London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Heathrow, 24 kilometres (15 miles) west of central London, is one of the world's busiest international airports, coping with over 63 million passengers every year. The airport is massive, with Terminals 1 to 3 linked to Terminal 4 by the Heathrow Express and London Underground services. After a 10-year deliberation and some fierce opposition, plans to build a fifth terminal were approved in 2001. The terminal was opened 14th March 2008 by HM the Queen. The final cost of the terminal was a massive £4.3bn and the work doesn't stop there as there is currently talk of a new runway as well.
Facilities include bureaux de change, ATMs, airport information, hotel reservation and travel information desks, post offices in Terminals 2 and 4, left-luggage, showers, telephones and fax machines, shops, duty-free outlets, restaurants, cafes, bars and a Tourist Information Centre in the London Underground station. There is Internet access available in Terminal 4. There is also car hire available in all four terminals, from Avis, Europcar, Hertz, National and Thrifty.
Located in the Queen's Building, between Terminals 1 and 2, the business centre is open Monday to Friday 07:30-19:00 and offers 20 meeting rooms and a conference suite, as well as a communications centre with computers with Internet access, faxes, photocopiers, audiovisual equipment and even showers.
The Heathrow Express train service to Paddington station operates every 15 minutes and takes just 15 minutes from Terminal 4 and 23 minutes from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The service operates seven days a week and runs from approximately 05:00-00:00. Tickets can be purchased from Heathrow Express desks or self-service ticket kiosks located at the station; tickets are also available for purchase on the train, for a premium, or online, with a 10% discount.
The airport is also on the London Underground Piccadilly line which operates Mon-Sat 05:00-23:45 and Sun 05:45-23:15 (journey time 45 minutes).
There is also a Central Bus Station at Heathrow that links the airport to all other areas of the UK. The main bus service to central London is operated by National Express and at night, the N9 night bus service goes to central London every 30 minutes (journey time 50 minutes).
Speedlink, operated by National Express coaches link Heathrow and Gatwick airports (journey time 70 minutes) daily from approximately 05:00-22:30. Coaches also run from Heathrow Airport to Victoria Station.
Black Cabs are readily available and cost around £45 for a journey to the City centre (depending on traffic conditions and time of day).
