Heathrow Terminal 3 Arrivals, Drop Off & Pick Up Guide

Where Is Terminal 3, and Who Flies from It?

Terminal 3 sits in Heathrow's central area, right beside Terminal 2. Terminals 4 and 5 are further away, on the south side and the western end of the airport, so it really does matter which one you're heading to.

T3 is Heathrow's long-haul hub. Virgin Atlantic, Delta, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas all fly from here, along with many other oneworld and international airlines. Airlines do occasionally switch terminals, so always double-check your booking before you set off.

Heathrow Terminal 3 Arrivals: What to Expect

Just landed after a long flight? Here's the usual order of things at Heathrow Terminal 3 arrivals:

1. 1

   Passport control

   Follow the signs from your gate. Queues vary with the time of day and how many long-haul flights land together.

2. 2

   Baggage reclaim

   Check the screens for your flight's belt number. Long-haul flights can carry a lot of luggage, so give it a little time.

3. 3

   Customs

   Choose the green or red channel depending on what you're bringing in.

4. 4

   The arrivals hall

   This is where friends, family and pre-booked drivers meet passengers.

Tip: switch your phone on as soon as you land. If someone is collecting you, a quick "just landed" message makes the pick up much smoother.

Heathrow Terminal 3 Drop Off: The £7 Charge

If you're being dropped off at Terminal 3, here's the bit that catches people out. Since 1 January 2026, Heathrow charges £7 per vehicle to use the terminal drop off zone, with a maximum stay of 10 minutes.

• It applies to every vehicle: private cars, taxis and minicabs.
• It's paid online at heathrow.com, by midnight the day after your visit.
• The zone is for quick drop offs only, so have bags ready to grab.

Being dropped off in a pre-booked taxi? Check your booking confirmation, which shows what your fare includes.

Picking Someone Up at Terminal 3

Collecting a friend or family member from Heathrow Terminal 3? The drop off zone isn't a place to wait, so you'll need to park, usually in the terminal's short stay car park, where charges apply. Then meet your passenger in the arrivals hall.

A few things make the Heathrow Terminal 3 pick up easier:

• Track the flight: long-haul flights often land early or late.
• Allow time: passport control and baggage can take a while after landing.
• Agree a meeting spot: the arrivals hall can be busy.

Or skip the parking altogether. With a pre-booked taxi, your driver tracks the flight and, with Meet & Greet, meets your passenger inside the arrivals hall.

Getting to and from Terminal 3

You've got a few options:

• Train or Tube

  The Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line stop at "Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3". Good if you're travelling light.

• Pre-booked taxi

  Door to door with your luggage, at any hour. The easiest choice for families, groups and early flights.

Heathrow is about 15 miles west of central London. By road, the journey to central London usually takes 45 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic and your exact address.

Flying from a different terminal? See our guides for Terminal 2, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.