Coronavirus and FAQs at (LHR) airport

IMPORTANT: The information provided below is only a quick guide, but it may be subject to change due to permanent changes in the health situation. Therefore, always corroborate the information with the official entities and the airline with which you intend to travel to and also check if at the time of your trip, the country you are coming from is not within the list of High Risk Countries.

Covid-19: Regulations for travel to United Kingdom

International travel to the UK is allowed. You need to meet the requirements to ensure entry is allowed. There may be different requirements if you are traveling to Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

Vaccinations and travel rules for vaccinated people

Travelers presenting a valid certificate of complete vaccination against COVID-19 issued in the country of departure or other selected countries are exempt from quarantine requirements and post-arrival testing on day 8. Final dose must have been administered at least 14 days before departure. Vaccinated travelers must still provide a pre-departure test and must book a second PCR test to be administered on or before day 2 after arrival.

Travelers who test positive for PCR should self-isolate for 10 days. Vaccination exemptions will only apply if the full dose and certificate were issued in the UK, Europe, the US, and other specific countries. You can find a complete list of licensed vaccines and issuing countries HERE

It is mandatory to submit medical certificate / proof

Proof of a negative PCR or LFD test, taken within the previous 48 hours, must be provided upon departure. This certificate must be in English, French or Spanish. You can find more information about tests, such as the accepted minimum standards HERE

Test is done upon arrival

Unvaccinated travelers must purchase a 'COVID Testing Package' prior to departure, for the 'Day 2 and Day 8 testing'. These tests must be administered twice during self-quarantine, on or before day 2 and on day 8. Vaccinated travelers who meet the exemption criteria are only required to book a 'day 2 test'. This reserved test must be a PCR test and administered after arrival, on or before day 2. Self-isolation is required until a negative test result is confirmed.

Proof of booking is a mandatory requirement for travelers, regardless of the length of their stay, but testing should only be done if travelers are still in the UK on the testing dates. Tests can be booked directly at https://quarantinehotelbookings.ctmportal.co.uk/ or a list of approved third-party test providers can be found HERE

Additional documents required

An online passenger locator form must be completed 48 hours prior to departure.

• Passenger location form

For more details on the UK Government website

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London Heathrow airport FAQs

Which is the cheapest way to get from Heathrow to Central London?

Either the National Express coach, the Metro (the tube) or TFL rail are the cheapest ways to get to the central London from Heathrow Airport. The first two run to Victoria (Bus and Underground station respectively) and the TFL rail goes to Paddington station. Rates £5.10 (Monday to Friday from 0630 to 0930 and the rest of the hours and holidays £3.10, paying by Oyester card or Contactless credit or debit card.  (Cash £6.00). The journey time to Victoria Station is 50 minutes by Metro or 1 hour by bus and 30-35 min to Paddington by train. Children under the age of 11 travel free of charge when accompanied by an adult.

Which is the fastest way to get from Heathrow to Central London?

The journey between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 takes 15 minutes (wait a few more minutes for Terminal 4 or 5). Trains depart every 15 minutes. 

Where can I pick up an Uber?

Terminal 2 – Level 4, Row H (Short Stay Car Park 2)
Terminal 3 – Level 3, Row A (Short Stay Car Park 3)
Terminal 4 – Level 1, Private Hire Pickup
Terminal 5 – Level 1, Row R (Short Stay Car Park 5). Rates starts from £30. A taxi fare ranges between £45 and £75

How to get Free Wi-Fi access?

There’s Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal. You have to select _Heathrow Wi-Fi and follow the on-screen instructions. Once registered, you’ll have free Wi-Fi with no limits during your stay at Heathrow. In addition, there are free internet kiosks in every terminal

Is it possible to buy a SIM card at the airport?

Sim Local is a shop selling several UK network operators SIM cards. Also you can get the latest range of unlocked/SIM Free handsets and accessories. Location: in Arrivals T2 (level 1), T3 and T5 in Arrivals Level 0 (6 am to 10 pm).

Where can I find exchange currency services and ATMs?

Travelex offers exchange currency services as well as money transfer by Western Union and Xpress Money services. Travelex collection points can be found in T2
before security (check-in area), T3
before security (first floor next to security), T4
before security (departures) and T5
Before security (departures zone B).
Several cash points (ATMs) can be found in every terminal. They accept all major debit and credit cards and you can withdraw Euros as well as British Pounds.

How long does it take to change terminals at Heathrow?

You can walk (10 minutes) between Terminals 2 and 3 via the pedestrian walkways. For passengers with walking difficulties, can request for special assistance.
Terminal 4 and 5 have free shuttle trains running in 20 minutes between both and Heathrow Central station (Terminals 2 and 3).
There are four trains an hour. The tube also runs between the terminals. The transfer is only free using the London Oyster card or a contactless payment card. Average journey time: 16 minutes.

Is there any transportation service between Heathrow and other London airports?

National Express coach service is the direct connection between Heathrow and Gatwick Airport with 80 daily departures (from £25) and a travel duration of 1 hour 05 minutes (under normal traffic conditions). There is also a service to Luton with 28 daily departures from £15 (70 min.) and 20 daily departures to Stansted Airport £19 (90 min.)

Where is the Lost and Found desk?

If you lose anything within the airport grounds find the lost property office in Terminal 3 on the mezzanine level of the Heathrow Express Station, underneath Terminal 3 Arrivals hall, or in Terminal 5 Arrivals hall, near domestic arrivals. If you already left the airpot, search for your missing property at missingx.com

Left luggage services at Heathrow?

Excess Baggage Company offers long and short term baggage storage. Rates: the first 3 hours £7.50 per item, 24 hours £12.50. You can also book in advance

Are there any hotels within the terminals?

Hotels, day rooms and cabins can be found at Heathrow. Hotel reservation desks are located in the Arrivals of each terminal. Aerotel (Terminal 3) is connected to Terminal 3 Arrivals.

Hilton (Terminal 4)
Four-star hotel has three restaurants, business and fitness centres.

YOTEL (Terminal 4)
It is a japanese-inspired capsule hotel with 32 cabins, bookable for a few hours upwards.

Sofitel (Terminal 5)
It is a luxury hotel with 605 rooms, two restaurants and conference facilities.

Day rooms are located in the departures lounge (after securtity) of Terminal 3 (ideal for passengers connecting through Terminal 3 with at least three hours between flights). Twin (bunk) and single rooms are available.

BOOK IN ADVANCE

Where can I get 24-hour food options?

There are coffee shops open 24 hours a day in terminals 2, 4 and 5 in pre-security, public zones.

Is there a free parking option?

The long term car park has the first 2 hours free of charge. Bus shuttles offers a connection to the terminals every 10-12 minutes. 

World situation. General considerations Due to the advancement of vaccination worldwide, documentation and testing restrictions have been eliminated in many countries. In fact, in some countries, by presenting the complete vaccination certificate against Coronavirus, RT-PCR or antigen test results are no longer required, nor is a health affidavit form.

However, we insist once again, that in the situation of constant changes, it is always important to consult and finalize details with the airline and, if necessary, with the airport as well as, in the case of international flights, with the embassy or consulate near the final destination, and also with the countries involved for connecting flights, if any. In this sense, it is useful to review the International Map of the current restrictions of each country.