Heathrow Terminal 5: Everything You Need to Know
Terminal 5 is Heathrow's newest and largest terminal, exclusively used by British Airways and Iberia. Opened in 2008, it handles around 30 million passengers a year and is widely regarded as one of the best airport terminals in the world. Whether you are departing, arriving, or collecting someone, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Drop-off at Terminal 5
There are two main options for dropping off passengers at Terminal 5:
Free Drop-off: Long Stay Car Park
Heathrow offers a free drop-off zone at the Terminal 5 Long Stay car park. You can stop for up to 15 minutes without charge. From there, passengers take a free shuttle bus to the terminal, which takes approximately 5-10 minutes. This is the budget-friendly option, but the extra time and shuttle bus make it less convenient for those with heavy luggage or tight schedules.
Paid Drop-off: Forecourt
The Terminal 5 forecourt drop-off zone is directly outside the departures entrance. This is the most convenient option — you pull up, unload luggage, and your passenger walks straight into the terminal. However, Heathrow charges for this service. As of 2026, the charge is approximately £5 for up to 10 minutes and rises steeply after that. Payments are handled via ANPR (automatic number plate recognition), so you will be billed automatically.
Taxi Drop-off
When you book a taxi transfer with us, your driver drops you directly at the Terminal 5 forecourt. The drop-off charge is included in your fare — there are no surprise fees. Your driver will help with luggage and ensure you are at the right entrance for your airline.
Pickup at Terminal 5
If you are collecting an arriving passenger from Terminal 5, the main options are:
Short Stay Car Park
The Terminal 5 short stay car park is directly connected to the terminal via a covered walkway. It is the most convenient option for self-drivers, but parking charges are high — typically £5-8 for up to 30 minutes and £30+ for up to 2 hours.
Taxi Pickup
Our drivers collect passengers from the Terminal 5 arrivals area. We monitor your flight in real time, so your driver will be waiting when you land — even if your flight is delayed. For a meet and greet service, your driver can wait in the arrivals hall with a name board, guiding you straight to the vehicle. This is especially useful for first-time visitors or those unfamiliar with Heathrow.
Airlines at Terminal 5
Terminal 5 is home to:
- British Airways — all long-haul and most short-haul flights
- Iberia — flights to Spain and Latin America
Note that some British Airways flights to domestic and European destinations operate from Terminal 5B and 5C, which are satellite buildings connected by an automated transit system within the terminal. You do not need to go through security again to reach these.
Getting to Terminal 5
By Taxi
A taxi is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach Terminal 5 from most locations. From Slough, the journey is around 10 minutes. From Reading, around 35 minutes via the M4. From Central London, around 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. All fares are fixed at booking — no surprises.
By Train
The Heathrow Express from London Paddington takes 15 minutes and stops directly at Terminal 5. The Elizabeth Line from central London takes around 30-40 minutes. Both have stations within Terminal 5.
By Car
Terminal 5 is located at the western end of Heathrow Airport, directly off the M25 at Junction 14. It is the first terminal you reach when approaching from the M25, making it particularly accessible from the west (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire) and south (Surrey).
Parking at Terminal 5
Heathrow offers several parking options at Terminal 5:
| Parking Type | Walk to Terminal | Typical Cost (1 week) |
|---|---|---|
| Short Stay | 2-5 minutes (covered walkway) | £150-200+ |
| Long Stay | 5-10 min (shuttle bus) | £60-90 |
| Business Parking | 5 minutes | £180-250+ |
For most travellers, a fixed-price taxi transfer works out significantly cheaper than airport parking — especially when you factor in fuel, wear on your car, and the convenience of being dropped at the door.
Terminal 5 Facilities
Terminal 5 offers extensive facilities including:
- Shopping — Harrods, World Duty Free, Hamleys, and dozens of designer and high-street stores
- Dining — Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food, Wagamama, The Perfectionist's Café, and many more
- Lounges — British Airways Galleries lounges (First and Club), plus third-party lounges available for purchase
- Wi-Fi — free throughout the terminal
- Family facilities — baby changing, children's play areas, and family-friendly restaurants
Need a Transfer to Terminal 5?
Fixed prices, flight monitoring, and door-to-door service from your home to the terminal.
Book Your T5 TransferTips for Terminal 5
- Arrive early — Heathrow recommends arriving at least 2 hours before short-haul flights and 3 hours before long-haul
- Check your gate — if your gate is in T5B or T5C, allow an extra 10-15 minutes for the transit train
- Use online check-in — skip the check-in queues and head straight to bag drop
- Download the Heathrow app — live flight updates, terminal maps, and queue time estimates
- Book your return transfer — give us your flight number when booking and we will track your arrival in real time
