at check-in | Photo ID + payment card; children of all ages welcome |
| Parking | On-site paid (pay by QR at check-in); long-stay via Holiday Extras |
| WiFi | Free standard; Ultimate upgrade ~£3–£5 (included in Premier Plus) |
| Breakfast | Unlimited buffet; up to 2 under-16s free per adult |
| Pool / pets | No pool; pets not allowed (assistance dogs excepted) |
| Payment | Cards & cash; card required for incidentals |
Getting to the terminals
The hotel isn't terminal-connected and runs no shuttle, so it's the 423 bus, the Hoppa, a taxi or a pre-booked car.
| To… | Best way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal 5 | Public bus 423 (every 15 min, Stand 6), Hoppa, taxi or car | ~5–10 min | Bus low; Hoppa ~£5–6; taxi ~£10 |
| Terminals 2 & 3 | Heathrow Hoppa, taxi or car | ~10–15 min | Hoppa fare; taxi ~£12–15 |
| Terminal 4 | Hoppa/car to a central terminal, then free inter-terminal train; or taxi | ~15–25 min | Hoppa + free train; taxi ~£12–18 |
| Central London | Rail from T5 (Elizabeth line / Heathrow Express / Piccadilly) | ~15–50 min | Rail fare |
The 423 bus (every 15 min to T5) is the cheap, frequent option; the Hoppa serves all terminals; for T4 change to the free inter-terminal train. There's no free hotel shuttle. For a guaranteed door-to-door pickup with luggage, an early flight, or a family, a pre-booked RushXO car is simplest and covers every terminal 24/7 — often the easiest option with children.
Customer reviews
The hotel reviews well for a budget property (around 8.2/10), with the comfy Hypnos beds, strong soundproofing, cleanliness, friendly staff and good-value food the main positives; pricey parking and standard-WiFi reliability are the usual caveats.
| Theme | What guests say |
|---|---|
| Beds & sleep | Comfy Hypnos beds; strong soundproofing — quiet despite the airport |
| Rooms | Clean, functional, well-maintained; good-sized |
| Value & food | Great value; good buffet breakfast & grill; kids eat free |
| Location | Handy for T5; 423 bus & T5 rail close; Costa 24hr |
| Common gripe | Pricey parking; standard WiFi can be patchy; occasional maintenance/missing toiletries |
Ratings are consistently solid for the budget category (~8.2/10) — confirm current numbers on your preferred platform. Share specific reviews and I can add a scored breakdown like the Sofitel guide.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Reliable, consistent Premier Inn quality — you know what you're getting
- Comfy Hypnos beds & strong soundproofing — great sleep near T5
- Excellent value — among the cheapest hotels at Heathrow
- Kids under 16 eat free at breakfast (2 per adult) — great for families
- Thyme Bar & Grill and a 24-hour Costa on site; free travel cots
- Frequent 423 bus to T5; T5 rail ~5 min; Premier Plus upgrade option
Cons
- Parking is paid and flagged as a pricey extra
- Free WiFi is standard-speed and can be patchy; Ultimate costs ~£3–£5
- No pool; no pets; plain, functional feel
- Not terminal-connected — bus/Hoppa or car needed
- Occasional maintenance/missing-toiletry reports
Travel tips
- Flying from T5? This is a smart, cheap pick — comfy beds and the 423 bus every 15 minutes.
- Book parking ahead — it's a paid extra; use the long-stay partner car park if leaving your car.
- Travelling with kids? Strong choice — up to two under-16s eat free at breakfast per adult, and travel cots are free.
- Pay for Ultimate WiFi (or book Premier Plus) if you need reliable speed.
- Use the 24-hour Costa for an early-flight coffee.
- Grab a meal deal — dinner + breakfast bundled with the room can save money.
- Pre-book your onward car — for other terminals, an early flight or a family with luggage, a fixed-fare door-to-door transfer beats the bus.
Best way to book online
| Book via | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Official site (premierinn.com) | Best rates, flexible/saver options, meal deals, Good Night Guarantee | Add parking & breakfast; it's the Terminal 5 hotel |
| Park-and-fly specialists | Bundling room + long-stay parking (Holiday Extras) | Check which car park & transfer terms |
| Major OTAs | Comparing dates & deals | Don't confuse with the Premier Inn T2 & T3 (Bath Road); note WiFi/parking fees |
In short: book directly with Premier Inn for the best rate, flexible options and meal deals — checking it's the Terminal 5 hotel, not the Premier Inn T2 & T3. Add parking and Ultimate WiFi if you need them. Then book your airport transfer separately with RushXO for a fixed fare, meet & greet and flight tracking.
Book your transfer → · Call the 24/7 team
FAQs
How far is it from Terminal 5?
About one to two miles — roughly a 5–10 minute drive, or the public 423 bus runs to Terminal 5 every 15 minutes from Stand 6. The T5 rail station is also about five minutes away. It's a ~10-minute drive to Terminals 2 & 3.
Do kids eat free?
Yes — up to two children under 16 get a free breakfast per adult having a full breakfast, and the buffet is unlimited. Travel cots are also provided free, making it a good-value family choice.
Is parking free?
No — parking is a paid on-site extra (you pay via QR codes at reception during check-in), and reviewers note it can be pricey. For longer stays, the partner car park (Holiday Extras) often works out better value.
Is the WiFi free?
Standard WiFi is free but capped for speed and can be patchy. The "Ultimate WiFi" upgrade is about £3–£5 per day for reliable speed, and it's included in Premier Plus rooms.
Is there a swimming pool?
No — there's no swimming pool. It's a focused budget hotel; the value is the comfy Hypnos beds, reliable quality and price.
How do I get to the terminals?
The 423 bus runs to Terminal 5 every 15 minutes; the Heathrow Hoppa serves all terminals; for Terminal 4 change to the free inter-terminal train. There's no free hotel shuttle, so allow time — or pre-book a car direct to your terminal.
Is it the same as the Premier Inn Heathrow T2 & T3?
No — that's a separate Premier Inn on Bath Road nearer Terminals 2 & 3. This guide covers the Terminal 5 hotel. Check the exact hotel name and address when booking.