Travelling with children takes a bit more planning. At Heathrow, we’re here to make family journeys feel simpler and calmer from start to finish, whether you’re travelling with a baby, young children or teenagers.
You’ll find practical facilities across all terminals, clear information to help you plan ahead, and colleagues ready to help if you need support along the way.
Explore your options
Whether you’re driving, taking the train or using public transport, you’ll find step-free access, clear signage and regular services to all terminals.
Heathrow is served by:
🚆 Train services, including Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line
🚇 London Underground services to multiple terminals
🚍 Local buses and national coach services, connecting Heathrow with towns and cities across the UK
🚖 Taxis and private hire, with drop-off points outside every terminal
This range of options makes it easier to choose the route that works best for your family, whether you’re travelling light, managing buggies or keeping cost in mind.
If you’re driving to Heathrow, there are several options to make your arrival with children easier.
Free luggage trolleys are available in car parks and terminal forecourts.
Travelling by train can be a simple and predictable option for families.
This can be a good option if you want a straightforward journey into the terminal with minimal walking and no parking to think about.
Family travel on Heathrow Express
Airports take longer to move around with children, especially with buggies or younger travellers. Allowing extra time can help everyone feel more relaxed.
Across the terminals, you’ll find:
Security can feel daunting with babies or tired children, but knowing what to expect can help.
Security colleagues are there to help and can guide you through each step.
Security rules around liquids have changed recently, so here’s the up-to-date situation for passengers flying from Heathrow.
One thing to note: Heathrow has rolled out new advanced scanners that mean most liquids (including baby milk and food) can stay in your bag at security, but if you’re connecting at another airport or returning through a country that still enforces the old 100ml rule, you may need to follow that airport’s rules too.
Pushchairs, car seats and baby carriers go through security screening.
Some families choose to use Fast Track security, which gives access to a dedicated security lane. This is an optional service and can be helpful if you’re:
Fast Track must be booked in advance, and availability varies by terminal and time of day. All standard security rules still apply.
Located in each terminal after security, these play areas are designed to help younger children burn off some energy before boarding. They include soft play and age-appropriate zones, with seating nearby for parents and carers. Stay & Play areas are unsupervised; children must be accompanied at all times.
Opening times are 06:00 – 21:00 daily
You can also keep younger travellers entertained with Heathrow’s Mr Men online games, which are free to play on your phone or tablet and designed to pass the time while you wait to board.
Across the terminals you’ll find restaurants and cafés that cater well for families, with children’s menus, highchairs and space for buggies. Many places offer familiar favourites alongside lighter options, making it easier to find something that suits everyone.
During school holidays, Kids Eat Free offers are available at selected restaurants when an adult buys a main meal - a handy way to keep costs down while you refuel before the flight.
If you’re travelling with a baby or toddler, you’ll find practical facilities across the airport to help you manage those pre-flight moments with less stress.
Baby changing areas are available in every terminal, both before and after security.
Most are located alongside the main toilet blocks, making them easy to find as you move through the terminal.
Family toilets and larger washrooms are available in selected locations, giving you more space if you’re travelling with a buggy or hand luggage.
In some areas, you’ll also find seating or quieter spaces suitable for feeding, depending on the terminal.
Look out for the baby-care symbol on terminal signage, or check the terminal maps to find the nearest facilities during your journey.
You’ll also find a wide range of shops selling books, games, toys and travel-friendly activities. Many parents choose to save a small treat for the airport - something new to enjoy on the plane or during the journey ahead.
Shops at Heathrow
If you’re looking for a calmer moment, there are quieter seating areas across the terminals, useful for reading, drawing, or simply taking a breather before boarding.
You’ll also find plenty of spots with great views of the planes, a simple way to keep children entertained while you wait. Watching aircraft taxi, park, take off, and land is a favourite with younger travellers and plane-spotting teens alike.
If you’ve got some time before boarding, head for the large windows near the gates. Every terminal has good viewing spots, and in Terminal 4, there’s a dedicated viewing area after security with wide views across the airfield.
Terminal 5’s satellite gates are also a good option if you’re flying from there. It’s an easy, low-effort way to pass the time, with no screens or planning needed.
If you, your child, or someone travelling with you has a disability, reduced mobility or a non-visible condition, Heathrow’s Assistance service is available free of charge.
Support should be requested in advance through your airline, tour operator or travel agent, ideally at least 48 hours before travel.
You can find full details on our Assistance and accessibility pages, including who the service is for, how to book and what to expect on the day.
Find out more
If you don’t need Assistance but would like an extra pair of hands, there are paid services available.
Porters are available in both Departures and Arrivals if you’d like an extra pair of hands with your luggage.
They can help with:
The service is available on request and is separate from the airport’s Assistance service.
Find out more
Meet and Assist services guide you through the airport at key points in your journey. This can be helpful if you’re:
A trained host meets you at an agreed point and helps you move through the airport with ease.
When you arrive at Heathrow, families follow the same route as other passengers through the terminal: passport control, baggage reclaim, customs, and then the arrivals hall.
Children aged 10 and over may be eligible to use eGates if they meet the requirements
Families travelling with younger children will need to use staffed passport control desks
Free luggage trolleys are available in baggage reclaim, and colleagues are on hand if you need help
Some passengers also choose Fast Track Arrivals, which offers access to a dedicated passport control lane at selected terminals. This is an optional service and must be booked in advance. Availability varies by terminal and time of day.
