Quick, checked answers to the questions travellers ask most about Heathrow: how to get in and out, what parking and drop-off cost, how security and facilities work, and how the four terminals fit together. Prices checked August 2026. For the full detail, follow the links to each section.
Getting to and from
What's the cheapest way from Heathrow to central London? The Piccadilly line Tube, from about £5.60 with contactless, taking roughly 50 minutes. It's charged at the peak rate at all times, with no off-peak discount to Heathrow, but it's still the lowest fare. See the public transport page.
What's the fastest way to central London? The Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes, or 21 minutes from T5. A walk-up single is £26, or from £10 if booked 30 or more days ahead.
How much is the Heathrow Express? £26 for a walk-up single, or from £10 booked 30 or more days in advance. Children aged 15 and under travel free with a fare-paying adult.
Is the Elizabeth line cheaper than the Heathrow Express? Yes. The Elizabeth line is a flat £15.50 to Zone 1 and takes about 35 minutes, against £26 and 15 minutes on the Express.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to central London? About £75 to £130 in a metered black cab, or £45 to £75 for a pre-booked minicab. See the taxis page.
Where does Uber pick up at Heathrow? In each terminal's short-stay "Terminal Parking" car park, for example T2 Level 4 Row H or T5 Level 1 Row R, not the forecourt. Drivers arrive about 5 to 10 minutes after you request.
Is Uber allowed at Heathrow? Yes. Uber, Bolt and FreeNow all operate, but only from the designated car-park pickup points, not the kerb.
Where's the T4 pickup now? T4's car park closed on 23 June 2026, so app and private-hire pickups moved to the T4 Park & Ride (Zone A, Scylla Road, TW6 3XL).
How much is the coach to Victoria? National Express runs from £9.50 one-way to Victoria Coach Station, with up to 77 services a day taking about 45 to 90 minutes.
Is there a night Tube to Heathrow? Yes. The Piccadilly line runs all night on Fridays and Saturdays. Otherwise the last train is around 23:30, then the night bus N9 runs from central London.
How far is Heathrow from central London? About 14 to 15 miles (20 to 23 km) west, near the M4 and M25.
How much is the Hotel Hoppa bus at Heathrow? £6.80 for a single and £12 for a return per adult, connecting the terminals with around 30 local airport hotels. Some of the same hotels along Bath Road are also reachable on free local TfL buses from the Central Bus Station.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to Windsor? Around £35 to £45 for the roughly 7-mile drive, taking 15 to 25 minutes. This figure is indicative, so confirm the fare when you book. See the routes page for more destinations.
Parking and drop-off
How much is the drop-off charge at Heathrow? £7 per vehicle with a 10-minute maximum, at all four terminal forecourts. It rose from £6 to £7 on 1 January 2026. See the drop-off page.
How do I avoid the drop-off fee? Use the Park & Ride, where the first 29 minutes are free, with a shuttle to the terminals.
What happens if I don't pay the drop-off charge? You pay online or by app by 23:59 the day after. If you don't, the penalty is £80, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.
How much is parking at Heathrow? Short-stay Terminal Parking starts at £8 for up to 29 minutes, rising to £98 for 24 hours. Park & Ride long-stay is from around £37 to £47 a day, cheaper pre-booked. See the parking page.
What's the cheapest car park at Heathrow? The Park & Ride long-stay, from around £37 to £47 a day at drive-up rates and cheaper when pre-booked.
How much is short-stay parking for an hour at Heathrow? The 1 to 2 hour band is £20. Shorter stays are cheaper: £8 for up to 29 minutes, £12.50 for 30 to 44 minutes and £15.50 for 45 to 59 minutes.
Can I pre-book parking at Heathrow? Yes, and it's cheaper than turning up and paying the drive-up rate. Stays of 9 hours or more can be pre-booked up to 99 days ahead.
At the airport
How early should I arrive at Heathrow? Allow 3 hours for long-haul and 2 hours for short-haul or domestic, and up to 3.5 hours at peak times.
How long are security queues? Over 97% of passengers waited under 5 minutes in 2025 thanks to the new CT scanners, though the morning peak (5am to 8am) at T3 and T5 can exceed 20 minutes.
What are the liquid rules now? Since 24 January 2026 all four terminals have CT scanners, so liquids up to 2 litres can stay loose in your bag and the 100ml bag rule has been scrapped. Other airports you connect through may still use the old rule.
How do I transfer between terminals? For free. Use the free inter-terminal buses (24/7) or the free Heathrow Express segment between T2/3 and T5. Allow 60 to 90 minutes, and 90 minutes if moving between T4 and T5.
Is there left luggage at Heathrow? Yes, in the arrivals halls of T2, T3, T4 and T5, open roughly 05:00 to 23:00, from about £6 to £11 per item for 24 hours. See the facilities page for the full price list.
Can I sleep in the terminal overnight? The terminals aren't fully 24-hour landside. Airside options exist for connecting passengers, and Yotel and other hotels are on site, so plan around the quiet window of roughly 11pm to 4am.
Which terminal does British Airways use? Mostly T5, but since 29 March 2026 some BA long-haul routes operate from T3, so check your specific flight's terminal before you travel.
How much is Fast Track security at Heathrow? From £12.99 per person for departures at all four terminals. A separate arrivals Fast Track through passport control costs £25 off-peak or from £35 at peak times.
Is there free WiFi at Heathrow? Yes, unlimited and free throughout all four terminals with no time limit. More on the facilities page.
Practical questions
Which Heathrow lounge can I use without a business-class ticket? Walk-in options include Club Aspire at T5, My Lounge at T3, and Plaza Premium, indicative from around £30 to £48. No1 Lounge, Clubrooms and the Amex Centurion Lounge are also on site, and Priority Pass and some Amex cards give access to several.
Where can I shower at Heathrow? There are no free public showers landside. Showers are inside paid or airline lounges such as Plaza Premium.
Is there a prayer room at Heathrow? Yes, a multi-faith prayer room in every terminal, plus St George's Chapel and a Multi-Faith Chaplaincy team.
How do I book special assistance at Heathrow? Through your airline, travel agent or tour operator at least 48 hours before you fly, not directly with the airport. Free sunflower lanyards for hidden disabilities are available from any Assistance desk.
Can I travel with an assistance dog through Heathrow? Yes. Every airline flying from Heathrow must carry assistance dogs free of charge, and you should notify your airline at least 48 hours before you travel.
Is there a Changing Places toilet at Heathrow? Yes, for departing passengers, with extra space and equipment. You'll need a RADAR key, or you can borrow one from the assistance area.
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, Facilities.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Heathrow Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Heathrow Airport website before you travel.