Heathrow Facts and Useful Details
Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world. With four active terminals (2, 3, 4, and 5), ongoing expansion plans, and thousands of incoming flights each day, it can feel overwhelming to navigate. This guide covers arrivals, departures, parking, maps, restaurants, and facilities across all Heathrow terminals.
Heathrow Arrivals and Departures
Heathrow 3 arrivals (T3 arrivals): Terminal 3 is a hub for long-haul flights from the US, Asia, and the Middle East. Arrivals are close to short stay parking and public transport links.
Heathrow T4 departures: Terminal 4 serves many European, Asian, and African routes. It has its own departure hall with clear connections to parking and trains.
Heathrow incoming flights: Live flight boards and updates are available inside every terminal or on the Heathrow Live Flight Tracker.
Heathrow Maps
Heathrow map terminal 2 – View Terminal 2 Map
Heathrow t3 map – View Terminal 3 Map
Heathrow map terminal 5 – View Terminal 5 Map
👉 Explore all official Heathrow maps here: Heathrow Interactive Maps.
Parking at Heathrow
Terminal 2 parking: Short Stay is right next to arrivals, best for quick pick-ups. Long Stay is connected by a free shuttle bus.
Terminal 3 parking (t3 short stay): The closest option for meeting arrivals. Long Stay parking is also linked by shuttle.
Terminal 4 parking: Offers Short Stay near departures and arrivals, plus a Long Stay served by shuttle buses.
Terminal 5 parking (heathrow 5 parking): The biggest parking area, with Short Stay next to the terminal and Long Stay connected by frequent shuttles.
Shops, Restaurants, and Facilities
Terminal 2 (The Queen’s Terminal)
Wide choice of restaurants, from quick bites like Leon to sit-down dining at The Perfectionists’ Café.
Shops include luxury brands, travel essentials, and duty-free.
Free Wi-Fi, lounges, and family-friendly play areas available.
See Terminal 2 Facilities
Terminal 3
Heathrow t3 shops: Fashion, tech, and world duty-free outlets.
Heathrow restaurants T3: Options like Pret a Manger, Caviar House, and Wagamama.
Lounges for airlines and independent travelers.
Terminal 4
Good range of restaurants, including Asian food, pubs, and fast food.
Shops for clothing, gifts, and travel accessories.
Services include pharmacies, prayer rooms, and meeting rooms.
Terminal 5
The largest shopping and dining area at Heathrow.
Heathrow restaurants T5: From Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food to fast food chains.
High-end shops including Gucci, Harrods, and Apple.
Smoking Areas
Heathrow smoking area: Each terminal has outdoor smoking zones before security.
Once past security, there are no smoking areas inside the airport.
Heathrow Expansion
The Heathrow expansion project aims to add new runways and improve passenger flow. The plan is to handle more flights and reduce delays while upgrading terminal facilities.
Quick Tips
Check the live Heathrow incoming flights before leaving for the airport.
Use the Heathrow Maps to plan your route inside each terminal.
Short Stay car parks are the best option for pickups.
Allow extra time for Heathrow T4 departures and T5 departures, as security can be busy.
Explore terminal shops and restaurants if you have long layovers.
