Heathrow transfer from terminal 5 to terminal 3

If memory serves, Piccadilly Line, ride one stop.

Ditto what Claudia said.

Just to expand a bit on the first two cryptic replies - are you aware that the Underground and Elizabeth Line now accept contactless credit cards? So Oyster now a nice-to-have, but not a necessity.

Plus I believe the LHR terminal transfers by rail are free anyway - just tap your card to enter - no charge.

We just did this. The transfer from Terminal 5 to 3 is easy - but it’s hard to sort out the first time you do it. When you exit the controlled area of Terminal 5, you will see signs for the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth Line right in front of you. When you go over to the machines - as if you need to buy a ticket - you will notice there’s another machine right there and this one gives out the free transfer ticket.

I was still confused by this and so I asked an employee who was nearby and she confirmed it - I just got my free ticket printed and then walked outside and went down to the train that took me over to Terminal 3.

You can use any of the rail methods to transfer between terminals - and it's free. Either tap in and out (it won't charge you) for the Underground or get the specific transit ticket for the Express or Elizabeth line.

It works for all three Heathrow stations and Hatton Cross.

You should allow 20 minutes but that includes the walking to and from.

Hi Colin -

Did this a couple of weeks ago and above is right. Use the lifts down to the Heathrow Express/Elizabeth Line platforms - follow the signs which is what we did. Use the ‘free ticket’ machine (separate from the paying ones) to get a ticket (no Oyster card/contactless credit card required) and transfer for free to the relevant terminal. We went from Terminal 5 back to Terminal 3 because we couldn’t get through the T3 road tunnels by taxi because something ‘unfortunate’ had happened in the tunnels. Thanks to quick thinking (or enlightened self interest) by our taxi driver we were only a couple of minutes later than planned to get to check in at T3. Very straightforward and no problem.

I guess you’ll have to exit the station at T3 to meet your group and dole out the Oyster cards and then head to the Tube, but, still, no biggie.

Ian

Our situation is we come into Terminal 3 and must get our baggage. When we go to terminal 5 we are meeting a fellow traveler and departing to Bath. When we get to terminal 5 can we enter the baggage area or do we have to wait outside for our friend to exit the terminal?

When we get to terminal 5 can we enter the baggage area or do we have to wait outside for our friend to exit the terminal?

Where is your friend coming in from? If outside the UK, they have to pass through customs after they get their bags. You can meet them as they exit customs. Lower level of T5.

colinfburke--if your friends are coming into the UK from outside they will have to go through immigration and customs. If you will be arriving before them, you could meet them as they exit from customs.

If not, there is an M & S Simply Foods as the exit T3 customs. Have them wait for you on the side. When you get off the train from T5, you'll walk to the ramp to take you up to T3. The waiting area I'm describing is between M & S and the ramp.

Going outside the terminal can get confusing.

Where are you trying to get to in London?

For people without checked bags it is perfectly allowable to take an airside transfer to the desired terminal and clear immigration there. People often do this at Heathrow when arriving at a different terminal they departed from to easily access where they parked their car. Not necessarily quicker than a landside transfer though.