Heathrow Airport Terminals: Which Terminal, How to Get Between Them and What Each Offers depends mainly on your airline and the aircraft operator. Check your boarding pass, booking details, or the official Heathrow flight information before travelling because terminal allocations can change.
Heathrow has four passenger terminals: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Terminals 2 and 3 share the main central area, while Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 are separate.
This guide explains where major airlines operate, how to transfer between terminals, what facilities to expect, and how long to allow.
The airline lists below reflect the 2026 allocations supplied for this guide. They are useful for planning, but they are not a substitute for checking your specific flight. The operating airline matters more than the company that issued your ticket, especially when a flight is sold as a codeshare.
Heathrow Airport’s passenger guidance advises travellers to check their terminal before arriving at the airport, since airline and flight arrangements can change.
Terminal 2 is the main Heathrow base for many Star Alliance carriers and partner airlines. Common examples include:
Terminal 2 is connected to Terminal 3 by a short walk through the central area. That makes it a practical arrival point when connecting between airlines based in the two terminals, although you still need to follow signs for security, baggage, and flight connections.
Terminal 3 handles many international airlines outside the Star Alliance group. Airlines commonly associated with Terminal 3 include:
Because airlines sometimes move flights between terminals, use the flight number as well as the airline name when checking. A terminal shown in an older email or travel blog may no longer match your departure.
Terminal 4 serves SkyTeam airlines and selected other international carriers. Examples include:
Terminal 4 is physically separated from Terminals 2 and 3. It is also separate from Terminal 5, so a transfer involving Terminal 4 usually needs more planning than a transfer between Terminals 2 and 3.
British Airways uses Terminal 5 for all of its flights departing from and arriving at Heathrow. The terminal also handles some Iberia services operated by British Airways.
Do not rely only on the ticket issuer when you have a codeshare booking. If British Airways sells a flight but another airline operates the aircraft, the physical departure terminal normally follows the operating carrier. Check the wording “operated by” in your booking and confirm the terminal again on the day of travel.
Enter your arrival terminal and departure terminal at Heathrow to get a complete transit plan, including the free inter-terminal bus route, Elizabeth Line connection, and walking time between facilities.
Plan Heathrow TransferFind Terminal Transport TimesHeathrow provides free options for moving between terminals within the airport boundary. The best route depends on your terminals, whether you have checked luggage, and whether you are travelling before or after security.
Heathrow’s inter-terminal buses run 24 hours and connect the passenger terminals. The service is free within the airport boundary. Allow extra time for boarding, traffic, and walking from the bus stop to check-in or security.
| From | To | Approximate journey time |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | About 5 minutes |
| Terminal 3 | Terminal 4 | About 15 minutes |
| Terminal 5 | Terminals 2 and 3 | About 12–18 minutes |
| Terminal 5 | Terminal 4 | About 20–25 minutes |
These are vehicle journey times rather than complete transfer times. A realistic connection plan should also include walking, waiting, security screening, passport control, and any baggage collection or re-checking.
The Elizabeth Line connects the shared Terminal 2 and 3 station with separate stations at Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. It is generally the quickest public transport option between Terminal 5 and Terminals 2 and 3.
If you travel between terminals within the airport boundary rather than entering London, the Elizabeth Line journey is not charged when using an Oyster card or contactless card. Follow airport signs and check the platform information before boarding, particularly during engineering works or service changes.
Key planning point: Terminal 4 is not part of the central terminal cluster. Allow at least 20 to 25 minutes for a transfer involving Terminal 4 before adding time for walking and passenger processing.
For example, a traveller arriving at Terminal 5 and departing from Terminal 2 may spend 12 to 18 minutes on the bus or train journey, but the full transfer can be much longer if they must collect luggage, pass border control, check in again, and clear security.
Landside, before security:
Airside, after security:
Terminal 2 is a useful choice for passengers who want food, shopping, and standard travel services in one building. However, the exact restaurant and shop opening hours can vary by time of day and operating schedule.
Terminal 5 is Heathrow’s largest and most modern terminal complex. Terminal 5A handles most long-haul British Airways departures, while Terminal 5B and Terminal 5C are connected to the main building by an internal transit train. The train journey takes about 2 minutes, but passengers should still allow time to reach a remote gate.
Lounge prices and access rules can change. Check the lounge provider or your airline before paying, especially if you have a short connection or a flight departing from Terminal 5B or 5C.
Priority Pass covers several independent lounges, subject to the terms of your membership and available capacity. The main examples listed for this guide are:
| Lounge | Terminal | Priority Pass access |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Lounge | Terminals 2, 3, and 5 | Yes |
| Escape Lounge | Terminal 5 | Yes |
| Plaza Premium | Terminal 5 | Yes |
Day access without Priority Pass has been listed at roughly £35 to £55 per person. Advance booking may be available through loungepass.com or No1Lounges.com, but prices, access windows, and capacity should be checked before travel.
Arrival procedures are broadly similar in each terminal, although queue lengths and facilities differ. A typical process is:
Terminals 2 and 5 have more e-gates and are often described as faster for border processing. Terminal 4 has fewer e-gates and can produce longer queues. These are general patterns, not guarantees: arrival waves, staffing, passport type, and flight disruption can change the experience.
Start with your boarding pass, booking details or the official Heathrow flight information. For a codeshare, identify the airline operating the aircraft, because terminal assignments can change.
Heathrow’s passenger terminals are 2, 3, 4 and 5. Terminals 2 and 3 share the central area, while Terminals 4 and 5 are separate, so confirm the correct one before setting off.
Walk between Terminals 2 and 3 in about 5 minutes in normal conditions. For Terminal 4 or 5, use the free inter-terminal bus or the Elizabeth Line; the transport journey is roughly 12–18 minutes before waiting and walking.
Follow your airline’s arrival recommendation first. Add time for a terminal transfer, luggage check-in, security, border control and busy periods, then confirm the terminal again before leaving.
British Airways uses Terminal 5 for its Heathrow arrivals and departures. For a codeshare, check which airline operates the aircraft because the operating carrier may determine the terminal.
Yes. Terminals 2 and 3 share the central area, and the walk between them is about 5 minutes in normal conditions. You may still need extra time for security or flight-connection procedures.
The Elizabeth Line is generally the fastest public transport connection, while the free inter-terminal bus is also available. The transport journey takes roughly 12 to 18 minutes, excluding waiting and walking time.
No. The inter-terminal bus is free. Travel on the Elizabeth Line between terminals within the airport boundary is also not charged when using Oyster or contactless payment, provided you are not travelling into London.
Your airline’s recommendation should come first. Add more time if you need to transfer terminals, check luggage, pass border control, or travel at a busy time. Always confirm the terminal again before leaving for the airport.