
London Heathrow Airport, also known as LHR Airport or simply London Airport, is located in the west of London, within a 16-mile/26-km distance from the city centre. It is the largest and busiest airport in London, handling flights to and from 84 countries and serving over 82 airlines and 203 destinations worldwide. Heathrow Airport consists of four operational terminal buildings and two runways.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | London Heathrow Airport (LHR) |
| Location | West of London, in the borough of Hillingdon |
| Distance from London City Centre | 16 miles/26 km |
| Runways | 2 |
| Terminals | 4 (numbered 2-5) |
| Airlines | More than 80 |
| Destinations | Over 200 |
| Countries Served | 84 |
| Annual Passengers | 62 million (2022) |
| Transport to London | Heathrow Express train, Tube, coach, taxi |
| Transport Time to London | 15 minutes (train), 30 minutes (Tube), 50-90 minutes (coach), 1 hour (taxi) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is located in the west of London
Heathrow Airport is accessible via the Heathrow Express train, which takes approximately 15 minutes to reach Paddington Station in west London. The Piccadilly Line on the London Underground is a slower but more affordable option, with a journey time of about an hour. The airport is also served by stopping trains to Paddington, National Express coaches, and London bus services.
London Heathrow Airport has four operational terminals, numbered 2 to 5, with Terminal 1 closing in 2015. The airport offers a range of shopping and dining options, as well as short-term and long-term parking facilities. It provides a complimentary appointment with a personal shopper and a "reserve and collect" service for travellers.
The airport is known for its sustainability initiatives, implementing the world's largest integrated luggage system and taking measures to reduce emissions, noise, and CO2. It has won multiple awards, including Best Airport in Western Europe and Best Airport for Shopping.
Koh Chang Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

LHR is London's main airport
London Heathrow Airport, also known as LHR Airport or simply London Airport, is London's main airport. Located in the west of the city, within a 16-mile/26-km distance from the city centre, it is the UK's largest and busiest airport. Heathrow Airport is the second-closest of London's six airports to the city centre, after London City Airport.
Heathrow Airport is the leading aviation hub in the UK, serving more than 82 airlines and 203 destinations worldwide. The airport handles flights to and from 84 countries. It is the primary hub for British Airways and the main operating base for Virgin Atlantic. Heathrow Airport consists of two parallel runways and four operational terminal buildings (Terminals 2 to 5, with Terminal 1 having closed in 2015).
London Heathrow Airport first opened in 1929 as a limited-dimension aerodrome. However, it became an important airport after World War II, under the name London Airport. The airport was renamed in 1966 to its current name, Heathrow Airport, after the ancient village located in the area where it was built.
Heathrow Airport is easily accessible from central London by Tube, train, coach, or taxi. The Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station is the quickest route, taking around 15 minutes, but it is also the most expensive option. The London Underground, or Tube, is a slower but more affordable option, with a journey time of about an hour on the Piccadilly Line. The Heathrow Connect trains are a good compromise in terms of price and journey time, with tickets costing about half the price of the Heathrow Express and a journey time of less than an hour.
London Heathrow Airport has won multiple awards, including Best Airport in Western Europe, Best Airport for Shopping, and Best Airport Terminal (for T5). The airport has implemented various initiatives to enhance the passenger experience, such as the world's largest integrated luggage system, and measures to reduce emissions, noise, and CO2.
Buses Running Between Atlanta Airport and City
You may want to see also
Explore related products

LHR is one of the busiest airports in the world
London Heathrow Airport, also known as LHR Airport, is located 16 miles/26 km west of the city of London. It is London's main airport, serving the UK capital and the nearby regions.
London Heathrow Airport is the second-busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic, not only in Europe but globally. It is home to British Airways, the national flag carrier, and is a major hub for Virgin Atlantic. The airport has four terminals, numbered 2 to 5, with Terminal 1 closing in 2015. The largest and most modern terminal is T5, from where most British Airways flights depart.
LHR is well-connected to London, with the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station being the quickest route at just 15 minutes. The airport also offers a range of parking options, including short-term and long-term parking, to meet travellers' needs.
JFK Airport: A Tribute to John F. Kennedy
You may want to see also
Explore related products

LHR has four terminals
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest airport in London and is located within 16 miles/26 km of the city centre. It is London's main airport and the leading aviation hub in the UK. LHR has four terminals, numbered 2 to 5, which are spread apart from one another. Terminal 1 closed in 2015 after 47 years of service.
Terminal 2 is the smallest terminal and caters to long-haul airlines, including members of the Star Alliance. It is split across multiple levels and zones, with the check-in area on level 5. European flights also operate from T2, alongside some long-haul international flights. Terminal 3 is where you'll find members of the oneworld alliance and Virgin Atlantic's long-haul flights. Terminal 4 is for flights to and from the European continent, with some long-haul flights also originating or terminating there.
Terminal 5 is the largest and busiest of the four terminals and is used exclusively by British Airways. It is spread across 8 levels, including underground walkways and ground transportation services. T5 consists of the main terminal building and two satellite terminals, 5B and 5C, connected by a walkway or transit train. The check-in area is on level 3, with curbside pickup and drop-off access and short-stay parking. There are almost 100 check-in kiosks, as well as staffed check-in desks, and two security checkpoints at either end of the terminal. Once through security, passengers can access the departures lounge, which features shops and restaurants, as well as lounges for premium, first-class, and business-class passengers.
Passengers can travel between terminals on the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth Line, or by using the London Underground trains, all of which are free.
Lisbon's Airport Scenario: One or Two?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Transport options to and from LHR include the Heathrow Express, Tube, coach, and taxi
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is located 16 miles/26 kilometres west of London city centre. It is the largest and busiest airport in London, with 4 terminals and 2 runways.
There are several transport options to and from the airport, including:
Heathrow Express
The Heathrow Express is the fastest way to travel between Heathrow Airport and Central London, with a journey time of just 15 to 20 minutes. The non-stop trains depart every 15 minutes from Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 to Paddington Station. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or via mobile phone, and the train offers a range of amenities, including spacious seating, free wireless internet and on-board entertainment.
Tube
The London Underground, also known as the Tube, offers a more affordable way to get to and from the airport, with prices starting from £5.50. There are three underground stations at Heathrow, located at Terminals 2/3, 4 and 5. The journey to Central London takes under an hour, with trains running every 10 minutes during peak times and every 9 minutes during off-peak times and weekends.
Coach
National Express operates coach services from Heathrow Airport's Central Bus Station and Terminals 4 and 5 to Victoria Coach Station in Central London. The journey takes between 50 and 90 minutes, depending on traffic, and fares start from £10. Coaches run frequently throughout the day, with services commencing early in the morning and continuing until midnight.
Taxi
There are over 600 taxi companies serving Heathrow Airport, many of which offer specialised airport transfer services at competitive rates. Black cabs can be hailed outside the terminal, or you can pre-book a mini-cab in advance. Travel time to Central London by taxi is around an hour, depending on traffic.
Airport Watchlists: Which Government Agencies Are Involved?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
LHR airport, also known as London Heathrow Airport, is located in the west of London, within a 16-mile/26km distance from the city centre.
You can get to LHR airport from London's city centre by train, Tube, bus, coach or taxi. The Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station is the quickest route, taking around 15 minutes, but it is also the most expensive. The Piccadilly Line is slower and cheaper, taking about an hour. The Elizabeth Line is another option, with a journey time of around 30 minutes.
LHR airport is London's main airport and the UK's largest and busiest airport. It has four terminals, two runways, and offers a range of shopping and dining options. The airport also provides various parking options, including short-term and long-term parking, as well as business, meet-and-greet, and valet services.


































![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UL320_.jpg)

![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UL320_.jpg)





