Driving to Heathrow
Heathrow Airport is 15 miles west of central London and easily accessible from the M4 and M25 motorways.
Directions
Terminals 1 and 3
The terminals are close together at the centre of the airport site. Exit the M4 (junction 4) or M25 (junction 15) and follow signs for Heathrow Terminals 1 and 3.
Postcodes for satellite navigation:
- Terminal 1: TW6 1AP
- Terminal 3: TW6 1QG
Terminal 4
The terminal is in the southern part of the airport site and has a separate entrance. Exit the M25 at junction 14 and follow signs for Heathrow Terminal 4. If you're coming from the M4, leave at junction 4b and follow the M25 south to junction 14.
Postcode for satellite navigation: TW6 3XA
Terminal 5
The terminal is on the Western Perimeter Road and has its own separate access road, reached from junction 14 of the M25. If you're coming from the M4, exit at junction 4b and follow the M25 south to junction 14.
Postcode for satellite navigation: TW6 2GA
Roads and car parks map (PDF format)
Setting down passengers
There are set-down lanes outside the terminals. You may unload on the terminal forecourt but waiting is not permitted. Police and airport staff patrol the forecourts and will ask waiting vehicles to move on.
Picking up passengers
If you are meeting someone from a flight you must use the Short Stay Car Park. Waiting is not permitted on the terminal forecourt.
Height and weight restriction – Terminals 1 and 4
Terminal 1 Departures forecourt
- Weight limit: 3 tonnes
- Maximum height: 2.4 metres (8ft)
Overweight and overheight vehicles should use Terminal 1 Departures inner lane.
Terminal 1 Departures ramp and inner lane (bus/coach drop off)
- Weight limit: 18 tonnes
Terminal 4 Departures
- Weight limit: 3.5 tonnes
- Maximum height: 2.6 metres (8ft 6in)
Overheight and overweight vehicles should use Terminal 4 Long Stay Car Park for drop-off and pick-up (standard Short Stay rates apply).
Unattended vehicles
For security reasons, vehicles should not be left unattended at any time. Any vehicle left unattended outside the terminal will be swiftly removed by the police. A charge is made for recovery and a parking ticket will also be issued. If the vehicle is not collected on the day it is removed there will be a further charge for each day's storage.
Parking
The Short Stay Car Parks for each terminal are signposted from roads into Heathrow, and are a short walk from check-in.
Heathrow Valet Parking operates from designated drop-off points on the terminal forecourts.
Heathrow Long Stay and Business Parking are located a short courtesy coach ride from the terminals.
Motorbikes
Motorcyclists can park free of charge at Heathrow in dedicated motorbike parks. Riders should not use the car parking bays.
Motorcyle park locations
- Terminals 1 and 3: At the back of Short Stay Car Park 1A/5, to the right of the exit. Access is via Chester Road.
- Terminal 4: Opposite the arrivals forecourt.
- Terminal 5: Next to the short stay car park.
Please note that for security reasons, motorcycles will be removed if parked anywhere other than the designated areas.
Petrol stations
There are three filling stations close to Heathrow:
- A Texaco station on the Bath Road (A4), opposite the main entrance.
- A BP station at Hatton Cross, Great West Road (A30).
- An Esso station on the Southern Perimeter Road.
