We arrive at 11 a.m. on Thurs., Aug. 26 in Terminal 3. Where is Immigration/Passport Control and Customs located? What has been recent experiences been regarding how long it takes to get through both? Thank you.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you. I expected to see signage but just wanted to get a general idea. Thanks again.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1803 posts
Just follow the signs for passport control and arrivals. Unless you are first off the plane you can probably just follow the crowd for the first part of the walk. Some passengers will split off for connecting flights so do check the signs often.
The last time I was at Heathrow was Jan 2020. My US passport as the electronic chip in it. I was able to use the e gates. Automated entrance. The machines were acting slow so i did have to wait 10 minutes. All in all much faster than the manual procedure. I do not know if e gates are open at this time.
Posted by
585 posts
The Heathrow website has maps of all the terminals so you can get an idea of the layout. It’s been a few years since I was through there but as I recall incoming passengers are channeled in the right direction. In any event it is/was well signposted.
Posted by
PA
2740 posts
You cannot miss it, as you will be forced there from an international flight. Depending on where you have gated it could be upwards of a 15 minute walk, as looking at an overview LHR on a map shows the gates at T3 extend pretty far out. I cannot comment on how it will be now, but last time through, pre-Covid, the passport scan machines/photo recognition amounted to at most 2 minutes from entering the area to leaving (a far cry from the hour it took us the first two times with insufficiently manned agents). As for Customs, you presumably will be walking through the Green Lane, "nothing to declare", without any delay. I can no longer recall how long but I believe it was another 5-10 minutes walking to arrive in the Underground transit station area. YMMV.
Posted by
Land of La
8669 posts
Understand that the time to get through security and immigration is wholly dependent on how many other flights land at the same time as yours. Unless you have something to declare Customs takes very little time.
Haven’t flown into Heathrow from the US since 2019. Vaguely recall it was 45 minutes from deplaning to getting through immigration and walking to the Heathrow Express. That was from Terminal 5 and a mid day arrival.
Having flown to LHR from the West Coast I’m always eager to get into London to begin my stay. ALWAYS Grateful to have arrived safely and hopeful immigration lines are short. Yet over the years have learned to “ go with flow “ upon arrival. Appeases any stress level.
Great city. Have fun.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
I Googled Heathrow Airport and found maps for each terminal. Look up the Terminal 3 Map and you'll see the locations you're looking for:
https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/airport-maps
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks. I have the maps. I'll be wearing a walking boot due to an ankle injury and wanted to try and gather some additional intelligence to facilitate my arrival from Atlanta to Heathrow. Thanks again.
Posted by
Land of La
8669 posts
With a walking boot I’d ask the check in attendant in Atlanta to make certain that the flight crew arranges for you to be met at the arrival gate by a wheelchair attendant. Will help provide a level of comfort.
I believe you can also request a wheelchair online:
https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/accessibility-and-mobility-help