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London Heathrow Airport Guide

Lasting Impressions....

Memorable comments left by travellers:

"Probably more comfortable than half of the hotels I slept in." (Jamie Anderson)

"My god ...I would sooner eat my own face than sleep here again. I was contemplating suicide at 3:30AM" (?)

"I fully woke to the janitor guy touching my bum." (jenn)

"i was suddenly bitten by something on my left arm at my elbow. I ignored it and than it bit me in my back. Now i had enough and i had a look at my arm finally. And there where 3 massive big blotches in dark red.And i saw a strange looking insect running away into the seat cover. " (?)

"I don't understand why the airport doesn't offer youth hostel-style accommodation in the T123 area - there would certainly be a market for it!" (Milo)

"FLEA INFESTATION causing 400 bites on exposed flesh of lower legs, wrists, hands and rear of neck, occurred at London Heathrow departure terminal 3, 1st floor" (John E Pratt)

"LHR is one of the dirtiest, smelliest, most crowded airports in the world." (?)

"After getting into the arrivals part of the terminal I crawled under the seats with a blanket" - sandrabillingsley

FEATURED REVIEWS

Heathrow flights

by gradstudent2010
Terminal 3:

Heathrow is a very large airport. On this site, there has been some debate on which is the best place to sleep.

If you arrive before the airport opens and have not crossed security, Terminal 3 is the best opinion. In fact, even if you are in the secured section, exiting the airport (depending on your visa) is a better option.

Where to find where people sleep:
Go to Terminal 3, Check in area Zone B. On the map, look for the 1st floor (upper floor). People sleep in front of the WHS Smith, Pontis and Three Bells Stores.

If you plan on sleeping, arrive very early cause seats are taken early.

Police do not hassle and the cleaners are polite. There is a 24 hour coffee shop near by.

Killing time if you cant sleep: If you have a laptop, the network called The Cloud allows you surf myspace sites for free.

A better way to kill time: Travel into the city. You can return to the airport early in the morning using the N9 bus which runs from Piccadilly Circus 24 hours. It costs 2 pounds and not 1 pound as the websites erroneously state.

Avoid missing your flight: Get up early and make sure you are at your terminal at least 1 hour before departure. Heathrow is a maze.

Showers: All public showers are now closed (despite what the map says). An alternative is to go into a baby changing room (they have sinks) and sponge yourself. I did this and was not bothered by anyone.

Heathrow Airport Parking | Heathrow Hotel Parking

by ritaxis
I was herded from one place to another because staff did not think that the places I wound up at were suitable. I ended up with almost 100 other people in a vast, freezing, loud, uncomfortable waiting area, with access to a clean bathroom but no drinking fountain and no place to lie down but the floor -- the benches were made of formed wood, bucket shaped, with metal armests preventing one from lying down. A few had no backs, and the first persons to arrive had pushed them together and were lying perpendicular. As they were male and I was female I did not think it was appropriate to lie down next to them, and as they were asleep I did not want to ask them to move closer to each other so I could have a space.

Naturally everything was closed. The airport is full of signs but nothing actually explains the things the overnight traveller needs to know. As far as I can tell the airport is not heated at all, and relies on the presence of many human bodies to warm up.

Next time I travel from US to Prague I will do whatever it takes to avoid Heathrow at all costs.

>>>Continue to more London Heathrow Airport Reviews

Airport Guide

Airport Lounges

There are 3 pay-per-use lounges at Heathrow airport.

  • Servisair Executive Lounge - Terminal 1 - offers complimentary beverages (including alcoholic drinks), free internet (WiFi at cost) and comfortable seating. Rate: € 18. Hours: 0600-2200
    book this lounge
  • Servisair Executive Lounge - Terminal 3 - offers complimentary beverages (including alcoholic drinks), free internet (WiFi with cost) and comfortable seating. Rate: € 18. Hours: 0630-2230
    book this lounge
  • 4Deck Lounge - Terminal 4 - offers 3 floors of entertainment and time killer activities such as a family lounge with PS2 and PSP games, internet access, sports lounge and a flight deck that offers views of the runway. Located: next to gates 15/16. Rate: € 18.50. Hours: 05:30-22:00
    book this lounge

Airport Facilities

  • Luggage storage / Lockers
    Terminal 1 - Arrivals, next to lifts for Heathrow Express),
    Terminal 3 - Arrivals
    Terminal 4 - Arrivals and Mezzanine levels
    Terminal 5 -Arrivals near UK arrivals
    Hours: 05:30-23:00
  • Showers
    Terminal 4 - Airside
    If you have access to the airline lounges, you can use their shower facilities.
  • Internet
    There is pay-per-use WiFi in all terminals using the Boingo network.
  • Family Facilities
    If you are in transit and want to ditch the kids for a few hours, you can hand them over to the attendants at the Jetterz Kids Club Lounge (Terminals 3 - Airside). Hours: 08:00-19:00. Rate: £15.00 per child. A bit pricey, but sometimes its worthy getting the little rugrats out of your hair for a while. Another option is the 4Deck Lounge (Terminal 5 - Airside).
  • Prayer Rooms
    St. George's Chapel - There is a chapel located between Terminals 1 and 3. It is underground, so you need you descend the stairs. Hours: 07:30-20:00 The prayer room is located street level. There are other prayer rooms located in the terminals, but you have to stumble upon them or ask the Information Desk where they are located.
  • Food / Dining
    If you have any food recommendations/warnings, email me and I will add it to the list.

Airport Transportation: Getting There

All of your land transportation needs will start or end at the central bus station (open 24 hours), located between Terminals 1 and 3. To buy tickets and get directions to places beyond the airport, go to the travel centre (hours: 06:00-22:30) at the station. Follow the link for comprehensive transportation information to/from Heathrow Airport.

For inter-airport transportation, there is frequent coach service to:
- Stansted - departs every 30-60 minutes. Journey time is 90 minutes. Fare £23
- Gatwick - there are 100 buses between Gatwick and Heathrow per day. Journey time is 75 minutes. Fare £19.50-

Airport Transportation: Getting Around

Heathrow's 4 terminals are connected by trains and buses. To move between Terminals 1 and 3, you can walk. The inter-terminal bus and train schedule.

Nearby Hotels

Airport Maps

Click to download the London Heathrow Terminal Maps

London Heathrow Airport Travel Tips

Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date experiences:

  • 24 hour coffee shop
  • Padded seats in transit area
  • cushioned benches in the restaurant near arrivals
  • cold
  • clean bathrooms
  • serious flea infestations
  • smelly carpets

London Travel Sites

>>>Continue to more London Heathrow Airport Reviews

mentioned in:
reuters
USA Today
Frommers.com

...and many more

The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports has been online since 1996