Heathrow Terminal 5: quick answer
- Airport: London Heathrow Airport
- Terminal: Terminal 5
- Postcode: TW6 2GA
- Elizabeth Line: direct service to Central London
- Heathrow Express: direct to London Paddington
- Underground: Piccadilly Line
- Terminal drop off: £7 per entry
Heathrow Terminal 5 overview
Heathrow Terminal 5 is one of Heathrow Airport's four passenger terminals and is the main Heathrow hub for British Airways.
Terminal 5 has its own railway and Underground station, making it one of the easiest Heathrow terminals to reach directly by public transport.
Passengers can travel directly between Terminal 5 and Central London using the Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express or Piccadilly Line.
Which airlines use Heathrow Terminal 5?
British Airways is the principal airline at Terminal 5. Iberia also operates from Terminal 5.
British Airways also operates some flights from Heathrow Terminal 3, so passengers should not assume that every British Airways flight uses Terminal 5.
Heathrow Terminal 5 arrivals
International and domestic passengers arriving at Terminal 5 follow signs from the aircraft towards Arrivals, immigration where required, baggage reclaim and customs.
Flight arrival times can change during the day. If you are meeting someone at Terminal 5, check the live flight status before travelling to Heathrow.
Check live Heathrow arrivals →
Heathrow Terminal 5 departures
Passengers departing from Terminal 5 should confirm their terminal and flight status before travelling to the airport.
Allow enough time for check-in, baggage drop, security and the journey from the main terminal building to your departure gate.
Terminal 5 is a large terminal, so your gate may be some distance from the main check-in and security area.
Check live Heathrow departures →
How to get from Heathrow Terminal 5 to London
Terminal 5 has three useful direct rail options for travelling towards Central London.
| Transport | London connection | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Line | Paddington and stations across Central London | Best overall for many London destinations |
| Heathrow Express | London Paddington | Fastest route to Paddington |
| Piccadilly Line | West End and Central London | Lower-cost option |
The best option depends on where you are staying in London. Our main comparison explains the differences in more detail.
Compare Heathrow Airport to London transport →
Elizabeth Line from Heathrow Terminal 5
The Elizabeth Line directly serves Heathrow Terminal 5.
Terminal 5 normally receives two Elizabeth Line trains per hour, providing a service approximately every 30 minutes.
Trains continue through Paddington and across Central London, serving stations including Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street.
Read our complete Elizabeth Line Heathrow guide →
Heathrow Express from Terminal 5
Heathrow Express directly connects Terminal 5 with London Paddington.
Trains normally operate every 15 minutes.
The journey from Terminals 2 & 3 to Paddington takes approximately 15 minutes, with Terminal 5 taking around five minutes longer.
Heathrow Express is particularly useful if Paddington is close to your hotel or onward destination.
Read our complete Heathrow Express guide →
London Underground at Heathrow Terminal 5
Terminal 5 has its own London Underground station on the Piccadilly Line.
Heathrow Terminal 5 Underground station is located in the basement of the terminal building.
The Piccadilly Line provides direct trains to areas including South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and King's Cross.
Heathrow Underground stations are in Zone 6.
Read our Heathrow Underground guide →
Where is the Terminal 5 train station?
The rail and Underground stations are located beneath Terminal 5.
Follow signs inside the terminal for trains, London Underground, Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line.
Terminal 5 therefore does not require an airport bus transfer before passengers can access these London rail services.
Heathrow Terminal 5 drop off
Drivers can drop departing passengers directly outside Terminal 5 using the designated terminal drop-off area.
Heathrow currently charges £7 every time a vehicle enters a terminal drop-off zone.
There are no payment machines at the terminal forecourt. The charge must be paid using Heathrow's approved payment methods.
Payment can be made before the visit, on the day or by midnight on the day after the visit.
Read our Heathrow Drop-Off Charge guide →
Heathrow Terminal 5 passenger pick up
Drivers collecting an arriving passenger should use an approved Terminal 5 passenger pick-up or parking area.
Heathrow currently offers a Priority Pick-Up Area for quick collections close to the terminal.
Charges currently start from £7 for up to 10 minutes.
A free pick-up option is also available from Zone A of the Terminal 5 Park & Ride car park.
Heathrow Terminal 5 parking
Heathrow offers several official parking options for Terminal 5.
Terminal Parking
Located close to the terminal and useful for short visits, passenger collections and convenient terminal access.
Park & Ride
Lower-cost parking with free shuttle buses between the car park and Terminal 5.
Pod Parking
Driverless electric Pods connect the parking area with Terminal 5.
Meet & Greet
A more convenient parking option with vehicle handover near the terminal.
Terminal 5 Park & Ride
Heathrow Park & Ride was previously known as Long Stay Parking.
Free shuttle buses connect the Terminal 5 Park & Ride car park with Terminal 5.
Heathrow currently states that buses run approximately every 15 minutes.
Heathrow Terminal 5 Pod Parking
Terminal 5 has a distinctive automated Pod transport system connecting Pod Parking with the terminal.
Heathrow states that the driverless electric Pods can complete the transfer in approximately six minutes.
Pods normally operate on demand from 04:00 until 00:30, seven days a week. A shuttle bus operates outside those hours.
Heathrow Terminal 5 postcode
The postcode for Heathrow Terminal 5 is:
If you are driving to a specific Terminal 5 car park, use the postcode or directions supplied for that car park rather than relying only on the general terminal postcode.
Getting between Terminal 5 and other Heathrow terminals
Heathrow provides several ways to travel between its passenger terminals.
Rail travel between Heathrow terminals is available for many journeys, and passengers can also follow Heathrow's official terminal transfer routes.
Transfer arrangements differ depending on whether you are connecting between flights or travelling landside with separate tickets.
Heathrow Terminal 5 lounges
Terminal 5 has airline and independent lounge options.
British Airways operates lounges for eligible passengers, while independent lounge options at Terminal 5 include Club Aspire and Plaza Premium.
Lounge access rules, opening times and prices can change, so check current availability before travelling.
Food, shops and WiFi at Terminal 5
Terminal 5 has restaurants, cafés and shops both before and after security.
Heathrow provides free WiFi for passengers at the airport.
Airport maps can be useful when locating a particular restaurant, shop, lounge or departure gate inside Terminal 5.
Heathrow Terminal 5 FAQ
Does Terminal 5 have the Elizabeth Line?
Yes. Terminal 5 normally receives two Elizabeth Line trains per hour towards London.
Does Heathrow Express go directly from Terminal 5?
Yes. Heathrow Express directly connects Terminal 5 with London Paddington.
Does Terminal 5 have a Tube station?
Yes. Heathrow Terminal 5 has a Piccadilly Line Underground station in the basement of the terminal.
How much is Heathrow Terminal 5 drop off?
The Terminal Drop-Off Charge is currently £7 for each entry.
Can I pick someone up from Terminal 5 drop off?
No. Passenger collections and waiting are not permitted in the terminal drop-off zone. Use an approved pick-up or parking area instead.
What is the Heathrow Terminal 5 postcode?
Heathrow Terminal 5's postcode is TW6 2GA.
Which airline mainly uses Heathrow Terminal 5?
Terminal 5 is British Airways' main Heathrow hub. Iberia also operates from Terminal 5. Always check your specific flight before travelling.