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LHR - T5 to T3 Transit

Arriving from the US at T5, and have onward travel to GIB departing from T3. Connection is tight - 1:45. Looks like staying airside, following the purple 'connections' signs and taking the bus between terminals is the way to go, though LHR's own website is rather silent on that idea. The LHR website also suggests my layover time is too short and I should re-book. Ha.

Am I correct in sticking to the bus to change between terminals? Traveling on a single PNR with 5 people - if we miss the flight, it's the last one to GIB that day. I'd prefer for that to not happen...

Posted by
17537 posts

According to the Heathrow Flight Connections website you need 1:30 to make the change.

Upon arrival at T5, follow the flight connections signs and take the bus to T3. At T3 you will go through security. You must have the boarding pass for the second flight to use "Fllight Connections."

Since you are just transiting the UK, you won't need an ETA.

Posted by
13 posts

Thanks, that's what my line of thought was.
Just for clarification, I do need an ETA since my final destination is GIB. Well, it's really Spain, but we're walking that bit.

Posted by
35309 posts

do you need an ETA for Gibraltar? I'll been all over their Borders and Coastguard Agency website and there is no mention, just that US citizens do not need any visa. Certainly no mention of the ETA.

Posted by
17537 posts

You read it wrong. You don't need an ETA to transit through the UK.

If you mean the term "You are passing through the UK border" that means you're actually going through immigration. You won't be doing that.

Gibraltar has its own border controls.

Posted by
13 posts

Huh, learn something new every days.

Well, the UK is £80 richer due to my inability to comprehend the distinction between the UK and an overseas territory, though I did think transiting through LHR would require an ETA.

Posted by
20 posts

I am going to piggyback on this thread. We will be transiting through LHR in September from USA to Istanbul on American Airlines. The flight from LHR to IST is an American Airlines flight number but is operated by British Airlines.. It’s all on one ticket. I cannot get clear information from American regarding going through immigration at LHR. The UK web site is confusing and ends with check with your airline. I think we arrive at T3 and depart from T5. Do we need an ETA?

Posted by
17537 posts

Gerripat,....in the future it's best to start your own thread but for your question......

Go to this website, plug in your flight information and it will give you clear instructions on what to do:

http://www.heathrow.com/flight-connections

Basically, if this is on one ticket, and you have your boarding passes for the second flight, just follow the "Flight Connections" signs. You will take an airside bus from T3 to T5. From there you will go through security but not immigration.

You don't need an ETA.

I did a transfer last month between T3 to T5. Nice and easy.