Connection time calculator, immigration and security, and how to move between terminals at LHR.
At London Heathrow airport, passengers connecting between two international flights can usually stay in the transit area without going through immigration.
The airport has 4 terminals or concourses (Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, Terminal 5). They are not connected after security: changing means going through security again.
Connecting passengers go through a transfer security screening.
Is your layover at LHR long enough? Pick your connection and get an estimate with the times of this airport.
Terminals / concourses: Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, Terminal 5
Getting between them: Free airside Flight Connections shuttle buses run between Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5 every 6 to 10 minutes. Within Terminal 5, an automated underground transit train connects the main terminal (5A) to satellite concourses (5B and 5C).
Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5 are connected airside by free Flight Connections shuttle buses, but all transferring passengers must clear security screening upon arrival at the departure terminal before accessing gates.
Passengers connecting from international flights to UK domestic flights or Common Travel Area destinations (such as the Republic of Ireland) must clear UK border control at the Flight Connections area.
Estimate based on typical times at this airport, not your airline's official minimum connection time. Immigration and security lines change with the time of day and season. On a single ticket, the airline must rebook you if you miss the connection; on separate tickets, it does not.
Sources: heathrow.com · britishairways.com.
Times are estimates: always check with your airline.
LHR publishes live security wait times on its official website.
