Flying to London Heathrow Airport soon? If you’re anything like me, and I suspect you might be since you’re researching this information, knowing how to navigate Europe’s largest airport will set your mind at ease.
Quick Disclaimer: These airport navigation tips are based on my experience flying in and out of Terminal 5, which is a British Airways only terminal, in 2024. The timing of all my flights ranged from 4am to 4pm. However, I suspect that Terminals 1 through 4 offer a similar experience.
Arrivals to London Heathrow Airport
You’ve just landed at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 after a long-haul, red eye flight from the US. You’re tired, might have slept on your neck wrong and have morning breath. I know the state you’re in all too well; I was just in it myself.
Here’s what you’re going to do:
First, find a bathroom and freshen up. I know, I know, you’re excited to get your trip started. But trust me, you’re going to feel 10x better after you rinse your face, brush your teeth and change.
After you have freshened up, follow these steps:
Head towards the internal train that connects Terminal 5 to baggage claim. Once there, if you have checked bags, you’ll snag them. If you only came with ‘hand luggage’, continue past the baggage claim making your way to Passport & Customs.
You’ve arrived at the Passport check. There’s two entrances; for a majority of passport holders, you will use a machine for the check process. I carry a US passport, so I used the machine.
You’re going to place your passport facedown on the scanner, sliding it up. The picture page at the top, facedown. It will scan you through to have your photo taken. Note: Both my sister and I didn’t get the slide right the first time and had to try again. Don’t panic if your first try denies you access.
Once through Passport check, you will make your way to Customs. This was the most shocking part of the airport for me. Customs was non-existent! Granted, the last time I flew internationally was 2014… Go straight through and you will pop out on the England side.
Congratulations! YOU made it through Terminal 5.
If you’re flying back through London Heathrow Airport on your return flight, keep reading!
Departures from London Heathrow Airport
The time has come to leave the beautiful city of London. Though your heart is protesting the departure, your brain is probably already trying to plan the airport navigation. If you’re traveling with British Airways, you’re most likely headed to Terminal 5.
Below is what you need to know to make it through check-in & security somewhat stress-free:
Check-In
Whether you walk through the automatic doors straight to check-in or ride the lift up from the Underground, once you’re inside- it’s a chaotic experience. British Airways has a few customer service reps sprinkled in the terminal, but for the most part you’re on your own using a machine.
Neither my sister or I had checked bags, so we checked-in online with our phones and preloaded our boarding passes. However, this doesn’t save you as much time as it does with a domestic US flight as British Airways requires a passport/visa check prior to going through security.
If you’re not checking a bag, and already have your boarding pass, head to a ‘Passport/Visa Check’ station. They’re located near the security entrances. Here, they’ll scan your passport and you’ll proceed to security. Pro tip: Ask if they will print your boarding pass. It will make the security process easier.
If you are checking a bag, you will proceed to a kiosk. There’s several of them! Much like how it works in the US when you use a self-check-in station. Once you have your bags tagged, you will drop them off with a British Airway attendant. At that time, they will check your passport and you will be free to head to security.
Security
In Terminal 5, there are two security checkpoints: North and South. My sister and I went through the South checkpoint. We think it may be the smaller of the two checkpoints and possibly only open when there are large crowds.
In the EU, if you’re flying with hand-luggage, ALL liquids must fit in ONE quart size, clear plastic bag. If you don’t already have a bag, they do have some available to snag at security before you go through. Here’s some more information on liquid regulations.
Don’t let this liquid rule convince you to check your bag & pay a premium, my sister and I both successfully shoved all of our toiletries into the one quart size bag. It can be done, you just have to be strategic.
You’ll queue in the security line. Now, here’s where the paper boarding pass comes in handy. Once you’re at the front of the queue, you will scan your boarding pass to enter the checkpoint. It’s a bit finicky with a phone interface.
The line can get pretty long and the wait times can be brutal, which is why I agree with the 2.5 hour prior to boarding arrival time. There are TONS of shopping opportunities once you’re through security to fill the time if you make it through quickly.
Don’t put your boarding pass away. You scan it ONE MORE TIME before you unload your stuff onto the security conveyor belt. Note: you don’t have to take your shoes off when you go through the detector.
Once through the detector, you’re done!
You are in the terminal and can wait for your gate to be posted. Our gate number was assigned about an hour before boarding. Depending on your gate number, you might have to take a train to it. Be sure to take note of when the gate number will be posted and then enjoy the airport shopping, people watching and food.
If you made it this far, thank you for reading. I know I am someone who likes to know steps before I live them myself. Before my international trip, I didn’t find a post that really gave me the answers to the questions I had. So, I wrote my own. I tried to keep the information short, sweet and simple while giving as much detail as I could.
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