London Heathrow Airport

Terminal 2 — Star Alliance carriers (United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, SWISS, Singapore Airlines, Air China, Air India, Aer Lingus). Terminal 3 — most oneworld (American, Cathay, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Finnair) plus Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Emirates. Terminal 4 — SkyTeam (KLM, Air France, Korean Air) plus Qatar Airways, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines. Terminal 5 — British Airways (all long-haul and most short-haul) and Iberia. Check your booking — terminal allocation can change.

T2 ↔ T3: 5-10 minute walk through the underground link (no security re-check needed if airside). T2/T3 ↔ T5: 15 min by free Heathrow Express train (3 min ride + 5 min walk each side). T2/T3 ↔ T4: 15-25 min by free Heathrow Express train (different routing). T5 ↔ T4: 20-30 min total. Minimum connection times: 90 min same-terminal, 120-150 min inter-terminal.

Three good options. Heathrow Express (£25, 15 min) — fastest, direct to Paddington. Elizabeth Line (£12.80, 30-40 min) — cheaper, multiple central stops (Paddington, Bond St, Tottenham Court Rd, Liverpool St). Piccadilly Line (£5.80, 50-60 min) — cheapest but slow with luggage. Avoid taxis at peak (M4 traffic doubles £55-£90 fare).

Yes. Sofitel London Heathrow is connected to T5 by walkway. Hilton T4 and Hilton T5 are walk-distance to those terminals. The Yotel at T4 sells micro-rooms by the hour for transit passengers. All other on-airport hotels (Heathrow Marriott, Renaissance, Premier Inn) require the hotel shuttle from Heathrow Central Bus Station.

Yes if you have the right UK entry status — UK + EU/Irish citizens use the e-gates with no questions. Most other nationalities (including US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, Singaporean) get visa-free 6-month visitor entry on arrival. Take Heathrow Express (15 min) or Elizabeth Line (30 min) to central London, allow 4 hours minimum round trip. If you need a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), apply at gov.uk/eta — £10, 3 days processing.

Each terminal has its own Fast Track lane. Buy at heathrow.com/fasttrack from £7-£10 per person (cheaper online than at the airport). Includes priority security and a separate UK Border / arrivals lane on return. Free with: British Airways Club World/First, BA Executive Club Gold, oneworld Emerald, Virgin Upper Class, Star Alliance Gold (on Star carriers), and most credit cards offering Priority Pass benefits.