Layover in London

Transiting through London Heathrow Airport

The four terminals at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) – Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5 – welcome more passengers than any other airport in Europe. Located just 23 kilometres from London’s most iconic attractions, it’s worth planning your London layover in advance to make the most of what’s on offer.

Heathrow’s terminals are connected airside via free shuttle buses, allowing transiting passengers to continue their journey quickly and easily. If you’re heading into the city, choose from three train lines and several bus routes for a smooth ride downtown.

If you’re spending your layover at the airport, you’ll find countless shops and restaurants, state-of-the-art lounges, and all the modern amenities needed for a comfortable and relaxing stay.

Things to do at the airport

So you’ve got about a 6-hour layover in Heathrow? Fortunately, there’s plenty to keep you occupied, from restaurants, bars, and cafes to quiet lounges and a never-ending list of shops. 

The duty-free stores at London Heathrow are top-tier, with an extensive range of brands on offer. Available in every terminal, you can browse and sample until your heart’s content. There are also plenty of standalone luxury and boutique stores; some notable mentions include Prada, Bose, Apple, and Jo Malone. Worried you won’t have enough time? Heathrow has thought of everything; book a complimentary personal shopper to help you curate a shopping experience just for you!

You won’t be short on choices when it comes to eating, either, with pub favorites like The Vinery and Queen’s Arms in T2, fresh salads and homely meals from the Evergreen Bar & Restaurant and Giraffe in T3 and T5, and local eateries such as Pret A Manger and Costa in T4. 

Enjoy watching planes take off while you dine at Wondertree restaurant (T2), the No.1 Traveller Lounge (T3), or Gordon Ramsay Plane Food (T5). For an even better vantage point over the runway, check out the View Heathrow observation deck in T4 (near Gates 15 and 16), complete with binoculars, panoramic views, and flight-tracking touchscreens

If you’re traveling with children, a layover in London Heathrow should be a breeze thanks to some fantastic play areas. Particularly impressive is the huge soft play and interactive zone in Terminal 3, complete with a nursery room and a baby changing area. 

For those on business, you’ll find workstations with charging outlets in each terminal so you can travel without missing a deadline.

*Keep in mind that some passengers with a layover in London Heathrow should have a visa. Don’t worry, we go into further detail about visas below!

Overnight layover in London: transit hotels and lounges

If you’ve got an 8-hour layover in London Heathrow but don’t want to leave the airport, there are plenty of options for you to catch up on some rest while you wait for your next flight. 

Nearest to T2 and 3 is the Aerotel hotel, conveniently located in the Arrivals Hall of T3. If you’re landing at T4, the Hilton is within a 10-minute walk of the terminal. Lastly, T5 passengers can reach the Sofitel via a 5-minute undercover pedestrian walkway.

If you don’t have a London layover visa, you can head to the No1 Lounge in Terminal 3 instead. Open daily between 05:00 and 22:00, the lounge offers a handful of sleep pods/rooms for single or twin occupancy. The best part is, anyone can book a pod. The downside? They don’t stay open at night, and visits are capped at three hours.

For anyone lucky enough to be flying first-class with British Airways or who is an Emerald Member of any OneWorld airline frequent flyer programs, you can trial their nap pods in the aptly named “Forty Winks” lounge.

If you were hoping to freshen up during your London layover, you’ll need to visit a paid lounge. The Aspire and Plaza Premium lounges all have hot showers, as do some of the airline-specific lounges. On top of that, you can enjoy high-speed WiFi, workstations, complimentary food and beverages, and TVs and magazines. Or, you might like to just sit back with a cocktail overlooking the runway. 

*The entrance fee for paid lounges start at £35 (€40) per person. For a full list of airline lounges and their location at Heathrow Airport, check out our comprehensive London Heathrow Airport Guide.

Layover in London: What to do during your stopover

Have a little longer to spare in between flights? Why not venture into the city center on the London Underground or Heathrow Express and explore some of London’s most famous sights, such as the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Shakespeare’s Globe – all within walking distance of each other. 

Afterwards, ride the underground once again to reach Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards (Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun at 11:00), and from there you can wander over to Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.

For those with a 12-hour layover in London, you might like to visit some of London’s exceptional museums, in particular the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Tate Britain – to name a few. 

Alternatively, you can book a London layover tour with Welcome Pickups and let us take care of all of the arrangements. Whether you have just a few hours, an 8-hour layover in London, or you’re spending the night, we’ve got you covered.

Tips for a Short Layover at Heathrow Airport

• Have a nap in one of the relaxation areas of the terminal while you charge up your phone and laptop.
• Use the high-speed unlimited Wi-Fi to check flight updates, download entertainment, or sort your onward travel plans.
• Visit a runway-facing lounge or restaurant like Gordon Ramsay Plane Food or the No. 1 Traveller Lounge for some delicious food and an aperitif.
• During school holidays, the airport runs a Kids Eat Free offer with participating restaurants within each terminal.
• Follow the purple connection signs to your new gate, transit desk, or internal train.
• Children can burn off some energy at the Stay & Play zones found in each terminal.
• If possible, skip airport exchange booths due to poor rates. Instead, use contactless cards or withdraw euros from ATMs with competitive fees.

Tips for a Long Layover in London

• If you don’t quite have enough time to leave the airport, book a room at Aerotel inside the Arrivals Hall of T3. Rooms include showers, Wi-Fi, a workstation, and blackout privacy.
• If you have a 6-hour layover in London or less, visit one of Heathrow’s premium lounges found in each terminal. You’ll find hot showers, buffet and a la carte meals, quiet zones, and even nap pods in some.
• If you’ve got at least 8-9 hours, you can easily catch the Heathrow Express train, use the London Underground, or take a taxi into central London. Plot your must-sees in advance and pre-book your entry tickets for skip-the-line privileges.
• For stress-free travel around some of London’s most famous sights, you can book sightseeing rides for 1-4 people with Welcome Pickups.
• Take advantage of luggage storage options in each terminal. Managed by Excess Baggage, rates start at £10 (€11.50) for 3 hours.
• It’s recommended that you have at least an 8-hour layover in London if you’re considering leaving the airport.

Flight connections

Visa Required: Certain nationalities may require a transit visa or an electronic travel authorization (ETA).

Average Flight Connection Time: Travel time ranges from 10 minutes between gates within the same terminal and 1 hour between terminals.

Minimum Time Needed to Leave the Airport: 8-9 hours

Connecting through Heathrow might seem a little daunting, but don’t worry – the airport is well equipped to help you reach your next gate on time. 

If you booked your flight under a single booking, your luggage should meet you at your final destination (check the tag when checking in). That means you simply need to make your way to your next gate. Depending on your nationality, you might need a Direct Airside Transit visa, even if you’re not going through Passport Control. 

If you booked two separate flights, or for whatever reason, your airline doesn’t check your luggage all the way through, you’ll need to collect your bags and follow the standard London Airport Departure procedures. In this instance, you might need to apply for a different UK transit visa, called a Visitor in Transit visa, which is valid for 48 hours. 

If you’re wondering, “Do I need an ETA for a layover in London?” that also depends on your nationality and whether you need to exit the terminal. However, if you have a valid ETA visa, you won’t need to apply for a regular transit visa, and you can enjoy an extended London layover if you choose to.

If you’re departing from the same terminal or Terminal 2 and 3, it’s possible to walk between connecting flights; otherwise, you can take a train or shuttle bus:

• London Underground – Free train service between T4 and T2/ 3. Trains every 10 minutes from 05:00-23:30 with a 20-minute trip time. Friday and Saturday service is 24 hours.
• Heathrow Express – Free direct train line linking T5 with T2/ 3. The ride takes 30 minutes, departing every 15 minutes.
• Elizabeth Line – Free landside train linking all terminals. Operates every 10-15 minutes, from 05:15 to 00:00. Located in between T2 & T3, below Arrivals in T4, and on the basement level of T5.
• Shuttle buses – Follow purple connection signs to find internal shuttle buses between terminals (airside). Buses depart every 10 minutes.
• H30 bus – Local bus running every 20 minutes between T4 and T5 (landside). Journey time is 25 minutes.

*Regardless of whether you’re transferring between an international or domestic flight or if you have to change terminals or not, you will need to clear security before boarding your new flight.