London Heathrow question.
We have two hour layover on flight from states to Zagreb thru Heathrow that I assume means a move from Terminal 5 to 3. Did this awhile back and it took every minute and it was so confusing.
Looking for help. Does checking luggage (not our normal) at origin speed this up any? How do we make this transition smoothly? Any recommendations from others who have had to do this. What works best?
Is this on one ticket or two separate tickets?
If on one ticket, go to Heathrow Flight Connections fill in your flight information and you will get step by step instructions.
Basically, you follow the Flight Connections signs, take an airside shuttle bus between terminals, go through security at the second terminal, then go to your gate. No need to pass through UK immigration or customs nor will you need an ETA.
If two separte tickets, let us know and we will give you instructions. It is much harder with two separate tickets.
What airlines are you flying?
If your flights are on one ticket with BA then two hours is well within the minimum connection time. Follow Frank's instructions above to stay airside via Flight Connections and you should be fine.
On two tickets it's simply not long enough for me.
We are flying British Air and it is on one ticket. How does two make a difference?
The flight connection app says it’s not enough time but BA tells me it is. Fingers crossed.
Please share your flight numbers and date. I've made transfers between those two terminals and it has never taken two hours.
Remember, you must follow Flight Connections and not the people going toward the regular immigration line.
One ticket means the flights are connected. So, your luggage is automatically transferred between flights. You will also get both flights boarding passes when you check in for the first flight. When you arrive at Heathrow follow the purple Flight Connections signs. It will take you to an area where you will board a bus for T3. At T3, you will go through a separate, faster security area and then go to your gate.
If two tickets, then when arriving at Heathrow you must go through immigration, pick up your luggage, make your own way between terminals, re-check in and drop your luggage, go through regular area security, and then go to your gate. But since you are traveling on one ticket you don't have to do this.
Last month,I made the transfer from 5 to 3 in less than 30 minutes. On my return, from 3 to 5 it was also that quick and I am including the time spent going through security.
You follow the purple flight connections signs and will be directed to a gate where an airside shuttle bus will take you to the next terminal. These buses come frequently. At the new terminal? You will go through security and then into the main terminal.
Two hours should be plenty of time.
One other important consideration between two flights on one ticket or two. If your first flight is late and you miss the connection, if you have booked on one ticket it is the responsibility of the airline to get you to your second destination as quickly as practical. If you had booked two separate tickets and the first flight is late you would lose your second flight (and the return if you booked it) and would need to buy new tickets at the walk up price.
Often people will book two separate tickets as it can be cheaper that way, but, as you are on one ticket, none of these complications apply to you.
If your first flight is late and you miss the connection, if you have booked on one ticket it is the responsibility of the airline to get you to your second destination as quickly as practical.
I want to add one important fact. If this happens, it will be done at no extra charge to you. Additionally, depending on the amount of extra time added onto your trip, you could get meal vouchers, a hotel voucher and even compensation. (Of course, it depends on the cause of the delay.)
Glad we are on one ticket. Good info for the future.
We are on flight 052 on BA on Sept 16th with connecting flight BA 0848 to Zagreb on 17th.
Fingers crossed our first flight is on time!!!
Sometimes, Flight Connections has gremlins invade its webpage and give erroneous and missing information.
The suggested transfer time is 1:30. You will see that if you scroll down. However, for some reason, near the top they say 1:50 is not enough time. It also doesn't show the directions of what you are supposed to do. Sadly, this can be seen on quite a few Heathrow Flight Connections searches.
Just follow the directions I gave above, and agreed upon by others, and you should be fine. If there is a problem, there are people along the way who can help and point you in the right direction.
Wait, the info in the now deleted post is not consistent with my recent experiences (July ‘25) Your luggage can be checked all the way through in most situations. No need to claim luggage, do passport control.
There is no need to collect luggage unless you have two different tickets, which you do not.
Disregard the post by heinsalbguy. That information is incorrect and that poster has been reported numerous times this weekend.
