Heathrow rail disruption: 13-18 December 2022

Due to industrial action, rail services to and from Heathrow will be disrupted between 13 and 18 December 2022.

Please plan your journey in advance and ensure you leave enough time to get to the airport as roads will likely be busier than normal.

Latest updates
Travelling through Heathrow this Christmas

We’re looking forward to welcoming you and your loved ones to the airport this Christmas and working hard to make sure your trip runs as smoothly as possible. To help with this process, please be aware of the following:

 

Consider your arrival time
Allow three hours to check-in before a long-haul flight and two hours to check-in before a short-haul flight – and make sure all your travel documents are up-to-date. Please don't turn up significantly early for your flight as this can cause unnecessary congestion in the airport and you may not be able to check in your bags. You can monitor current security waiting times using the Heathrow app and on your flight detail page.

 

Remove liquids from hand luggage
You can’t take liquids with a capacity over 100ml through security. Liquids under 100ml should be removed from your hand luggage and placed in a single transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one litre capacity. Each bag must be able to close properly with all the items inside. These bags are available free-of-charge before security. Passengers are strictly limited to one bag of liquids per person.

(“Liquids” includes all drinks and syrups; creams, lotions, oils, perfumes; sprays, shaving foam, deodorants, gels and pastes; soups, jams, preserves, chutneys – and snow globes)

 

Travel tips

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    • Getting between terminals

    Fast, convenient transfers are available between Heathrow's terminals 2-5.

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    PLEASE NOTE

    Due to ongoing airport works, it's recommended that passengers travelling on connecting flights arriving to or departing from Terminal 4 after 20:30 allow for an extra 20 minutes to complete their connection.

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    Connecting passengers

    Transferring between flights? Our frequent Flight Connections buses will whisk you to your departure terminal without leaving the passenger-only area.

    Flight Connection plan

    Heathrow free travel map

    View the new Heathrow Airport free travel map, which will be expanded from 4th September 2022, to open up free rail and underground transfers between Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, and Hatton Cross underground station.

     

    Not a connecting passenger?

    If you don't have a connecting ticket (not sure? Your airline can advise), begin by selecting your starting terminal below.

    Terminal 3

    You can walk between Terminals 2 and 3 via the pedestrian underpass. The route is well signposted and can be followed on our interactive Heathrow map. If you have an impairment or mobility difficulties, find out how to request assistance.

    Average journey time: 10 minutes

    Terminal 4

    Free London Underground services and shuttle trains (Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express) are available for inter-terminal transfers between Heathrow Terminals 2&3 and Heathrow Terminal 4.

    Please note that a Transport for London Oyster card or contactless payment mechanism is required to activate the ticket gates on London Underground services, but you won’t be charged for your journey as long as you only travel between terminals.

    If you are using Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line, please obtain a free Inter-terminal transfer ticket from one of the machines in the station for your journey.

    Average journey time: 20 minutes

    Terminal 5

    Free London Underground services and shuttle trains (Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express) are currently available for inter-terminal transfers between Heathrow Terminals 2&3 and Heathrow Terminal 5.

    Please note that a Transport for London Oyster card or contactless payment mechanism is required to activate the ticket gates on London Underground services, but you won’t be charged for your journey as long as you only travel between terminals.

    If you are using Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line, please obtain a free inter-terminal transfer ticket from one of the machines in the station for your journey.

    Average journey time: 20 minutes

     

    Terminal 2

    You can walk between Terminals 2 and 3 via the pedestrian underpass. The route is well signposted and can be followed on our interactive Heathrow map. If you have an impairment or mobility difficulties, find out how to request assistance.

    Average journey time: 10 minutes

    Terminal 4

    Free London Underground services and shuttle trains (Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express) are currently available for inter-terminal transfers between Heathrow Terminals 2&3 and Heathrow Terminal 4.

    Please note that a Transport for London Oyster card or contactless payment mechanism is required to activate the ticket gates on London Underground services, but you won’t be charged for your journey as long as you only travel between terminals.

    If you are using Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line, please obtain a free inter-terminal transfer ticket from one of the machines in the station for your journey.

    Average journey time: 20 minutes

    Terminal 5

    Free London Underground services and shuttle trains (Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express) are available for inter-terminal transfers between Heathrow Terminals 2&3 and Heathrow Terminal 5.

    Please note that a Transport for London Oyster card or contactless payment mechanism is required to activate the ticket gates on London Underground services, but you won’t be charged for your journey as long as you only travel between terminals.

    If you are using Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line, please obtain a free inter-terminal transfer ticket from one of the machines in the station for your journey.

    Average journey time: 20 minutes

    Terminal 2 and Terminal 3

    Free London Underground services and shuttle trains (Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express) are available for inter-terminal transfers between Heathrow Terminal 4 and Heathrow Terminals 2&3.

    Please note that a Transport for London Oyster card or contactless payment mechanism is required to activate the ticket gates on London Underground services, but you won’t be charged for your journey as long as you only travel between terminals.

    If you are using Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line, please obtain a free inter-terminal transfer ticket from one of the machines in the station.

    Average journey time: 20 minutes

    Terminal 5

    Free London Underground services are available between Heathrow Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 - please change trains at Hatton Cross.

    Shuttle trains are available on the Elizabeth Line and Hearthrow Express between Heathrow Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, please change trains at Heathrows Terminals 2&3.

    Please note that a Transport for London Oyster card or contactless payment mechanism is required to activate the ticket gates on London Underground services, but you won’t be charged for your journey as long as you only travel between terminals. 

    If you are using Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line, please obtain a free inter-terminal transfer ticket from one of the machines in the station.

    Average journey time: 30 minutes

    Terminal 2 and Terminal 3

    Free London Underground services and shuttle trains are  available for inter-terminal transfers between Heathrow Terminal 5 and Heathrow Terminals 2&3.

    Please note that a Transport for London Oyster card or contactless payment mechanism is required to activate the ticket gates on London Underground services, but you won’t be charged for your journey as long as you only travel between terminals.

    If you are using Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line, please obtain a free inter-terminal transfer ticket from one of the machines in the station.

    Average journey time: 20 minutes

    Terminal 4

    Free London Underground services and shuttle trains (Elizabeth Line) are available for inter-terminal transfers between Heathrow Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, please change trains at Heathrow Terminals 2&3. 

    Please note that a Transport for London Oyster card or contactless payment mechanism is required to activate the ticket gates on London Underground services, but you won’t be charged for your journey as long as you only travel between terminals.

    If you are using Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line, please obtain a free inter-terminal transfer ticket from one of the machines in the station.

    Average journey time: 30 minutes