Heathrow Airport has four passenger terminals: Terminal 2 (the Queen's Terminal), Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. Each terminal handles specific airlines and alliances and has its own check-in area, security, departure gates, drop-off zone and postcode. Arriving at the wrong terminal means using Heathrow's free inter-terminal transfer, which takes 20 to 30 minutes and adds stress before a flight.
There is no Terminal 1 — it closed in 2015 (more on that below). Checking your terminal before you travel takes less than a minute and prevents one of the most common mistakes UK passengers make at Heathrow.
Heathrow terminals at a glance
| Terminal | Alliance / main carrier | Key airlines | Sat-nav postcode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 (Queen's Terminal) | Star Alliance | United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, ANA | TW6 1EW |
| Terminal 3 | oneworld + long-haul | American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic | TW6 1QG |
| Terminal 4 | SkyTeam + others | Air France, KLM, Gulf Air, plus some BA routes | TW6 3XA |
| Terminal 5 | British Airways | British Airways, Iberia, Vueling | TW6 2GA |
Terminal 2 — The Queen's Terminal
Terminal 2, known as the Queen's Terminal, opened in 2014 as a purpose-built home for Star Alliance member airlines. It is the newest terminal building at Heathrow and handles a high 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 in the Central Terminal Area next to Terminal 3 and shares the same forecourt. The sat-nav postcode is TW6 1EW, reached from the Northern Perimeter Road. If you are travelling from Buckinghamshire, our fixed-price Aylesbury to Heathrow Terminal 2 transfer drops you directly at the T2 forecourt.
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 and is also the Heathrow home of Virgin Atlantic.
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 — most long-haul routes
Terminal 3 shares the forecourt with Terminal 2 — both are within walking distance in the Central Terminal Area. The sat-nav postcode is TW6 1QG (Nelson Road, Longford). For door-to-forecourt travel from Buckinghamshire, book an Aylesbury to Heathrow Terminal 3 taxi.
Terminal 4 — the separate southern terminal
Terminal 4 is located on the south side of Heathrow, separated from Terminals 2, 3 and 5 by the runways. It is home to a number of SkyTeam carriers and independent airlines, and requires a dedicated approach road via the Southern Perimeter Road with its own drop-off zone.
This separation is why Terminal 4 transfers from Aylesbury are priced slightly differently — the route adds roughly 2 miles and 5 minutes compared with the northern terminals.
Airlines using Terminal 4:
- Air France — Paris Charles de Gaulle routes
- KLM — Amsterdam services
- Gulf Air — Bahrain services
- Some British Airways flights — on certain routes; always confirm on your boarding pass
Terminal 4 has fewer retail and dining options than the larger terminals, and security queues can build quickly at peak times. The sat-nav postcode is TW6 3XA. Our Aylesbury to Heathrow Terminal 4 transfer takes the Southern Perimeter approach to drop you at the correct forecourt.
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 since been expanded with the satellite buildings T5B and T5C, connected by an automated transit system.
Airlines using Terminal 5:
- British Airways — most 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, and the sat-nav postcode is TW6 2GA. For passengers from Aylesbury, the T5 approach is via Junction 14 of the M25 and the A3113. Book an Aylesbury to Heathrow Terminal 5 taxi for a fixed price to the T5 forecourt.
Why is there no Terminal 1 at Heathrow?
Heathrow Terminal 1 closed in June 2015 after almost 50 years of service. Its airlines were relocated mainly into the newly opened Terminal 2, and the building has since been demolished to make way for an expansion of Terminal 2. This is why Heathrow's terminals are numbered 2, 3, 4 and 5 with no Terminal 1 — a frequent source of confusion for passengers who remember the old layout.
Getting to each Heathrow terminal from Aylesbury
Every Heathrow terminal has its own postcode for sat-nav, so the right destination depends on your airline. From Aylesbury the journey is typically 50 to 70 minutes by road depending on terminal and traffic, using the A413, M40 and M25.
- Terminal 2 (Queen's Terminal): TW6 1EW — Central Terminal Area
- Terminal 3: TW6 1QG — Central Terminal Area
- Terminal 4: TW6 3XA — Southern Perimeter Road
- Terminal 5: TW6 2GA — M25 Junction 14
A pre-booked transfer removes the guesswork — your driver confirms the terminal at booking and drops you at the right forecourt. See full pricing and route options on our Aylesbury to Heathrow airport taxi page.
Public transport to Heathrow terminals
If you are not travelling by car, three rail options serve the terminals:
- London Underground (Piccadilly line) — serves three stations in Zone 6: Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Heathrow Terminal 4, and Heathrow Terminal 5.
- Elizabeth line — runs from central London to Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
- Heathrow Express — the fast service from London Paddington to Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 5; Terminal 4 is reached with a free transfer.
For passengers from Aylesbury and the surrounding Buckinghamshire towns, none of these connect directly — they require a drive or train to London first — which is why a direct door-to-terminal taxi is usually faster overall.
Inter-terminal transfers at Heathrow
Terminals 2 and 3 are within walking distance — allow 10 to 15 minutes on foot via the pedestrian walkway in the Central Terminal Area.
Terminal 4 is reached by the free inter-terminal Heathrow Express or the Underground. Total transfer time including walking is typically 20 to 25 minutes.
Terminal 5 is connected to Terminals 2 and 3 by the free inter-terminal Heathrow Express, Piccadilly line and Elizabeth line. Total transfer time is typically 25 to 30 minutes — you cannot walk between T3 and T5.
Do not assume you have time for an inter-terminal transfer if your check-in closes within 90 minutes.
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 →
How to find out which terminal you need
Method 1 — Check your boarding pass. Your boarding pass or e-ticket shows the terminal clearly.
Method 2 — Check the Heathrow website. The "Which terminal" 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 and your driver will drop you at the correct forecourt.
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal does British Airways use at Heathrow?
Which airlines use Terminal 3 at Heathrow?
Are Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 in the same place?
Can you walk from Heathrow Terminal 3 to Terminal 5?
Why is there no Terminal 1 at Heathrow?
How do I get between terminals at Heathrow?
Is the drop-off charge included in my transfer price?
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