How long does it take to transfer between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 at Heathrow?

Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 is the longest transfer at Heathrow, taking 30–50 minutes. The free airside connection bus operates every 10–20 minutes from 05:00 to 22:30. Landside transfers require the Heathrow Express (~20 min) or Elizabeth line via the Central Terminal Area.

Are there any airside hotels at London Heathrow?

No. All hotels at Heathrow are located landside and require clearing UK immigration. Aerotel (T3) and YOTELAIR (T4) are the closest options but both require a UK visa or ETA for access.

How much does a lounge pass cost at Heathrow Terminal 5?

Plaza Premium Lounge at T5 costs approximately $81 (~£65) for a 6-hour stay on a walk-up basis. Priority Pass and DragonPass holders pay £20.50–£24 per visit depending on their card type.

Can I walk between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at Heathrow?

Yes. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are connected via a pedestrian subway/walkway in the Central Terminal Area. Walking takes approximately 10 minutes landside. Airside, follow the Flight Connection signs, which may involve an airside bus.

London Heathrow Airport Transit Guide: Terminal Transfers, Lounges & Airside Hotels

Q: Do I need a UK ETA for airside transit at Heathrow?

No. Airside transit at Heathrow is currently exempt from the UK ETA requirement. Passengers who remain in the international transit area without passing UK border control do not need an ETA. This exemption is temporary and may be withdrawn in future.

By Triprz Editorial Team | October 27, 2026

Planning a layover at London Heathrow? From inter-terminal transfer times and UK ETA transit rules to T5 lounge access and airside vs landside hotel options, this guide covers essential LHR logistics.

London Heathrow Airport Transit Guide: Terminal Transfers, Lounges & Airside Hotels — London Heathrow, LHR Airport travel guide

Tags: London Heathrow, LHR Airport, Heathrow Transit, Terminal 5 Lounges, UK ETA, Airport Lounges, Transit Hotels, Triprz Guides

Article

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is one of the world's busiest international airports, handling over 80 million passengers annually across four operational terminals. While renowned for its global connectivity, Heathrow's inter-terminal transfer system is notoriously complex — especially for passengers connecting between Terminals 4 and 5, which sit on opposite sides of the airfield.

Navigating Heathrow successfully requires understanding which terminal your airline uses, how long terminal transfers take (both airside and landside), whether you need a UK ETA for transit, and where to sleep, shower, or relax during a long layover.

## Terminal Layout & Airline Assignments

Heathrow operates four passenger terminals:

**Terminal 2 (The Queen's Terminal):** Star Alliance hub. Serves Lufthansa, United, Air Canada, SAS, and other Star Alliance carriers.

**Terminal 3:** Oneworld and SkyTeam carriers. Serves American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Virgin Atlantic (select flights).

**Terminal 4:** Primarily SkyTeam and non-aligned carriers. Serves Air France, KLM, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines, and Gulf carriers.

**Terminal 5:** British Airways hub. Split into three concourses (5A, 5B, 5C) connected by an underground automated transit system. Walk times: 5A to 5B is ~5 min on the transit, 5B to 5C is ~3 min.

For more on navigating large airports, see our guide on [airport terminal maps](/blog/airport-terminal-maps-how-to-navigate-25-major-airports-2026).

## Terminal Transfer Times & Methods

| Route | Airside (Flight Connection) | Landside (Public Area) | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| T2 ↔ T3 | Follow Flight Connection signs; airside bus if needed | Walk via pedestrian subway (10 min) | 10–20 min |
| T2/T3 ↔ T4 | Free airside connection bus | Free Heathrow Express / Elizabeth line | 20–35 min |
| T2/T3 ↔ T5 | Free airside connection bus | Heathrow Express (~20 min) or Elizabeth line | 20–40 min |
| T4 ↔ T5 | Free airside connection bus | Landside rail via Central Terminal Area | 30–50 min |
| T5A ↔ T5B ↔ T5C | Underground transit (within T5) | Underground transit | 3–5 min per leg |

**Airside buses** operate approximately every 10–20 minutes from 05:00 to 22:30 daily. The airside connection route is only available if both flights are on a single ticket — self-transfer passengers must clear immigration and use landside transport.

## UK ETA & Transit Visa Rules

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required for most non-visa nationals entering or transiting the UK. However, **airside transit at Heathrow is currently exempt from the ETA requirement** — passengers who remain in the international transit area without passing UK border control do not need an ETA.

| Transit Type | Description | ETA/Visa Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Airside transit | Remain in international transit area, no UK border control | No ETA (temporary exemption at LHR) |
| Landside transit | Pass through UK border control before continuing | Yes, ETA required for non-visa nationals |
| Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) | Required for visa nationals in airside transit | DATV needed for most visa nationals |

The airside ETA exemption at Heathrow is temporary and may be withdrawn in future. Check [GOV.UK ETA guidance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-eta) before travel.

## Airside vs. Landside Hotels

| Hotel | Terminal | Location | Price Range | Visa Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerotel London Heathrow | T3 | Arrivals Hall (landside) | £30–£50/hr (min 3 hrs); £150–£300/night | Yes — landside requires UK entry |
| YOTELAIR London Heathrow | T4 | Landside (before security) | From £40/4hr; £80–£120/night | Yes — landside requires UK entry |
| Hilton Garden Inn LHR | T2/T3 | Short shuttle from terminal | £90–£180/night | Yes — landside |
| Hilton London Heathrow | T4 | Walking distance via covered walkway | £120–£250/night | Yes — landside |

**Key distinction:** There are no airside hotels at Heathrow. All hotels require clearing UK immigration. If you do not have a UK visa or ETA, you cannot access any hotel at Heathrow — plan for lounge access or free rest areas instead.

For hotel alternatives at other airports that do offer airside rooms, see our [airport transit hotels guide](/blog/airport-transit-hotels-inside-terminal-stays-for-layovers-2026).

## Terminal 5 Lounge Access

Terminal 5 is Heathrow's premium lounge hub, primarily for British Airways and Oneworld passengers.

| Lounge | Location | Access | Price (Pay-per-Use) |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways Galleries First | T5A (airside) | BA First / Gold Executive Club | No pay-per-use |
| British Airways Galleries Club | T5A/T5B (airside) | BA Business / Silver+ | No pay-per-use |
| Cathay Pacific First Lounge | T3 (airside) | Oneworld First / Emerald | No pay-per-use |
| Plaza Premium Lounge | T5 (airside) | Open to all | ~$81/6hr (~£65) |
| Plaza Premium Lounge | T2, T4 (airside) | Open to all | ~$55–$68/3–6hr |
| Aspire Lounge |

[...]

Back to Blog | Back to Triprz