London Heathrow (LHR) Airport Guide: Terminals, Transport and Tips
London Heathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom: terminals, getting to the city, security, lounges and connections.
Quick answer: Heathrow has four passenger terminals: 2 (most Star Alliance airlines, including United and Aer Lingus), 3 (Virgin Atlantic, Delta and American), 4 (some SkyTeam airlines such as Air France-KLM) and 5 (British Airways). US citizens have needed a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) since 8 January 2025, and since 25 February 2026 airlines refuse boarding without one; with an ETA they can use the ePassport gates. Heathrow Express reaches Paddington in about 15 minutes, the Elizabeth line reaches central London in under 40 and the Piccadilly line serves every terminal.
Facts checked November 2026. Schedules and entry rules change, so confirm with the airline and the official government site before you travel.
LHR at a glance
| Terminals | 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Terminal 1 has closed) |
|---|---|
| US airlines | United at Terminal 2; Delta and American at Terminal 3; British Airways mostly at Terminal 5; Virgin Atlantic at Terminal 3 |
| Entry for US citizens | UK ETA required since 8 January 2025; no ETA, no boarding since 25 February 2026. Apply on GOV.UK or the UK ETA app |
| Passport control | US passport holders with a valid ETA can use the eGates (age 8+, under 18 with an adult) |
| Fastest train | Heathrow Express to Paddington, 15 minutes from Terminals 2 & 3 |
| Cheapest rail options | Elizabeth line (under 40 minutes to central London) and Piccadilly line (under an hour, all terminals) |
| Connecting | Follow purple Flight Connections signs; free transfer buses between terminals; everyone is screened again |
Which terminal for US flights?
Heathrow sorts airlines largely by alliance. Terminal 2 is home to most Star Alliance airlines, so United, Air Canada and Lufthansa fly from there, and Aer Lingus and JetBlue use it too. Terminal 3 is Virgin Atlantic's base and also handles Delta and American. Terminal 5 is British Airways, although some BA flights use Terminal 3, so check the terminal on your booking. Terminal 4 handles some SkyTeam airlines such as Air France-KLM and Korean Air, plus other airlines such as Qatar Airways.
More changes are planned, though not before 2028. Under a terminal plan reported in late October 2026, Delta, Finnair and Japan Airlines would move from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 in 2028, LATAM from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 and China Southern from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5. Virgin Atlantic has publicly objected to Delta being moved away from it, so the plan may still change. For now, Delta stays in Terminal 3 next to Virgin Atlantic.
UK ETA and arriving as a US citizen
US citizens visiting the UK need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) rather than a visa. The requirement has applied to US citizens since 8 January 2025, and since 25 February 2026 it is fully enforced: airlines check for an ETA before you travel and will not board you without one. Apply on GOV.UK or through the official UK ETA app. There is a fee; check the current amount on GOV.UK and avoid look-alike sites that charge more. Every traveller needs their own ETA, children and babies included.
An ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple visits of up to six months each. Most applications are decided within minutes, but the Home Office suggests applying at least three working days before you fly.
With a valid ETA and a biometric passport, US citizens can use the ePassport gates. GOV.UK sets the age limit at 8 and over, and 8 to 17 year olds must go through with an adult.
An ETA is permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry: a Border Force officer still decides at the border. Use the same passport you applied with, because the ETA is linked to it digitally.
Getting into London
Heathrow Express is the fastest option: non-stop trains to London Paddington every 15 minutes, taking 15 minutes from Terminals 2 & 3 and a few minutes more from Terminal 5. It does not stop at Terminal 4.
The Elizabeth line runs from Heathrow through Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street, reaching central London in under 40 minutes with no change. All trains call at Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, then continue to either Terminal 4 or Terminal 5.
The Piccadilly line (London Underground) serves every Heathrow terminal and takes under an hour to central London. It is usually the slowest rail option.
Rail travel between the Heathrow stations (Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5) is free, so you can ride the Elizabeth line or Piccadilly line between terminals without a ticket.
Connecting at Heathrow
After you land, follow the purple Flight Connections signs and check the screens for your departure terminal. Within one terminal you walk or take the free tram; between terminals there is a free shuttle bus about every 10 minutes. Everyone connecting goes through security again, though Heathrow allows liquids up to 2 litres and large electronics to stay in your cabin bag.
International-to-international connections normally do not go through UK passport control. GOV.UK says passengers who transit Heathrow without going through passport control do not currently need an ETA; that could change, so check before you fly. A connection to a domestic UK or Irish flight means a biometric photo before security.
On a single ticket your airline sets the minimum connection time and moves your bags. On separate tickets you clear passport control (so you need an ETA), collect bags, check in again and clear security, so leave several hours.
Lounges by terminal
Terminal 2 has a United Club and a Plaza Premium lounge. Terminal 3 has the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in the Upper Class Wing, open to Upper Class and Delta One passengers, plus independent lounges such as No1 Lounges, and Virgin's Revivals arrivals lounge off the arrivals hall.
Terminal 4 has a Plaza Premium lounge after security. Terminal 5 has British Airways' own lounges, plus an independent Plaza Premium lounge. Independent lounge names and hours change often, so check the operator before you go.
Practical tips before you fly home
Gate numbers appear only after security, so do not wait landside for a gate.
Check which terminal you leave from before you book a hotel or a train, because Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 are on separate rail branches. The Terminal 4 multi-storey car park closed on 23 June 2026 for redevelopment, so anyone collecting you there uses Zone A of the Park & Ride or the Priority Pick-Up area outside arrivals.
Route guides to London (LHR)
- Atlanta to London flights
- Boston to London flights
- Chicago to London flights
- Dallas to London flights
- Denver to London flights
- Detroit to London flights
- Honolulu to London flights
- Las Vegas to London flights
- Los Angeles to London flights
- Miami to London flights
- Nashville to London flights
- Newark to London flights
- New York to London flights
- Orlando to London flights
- Philadelphia to London flights
- Phoenix to London flights
- Portland to London flights
- San Diego to London flights
- San Francisco to London flights
- Seattle to London flights
- Washington to London flights
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need an ETA to visit the UK?
Yes. US citizens have needed a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation since 8 January 2025, and since 25 February 2026 airlines will not board you without one. Apply on GOV.UK or the UK ETA app. There is a fee, shown on GOV.UK.
Do I need an ETA to connect through Heathrow?
Not if you stay airside and do not pass UK passport control: GOV.UK says such passengers do not currently need one. Check again before you fly. If you go through passport control, for example on separate tickets, you need an ETA.
Can Americans use the eGates at Heathrow?
Yes. US passport holders with a valid ETA and a biometric passport can use the ePassport gates if they are 8 or older; 8 to 17 year olds must be with an adult.
Which Heathrow terminal is United?
Terminal 2, with most other Star Alliance airlines.
Which Heathrow terminal is Delta?
Terminal 3, with Virgin Atlantic. A Heathrow terminal plan reported in October 2026 would move Delta to Terminal 4 in 2028.
Which terminal is British Airways at Heathrow?
Mostly Terminal 5, but some BA flights use Terminal 3. Check the terminal on your booking.
What is the fastest way from Heathrow to central London?
Heathrow Express to Paddington, 15 minutes from Terminals 2 & 3. The Elizabeth line takes under 40 minutes to central London without a change, and the Piccadilly line takes under an hour.
