Terminals 1, 2 & 3 are all located in the centre of the airport and are within walking distance of each other via underground walkways. Terminal 4 is located on the south side of the airport, and can be reached from Terminals 1, 2 & 3 via the free inter-terminal transfer service on the Heathrow Express train, which takes approximately eight minutes.

Terminal 3 started functioning in 1961. 43 airlines and approximately 15.5 million passengers use the terminal now.

Check-in is located on the ground floor at the front of the building and departures is above check-in on the first floor.

• International flights - check in 3 hours prior to departure


• European flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure


• Domestic flights - check in 1 hour prior to departure

Boarding usually begins around 45 minutes before departure.

Arrivals is located on the left at the north end of the building on the ground floor. You can check arrival times online here.

International connections do not need to go through Immigrations or Customs but all International to Domestic connections do. Domestic to International connections can use the special Immigration check points if baggage is through-checked.

Baggage storage is available from Terminal 3. Open from 05.30 - 22.30 at a cost of £4 per item per day. Each item is security checked. You can contact Excess Baggage on +44 (0)208 745 4599.

Terminal 3 Departures:

Bureaux de Change:Two Bureaux de Change in the middle of the shopping row. Thomas Cook open 05:30 - 22:00, Travelex open 05:00 - 22:00.

Cash Dispensers: Three machines beside the Travelex Bureau de Change handle most international and domestic cards.

Food and Drink: There is a restaurant, a burger bar and a pub on the left hand side of the Departures floor, with a coffee shop towards the right hand end of the shopping row.

Left Luggage: None on Departures level, the nearest is in Arrivals.

Pay Phones: Located throughout the floor. Fax facility on some phones.

Postal Services: Mail boxes and stamp machines at the walkway to the short stay car park, beside the ramp to the Departure gates plus a mail box Airside.

Shopping: A varied selection of outlets. Wider choice at duty free prices available Airside after passport control.

Toilets: At each end of the building, with disabled facilities in both plus a baby change room at the left hand end near the catering outlets.

Terminal 3 Arrivals:

Bureau de Change: Two Bureaux de Change in Baggage Reclaim. Thomas Cook open 05:15 - 22:00 and Travelex open 05:15 - 21:30.

Buses: Limited services available at bus station through Exit 2. Most buses also stop at the main coach station. Follow the signs.

Car Hire: Major companies have desks on right of terminal towards Exit 1.

Cash Dispensers: Two near the Booksplus news shop - Barclays and Midland provide facilities for most international and domestic cards.

Food and Drink: Meals, snacks and drinks available.

Hotel Reservations: There is a hotel desk near the Information desk.

Information Desk In middle of main Arrivals area near the Bureaux de Change.

Left Luggage: On extreme right hand side of hall between Exits 1 & 2. Open 05:30 - 22:30. Costs £6.50 per item per 24 hour period.

Luggage Trolleys: In Baggage Reclaim - plentiful and free.

Pay Phones: In Baggage Reclaim. Some with fax facility in main Arrivals hall.

Parking: Access to short stay car park by lift to Departures level and covered walkway.

Postal Services: Mail box / stamp machine in front of Information desk.

Shopping: There is a news shop / bookstore and a map shop. Extra outlets available on Departures level.

Taxi:Taxi rank on forecourt. Follow signs to Exit 2.

Toilets:With baby care and disabled facilities in Baggage Reclaim opposite carrousel 4. Also upstairs on the mezzanine floor waiting level. Disabled facilities available but getting there is by lift/elevator and not convenient.

Train: Follow signs to the Underground or Heathrow Express for services to London. Access ramp and stairs between Exit 1 & 2.

Terminal 3 Airside:

Bureaux de Change: Two Bureaux de Change. Thomas Cook open 06:00 to 22:00 near Tie Rack, Travelex open 05:30 to 22:00 beside Swatch.

Pay Phones: Available throughout the lounge.

Postal Services: Mail bin immediately after passport control.

Toilets: Two, one on the left near Dixons. The other, with baby change facility, near Metro.