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Heathrow has four passenger terminals: Terminals 2 and 3, which share a rail station, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. Travel between them is free on selected trains, the Underground and buses. This guide explains each free route, which one to use between each pair of terminals, and what to do if you're connecting between flights.
Heathrow terminal transfers: the quick answer
- It's free: Heathrow says you can travel between terminals using free transport.
- Piccadilly line: free between Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4, Terminal 5 and Hatton Cross. Tap Oyster or contactless to open the gates.
- Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express: free between terminals with a train transfer ticket, collected at the station.
- H30 bus: free between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, every 20 minutes, with no ticket needed.
- Connecting flight? Follow the purple Flight Connections signs instead.
Free Ways to Travel Between Heathrow Terminals
| Service | Terminals | Ticket | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piccadilly line | Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4, Terminal 5, Hatton Cross | Tap Oyster or contactless to open the gates | Every 10 minutes |
| Elizabeth line / Heathrow Express | Terminals 2 & 3 to Terminal 4 or Terminal 5 | Free train transfer ticket from the station | Every 15 minutes to Terminal 4; at least every 15 minutes to Terminal 5 |
| H30 bus | Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, via the Cargo Area | None needed | Every 20 minutes |
Details from Heathrow's free travel map. Services and times can change, so follow the signs at the airport and check before you travel.
Piccadilly Line Between Terminals
The Piccadilly line links all of Heathrow's Underground stations: Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4, Terminal 5 and Hatton Cross. Travel between these stations is free.
- Tickets: you still need to tap an Oyster or contactless card to open the ticket gates.
- Frequency: every 10 minutes.
- Train transfer tickets: these aren't valid on the Underground.
Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express Between Terminals
The Elizabeth line and the Heathrow Express both run between Heathrow's rail stations, and travel between terminals is free with a train transfer ticket.
- Tickets: collect a free train transfer ticket at the station. You don't need Oyster or contactless.
- Terminal 4: trains run from Terminals 2 & 3 every 15 minutes.
- Terminal 5: trains run from Terminals 2 & 3 at least every 15 minutes.
- Heathrow Express to Terminal 4: the Heathrow Express doesn't go to Terminal 4. Change at Terminals 2 & 3 for the free transfer train, which takes 4 minutes.
H30 Bus Between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5
The free H30 bus links Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 via the Cargo Area, so you don't need to go through Terminals 2 & 3.
- Tickets: none needed. You don't need Oyster, contactless or a train transfer ticket.
- Frequency: every 20 minutes, from early morning until late at night.
Which Route Between Each Terminal?
| From / to | Free options |
|---|---|
| Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 5 | Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express with a transfer ticket, or the Piccadilly line |
| Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 4 | Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express transfer train, or the Piccadilly line |
| Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 | The H30 bus, or the Piccadilly line |
| Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 | Both are next to the same Terminals 2 & 3 rail and Underground station; follow the signs |
Connecting Between Flights at Heathrow
If you're changing flights on a single booking, you don't need to make your own way between terminals.
- Flight Connections: follow the purple Flight Connections signs after leaving the aircraft. If your next flight leaves from a different terminal, you'll use the free transfer bus.
- Security: all connecting passengers go through security again before their next flight. Arriving on an international flight for a UK domestic flight? You'll also pass UK immigration.
- Separate tickets: if you booked your flights separately, you'll need to go through immigration, collect your bags, check in again and clear security, so allow extra time.
- Delayed flight: contact your airline as soon as possible.
Leaving Heathrow After Your Flight
Not connecting, and heading into London? The free terminal transport only covers the airport. For the rest of your journey, see our guides to Paddington and Heathrow and King's Cross and Heathrow, or read how to get a taxi from Heathrow.
Book a Heathrow transfer
- Any terminal, door to door: Heathrow airport transfers to and from any London address, 24/7, with TfL-licensed drivers.
- Meet & Greet: your exact meeting point is in your booking instructions; with Meet & Greet, your driver meets you in the arrivals area.
- Flight monitoring: we offer flight monitoring for pre-booked airport pickups. Add your flight number when booking, and flight monitoring helps us coordinate your pickup around updated arrival information.
- Fixed fares: fixed fares for pre-booked airport transfers. Know your fare before confirming your booking, with no meter-based fare surprises. Get an instant fare quote.
Departing from a specific terminal? See our Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 taxi pages.
Heathrow Terminal Transfer FAQs
Yes. Heathrow says you can travel between terminals using free transport: the Piccadilly line, the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express with a train transfer ticket, and the H30 bus between Terminals 4 and 5.
Take the free H30 bus, which runs every 20 minutes between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 via the Cargo Area, or the Piccadilly line.
Take the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express with a free train transfer ticket, which runs at least every 15 minutes, or the Piccadilly line.
On the Piccadilly line, yes: tap Oyster or contactless to open the gates, and the journey between Heathrow stations is free. On the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express you use a free train transfer ticket instead, and the H30 bus needs no ticket.
Not directly. Change at Terminals 2 & 3 for the free transfer train to Terminal 4, which takes 4 minutes. The Elizabeth line runs direct to Terminal 4.
Follow the purple Flight Connections signs after leaving the aircraft. If your next flight leaves from another terminal, you'll use the free transfer bus. All connecting passengers go through security again.
You'll need to go through immigration, collect your bags, check in again and clear security for your next flight, so allow extra time. You can then use the free terminal transport.
Yes. Choose your terminal when you book; your exact meeting point is in your booking instructions. We offer flight monitoring for pre-booked airport pickups. Add your flight number when booking, and flight monitoring helps us coordinate your pickup around updated arrival information.
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