I have not been brave enough to book a connection through LHR; every time I look, from LAX to ATH through LHR, the connection is around 90 minutes...that surely does not seem like enough time! Thanks for covering this topic, Happy New Year!
It is definitely not enough time. That was the recommended time from the Heathrow website and if I had done that I would not have made it. You’re welcome! Happy New Year!
My uncle and I had 3 hour layover at Heathrow on our way back home to Dallas and almost missed our flight! Definitely plan for 4 or more hours if you have to transit through Heathrow.
Nice video! It's a good thing that LHR connections should improve a bit in the next year or so due to the upgrading of airport security in the UK (no electronics will need to come out, liquids rules will end too). Overall, I very much enjoy the chaos of Heathrow (probably that's because I've gotten used to it since birth). It isn't perfect, and does have a number of flaws, but when the winds are in your favor, it can be a great time!
Thank you! They were testing it at one security line when I was there. I didn’t get to go in that line unfortunately. Now that I do it at least once a year, it doesn’t bother me anymore.
Tiffany, I'm never, ever flying British Airways or layover via Heathrow! Thinking I would save $300 on my last summer round trip from Newark to Athens with BA through a 3 hour layover at Heathrow but it almost turned out to be a nightmare as I barely made my connecting flights on both ways! Landing in Heathrow you're most likely have to wait about one and a half on the tarmac for a gate to open! And departing Heathrow, they had us board the plane on time BUT once on the tarmac we had to sit in the plane for another hour and a half for our turn to fly through European summer air traffic instead of waiting in the boarding areas of the terminals because Heathrow cannot accomondate so many passengers in their terminals with their overbooked flights!! And not to mention about the STRICT security between connecting flights, where we were given a plastic bag to pack any liquids that we were carrying and once it went through the security scanner and deamed suspicious, it was set aside to be checked again by a security personel!! And lastly...British Airways charges and in-flight meal on an almost four hour flight??? Are you kidding me?? Enough of my rant...
I don’t really have a choice and I never do it in summer. This is why I say four hours but in summer you might need more. I haven’t had to wait on the tarmac ever but again I don’t do it at summer. If I didn’t do American Airlines, it would probably be different. I’m used to it now.
Thank you, great content, just subscribed! Is there a passport control when you go from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3? Or it is just airport security? [No, just read the comments below :-) ]
Thanks for this - flying Dublin to Sao Paulo via Heathrow next month, and Sao Paulo is one of the few flights BA operates from Terminal 3... had I known this at time of booking I would've booked Air France or TAP. I've 1 hour 50 mins to make the connection. Will be interesting to see if I make it...
In April I'm flying to New York with a transfer to Heathrow, I have 1 hour and 50 minutes to connect. I fly to London with BA and then with American Airlines. When I read the comments now, I'm terrified... I hope I make it on the next flight 😰
@@NishithaKakani Yes! We made it and still had a lot of time. It turned out that the transfer was not so terrible. We chose seats on the plane close to the exit, so we were able to get out quickly after landing in London. Unfortunately, many videos are a bit chaotic when it comes to the transfer between terminals and you are stressed that you won't know where to go 😅 And it's like this: terminal 5 has 3 parts A, B, C. From part 5A there is a bus to terminal 3, but when you land on B or C you have to take a train to reach A. (we landed on C). When you get off the plane you go all the time according to the purple signs so everything is really intuitive. We sometimes ran through the corridor because we were stressed, but thanks to this we made it to the train and bus (the bus was already standing, and the next one would be in 20 minutes). Anyway, don't stress, we changed in half an hour 😊 good luck! ☺️
We just did this and had to go through the immigration security. LAX to LHR terminal 3 to 5. Give yourself plenty of time. We went off season but I'm sure summer a nightmare
Great video, very useful, thank you! Next time, if you can record the whole walk continuously and capture images of the signs, I think it could be a standalone video.
@@agirlandherpassport My experiences switching terminals at Heathrow have been neither nightmarish nor frequent. I is usually a point of arrival and departure for me.
Tiffany-So your bags were checked all the way through to Dallas from ATH? I always try to get at least four hours too. Not just Heathrow, but Rome, etc. I keep seeing flights from the US to ATH going through like Paris or AMS with very short layovers (an hour to 90 min.). I don’t understand those and haven’t dared try!
I have never been through Heathrow, except when I was visiting London. My flights to Athens are straight from Toronto, no layovers. I wonder if you can get a flight from Athens perhaps to New York, and then Dallas? Would that not be easier, and not have to go through Heathrow?
American Airlines doesn’t offer a layover from Athens to Dallas anywhere else in the off season. So I would have to look at another airline but it would still be in Europe. The summer has flights that layover other places in the US. I’m used to it now. It used to stress me out but now I know what to expect and it’s fine.
Well crap! I’m flying to London and connecting to Amsterdam. So I have to go from terminal 3 to 5 and my layover is only 95 minutes or so. Now I’m nervous lol
Looking to save from having to take 2 connecting flights where I can take just one at Heathrow. Is a 5 hour layover a good amount of time? Or is it not even worth it? I feel like I’d rather have one stop than 2 even if it’s a longer layover
"I have a connecting flight from Istanbul to Vancouver with a 1.40 layover at Heathrow Airport. Do you think I have enough time to get from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3?"
Hi, it depends on how you booked your ticket. If you booked it all in one ticket, then they should. If you booked two separate tickets, then you will have to go through immigration, claim your baggage and recheck in.
The Heathrow website has a calculator on it and you can input your arrival & departure flights and it will gauge whether you have enough time. When I put our in/out info in the calculator it says we have have a 3 hour 5 minute layover and should allow 90 minutes to get to T5.
Risky as (bleep) IMHO. When I was transiting LHR enroute from PRG to SEA, I was scheduled for a layover of 2 hours plus. When the plane landed at LHR, it was forced to wait on the taxiway for over a half hour for the jetway to become available...and once we headed to the jetway, waited 15 more minutes for the other plane to pull away. Add to that the chaotic security, the wait for a bus transfer to the departure terminal, and the fact that LHR had to have been designed by M. C. Escher, I got to my LHR-SEA flight **just as it was boarding.**
I’m traveling with a baby. Need to transfer from terminal 3 to terminal 5. Is it possible to do with a baby on a stroller and carry in bag. I’m afraid of escalators with a baby on the stroller. Maybe you can tell me if I can take there elevators instead of escalators?
Surprisngly neither Heathrow nor British Airways provide any insight into connection. It looks as if they dont want passenger to make connections? What form of capitalism?
I have not been brave enough to book a connection through LHR; every time I look, from LAX to ATH through LHR, the connection is around 90 minutes...that surely does not seem like enough time! Thanks for covering this topic, Happy New Year!
It is definitely not enough time. That was the recommended time from the Heathrow website and if I had done that I would not have made it. You’re welcome! Happy New Year!
Great choice of topic for us serious travelers that watch you! Brave lady, bravo. I wouldn’t dare go anywhere near Heathrow 😮
Thank you! I’m used to it now so it doesn’t bother me anymore.
My uncle and I had 3 hour layover at Heathrow on our way back home to Dallas and almost missed our flight! Definitely plan for 4 or more hours if you have to transit through Heathrow.
It can take so long even with everything going smoothly. I won’t book something without at least 3.5 hours there.
Nice video! It's a good thing that LHR connections should improve a bit in the next year or so due to the upgrading of airport security in the UK (no electronics will need to come out, liquids rules will end too). Overall, I very much enjoy the chaos of Heathrow (probably that's because I've gotten used to it since birth). It isn't perfect, and does have a number of flaws, but when the winds are in your favor, it can be a great time!
Thank you! They were testing it at one security line when I was there. I didn’t get to go in that line unfortunately. Now that I do it at least once a year, it doesn’t bother me anymore.
Tiffany, I'm never, ever flying British Airways or layover via Heathrow! Thinking I would save $300 on my last summer round trip from Newark to Athens with BA through a 3 hour layover at Heathrow but it almost turned out to be a nightmare as I barely made my connecting flights on both ways! Landing in Heathrow you're most likely have to wait about one and a half on the tarmac for a gate to open! And departing Heathrow, they had us board the plane on time BUT once on the tarmac we had to sit in the plane for another hour and a half for our turn to fly through European summer air traffic instead of waiting in the boarding areas of the terminals because Heathrow cannot accomondate so many passengers in their terminals with their overbooked flights!! And not to mention about the STRICT security between connecting flights, where we were given a plastic bag to pack any liquids that we were carrying and once it went through the security scanner and deamed suspicious, it was set aside to be checked again by a security personel!! And lastly...British Airways charges and in-flight meal on an almost four hour flight??? Are you kidding me?? Enough of my rant...
I don’t really have a choice and I never do it in summer. This is why I say four hours but in summer you might need more. I haven’t had to wait on the tarmac ever but again I don’t do it at summer. If I didn’t do American Airlines, it would probably be different. I’m used to it now.
Thank you, great content, just subscribed! Is there a passport control when you go from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3? Or it is just airport security? [No, just read the comments below :-) ]
Thanks for this - flying Dublin to Sao Paulo via Heathrow next month, and Sao Paulo is one of the few flights BA operates from Terminal 3... had I known this at time of booking I would've booked Air France or TAP. I've 1 hour 50 mins to make the connection. Will be interesting to see if I make it...
In April I'm flying to New York with a transfer to Heathrow, I have 1 hour and 50 minutes to connect. I fly to London with BA and then with American Airlines. When I read the comments now, I'm terrified... I hope I make it on the next flight 😰
@@joannakarolczak2109 @marcassuibhne Did you guys make it to the connecting flight?
@@NishithaKakani Yes! We made it and still had a lot of time. It turned out that the transfer was not so terrible. We chose seats on the plane close to the exit, so we were able to get out quickly after landing in London. Unfortunately, many videos are a bit chaotic when it comes to the transfer between terminals and you are stressed that you won't know where to go 😅 And it's like this: terminal 5 has 3 parts A, B, C. From part 5A there is a bus to terminal 3, but when you land on B or C you have to take a train to reach A. (we landed on C). When you get off the plane you go all the time according to the purple signs so everything is really intuitive. We sometimes ran through the corridor because we were stressed, but thanks to this we made it to the train and bus (the bus was already standing, and the next one would be in 20 minutes). Anyway, don't stress, we changed in half an hour 😊 good luck! ☺️
Hay thanks for video , do you pass through passport control to go from T5 to T3 or vice versa ?
No, but you do go through security again. You will have to show your passport when boarding, though.
Security is essential bag search right???
Thanks
But how do they secure transfer.
The Heathrow airport numbering at t-5 is horrible
excellent question!
We just did this and had to go through the immigration security. LAX to LHR terminal 3 to 5. Give yourself plenty of time. We went off season but I'm sure summer a nightmare
These transatlantic flights are exhausting. Especially when you have to change planes. 🤒
They are. I don't mind changing planes as it gives me a chance to walk around but the long layover is not fun. Unfortunately, it is unavoidable.
Great video, very useful, thank you!
Next time, if you can record the whole walk continuously and capture images of the signs, I think it could be a standalone video.
Thanks for all the advice! 😊
You’re welcome!
@@agirlandherpassport My experiences switching terminals at Heathrow have been neither nightmarish nor frequent. I is usually a point of arrival and departure for me.
@ricardo68 That’s good. This trip was surprisingly smooth. I have many that were not.
Thanks for the heads up, it looks to be one of the most spread out airports in the world. Is it has big as O'Hare?
You’re welcome. I don’t know but it’s big. The fact that you have to bus between terminals says a lot. I don’t even think walking is an option.
Have fun with the family 💐
Thank you!!
Was it British airways partly operated by American airlines? If so, did you have to check in your luggage again due to the change in airline?
Super helpful!
Tiffany-So your bags were checked all the way through to Dallas from ATH? I always try to get at least four hours too. Not just Heathrow, but Rome, etc. I keep seeing flights from the US to ATH going through like Paris or AMS with very short layovers (an hour to 90 min.). I don’t understand those and haven’t dared try!
Yes, my bags get checked all the way. I wouldn’t have made it with only 90 minutes!! Plus I would have been so hungry.
I had a connecting flight once through Gatwick and it was also very chaotic and disorganized.
I haven't done a connection there but good to know.
Thank you for this very useful upload. Isn't there also a rail option?
Thank you for posting this!
I have never been through Heathrow, except when I was visiting London. My flights to Athens are straight from Toronto, no layovers. I wonder if you can get a flight from Athens perhaps to New York, and then Dallas? Would that not be easier, and not have to go through Heathrow?
American Airlines doesn’t offer a layover from Athens to Dallas anywhere else in the off season. So I would have to look at another airline but it would still be in Europe. The summer has flights that layover other places in the US. I’m used to it now. It used to stress me out but now I know what to expect and it’s fine.
Well crap! I’m flying to London and connecting to Amsterdam. So I have to go from terminal 3 to 5 and my layover is only 95 minutes or so. Now I’m nervous lol
Any update ???
i’m doing this in less than 24 hours…. did you make it 😭😭😭
@@bessekaravokiros7394i have scheduled my next week . Please let me know how much time it takes to go T5 to T3
@@bessekaravokiros7394 no . I’m travelling next week … how much time does it take ???
@preetgarwr9329 Did it work?
Looking to save from having to take 2 connecting flights where I can take just one at Heathrow. Is a 5 hour layover a good amount of time? Or is it not even worth it? I feel like I’d rather have one stop than 2 even if it’s a longer layover
5 hours is definitely enough time. I do 4 and that has never failed me.
@@agirlandherpassport 🙏awesome! Thank you!
"I have a connecting flight from Istanbul to Vancouver with a 1.40 layover at Heathrow Airport. Do you think I have enough time to get from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3?"
It will be tight. If everything goes okay, then it might be okay. If you could change it, I would.
@@agirlandherpassport unfortunately I don't have any choice.can i use undergrond Instead busTo move from terminal 5 to 3? ?
@@amirsafa-zn7vdAccording to their website you can but I haven’t done it.
Hi Tiffany, what about our luggage? Will they automatically transfer our luggage to the other terminal?
Hi, it depends on how you booked your ticket. If you booked it all in one ticket, then they should. If you booked two separate tickets, then you will have to go through immigration, claim your baggage and recheck in.
I have a flight connecting from terminal 5 to terminal 4 and i have a hour and half to connect will i be able to make it? From terminal 5 to 4?
It will be tight. I don't know if you have to go through security again this route. Is it an international flight?
Do you need a ticket for the bus? I know it’s free but is there another stop we need to make or can we just go straight to the bus stop?
No ticket is needed. Just go straight to the bus.
@@agirlandherpassport thank you!
Is the bus referred as "free train" in the airport signals by any chance?
I just noticed that we only have 1 hour and 45 minutes to transit from terminal 5 to 3... Thanks a lot! WE WILL RUN
You will not able make between t-5 to t-3.
If somehow makeit
Your baggage will be certainly left behind
It was tight but we did it. We are mid 60's but very fit. We don't check luggage anymore and that's a game changer
Thanks for sharing this video
All true... LHR is a nightmare.... escpecially security.... I plan for 3hrs or more for sure...
I have 125min to get from to 5. Do you think it's not enough?
It will be tight.
same, I have just 2 hr 5 min
@@Frederick-765 At least you are prepared now?! I hope you make it.
US immigration at a London airport?
Is 2. Hours enough?
It could be. You will need to walk fast and not stop for anything.
@@agirlandherpassporti only travel with handbags tho, no ckeck in luggage. so i should be ok?
The Heathrow website has a calculator on it and you can input your arrival & departure flights and it will gauge whether you have enough time. When I put our in/out info in the calculator it says we have have a 3 hour 5 minute layover and should allow 90 minutes to get to T5.
Risky as (bleep) IMHO. When I was transiting LHR enroute from PRG to SEA, I was scheduled for a layover of 2 hours plus. When the plane landed at LHR, it was forced to wait on the taxiway for over a half hour for the jetway to become available...and once we headed to the jetway, waited 15 more minutes for the other plane to pull away. Add to that the chaotic security, the wait for a bus transfer to the departure terminal, and the fact that LHR had to have been designed by M. C. Escher, I got to my LHR-SEA flight **just as it was boarding.**
I’m traveling with a baby. Need to transfer from terminal 3 to terminal 5. Is it possible to do with a baby on a stroller and carry in bag. I’m afraid of escalators with a baby on the stroller. Maybe you can tell me if I can take there elevators instead of escalators?
Surprisngly neither Heathrow nor British Airways provide any insight into connection.
It looks as if they dont want passenger to make connections?
What form of capitalism?