About london heathrow airport
London heathrow airport was built as an aero plane test base in 1929 and was a fighter plane base in WWII. It was only converted to civilian use in 1946, and by 1953 it was already servicing over 1 million passengers a year. Today around 70 airlines from 60 countries fly more than 40 million passengers into and out of london heathrow airport, making it the worlds busiest airport.
london heathrow airport today: at the moment the airport has 4 terminals, with terminal 5 under construction. Transfer between Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and Terminal 4 is free on the heathrow express train.
All of the terminals have an information desk, bureaux de change, ATMs, shops, duty-free stores, restaurants and bars. Terminals 2 and 4 have a post office. There is a chapel beside the control tower outside Terminal 2 and a free spectators' viewing area on the roof of Terminal 2.
Getting to london heathrow airport by road: the airport is 15 miles to the west of central London. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are close together in the centre of Heathrow and can be reached via the M4 Junction 4, M25 Junction 15 and the A4 (local road). Terminal 4 is on the south side of Heathrow and is reached via the M4 Junction 3, M25 Junction 14 or the A30 (local road).
For a map of the airport and surrounding area click here. To zoom in further just click on the area of the map you want to enlarge.
For excellent turn by turn directions we recommend the free route planner provided by the AA. Click on this link to jump to the AA website.
Getting to london heathrow airport on public transport: The heathrow express train service to London Paddington station takes 15 from terminals 1,2, and 3 or 23 minutes from terminal 4. Trains leave every 15 minutes and run 365 days a year. Tickets cost £14 single or £25 return and are £2 extra if purchased on the train. (Telephone +44 (0)845 600 1515).
The new Heathrow Connect rail service (launched 12.06.05) is a mult-stoping train service between Paddington and Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Trains run every 30 minutes, Starting at Paddington, with stops at Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, Hanwell, Southall and Hayes & Harlington and then Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 & 3. Passengers for Terminal 4 can, at the end of the line, simply change to the Heathrow Express. The journey time from Paddington to Heathrow will be about 25 minutes. Trains run in the opposite direction - from Heathrow to Paddington too! Ticket costs are expensive - the 6 minute journey between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow costs £6 single.
The airport is also on the Piccadilly Line, which can take passengers into central London, via Knightsbridge, Green Park, Leicester Square and King's Cross underground stations. Tubes run every five minutes at peak times and every nine minutes off-peak, but the journey is long. Expect it to take between 60 - 90 minutes.
Coaches: the airport bus station is signposted from all terminal. The airbus runs to central London. In addition, many of the national coach networks including National Express run from the airport to various destinations.
Viator offer an airport transfer service to / from Heathrow Airport in a 'private car transfer' or via an 'airport shuttle' (a mini-bus).
Airport Hotels: The only 'on airport' hotel is the Hilton Heathrow - a short walk over a bridge from Terminal 4. However, there are another 50 or so hotels close to the airport offering a 'with airport parking' package, including the 5 star Radisson Edwardian (regularly votes the worlds best airport hotel), 3 Holiday Inns, 2 Marriotts. For more information, including where to book, see the cheaper london hotels london heathrow hotels page.
Airport parking: Short-term, long-term and 'business' parking facilities are available. Short stay prices are unbelievably high at around £38 for 24 hours (or £2 for 30 minutes).
Long-term and business parking at heathrow airport involve a trip on a courtesy bus. Buses run 24 hours; for on airport car parks allow at least 15 minutes extra for this transfer. Expect to pay around £13.50 a day for long term parking and £24 a day for business parking.
Motorbikes can park free of charge at designated areas at each terminal. Disabled drivers should request assistance from customer service staff at the car parks.