How Early to Heathrow?

Arrival at airport 3 hours before flight departure is recommended.

Wouldn’t chance it. I travel to London nearly every year and always give myself plenty of time to get to and through hectic Heathrow. Partly because I fly Virgin Airlines and it’s the last gate at Terminal 3.
3 hours is my time frame.

Instead of a traditional Sunday roast have a traditional breakfast fry up instead. Beans and all!

I have noticed people on this forum tend to recommend three hours. I have never arrived more than two hours early to Heathrow (or any airport, really) and have always found that to be more than enough time, but it is up to you what you are comfortable with. The key timings to know are when check-in closes (normally around 45 minutes before the flight- the airline will tell you) and when the gate closes (normally something like 30 mins before the flight). The check-in closure time is less relevant if you've checked in online and have hand luggage only.

So if it were me, I would aim to arrive by 2pm. Depending on where you are staying in relation to the airport, you may have time for a roast right at noon- which is normally the earliest you can get one. Are you travelling on a Sunday?

I can't recommend any, and don't know where you are staying, but if you google "weekday roast dinners Lodon" you wull see some serious suggestions - the Harewood Arms has been getting a lot to recommendations lately and Hawksmoor - but neither are budget options.

It’s not people on this forum who recommend arriving 3 hours before a long haul flight, it’s the airport itself. It’s only two hours for short haul.

It really depends...

Do you have check in luggage?

Will you have your boarding passes prior to arriving at the airport?

Will you have access to Fast Track security?

If your answers are: No, Yes and Yes, you don't need to be there three hours earlier. Unless you want to get your Sunday roast at the airport.

Seconding what Frank said!! Another factor to add to the list, lounge access. If no, then less incentive to spend longer in the terminal.

To add to Frank’s post: Do you have status with your airline? My status on One World means I can check in at the priority check in counters for BA, even when flying coach.

The best way to expedite your experience at Heathrow is to pay close attention to requirements for going through security. Having your bag go for secondary screening really increases the time there.

Amen Carol. I see a lot of us Americans trying to take off shoes and not realizing what can’t be in hand luggage going through the scanner. Especially those of us who have PreCheck and are out of the habit of removing electronics, liquids or taking off light outerwear (cardigans, jackets, etc)

Regarding airport security, the rules here are constantly changing and are even different between different London airports. So even for frequent travellers it definitely pays to pay close attention- tho of course sometimes your bag will get pulled just as part of random searches.

Usually the common advice is to arrive 3 hours before, but it depends from person to person, as the other allude to with questions about hand vs. hold luggage, having boarding cards, etc.

For LHR flights, I largely stay at the airport hotel the night before (T4 Premier Inn is my choice), so I try to time myself so that I get to the terminal about 2.5 hours before departure. Check in is normally straight forward, unless there are queues. Security also, but it is a prime bottleneck due to the punitive nature of British airport security. Also factor in some time to use the restroom, eat if hungry, as well as walk (or if in T5, possibly take the transit internal train) to your gate.

If you feel like you need extra buffer time, get to LHR at 1, but 1:30ish is also doable if you're well prepared.

Have a nice time in London.