London’s Heathrow Airport is home to four different terminals. Heathrow Terminal 5 is the newest of these terminals. Since its opening in 2008, it has been a hub for British Airways; however, beginning in March 2012, Terminal 5 Heathrow began operating flights for British Airways’ Oneworld partner Iberia. The terminal offers travellers access to the world, as well as a variety of options for shopping and dining.
Getting to and from Heathrow Terminal 5
Perhaps the easiest way for visitors to arrive at and depart from Terminal 5 Heathrow is by public transport. The fastest option to and from central London is Heathrow Express. Heathrow Express takes fifteen minutes from Heathrow Terminal 5 and London Paddington Station. Travellers can easily access the London Underground from Paddington Station.
The cheapest option is to take the London Underground’s Piccadilly Line to and from Heathrow Terminal 5. The cost is around £5, and is easily accessible from almost anywhere in London. The London Underground station in Terminal 5 Heathrow is located in the basement of the terminal. It takes slightly less than an hour to go from central London to Heathrow Terminal 5, and vice versa.
A more expensive option is taking a cab. This will cost travellers more, but will be more convenient, as a cab offers door-to-door service. If traveling with a group, this can be a cost-effective option, and there’s no need to worry about hauling luggage from the train station to a hotel.
Travellers can also drive to Heathrow Terminal 5 and park their car there. There are multiple options for long stay and short stay parking, as well as business parking and valet services. For travellers who are being dropped off, Terminal 5 Heathrow offers two lanes for drop off at departures, while travellers who are being picked up should have their ride wait for them at short stay parking.
Getting Between Terminals from Terminal 5
Travellers who need to go to other terminals can do so by using Heathrow Express to transfer between terminals. This service takes about three minutes and is free. Travellers may also transfer between terminals by bus, which takes about fifteen minutes, and is also free.
Shopping, Dining, and Other Services Offered at Heathrow Terminal 5
Terminal 5 Heathrow is not just a place to catch a flight. It’s also a great place to do some shopping, get something to eat, and much more. Grab a quick bite to eat at Apostrophe, Bagel Street, Cafe Nero, Costa, EAT., Espresso, Krispy Kreme, M&S Simply Food, Pret A Manger, or Starbucks. Or, sit down, relax, and enjoy excellent Italian food at Carluccio’s, fresh seafood from Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar, global cuisine from Giraffe, food from world renowned chef Gordon Ramsay at Plane Food, sushi from Itsu, British classics from Huxleys, pub food at Wetherspoon, or noodles from Wagamama.
Heathrow Terminal 5 also has a variety of places to go shopping or pick up something before or after a flight. Terminal 5 offers high fashion and designer shops, such as Dior, Gucci, Harrods, Cartier, Burberry, Prada, and more. Travellers can also buy beauty products at Boots, books and magazines at WHSmith and WHSmith Bookshop, music, movies, laptops, iPods, cameras, and other electronics at shops like HMV, Dixons Travel, and Add+. Travellers without access to their own computer can get online at Spectrum Interactive. For a great place to pick up souvenirs for friends and family, travellers should check out Glorious Britain and Harrods Signature.
For important travel-related services, look no further than Heathrow Terminal 5. Travellers can purchase duty-free items at World Duty Free, World Duty Free Arrivals Store, and World of Whiskies. For travellers who would like to exchange currency, pick up pre-paid currency cards, or even purchase travel insurance, American Express and Travelex both have offices in Terminal 5.