You don’t need us to tell you how busy Heathrow Airport is. According to official figures, 205,400 passengers arrive and depart from the UK’s busiest airport daily. Sometimes it can feel as though you need to negotiate every single one of them to reach your flight.
With that in mind, here are some time-saving tips to help you get through Heathrow Airport quicker, from being smarter at security checks to investing in valet parking.
Tip 1: Don’t travel at Christmas
Obvious, we know, but if you want the quickest journey through Heathrow Airport, avoid travelling at peak times. Heathrow is even busier than usual at weekends and during school holidays and national holidays like Christmas and Easter. Fly at off-peak times, early in the morning or late at night if you want to avoid the biggest crowds.
Tip 2: Check in online or through an airline app
Avoid the queues at the check-in desk by checking in before you leave for the airport. You may even be able to check in on your return flight at the same time, depending on how long you’ll be away.
For example, easyJet lets you use online check-in up for all your flights up to 30 days before your scheduled departure. This means that you can print out boarding passes for your return flight, freeing you from the stress of having to try and do it while you’re away.
Although you can check in online, doing it through the airline’s app is the most efficient way, as you’ll instantly have your boarding pass available on your phone.
Tip 3: Download the Heathrow Airport Guide app
As well as making use of airline apps from the likes of easyJet and British Airways, downloading the Heathrow Airport Guide app to your phone enables you to stay up to date with gate numbers, get notifications on which baggage belt to head for, view terminal maps, book Long Stay Parking and more. All of which can help to make your journey through Heathrow that little bit easier.
If you’re travelling with an airline that doesn’t offer its own app, then you can scan your boarding pass and get live flight updates via the Heathrow Airport Guide too.
Tip 4: Travelling to Heathrow Airport by car
Planning to drive to Heathrow Airport? Booking a car park space ahead of time makes sense. Off-site parking might be cheaper, but there’s no denying the convenience of parking in one of Heathrow’s official on-site car parks.
For the ultimate in speed and convenience, you could take advantage of Heathrow Valet Parking. Driving up to the terminal forecourts and allowing a member of staff to park your car – and have it ready for collection on your return – can save you bags of time and hassle.
Of course, time is money – and saving time costs even more: the Heathrow Valet Parking service is currently priced at £127.50 for 1 day, rising to £264.50 for 4 days then £34.50 for each additional 24-hour period after.
Tip 5: Travelling to Heathrow Airport by train
If you’re travelling to Heathrow from London, using the Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect or the Piccadilly tube means that you can avoid getting snarled up in traffic on the M4 or having to faff around with parking.
With a journey time of 15 minutes from Paddington to Terminals 2 and 3, the Heathrow Express service is the quickest train route to and from Heathrow Airport.
At 21 minutes, the trip to Terminal 5 is longer, and if you’re flying from Terminal 4 then you’ll need to depart the Heathrow Express and catch the transfer service. Bear this in mind when planning the time it’ll take to get around Heathrow.
You’ll have to pay for the time-saving convenience – an Express Saver ticket will set you back a cool £25 – although you can make savings if you order in advance.
Tip 6: Getting through Heathrow security queues faster
To fly through Heathrow security, you’ll need to think on (and about) your feet. Dress appropriately: ditch boots and high-heels in favour of slip-on shoes and leave jewellery and heavy metal belts at home.
Don’t be one of those airport bumblers that waits until they get to the front of the security queue before fumbling nervously for loose change and remembering to remove shoes and jackets. Before you get anywhere near the X-Ray machines, transfer everything from your pockets into your carry-on bag. Otherwise, loose change, wallets, keys and even a bulky pack of tissues can trigger a pat down from security.
Remember that you’ll need to remove laptops, iPads and other tablets from your carry-on bag to be scanned separately, so make sure these are easily accessible when you pack them.
Tip 7: Don’t check luggage into the hold
If you’re jetting off on a city break, travel light and try and pack everything you need into carry-on bag. Not having to hang around the baggage carousel waiting for it to spit out a suitcase really does put you on the fast track through Heathrow.
If you are travelling with just cabin baggage, don’t get caught out by the contents of your washbag: make sure any aerosol deoderants, toothpaste or gels don’t exceed 100ml. Pack these items in a clear, resealable bag that doesn’t exceed 20cm x 20cm before you reach the queue for security, as this will need to be placed in the tray with your hand luggage.
Tip 8: Book your plane seat
When you book your flight and check in, try to reserve an aisle seat near the front of the plane. This should enable you to disembark ahead of other travellers on your flight and start making tracks through the airport, particularly if you’re only using carry-on baggage.
If the airline doesn’t offer seat reservations, it’s worth paying for priority boarding so that you can get an appropriate seat ahead of the pack.