Last updated: June 2026
You have landed at Heathrow. Your connecting flight is from a different terminal. Or you need to meet someone arriving at Terminal 5 while you landed at Terminal 3. Whatever the reason, you need to move between terminals, and you need to know exactly how to do it.
This guide covers every transfer route between Heathrow’s 4 active terminals in plain, simple English. Free options, journey times, step-by-step directions, and what to do if you have heavy luggage, a tight connection, or a mobility need.
The 4 Heathrow Terminals
Heathrow has 4 active passenger terminals:
- Terminal 2: Also called The Queen’s Terminal. Serves Star Alliance airlines, including United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Aer Lingus.
- Terminal 3: Serves oneworld and SkyTeam airlines, including American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Virgin Atlantic.
- Terminal 4: Serves Malaysia Airlines, Korean Air, and some charter flights.
- Terminal 5: Used exclusively by British Airways and Iberia.
Terminals 2 and 3 sit close together in the central terminal area. Terminal 4 sits to the south on a separate spur road. Terminal 5 sits to the west, closest to the M25.
Knowing this layout matters because it determines how long your transfer will take and which route to use.
Are Terminal Transfers at Heathrow Free?
Yes, all transfers between Heathrow terminals are free. You do not pay for the train, the shuttle bus, or the underground connection when moving between terminals within the airport.
There are 2 types of transfer depending on your situation:
- Airside transfer: you stay inside the secure area (past security). Used for connecting passengers on a single ticket who do not need to collect baggage.
- Landside transfer: You exit the secure area (after baggage claim). Used when you have collected your luggage, are self-connecting on 2 separate tickets, or need to re-check in.
The type that applies to you determines which service you use. Both are free. Both are clearly signposted throughout the airport.
The 4 Ways to Transfer Between Terminals
1. Heathrow Express (Rail)
The fastest rail connection between terminals. The Heathrow Express connects Terminals 2 and 3 with Terminal 5.
- Trains run every 15 minutes
- Journey time: 5–7 minutes between T2/T3 and T5
- Completely free between terminals — no ticket needed, no tap in required
- Follow the signs marked “Heathrow Express” from within the terminal
This is the best option for the T2/T3 to T5 route and the reverse.
2. Elizabeth Line and London Underground (Piccadilly Line)
Both the Elizabeth Line and the Piccadilly Line connect all 4 terminals at Heathrow. These are landside services. You use them after exiting the secure area.
- Trains run approximately every 10–15 minutes.
- Transfers between terminals within Heathrow are free (you remain within the Heathrow travel zone)
- The Underground runs earlier in the morning and later at night than shuttle buses, useful for very early departures or late-night connections.
- The Elizabeth Line is step-free throughout and ideal for passengers with luggage or mobility needs.
3. Flight Connections Buses (Airside)
If you are connecting on a single ticket and do not need to collect baggage, use the airside Flight Connections buses. These keep you inside the secure area — no need to go through security again.
- Buses run every 6–10 minutes.
- Signposted with purple “Flight Connections” signs throughout all terminals
- Step-free and accessible for passengers with mobility needs
- If you are transferring from an international flight to a domestic one, follow the signs after passport control. You will be directed to the correct airside bus gate
4. Free Landside Shuttle Buses
If you have exited security and need to reach another terminal, for example, after collecting baggage or for a self-connection on 2 separate bookings, use the free landside shuttle buses.
- Run between all terminals approximately every 10–20 minutes
- Operating hours: approximately 05:00 to 22:30 daily
- Buses have luggage racks and wheelchair access
- Check live times on the Heathrow Airport app before travelling
How to Get from Terminal 2 or 3 to Terminal 5
This is the most common transfer route at Heathrow, particularly for passengers arriving on Star Alliance or oneworld flights and connecting onto British Airways.
Fastest route: Heathrow Express
- Follow signs for Heathrow Express from inside Terminal 2 or 3
- Board the next available service; trains run every 15 minutes
- Journey time: 5–7 minutes on the train
- Total door-to-door time, including walking: approximately 20 minutes
- Free, no ticket required
Alternative: Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line
- Use if you have exited security and are on the landside
- Journey time: approximately 15–20 minutes
- Follow the signs for the Underground from the arrivals level
Allow at least 60–90 minutes total connection time for this route if you need to clear security at Terminal 5.
How to Get from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 Heathrow
If you need to know how to get from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 Heathrow specifically, the answer is straightforward: the Heathrow Express is your best option.
Step by step:
- Exit your arriving gate and follow the purple “Flight Connections” signs if you are airside (no baggage to collect)
- Take the airside Flight Connections bus to the Heathrow Express station
- Board the Heathrow Express toward Terminal 5; trains run every 15 minutes, and the journey takes 5–7 minutes
- Arrive at Terminal 5 and follow the signs to your departure gate
If you have collected your baggage and are on the landside:
- Follow signs to the Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line
- Take the train toward Terminal 5, free within the Heathrow zone
- Total journey time: approximately 20–25 minutes, including walking
How to Get from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 at Heathrow
Terminal 4 sits on its own spur road to the south of the airport, which makes transfers from T4 to T5 slightly longer than other routes. If you are trying to work out how to get from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 at Heathrow, here is the clearest route.
Recommended route: Landside shuttle bus or Piccadilly Line
The Heathrow Express does not directly serve Terminal 4. Your options are:
Option 1. Free shuttle bus (landside):
- After collecting your baggage, follow the signs for the bus station at Terminal 4
- Board the free shuttle bus toward Terminal 5
- Buses run every 15 minutes
- Total journey time: approximately 15–20 minutes
Option 2. Piccadilly Line:
- Follow signs to the Underground at Terminal 4
- Board the Piccadilly Line in the direction of Terminal 5
- Journey time: approximately 15 minutes
- Free within the Heathrow terminal zone
Option 3. Airside (if connecting on a single ticket):
- Follow the purple “Flight Connections” signs before baggage claim
- Take the airside bus toward Terminal 5
- You will stay within the secure area and will not need to go through security again
Allow at least 90 minutes for a Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 connection, particularly if you have checked baggage to collect and re-check.
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How to Get to Terminal 5 from Terminal 4 at Heathrow
Many passengers specifically search for how to get to Terminal 5 from Terminal 4 Heathrow because this route involves a less obvious connection than the central terminal transfers.
The simplest summary:
- Airside (no baggage): Follow Flight Connections signs > airside bus > Terminal 5. Approximately 15 minutes.
- Landside (with baggage): Free shuttle bus or Piccadilly Line. Approximately 15–20 minutes.
- There is no direct Heathrow Express service from T4. You would need to go to T2/T3 first and change, which adds time. Use the shuttle bus or tube instead.
If you are short on time, the airside Flight Connections bus is the fastest option as it avoids both baggage claim and security re-screening.
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All Heathrow Terminal Transfer Combinations
| From | To | Best route | Journey time | Notes |
| T2 | T3 | Walk / Underground | 10–15 min | Very close, short walk or one stop on the tube |
| T2 | T4 | Piccadilly Line | 15–20 min | Change at Heathrow terminals |
| T2 | T5 | Heathrow Express | 20 min (door-to-door) | Fastest rail option |
| T3 | T2 | Walk / Underground | 10–15 min | Same central area |
| T3 | T4 | Piccadilly Line | 15–20 min | Landside tube connection |
| T3 | T5 | Heathrow Express | 20 min (door-to-door) | Most common connection |
| T4 | T2 | Piccadilly Line | 15–20 min | No direct Express from T4 |
| T4 | T3 | Piccadilly Line | 15–20 min | No direct Express from T4 |
| T4 | T5 | Shuttle bus or tube | 15–20 min | Use the shuttle or the Piccadilly Line |
| T5 | T2 | Heathrow Express | 20 min (door-to-door) | Reverse of T2 > T5 |
| T5 | T3 | Heathrow Express | 20 min (door-to-door) | Reverse of T3 > T5 |
| T5 | T4 | Shuttle bus or tube | 15–20 min | No direct Express to T4 |
Important Tips Before You Transfer
Check whether your connection is on one ticket or two. If both flights are on the same booking, you are an airside connecting passenger. Follow the Flight Connections signs and stay inside security. If you booked 2 separate flights, you must collect your baggage, exit security, and re-check in at the new terminal.
Allow enough time
Heathrow recommends at least 90 minutes between terminals for international connections. If you have baggage to collect, re-check, and security to clear, allow more.
Use the Heathrow app.
Live bus and train times are available on the Heathrow Airport app. Check it before you walk to a bus stop. It saves time.
Minimum connection times vary by airline.
British Airways, for example, publishes its own minimum connection times for Heathrow. Always check your airline’s policy before booking a tight connection.
Night-time transfers
The Heathrow Express does not run around the clock. The Elizabeth Line and Piccadilly Line start at approximately 05:00. For very early or very late connections, check live schedules in advance. The free shuttle buses operate from approximately 05:00 to 22:30.
Special assistance
A Special Assistance Bus is available for passengers with reduced mobility. This must be requested at least 48 hours before travel through your airline or travel agent.
Travelling to or from Heathrow by Taxi: Which Terminal?
If you are arriving at or departing from Heathrow by pre-booked taxi, always confirm your terminal before travel. Each terminal has a separate drop-off and pick-up zone. Arriving at the wrong terminal in a taxi means driving to a second forecourt and paying the £7 drop-off charge a second time.
Virginia Water Cars confirms your terminal at the time of booking and navigates directly to the correct forecourt. All 4 terminals are served (T2, T3, T4, and T5) with dedicated meeting point information for each one.
If you are being picked up after landing, your driver tracks your flight and waits in the arrivals hall with a name board. Not at the kerbside. One hour of free waiting time is included from the moment your flight lands.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are terminal transfers at Heathrow free?
Yes. All transfers between Heathrow terminals, either by train, tube, or shuttle bus, are free when you remain within the Heathrow travel zone. No ticket is required for the Heathrow Express when moving between terminals.
What is the fastest way to get from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 at Heathrow?
The Heathrow Express is the fastest option. Trains run every 15 minutes, and the journey takes 5–7 minutes. Total door-to-door time is approximately 20 minutes, including walking.
How do I get from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 at Heathrow?
Use the free landside shuttle bus or the Piccadilly Line. Both take approximately 15–20 minutes. There is no direct Heathrow Express service from Terminal 4. Do not attempt the T4 to T5 route via the Express as it requires an unnecessary change at T2/T3.
How long should I allow for a terminal transfer at Heathrow?
Heathrow recommends at least 90 minutes for international connections involving a terminal change. If you have checked baggage to collect and re-check, allow 2 hours or more.
Can I transfer between terminals without going through security again?
Yes — if your 2 flights are on the same booking, you are an airside connecting passenger. Follow the purple Flight Connections signs, take the airside bus, and you will not need to clear security again. This only applies to single-ticket bookings.
What if I miss my connection due to a delayed first flight?
If both flights are on the same booking, your airline is responsible for rebooking you on the next available service at no cost. If you booked 2 separate tickets, you are responsible for any rebooking costs, which is why generous connection times are strongly advised for self-connecting passengers at Heathrow.
Do shuttle buses run at night?
Free landside shuttle buses operate from approximately 05:00 to 22:30. For transfers outside these hours, use the Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line, which runs earlier and later on most days.
