Heathrow Pod
Driverless pods link the Thistle hotel with Terminal 5 in about five minutes.
£8.75 per person each way, 04:00 to 00:15. It stops at the Terminal 5 car park, so there is still a walk to check-in.
What it is
The Heathrow Pod is a driverless electric pod system between the Pod Parking car park at Terminal 5 and the Thistle London Heathrow Terminal 5. The hotel station is Station B.
Fares and hours
- Fare: £8.75 per person for each journey.
- Journey: about 5 minutes between stations.
- Hours: daily from 04:00 to 00:15.
Using it from the hotel
Arriving guests pay at check-in, as reception collects the fare for Heathrow. Leaving, buy a ticket at reception or at the self check-in kiosks. You get a 4-digit code that opens the gate. Take the door opposite reception marked Car Park A, follow the green path to the pod gate, enter your code, then find Station B. Choose Terminal 5 on the screen, board, and press Close then Start.
Arriving at the terminal
The pod stops in the Terminal 5 car park, not at check-in. You arrive on Car Park Level 2 (Business Parking). Lifts then go to Departures on Level 5, or to Arrivals on Level 0 if you are catching the Heathrow Express or Underground.
Getting back to the hotel
From Arrivals, turn right and head towards the meeting point north sign, past M&S Simply Food. Turn left at the yellow exit sign to the lifts and go to Level 2. Choose Station B on the screen. At the hotel, press the Call button on the steel gate and reception will open it.
Is it worth it?
The pod gets close to the ease of a connected hotel for a good deal less, and it starts at 04:00. It is charged per person for each journey, so it adds up for a family, and it does not run between 00:15 and 04:00.
Checked against Heathrow, TfL and the operators on 14 November 2026. Fares and times change, so confirm before you travel.
Traveller questions
How much does the Heathrow Pod cost?
£8.75 per person for each journey. Arriving, reception collects the fare for Heathrow at check-in. Leaving, buy a ticket at reception or at the self check-in kiosks.
What hours does it run?
Daily from 04:00 to 00:15. Heathrow may change these times.
Does it go to the terminal building?
No. It stops at the Terminal 5 Pod Parking on Car Park Level 2. From there, lifts go up to Departures on Level 5, or down to Arrivals on Level 0 for the Heathrow Express and Underground.
Which hotel is it for?
The Thistle London Heathrow Terminal 5. The pod runs between the hotel and the Pod Parking car park.
Can I take luggage?
Yes, but leave trolleys before the barriers. Heathrow gives no bag size limits, so contact the hotel if you have a lot of luggage.