LHR · Traveller guide
Heathrow Terminal 5: arrivals, pick-up and getting to London
Terminal 5 is British Airways' main Heathrow hub, and Iberia uses it too. It sits on the western side of the airport with its own access road. This guide covers the two official meeting points, Heathrow's pick-up rules, the train options and the drive into London.
After you land
What happens after you land
After you leave the aircraft, follow the signs to passport control. If you are eligible, Heathrow says an eGate is usually the quickest way into the UK: you need a biometric passport, and children aged 8 and 9 can use the gates with an adult if they are at least 120 cm tall (from 8 July 2026). Heathrow shows live security and immigration waiting times at heathrow.com/passenger-updates.
Most visa-free visitors now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they fly. Heathrow gives the current fee as £20, and British and Irish citizens do not need one. Check this before you travel, because airlines can refuse boarding without it.
After passport control, follow the signs to baggage reclaim and check the screens for your belt. Trolleys in the hall are free. Then choose the green channel if you have nothing to declare, or the red channel if you do. Cash of €10,000 or more must be declared.
Heathrow lists Terminal 5 as British Airways' main hub, with Iberia operating there as well. British Airways also uses Terminal 3. Airlines can change terminal, so check your booking.
Meeting and collection
Meeting someone at Terminal 5
Heathrow gives Terminal 5 two official meeting points: the north point opposite Travelex, or the south point near Costa Coffee. Check which one your friend or colleague is at before you land, because the terminal is large. A chauffeur will be in arrivals with a name board.
For collections, Heathrow points drivers to Terminal Parking or a Park & Ride car park, where the first 29 minutes are free (not available to private hire). The Terminal 5 Park & Ride bus stop is stop 21 on the arrivals forecourt, with a 7 to 10 minute transfer.
The airport's own charges
These are the airport's published figures, read on 28 October 2026. They change, so use the link on each line to confirm before you rely on them.
Drop-off at any terminal
Official page, checked 28 October 2026£7 per entry, 24 hours a day
Heathrow says no pick-ups or waiting are allowed on the terminal forecourts, and the charge applies to taxis and private hire as well.
Waiting area for licensed private hire operators (Authorised Vehicle Area, Northern Perimeter Road)
Official page, checked 28 October 2026£1.00 an hour for the first five hours
Heathrow's table shows higher bands after five hours, so check the page for longer waits.
Getting to London
From Terminal 5 to central London
Typical driving times without traffic, then the train options. Allow more time at rush hour and on Friday afternoons.
By car, without traffic
| To | Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mayfair | about 40 min | 19 miles |
| Westminster | about 40 min | 20 miles |
| The City (Bank) | about 50 min | 22 miles |
| Canary Wharf | about 1 hr 5 min | 26 miles |
| King's Cross | about 45 min | 21 miles |
Our estimates from OpenStreetMap road data at normal free-flow speeds, rounded to the nearest five minutes. They are not a promise: traffic, roadworks and the time of day change them.
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By train, coach and Tube
Elizabeth line
28 minutes from Paddington to Heathrow
Only two of the six hourly trains go to Terminal 5, so one every 30 minutes. The station is in the terminal basement.
Official pageHeathrow Express
about 20 minutes to Paddington
15 minutes between Paddington and Terminals 2 and 3, plus roughly 5 to 6 minutes more to Terminal 5. Every 15 minutes, with the last train leaving T5 at 23:57.
Official pagePiccadilly line
about 50 minutes to central London
The T5 station is in the basement. First train to central London 05:22, last 23:42 (23:25 on Sundays), as stated by Heathrow.
Official pageRight now
Weather at Heathrow
The latest report and the next twelve hours, in plain English. Strong wind, low cloud or fog can slow flights, so it is a good moment to check your flight status.
Loading the weather at Heathrow…
Good to know
Assistance and useful tips
Assistance
Book assistance through your airline or travel agent when you book your flight, or at least 48 hours before you travel. The Terminal 5 helpline is +44 (0)20 8283 6415. All Heathrow Elizabeth line stations are step-free from train to street.
Useful to know
- Terminal 5 has Club Aspire, Plaza Premium, the Be Relax spa and the Sofitel hotel, which has over 600 rooms, plus free Wi-Fi.
- Because only some Elizabeth line trains reach T5, the Heathrow Express may be the better option on a tight schedule.
- T5 is the furthest terminal from central London, so the drive is slightly longer than from T2 or T3.
Questions
Terminal 5 FAQs
Where do I meet someone at Heathrow Terminal 5?
How long does it take to drive from Terminal 5 to central London?
Can a car wait for me on the terminal forecourt?
Do all Elizabeth line trains go to Terminal 5?
Sources
Where this information comes from
Checked on 28 October 2026against the airport's own pages, TfL, rail operators and GOV.UK. Airports change terminals, charges and timetables, so confirm anything important with them before you travel.
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