Hello,
We’re flying from Edinburgh to London (Heathrow) on BA, landing at Terminal 5. We then fly out of Terminal 2 on United to return to the US. I’m getting conflicting info about whether we can use the bus to transfer between terminals. Any advice? We have several hours between flights. Thanks in advance.
Edit/Update: Here’s how my 2 separate ticket
“Self-connection” went at Heathrow. Again, my question was based on the Heathrow website’s lack of self connection information for people carrying hand luggage. (It only addressed the situation for people who needed to pick up checked bags before transferring.) I didn’t try to chance the bus for T5 to T2 transfer. Instead exited near baggage claim and took the Heathrow Express. Signage was clear and process was smooth. Entered T2 and went straight to security with boarding pass on my phone and hand luggage. Didn’t present my passport until was asked to at the United gate. Thanks to so many of you who responded. I like to be prepared to know what to expect in advance. Your response responses were very helpful!
Posted by
Freedonia
19313 posts
There are a few variables.
I'm guessing these are two separate tickets.
Do you have checked luggage? If yes, then you will have to retrieve the luggage and then check it in with United at T2. So, no bus since the transfer area is before baggage claim.
If you just have carry on, and you have the United boarding passes, you can use the bus.
However, even though you are coming from another UK airport, by using the bus transfer you might still have to go through security at T2.
Posted by
OP
Kansas
14 posts
Thanks for replying. We have carryon luggage only. Cheers!
Posted by
551 posts
you go through security even within the flight transfer area (as well as at Edinburgh). The real question, which doesn't seem to be answered on the Heathrow website is departure passport control because you won't go through that at Edinburgh. But if you have the United boarding pass there is no reason why you can't try following the purple Flight Connections signs, the worst that can happen is that someone will say no. Actually the website does say that you can obtain the boarding pass at a desk inside Flight Connections if you can show the itinery to security but tends to assume that everyone travels with one airline and has checked bags.
If you are foiled in your attempt to use the airside transfer you still get a free transfer - but by train. Leave T5 arrivals and go to the either the Underground or Heathrow/Express staion (the latter is deep and has a rather odd system for the elevator!). With Underground to open the gates you tap in with a contactless payment method and tap out at T2 - this is recognised as a free ride but if you don't tap out you get charged the daily maximum. With Heathrow Express/Elizabether line ignore all the HX ticket touts and also the main ticket machines, next to the gates are some different machines for free transfer tickets, just press the button and take the ticket to work the gates. T2 is next stop.
Edited to get the journey in the correct direction!!!
Posted by
Freedonia
19313 posts
At Heathrow, if you arrive from a UK airport, and depart from the same terminal, you don't go through security. I have done this.
I have yet to see a flight transfer desk at Flight Connections.Have your boarding pass as they will check.
If you have to use the HEX or Elizabeth Line, all trains stop at T2,3 from T5. The same for the Underground.
The entrance to the Underground is closer to T2 than the HEX/Elizabeth line. I passed it about 45 minutes ago.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1534 posts
If you look at the Heathrow website, they have a Connections Guide. You enter your two flights, and they tell you everything step-by-step.
Posted by
San Francisco area
2043 posts
Regarding exit immigration. I haven’t had to go through an in person passport control when leaving via Heathrow to the US in a number of years. As I understand it the airline records that you were on flight xyz to such and such to the relevant authorities. So one less thing to slow you down.
Posted by
Freedonia
19313 posts
There is no exit immigration in the UK.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13738 posts
Posted by
Arctophilia (x26), Northamptonshire, England
37058 posts
There is no exit immigration in the UK.
When I am stuck in the queue of 50 cars with one UK booth open at the Eurotunnel going to France before I can even get to the French booths - will you PLEASE come and tell that to the one Border Force officer holding everything up??!!
(not unusual, at all now).
Posted by
Freedonia
19313 posts
Okay, there is no UK exit immigration at airports.
Posted by
551 posts
technically there is no exit immigation anywhere - that would be emigration. What you are discussing is passport/ID control. But I do agree with Nigel that it's an ambiguous situation, I assume that since the airlines register IDs in advance Border Farce etc are checking those records in the background, whilst the ferries are selling tickets for a car load and not bothering to count. Could be worse, you could be going by bus on the ferry......