The London Underground (Piccadilly Line) connects the airport to downtown London. Train service is also available from Paddington station. The cost is around £3.50.
The Airbus Heathrow Shuttle runs every 30 minutes to downtown London and costs about £6.
Bus and coach service is available from Heathrow to the Victoria Coach Station and to other London destinations.
The Heathrow Express train service runs from Heathrow to Paddington Station. The 15 minute trip costs about £12.50.
The cost of taxi service from Heathrow airport to downtown London is approximately £35.
Airport information:
Find out about facilities on offer at Heathrow, with information for arriving, connecting and departing passengers, plus terminal maps and the latest security advice.
• Maps
Get ready for your visit to Heathrow with the terminal maps.
• Flying in to Heathrow
Arriving at Heathrow
The arrivals areas at Heathrow are in the following locations:
• Terminal 1: Ground floor (international); first floor (UK and Ireland).
• Terminal 3: Ground floor of the arrivals building.
• Terminal 4: Ground floor.
• Terminal 5: Ground level.
Arrivals process
On leaving the aircraft, follow signs for arrivals to go through passport control, baggage reclaim and Customs.
Catching a connecting flight? If your baggage is checked through to your final destination, follow the Flight Connections signs when you leave the aircraft.
Onward travel
As London's gateway to the world, Heathrow is incredibly well connected. Whether you're travelling on by car, train, bus, taxi or bike, to and from Heathrow section has all the information you need.
• Checking in
Read our essential guide for passengers departing from Heathrow.
Find out all you need to know about checking in at London Heathrow Airport – where to go, how early to arrive, how to use self-service or online check-in and when to board your flight.
Where to go
Check-in is on the first floor in Terminals 1 and 4, the ground floor in Terminal 3, and the top floor of Terminal 5.
For Terminals 1, 3 and 4, find your check-in zone using the information screens near the entrance. Check-in zones are clearly marked by illuminated yellow cubes.
Terminal 5 passengers can use any of the 96 self-service check-in kiosks or staffed check-in desks.
How early to arrive
You are advised to check in as early as possible. As a general guide, you should allow:
• Three hours before scheduled departure for long-haul and El Al flights.
• Two hours before scheduled departure for European flights.
• Ninety minutes before scheduled departure for flights within the UK and Ireland.
You should check the instructions on your ticket and from your travel agent or booking website. If you are still unsure please check with your airline directly.
At check-in
To save time, have your tickets and passport ready, and ensure your hand luggage contains only valuables and items you will need during the journey.
Once your hold luggage is checked in, you can proceed to security control.
It pays to clear security control early and leave yourself time to relax before your flight, enjoy the shops, bars and cafés in the departure lounge, and get to your gate in plenty of time.
Please be aware that there are limits on the number and size of bags and on the quantity of liquid items which can be carried through security control.
For most destinations anything you buy after security control can be taken on to the aircraft – store staff will be able to advise you.
Self-service check-in
Self-service check-in kiosksSelf-service check-in offers a quick, easy and safe alternative to traditional check-in desks. Simply use the computer terminal to choose your seat and print your boarding card, then take your baggage to the bag-drop facility.
Please keep your bags close by and take care of credit cards, passports and other important documents when using the kiosks. Airline staff will be on hand if you need assistance.
• Security
All passengers must pass through Heathrow security control after check-in and before entering the departure lounge. Read our Heathrow security guide.
Security update
Additional security checks
Body scanners are being introduced at Heathrow Airport in line with UK Government requirements which state the following:
• "For the benefit of all passengers' security, passengers may be required to be screened using body scanning equipment. Screening will be conducted by security officers acting on behalf of the airport operator. Images of passengers will not be saved."
This has been introduced to improve security; refusal to comply will mean passengers cannot fly.
Travel to the USA
Passengers travelling to the United States should expect their airline to carry out additional security checks prior to boarding.
To support this important process and keep delays to a minimum, we would advise passengers to check the relevant airline website or call the airline for specific advice before travelling to the airport, arrive promptly at check-in, and limit the amount of baggage being taken on board the aircraft.
If in any doubt, please contact the relevant airline for further information.