Guide to Heathrow Airport

Car hire around London is supplied by several airports, with Heathrow being the main arrival point of international travellers.

Airport Terminal 1 caters for all domestic airline flights, with UK airline departures to Europe. Passengers on EL AL and South African Airways also board flights from here. Terminal 2 is for most non UK airline operators with flights to Europe and some long haul destinations. Terminal 3 is the long haul flight terminal for South American, the US, Asian and Asia Pacific airlines. African carriers also use this terminal. Terminal 4 is for British Airways long haul and BA flights to Athens, Paris, Moscow, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv. KLM and Qantas also use T4 for departure and arrivals.

Heathrow is due west of central London on the M4 motorway near the M25 junction. All airport terminals and motorway exits are clearly signposted, with access being extremely good for both car and train. Journey time by road from central London is about 45-60 minutes, depending on the time you travel. However, allow plenty of time for your journey to Heathrow because the M4 and Heathrow access road can be busy. Fortunately the airport facilities are excellent, so arriving early gives you time to enjoy some of the excellent shopping and you can await your flight in relative comfort.

* There are two car fuel stations at Heathrow, one being in the main airport complex between Terminals 1, 2 & 3 while the other is between Terminal 4 and the M25 motor way. Taxis can drop off on the forecourt of all terminals, the fare from central London is approximately £35-45.

Airport car parking includes, 'short stay' ( no more than 5 hours), 'long stay' (shuttle bus service), business parking and valet parking. All terminals are easily linked via a small train.

Train services for Heathrow are the London Underground ( "the tube" ) and the Heathrow Express train service from London Paddington station. Bus services arrive at the central Bus Station between Terminals 1, 2 & 3. Pedestrian access to each of the terminals is clearly sign posted. A limited number of services stop at T4. National Express shuttle from London Victoria Coach Station every 30 minutes. The earliest bus is at 07.30 and the last bus 23.30pm. Services operate seven days a week, throughout the year. The fares are £7 one way; £10 return/round trip. Children: £3.50 one way; £5 return/round trip. The Airbus service links to all the Heathrow Terminals from a range of west London hotels, Kings Cross and Euston main line rail stations. Departure times are every 20-30 minutes with a journey taking around 60-75 minutes. The Airbus Direct service collects passengers from various London hotels and drops them off at Terminal 4. Earliest bus is at 05:30am, the last 15:50pm. The journey time is approx.1 hour 40 minutes. Airbus information is available by calling the Heathrow Travel line on Telephone number 0990 747777. Help, advice and general guidance plus tickets are available from the ticket offices in terminal Arrivals. Wheelchair access is provided on all Airbus services. Scheduled bus and coach services run throughout the UK with connections to and from London Gatwick airport, Luton airport and Stansted airport. Finally, there is an all night bus service from central London to Heathrow.

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