How early to arrive at Heathrow: a departure guide

A common planning allowance is around three hours before a long-haul flight and two hours before a UK or European flight. Treat this as a starting point, not a substitute for your airline’s instructions or Heathrow’s current guidance.

Before deciding when to leave home, check your airline’s recommended arrival time, check-in closing time, bag-drop deadline and boarding gate closing time. These are different milestones: reaching the airport before departure does not necessarily mean you can still check in or board.

Build your plan backwards from the time you need to be inside the correct terminal. Add time for the road or rail journey, parking or drop-off, and walking to departures. Allow additional flexibility if you need document checks, are checking oversized baggage, are travelling with young children or have arranged assistance. A flight delay does not automatically extend check-in or bag-drop deadlines.

Heathrow has four passenger terminals: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Check the terminal against your flight number in your airline booking and Heathrow’s flight information before travelling. For a codeshare booking, check which airline actually operates the flight rather than relying only on the airline that sold the ticket.

Use directions for your specific terminal, not simply for Heathrow Airport. Terminal drop-off areas are for setting passengers down, not waiting or parking. Check Heathrow’s current access rules, charges and payment instructions before using one.

If you have booked Meet & Greet parking, follow the meeting location in your booking confirmation. You hand your car to a driver at the agreed point, and it is taken away for parking. Do not assume the handover happens in the terminal drop-off zone. Allow time for locating the meeting point and completing the handover before your planned terminal arrival.

The Heathrow Meet & Greet services listed on this site operate from 04:00–23:00 daily. Check your booking instructions and whether your planned handover fits those hours. Our [Heathrow Meet & Greet parking page](/parking/heathrow/heathrow-meet-and-greet-parking) explains the parking option. If your return uses another terminal, read the [guide to different Heathrow departure and arrival terminals](/guides/heathrow-different-departure-arrival-terminals) before arranging your journey.

Check in online when your airline allows it, then save your boarding pass where you can retrieve it without relying on airport Wi-Fi. Keep your passport and any required destination or transit documents readily accessible.

Online check-in does not always remove the need to visit an airline desk. Your airline may need to inspect documents, issue a boarding pass or resolve a booking issue. Follow any message shown during check-in rather than assuming a confirmation screen is enough to proceed.

At the terminal, use the departure screens to find your airline’s check-in zone. If you have a valid boarding pass, cabin baggage only and no outstanding document checks, you can usually go directly to security. Check your airline’s instructions first.

If you are checking a bag, you must complete bag drop before your airline’s deadline even if you checked in online. Desk and self-service bag-drop opening times vary by airline and flight; arriving very early does not guarantee you can hand over your luggage immediately.

Check your booking’s hold and cabin baggage allowances before leaving home. Size, weight and item-count rules depend on the airline and fare. Keep travel documents, valuables and essential medication in your cabin baggage, subject to applicable carriage rules. Check restrictions on batteries, power banks and other restricted items rather than packing them in hold baggage by default.

Pushchairs, sports equipment and other oversized items may need a separate acceptance point after check-in. Ask your airline how these are handled and allow time for that extra step. Keep your baggage receipt until you have collected your bag after the flight.

Check Heathrow’s current hand-baggage and liquids guidance shortly before travelling. Screening equipment and instructions can change, so do not rely on what happened on a previous trip or assume another airport uses the same process.

Pack liquids, toiletries and electronics so you can reach them if asked. At the checkpoint, follow the signs and staff instructions about what must come out of your bag and what can remain inside. Empty drinks containers before security unless their contents are permitted under an applicable exception.

Essential liquid medicines, baby milk and baby food can have different screening requirements from ordinary toiletries. Check the current rules and any supporting-document requirements before packing. Keep these items accessible and tell security staff if you need guidance.

Before leaving the screening area, collect your phone, documents, bags and anything placed separately in trays. Repack away from the conveyor so you can check your belongings without blocking other passengers.

Passing security is not the final step. Check the departure screens for your flight number, gate information and boarding status. If the gate has not been announced, stay somewhere you can monitor the screens rather than relying only on an app notification.

Some Heathrow gates involve a substantial walk or an internal transit journey. Terminal 5 departures, for example, may use the main building or the B or C satellite buildings. Follow the signs and allow the journey time indicated for your gate.

Your gate closing time is earlier than the scheduled departure time. Once the gate is displayed, assess the route before stopping for food or shopping. Keep your boarding pass and passport accessible, and follow any instructions for additional document checks at the gate.