We have an overnight layover, landing in T3 at Heathrow from Budapest and flying out the next day from T5 to the US on same BA ticket. We live in the US (ugh). Staying at Sofitel. I understand I will likely have to go through customs at Heathrow upon landing, and then through security the next day to go to the US. Will I have to get my luggage at T3 and recheck it the next morning?
I am sure this question has been posted before, but I could not easily find relevant posts, so sorry in advance.
If it all on one ticket you should simply ask the airline since they will have the bags, and you will have to do what they say anyway.
Since you'll be going through immigration upon arrival don't forget you'll need to apply for an ETA if you're not traveling on a British passport.
Some airlines require you to retrieve your checked luggage when a connection is overnight and/or exceeds a certain number of hours. Some airlines will require you to check it through to your final destination. Some airlines will give you a choice.
I don’t know what BA’s policy is and I didn’t see anything specified on their website. I did find this post on flyertalk from 2 years ago that indicates BA will through check your bag if the layover is under 24 hours.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-british-airways-club/2148911-baggage-question.html
I’d definitely confirm at check-in.
The first thing you need to do is contact BA and ask them about the luggage.
Either way, you will go through immigration at T3. You have to walk through baggage claim and customs anyway.
From there, make your way over to T5. (It's free using either the Underground, Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line. You'll have to use a form of contactless payment for the Underground but you won't be charged. For the latter two, you will have to get a ticket but it's free.)
Because your flight is the next day, you can't use the airside transfer service.
As stated, make sure you have an ETA.
Thank you to everyone who responded.
where will you spend the night?
If you go to T5 there is a very nice but expensive Sofitel.
If your flight is not too early the next morning, there is a choice of a couple of hotels including Hilton Garden Inn in T2, which is connected to T3.
And if you'd like Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express, Premier Inn or Hilton, they are all connected to T4 which you can reach using the free links mentioned above.
They are in the Sofitel Nigel.
good choice
From Heathrow T3 you walk via an underground walkway to either the Heathrow Express rail station or the Tube station. The HEX station is slightly closer and the Tube is about 5 minutes further away.. I would just take the HEX. Get a ticket for the free transfer from the ticket machines. You will see them on the left just before the ticket barriers. Generally there’s staff members to help with questions.
Have a fun trip!
I do this at least yearly on BA. So far, if my carryon is checked, they only check it to London (from Boston) from the day flight. I am about 18 hours between flights. Love the Sofitel.
https://www.britishairways.com/travel/webforms/public/en_gb?eId=120001&wfpId=emailus
Ask BA, probably the best chance of getting the right answer.
Or
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