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Heathrow (LHR) — Airport Guide

Complete guide to Heathrow (LHR) in London, United Kingdom. Find lounges, restaurants, sleep options, transport links, and jetlag recovery facilities.

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Heathrow Airport Guide

Lounges, food, WiFi, sleep, hotels, and transport at LHR

Official website

Terminal Transfers

How to navigate between terminals

FromToWalkRecommendedSecurityTransport
T2AT2B8 min25 min-
-
T5AT5B12 min25 min-
Train
T5AT5C18 min35 min-
Train
T3T5A7 min60 min
Recheck
Bus
T2AT5A25 min120 min
Recheck
Train
T4T2A8 min65 min
Recheck
Bus
T5BT5C10 min25 min-
Train
T2AT312 min75 min
Recheck
Bus
T4T5A20 min80 min
Recheck
Train

Lounges at Heathrow

30 lounges · 24 terminals

30 lounges found

British Airways Concorde Room

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 5, Galleries South, reception level
Priority Pass
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 3, Lounge H, near gates 13-22
British Airways Galleries First

British Airways Galleries First

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 3, Lounge F, near gates 13-22
Priority Pass
Daily ~05:00–22:30

British Airways Galleries First

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 5, Galleries South, reception level
Priority Pass
Daily ~05:00–22:30
Lufthansa Senator Lounge

Lufthansa Senator Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 2, Lounge A1, enter through Lufthansa Business Lounge
Qatar Airways Premium Lounge

Qatar Airways Premium Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 4, opposite gate 6
United Club

United Club

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 2, Concourse B, Lounge B1, opposite gate B46
Daily ~05:00–22:00
American Airlines Arrivals Lounge

American Airlines Arrivals Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 3, landside (outside security), after customs and immigration, go up to level 2
Priority Pass
American Express The Centurion Lounge

American Express The Centurion Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 3, Lounge A (after security, take elevator on the left of Flight Connections in the retail area)
Priority Pass
Blush Lounge by Plaza Premium Group

Blush Lounge by Plaza Premium Group

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 4, near gates 2-3
Priority Pass

British Airways Arrivals Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 5, landside (outside security), after customs and immigration, mezzanine level between Arrivals and Departures
Priority Pass
British Airways International Lounge

British Airways International Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 1, near gate 5
Priority Pass
British Airways UK and Ireland Lounge

British Airways UK and Ireland Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 1, near gate 8
Priority Pass
Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge

Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 3, Lounge F, near gate 11
Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge

Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 3, Lounge C, near gate 11
Club Aspire lounge

Club Aspire lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 3, Lounge F, near gate 9
Priority Pass
Club Aspire Lounge

Club Aspire Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 5, near gate A18
Priority Pass

Delta Arrivals Lounge

Location TBD
Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounge

Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 4, between gates 6-7, level 3
My Lounge

My Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 3, Lounge D, near gate 9
Priority Pass

No 1 Heathrow

Location TBD
Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge

Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 2, landside (outside security), Arrivals Hall, after immigration and customs, left side
Priority Pass
Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge

Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 4, opposite gate 6
Saudia Lounge

Saudia Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 4, opposite gates 10A-10B
Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge

Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 2, Concourse B, Lounge B2, near gate B36

Singapore Airlines Silverkris Lounge Lhr

Location TBD
SkyTeam Exclusive Lounge

SkyTeam Exclusive Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 4, opposite gate 10
Priority Pass
Star Alliance Lounge

Star Alliance Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 1, at the far end of the duty free area
The Qantas London Lounge

The Qantas London Lounge

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 3, Lounge B, above gate 5
United VIP Lounge (former Global First Lounge)

United VIP Lounge (former Global First Lounge)

Terminal London - Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 2, Concourse B, Lounge B1, opposite gate B46
All lounges at Heathrow

Food & Drink

12 dining options

Cafes

Black Sheep Coffee

cafe

Caffè Nero

cafe

Heathrow Airport Coffee

Heathrow Airside Cafe

Heathrow Costa Airport

Heathrow Starbucks Airport

Heathrow Terminal Cafe

Joes Coffee House

cafe

Pret A Manger

cafe

Starbucks Coffee

cafe

Starbucks Coffee T5A

cafe

Starbucks T5 B

cafe
All cafes

Sleep & Rest

Rest and recovery options

Sleep Pods

Provider: YOTELAIR (Terminal 4, Terminal 5)

Quiet Zones

Designated quiet areas for resting.

Lounge Beds

Some lounges offer lie-flat beds for rest.

Spa Services

Spa treatments available in the terminal.

Showers

Shower facilities in the terminal

Shower Facilities

Showers available in the terminal.

London Heathrow: Crowded, dated terminals, T5 good but others poor.

Layover Tips

Making the most of your time at Heathrow

Minimum connection time: 60 minutes
4h: With 4 hours in London (counting immigration and return security), it’s best to stay close to your arrival airport. From Heathrow, take the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line to Paddington (15–30 min each way) only if you have at least 4–5 hours between flights. Stroll around Paddington Basin and Little Venice for a quick canal-side walk, grab a coffee or light meal at nearby cafés, then head back early. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express or Southern trains to Victoria (30–35 min) are possible if you have a solid 4–5 hours; otherwise, stay at the airport, explore its shops and restaurants, and use airport lounges. From Stansted or Luton, the transfer time into central London is usually too long for a safe 4‑hour layover—remain at the airport, relax in a lounge, and enjoy a sit‑down meal.
8h: With 8 hours, you can see a slice of central London. From Heathrow, take the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express to Paddington, then the Tube to Westminster. Walk the classic Westminster loop: see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge, Westminster Abbey (photo stop or quick visit), then stroll along the Thames towards the London Eye and the South Bank. If time allows, continue to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery (free entry, donations welcome). From Gatwick, take the Gatwick Express or Southern/Thameslink to Victoria, then either walk or take the Tube to Westminster for the same loop. From Stansted, take the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, then the Tube to Tower Hill to see the Tower of London and Tower Bridge from the outside, followed by a short riverside walk. From Luton, take the Luton Airport Express/Thameslink to St Pancras, then the Tube to Leicester Square or Covent Garden for a quick wander, a pub lunch, and people‑watching. Always aim to be back at your departure airport at least 2 hours (short‑haul) or 3 hours (long‑haul) before your next flight.
24h: With 24 hours, treat it as a mini city break. From any London airport, head into central London and base yourself near the West End, South Bank, or King’s Cross for easy transport. Day: Start at Westminster (Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey), then walk along the South Bank past the London Eye, Royal Festival Hall, and the Tate Modern. Cross the Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s Cathedral. Afternoon: Head to the City for the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, or go to Covent Garden and Soho for shopping and cafés. Evening: See a West End show in Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus, or enjoy riverside dining around London Bridge or Bankside. If you stay overnight, choose a hotel near a major station (Paddington, Victoria, King’s Cross, London Bridge) for a quick return to the airport the next day. Factor in at least 1–1.5 hours each way for airport transfers plus check‑in and security time.

By Layover Duration

4-Hour Layover

If you have five to eight hours, a short city visit is feasible. First, make your way to Paddington Station via the Heathrow Express, just a 15-20 minute ride and costing around £25 one-way. Once in London, head to Hyde Park for a refreshing stroll, then visit the iconic Buckingham Palace, just a short walk away. If you're a history buff, explore the nearby Westminster Abbey or the Houses of Parliament. Make sure to allocate enough time to return to the airport, and aim to be back at least 90-120 minutes before your next flight to allow for security checks.

8-Hour Layover

With between eight to twelve hours, you can enjoy a more leisurely day in London. After arriving at Paddington via the Heathrow Express, consider starting with a leisurely breakfast at The Ivy Cafe in St John's Wood. Next, stroll through Hyde Park, then head to Buckingham Palace. From there, walk to nearby Westminster to admire the Abbey and the iconic Big Ben. Take a scenic route along the Thames toward the Tate Modern art gallery for some culture, followed by a lunch break at Borough Market—perfect for a slice of London life. Finally, head back to Paddington to catch the Express back to Heathrow, ensuring you allow at least two hours before your next flight for check-in and security.

Overnight Layover

With twelve to twenty-four hours in London, you can delve deeper into the city's offerings. Following the Heathrow Express to Paddington, start your day with a full English breakfast at a local café. Visit the British Museum to marvel at its vast collections—entry is free! Afterward, walk through Covent Garden to enjoy street performances and boutique shopping. For lunch, stop by Dishoom for some exquisite Indian cuisine. Spend the afternoon at the Tower of London and Tower Bridge for a dose of history. As evening approaches, dine along the South Bank at Skylon, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Thames at sunset. Wrap your day with a visit to the Shard for breathtaking panoramic views of the skyline. Ensure you're back at Heathrow at least two hours before your flight, especially if flying internationally.

Full layover guide for London

Getting There & Away

Transport options to/from the airport

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Local Dining

Food areas and local cuisine near the airport

Food Areas

Gordon Ramsay Plane Food

Terminal 5 Fine Dining

Signature restaurant from the celebrity chef offering British cuisine and takeaway options.

Fortnum & Mason

Terminal 5 British

Iconic British department store with champagne bar and traditional afternoon tea.

Wagamama

Multiple Terminals

Popular pan-Asian chain with fresh noodle and rice dishes available in several terminals.

Local Cuisine Recommendations

The Gorgeous Kitchen

Terminal 2

Contemporary restaurant with British and international dishes using seasonal ingredients.

Heston Blumenthal The Perfectionists Café

Terminal 2

All-day dining concept from the renowned chef featuring signature dishes.

Services

Airport amenities and facilities

Spa

5 locations

Medical

Medical services available

Currency & ATM

Currency exchange

Luggage Storage

Storage available

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this airport

Average security wait time at Heathrow is approximately 30 minutes. Consider TSA PreCheck or fast track options for shorter waits.

Flying through LHR?

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London City Guide

Explore flights, hotels, attractions, and layover tips for London.

OverviewFlightsHotelsThings to DoLayover