Meeting friends at Heathrow in transit

My Canadian cousin is travelling via London with a 5 hour stop over, landing at T3 and exiting T5. Can I meet her for a coffee landside in T5? She won't need a visa.

transit lhr

Best Answer

I do not exactly see the problem here. What are you asking? Is five hours enough for your cousin to go through UK immigration, transfer between the terminals, check in again and go through security? Sure, that's plenty. Yesterday someone asked whether 2:35 is enough and I went through and showed it's tight but 5 hours is aplenty. What other concerns are there? Is she going to be allowed in the country for such a short time? As she doesn't need a visa, there really can't be a problem, just tell the truth. I have entered the UK for a similarly short period of time to run to Harrods to pick up gifts (my sister-in-law is particular to a fudge only available in the dessert hall) and noone bat an eye. What else... Are you allowed to enter the Heathrow terminals if you do not intend to fly? Sure.

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Can we meet transit passengers in Heathrow Airport?

Only if they have a visa and go landside. There is no reason they can't come out but they would have to go through immigration (ensuring of course they have all the necessary visas) and then back through the main security in time for the next flight.

Can we go out of airport during layover UK?

Yes you can do that. Just make sure you're back at the departing terminal two hours before your onward flight and in line at security 90 minutes before departure. You will need to clear UK immigration and customs, but with a passport from an EU country you can use the EU immigration line.

Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight in UK?

You will need to go through passport control (and customs if applicable) and then check in again as normal for your connecting flight, so please ensure you have enough time.

Where can I wait at Heathrow?

People waiting for passengers disembarking at Terminal 3 should wait in the ground floor seating area of the Arrivals lounge. For people expecting passengers from Terminal 4, the meeting area is near the WH Smiths on the ground floor of the Arrivals area. Meanwhile over at Terminal 5 there are two meeting points.

Review: My GUIDE TO HEATHROW - Things you didn't know!

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