Heathrow Airport Terminals Guide 2026 — Which Terminal Do You Need?

Heathrow Airport has four passenger terminals: T2, T3, T4 and T5. Each terminal handles specific airlines and has its own check-in area, security, departure gates and drop-off zone. Arriving at the wrong terminal means a transfer using the free inter-terminal service, which takes 20 to 30 minutes and adds stress before a flight.

Checking your terminal before you travel takes less than one minute and prevents one of the most common airport mistakes made by UK passengers.

Terminal 2 — The Queen's Terminal

Terminal 2 opened in 2014 as a purpose-built facility for Star Alliance member airlines. It is the newest terminal building at Heathrow and handles the highest volume of international long-haul departures from the alliance.

Airlines using Terminal 2:

• United Airlines — all transatlantic services to the United States
• Lufthansa — Frankfurt and Munich services
• Air Canada — Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver routes
• Singapore Airlines — Singapore and onward connections
• ANA (All Nippon Airways) — Tokyo Haneda and Narita
• SWISS — Zurich services
• TAP Air Portugal — Lisbon routes
• Aer Lingus — Dublin and Cork services
• Air China — Beijing Capital routes

Terminal 2 sits adjacent to Terminal 3 and shares the same forecourt area. Passengers being dropped off for T2 and T3 use the same vehicle access road from the Northern Perimeter Road.

Terminal 3 — oneworld and long-haul carriers

Terminal 3 handles oneworld alliance airlines and a number of independent long-haul carriers. It processes a high volume of transatlantic and intercontinental flights.

Airlines using Terminal 3:

• American Airlines — all US gateway services
• Cathay Pacific — Hong Kong routes
• Qantas — Sydney and Melbourne services
• Malaysia Airlines — Kuala Lumpur routes
• Finnair — Helsinki services
• Japan Airlines — Tokyo Narita services
• Virgin Atlantic — uses Terminal 3 for some routes

Terminal 3 shares the forecourt with Terminal 2. Both terminals are within walking distance in the central terminal area.

Terminal 4 — the separate terminal

Terminal 4 is located on the south side of Heathrow, separated from Terminals 2, 3 and 5 by the two runways. It requires a dedicated approach road via the southern perimeter and has its own drop-off zone distinct from the other terminals.

This separation is why Terminal 4 transfers from Aylesbury are priced differently — the route adds approximately 2 miles and 5 minutes compared to the northern terminals.

Airlines using Terminal 4:

• Some British Airways flights — particularly on certain European and short-haul routes. Always confirm on your boarding pass
• Air France — Paris Charles de Gaulle routes
• KLM — Amsterdam services on some routes
• Gulf Air — Bahrain services

Terminal 4 has fewer retail and dining options than the larger terminals. Security queues can build quickly during peak periods.

Terminal 5 — British Airways and Iberia

Terminal 5 is the largest single-terminal building in the United Kingdom and handles the majority of British Airways flights. It opened in 2008 and has been expanded with satellite buildings T5B and T5C, connected by an automated transit system.

Airlines using Terminal 5:

• British Airways — all mainline departures including short-haul European, long-haul intercontinental and Club World services
• Iberia — Madrid and Spanish domestic connections
• Vueling — Barcelona and Spanish city routes

Terminal 5 is directly accessible from the M25 via the Heathrow Southern Perimeter Road. For passengers from Aylesbury, the T5 approach is via Junction 14 of the M25 and the A3113.

How to find out which terminal you need

Method 1 — Check your boarding pass. Your boarding pass or e-ticket will show the terminal clearly.

Method 2 — Check the Heathrow website. The terminal search tool at heathrow.com confirms your terminal by airline and route.

Method 3 — Check your airline app. Most airline apps display the terminal on the flight information screen after online check-in.

Method 4 — Ask when booking your transfer. When you book with Aylesbury Airport Transfers, confirm your terminal at booking time. Your driver will drop you at the correct forecourt.

Heathrow drop-off charges — what you need to know

Heathrow Airport charges £7 per vehicle for terminal forecourt drop-offs from January 2026. This applies to all private vehicles including private hire taxis.

When booking an airport transfer from Aylesbury, the £7 drop-off charge is included in your fixed price. You will not be asked to pay any additional fee at the terminal.

Book your Aylesbury to Heathrow transfer →

Inter-terminal transfers at Heathrow

Terminals 2 and 3 are within walking distance — allow 10 to 15 minutes on foot.

Terminal 4 is reached by the Heathrow Express inter-terminal shuttle. Total transfer time including walking is typically 20 to 25 minutes.

Terminal 5 is connected to Terminals 2 and 3 by the Heathrow Express inter-terminal service. Total transfer time is typically 25 to 30 minutes.

Do not assume you have time for an inter-terminal transfer if your check-in closes within 90 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

View Aylesbury to Heathrow prices →

Heathrow drop-off charge explained →