Heathrow Airport connecting flight

Is there anyway for you to not check your bags? If you don't check you won't have to go through passport control, just a security screening. But no matter how you slice it, it's still very tight. But, if you do miss your original flight to Rome, BA will probably just put you on a later flight no questions asked. They don't legally have to but in practice it's usually not an issue.

As much as I would love to do carry-on only, I don't think we can do it on this 3 week trip. In theory, we could chance it and just hope to make a later BA flight, but I think the anxiety and uncertainty of it would be too much for me. I've never been through LHR before, so I wasn't sure if we should risk the time crunch or not. Thank you for your response, Michael.

We have waited in line at passport control as long as an hour in Termiinal 3. If you faced a similar line, you definitely would not have time to claim your bags, transfer terminals if you have to, and re-check your bags for the second flight. I would strongly suggest you re-consider carry=0n. You don't need any more for a 3-week trip than you do for a 2-week trip.

The Virgin flight SFO-LHR shows arriving at terminal # 3. The BA flight LHR-FCO shows departing from terminal # 5. Since you have to change terminals, you should go with taking a later flight to Rome.

We travel to Europe for 5-8 weeks at a time and only take carry-on. One backpack each (weight -20lb or less), one computer case for me. My wife takes one backpack (same), and one large purse that has some food, maps, extra change of clothes for her, etc. We still bring back clothes we did not wear! Use self service laundries in the mornings, or late in the evenings, when every other thing is closed. That way, you do not wast viewing time. If you run out of something, buy it there. Lots easier than hauling everything. Ex. soap, shampoo, deodorant, buy curling iron there, etc. Wear a coat with lots of pockets and stuff them full (socks, folded undies, cell phone, batteries, etc.

Jessica, I've done the terminal 3 to terminal 5 shuffle quite a lot. I typically plan 1.5 hrs to make the transit. Very doable in less than that, but 1.5 hrs allows for margin. I should also say - this is without a luggage requirement. If all you have is 2hr10m to get between terminals and you have to get luggage, I would look at either reducing what you need to take, or getting a later flight. You just don't have the time. To give you an idea - with no luggage, you exit the plane and follow the masses towards baggage claim and onward connections. Just before immigration, you'll go down a ramp which will lead you to a bus for the other terminal. Once there, you'll go up an escalator, through a passport barrier, through a security check, and you'll be in the gate area. If you have to get bags, now you have to clear immigration, collect your bags, exit the secure area, shuttle between terminals, re-check bags, and clear security. Immigration alone can take an hour at times.

Tom, thank you so much for your comment. Your personal experience at Heathrow is immensely helpful. Thank you to everyone else as well. I am seriously considering carry on luggage only to make everything easier. I appreciate all of the helpful feedback. Jessica

Jessica, You are very welcome. Don't be too concerned about taking carry-on luggage only. Lots of folks here can lend you a hand paring down what you take. Personally, I don't check a bag anymore unless I absolutely have to - and I have lived out of the same suitcase for over a month at a time. One more thing regarding terminal 5 - once you are through security, you may need to take a train (it is inside the secure perimeter) to a satellite gate area. It depends on the gate BA uses for your flight. All the more reason to try and get by with carry-on if you can.

Maybe you already know this, but Virgin Atlantic's carry on baggage weight limit is 13 pounds......... I haven't tried it yet, but experts on another travel site said that 4-5 hours is enough time to land at LHR terminal 3, go through passport inspection, grab bags, recheck bags, go thru security and board next flight in terminal1. I assume transit times aren't too different for the other terminals.