Between the terminals
Terminals 2 and 3 are a walk apart. Terminals 4 and 5 each stand on their own, so a hotel at the wrong one adds a transfer.
Allow 20 to 30 minutes door to door between any two terminals.
How the terminals fit together
Heathrow has four terminals in use: 2, 3, 4 and 5. Terminals 2 and 3 sit together in the central area and share a rail station. Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 each stand on their own, so each is a separate trip from the central area.
Terminals 2 and 3
A pedestrian subway links the two terminals, and moving walkways help along the way. The walk takes a few minutes. They share one Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line station.
To Terminal 5
- Heathrow Express: free from Heathrow Central, about 6 minutes.
- Elizabeth line: some trains continue to Terminal 5, so check the destination board.
To Terminal 4
- Elizabeth line: free from Heathrow Central, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- No direct train links Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. Change at Terminals 2 and 3.
Connecting flights
If you are connecting between flights, follow the purple Flight Connections signs inside the terminal rather than leaving the building.
What it means for your hotel
Staying at a hotel at the terminal you fly from keeps the morning simple. A hotel at the wrong terminal means a transfer, and a hotel on the Hotel Hoppa route means a bus. See our hotels by terminal to compare.
Checked against Heathrow, TfL and the operators on 14 November 2026. Fares and times change, so confirm before you travel.
Traveller questions
Is it free to move between Heathrow terminals?
Yes. The Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line are free between terminals. You still need a free ticket or a contactless tap at the gates.
How do I get from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5?
There is no direct train. Take the Elizabeth line from Terminal 4 to Terminals 2 and 3, then the Heathrow Express to Terminal 5. A free H30 bus also links the terminals, but check the route and timings on the Heathrow site.
Can I walk between Terminals 2 and 3?
Yes. A pedestrian subway links Terminals 2 and 3, and moving walkways help. Follow the signs for the walk, which takes a few minutes.
Does Hotel Hoppa go to Terminal 4?
No. The buses do not serve the Terminal 4 forecourt. Use the Elizabeth line or a taxi instead.
Which terminal should my hotel be at?
The one you fly from. If your flight is early, a hotel connected to that terminal means no transfer in the morning.