Heathrow guide

Heathrow Airport opened in 1946 and has become the United Kingdom’s largest Airport and the world’s busiest international airport and is only 24km from London center.  The airport currently has 4 terminals with a 5th due to be completed in March 2008.  The 5th terminal is being created at a cost of Ј4.2 billion and is expected to transport 35 million passengers a year. Heathrow flies to over 180 destinations in 90 countries worldwide with over 90 airlines making the airport there main base. Nearly 68 million people a year fly in and out of Heathrow with New York being the top destination. most out of your time at Heathrow.

 

 

At Heathrow Airport passengers may now carry more than one item of hand baggage through security. But you should check hand baggage allowances with your airline before arriving at the airport, as the weight and size of hand baggage allowances differ between airlines. Some airlines may allow you to carry one item only. Whatever the number of items, each must be no larger than 56cm tall, 45cm wide and 25cm deep.

 

        Cabin baggage must be no larger than:
56cm (22in) tall
45cm (17.7in) wide
25cm (10in) deep

        You should also check with your airline, as some operate further limits on bag size.

All items carried will be X-ray screened.

To save time, we advise you to place only valuables and items you need for the flight into your hand baggage.

        Only limited quantities of liquids may be carried through security control as hand baggage. This includes bottled drinks, suntan lotion, fragrances, cosmetics and toiletries.
The following restrictions apply to all liquids, creams, gels, pastes and aerosols taken through security control: 

The following items may be imported into the UK without incurring customs duty by travellers aged 17 years and over arriving from non-EU countries:

- 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
- 2l of table wine.
- 1l of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22% or 2l of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs.
- 60ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
- Other goods including souvenirs up to the value of Ј145.

 

Only limited quantities of liquids may be carried through security control as hand baggage. This includes bottled drinks, suntan lotion, fragrances, cosmetics and toiletries.
The following restrictions apply to all liquids, creams, gels, pastes and aerosols taken through security control: 

          To bring animals and birds into the UK, an import licence must be obtained at least six months in advance. Some animals may now qualify for the PET Travel Scheme (PETS) and can be brought into the UK without being put into quarantine. At present, this is limited to certain travel carriers and animals. Severe penalties are imposed on persons attempting to smuggle domestic animals into the country. An illegally imported animal is liable to be destroyed. For further information about importing animals, contact the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

There's so much more to air travel than just flying! Every terminals  is full of ideas to help you get the Great airport prices aren't just for departing passengers. On arrival at Heathrow you can find fantastic deals on fragrances, electrical goods, champagne and wines.

There are shops selling men's and women's clothing, health and beauty essentials, accessories, gifts, chocolates and more. You can also make the most of the stores in the check-in area of your arrival terminal.

The World Shopping store is located just after baggage reclaim and Customs. It's perfect for buying last-minute gifts (or treating yourself!), and you can use up left-over holiday money into the bargain - World Shopping accepts more than 20 different currencies.

Why carry all your shopping on board, when you can leave it with us and pick it up again on your way back? The BAA Shop & Collect service means you can buy as much as you like while you wait for your flight (taking full advantage of our fantastic prices), and we’ll keep it all safe until you return.

 

 

If you need to relax (or wake up) with a coffee and a bite to eat before traveling on, there's plenty of choice in the Arrivals hall.

With flights to more than 180 destinations in over 90 countries, Heathrow makes an ideal hub for global business travel.

Whether you want to work, relax or just shorten your journey, you can find what you need at Heathrow.

Cut your traveling time and hold your meeting at the airport. The Heathrow Business Centre has more than 20 rooms with all modern facilities, plus great extras like showers and a 60-seat conference suite.

Traveling with children doesn't have to be a challenge. You'll find the facilities and supplies you need at Heathrow, from baby changing rooms to pre-flight entertainment.

 

 

Just because you're on the move doesn't mean you're out of touch. Use Heathrow's internet terminals or wireless broadband access to catch up on your emails, do some research or just surf the web.

Public telephones can be found throughout the airport. Wheelchair accessible telephones and text phones for the hard of hearing are available in each terminal. Payment for these services is by cash and credit card. Fax machines are available in the Heathrow Business Centre operated by Travelex.

Heathrow is a smoke-free airport, in line with British law on smoking in enclosed public spaces.You will be able to smoke in designated areas outside the terminal building.

However, please be aware that once you have passed through security control, you will not be able to smoke anywhere in the departure lounge.

 

 

Heathrow is served by a good number of public transport options including the London underground, buses and coaches. It can make a great deal of sense to leave the car at home and get on the bus or train, so you don't have to worry about parking, driving jet lagged on your return.

 

 

A new service using new trains, which runs every 1/2 hour, allows passengers the chance to get a train from the local stations listed below directly to Heathrow Airport.

 

 

One of the cheapest and most efficient ways of getting to and from Heathrow airport to central London is on the London underground using the Piccadilly line. The tube runs frequently along the Piccadilly line to Heathrow station (1 station for terminals 1, 2 and 3) which comes every 10 minutes, so you won't have to wait long and the journey time is under 1 hour.

Tickets for the underground can be purchased at the London Underground stations, ticket offices and machines. If you buy a travel card bus trips are included as well as some trains

 

It is one of the most flexible ways to get around London. Services operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year subject to local availability. All taxis take cash and some accept credit and debit cards.

 The journey to central London costs between Ј40 and Ј70 and takes between 30 minutes and one hour. Journeys which are both inside London and within 20 miles of the airport are priced using the taxi meter. The fare for travel outside London should be agreed beforehand with the driver. All taxis take cash and some accept credit and debit cards.

 

09.04.2008