Heathrow Airport: All the Information You Need
London Heathrow is one of the largest airports in Europe, handling many transit flights. It's easy to get lost, as in many large airports. But you have us, so we'll tell you what's what, so you don't run around like sparrows looking for bread.
Flight Schedule
Terminals
There are 5 terminals in total at the airport, but currently 4 are operating: 2, 3, 4 and 5, while Terminal 1 is under renovation. Terminal 2 is the newest of all terminals, handling flights for 27 airlines, including members of the airline alliance Star Alliance. Terminal 3 — for long-haul flights to the USA and Asia. Terminal 4 — handles flights for Etihad Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and Qatar Airways. Terminal 5 — Exclusively for British Airways and Iberia airlines. Map of all terminals.
How to Get There
Heathrow Airport is located 24 km from central London. You can get to and from the city by: By Bus From the airport's central railway station to Victoria Station, National Express, runs from 10 pounds sterling (approximately from 800 rubles). You can also use Megabus buses. The journey takes about 40 minutes. By Taxi London is not cheap as it is, and taxis there cost an unknown amount of money. Be prepared to pay from 65 pounds sterling for a ride. By Train A new high-speed train runs from the airport to Paddington Railway Station. It departs every 15 minutes and costs from 22 pounds sterling one way. By Metro To get to central London, you need to take the Piccadilly Line. It's the cheapest way, but also the longest — you'll spend about an hour on the journey.
Visa
A visa is required to visit the UK, and a regular Schengen visa will not suffice. A tourist visa can be obtained independently or through visa centers. If you only have a layover in London, a transit visa might be needed, but not always. At Heathrow, the transit area is arranged so that you can move from one terminal to another directly within it. This type of transit is called airside. If your layover lasts less than 24 hours and you don't need to change airports or go through passport control, then a transit visa is not required. However, if you are flying out of a different airport during your layover, even within 24 hours, you will need to obtain a transit visa. It costs 80 euros and is valid for 48 hours. You can apply for it in advance, or directly on the spot, but on-the-spot applications are more difficult — you need to convince the officer that you need this visa. Everything here depends on your behavior; if the officer deems you inappropriate, you will not get the visa.In what other cases is a transit visa not required?
