Interesting Facts About Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport (LHR) is located in the London borough of Hillingdon, 18 miles west of Central London. It’s the largest airport to serve the English capital but is also a popular departure point for the rest of the country for its wide range of destinations and lower flight prices. The airport has four terminals – Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5. There is no Terminal 1, which closed in 2015 to allow for the expansion of Terminal 2. There’s a lot to learn about London Heathrow Airport, so here are some interesting facts that you might not know.

Interesting Facts About Heathrow Airport

1. Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the UK and the second busiest in Europe.
2. The busiest year ever recorded for Heathrow Airport was 2019, when 80.9 million passengers travelled through the airport.
3. Heathrow Airport flies to 214 destinations and the most popular destination for Heathrow passengers is Dubai.
4. Heathrow is the largest port in the UK, exporting to over 218 destinations – the top three cargo destinations are the United Arab Emirates, China, and the United States.
5. In 2022, medicine, salmon, and books were the top exported products from Heathrow Airport.
6. A ‘secret’ sixth terminal is only open for VIPs, such as royals, heads of state, politicians, and some celebrities.
7. Terminal 5 is the size of 50 football pitches.

Things You Didn’t Know About Airport Parking at Heathrow Airport

Leaving your car in a secure parking spot while you’re jetting off is convenient and seamless. Heathrow Airport offers various types of parking options to suit you, whether you’re heading on a week-long holiday or a quick business trip. There are several benefits to parking at Heathrow Airport, but the primary being the peace of mind that your vehicle is manned by regular security patrols and 24/7 surveillance. The majority of FHR car parks are accredited with a Park Mark award, which indicates that a parking area has taken the necessary steps to be safe from crime. 

Here are some things you didn’t know about airport parking at Heathrow Airport:

It can be cheaper than a taxi: While airport parking is considered an expensive luxury, it doesn’t have to be. For a weekend trip (Friday to Monday), parking starts at £49.95, and the average price of a taxi journey to Heathrow Airport is £60. Additionally, there is an extra charge of £5.20 for passengers being dropped off at Heathrow Airport. Save yourself the cash and the effort – drive yourself home after a long flight instead of waiting by the taxi rank. 

Accessibility: All car parks at Heathrow Airport are wheelchair accessible. There are Blue Badge bays available in every car park.

Flexibility: Travel can be unpredictable and things can change quickly. If you need to cancel your parking slot, you can do so up to 2 hours before your designated arrival time. 

Variety: There are six types of parking options at Heathrow Airport – short-stay, long-stay, business, meet & greet, POD parking, and valet. The short-stay car park is just a two-minute walk from the terminals and is ideal for business meetings or short trips, while the long-stay car park is located a ten-minute shuttle from the terminals and is best suited to trips that are over two days. There’s efficient business parking in Terminals 2, 3, and 5, and Terminal 4 also offers POD parking – the most eco-friendly parking option at Heathrow Airport. Meet & greet and valet parking are similar services, whereby a trusted professional will take your keys, park your car, and return it to you upon your arrival.

Things You Didn’t About Airport Hotels at Heathrow Airport

Airport hotels are convenient and comfortable, providing a place to relax before or after your flight. They’re a great choice for those who have early flights, or for those who want to limit the amount of travelling they do before a flight. There is a wide range of airport hotels at Heathrow Airport, from luxurious to budget-friendly. 

Here are some things you didn’t know about airport hotels at Heathrow Airport:

Get around using the Hotel Hoppa: Heathrow Airport runs a shuttle bus service, connecting the airport’s hotels to the terminals. It runs 7 days a week, early in the morning until late at night, and at regular intervals. Bear in mind that the Hoppa doesn’t stop at every hotel, and you might need to get two buses, depending on which terminal you are flying from. The Hoppa also doesn’t operate to and from Terminal 4. However, it is a convenient service, and you can check the routes to help decide which Heathrow Airport hotel is best to stay in for your terminal. In terms of price, a single ticket is £6.80, a return ticket is £14, a family single ticket (2 adults and 3 children under 15) is £13, and a family return ticket is £24.

Convenient travel via the Elizabeth Line: The Elizabeth Line on the London Underground connects all four terminals at Heathrow Airport. The trains run at regular intervals from around 5 am until around midnight. Whichever terminal your hotel is close to, you can hop on the Elizabeth Line and be at the terminal you’re flying from in minutes. Unlike the shuttle buses, which take around 10 to 20 minutes, the Underground takes just a few minutes to get between terminals. 

Some hotels are connected to the terminals: If your flight is at an awkward time, you’re travelling with children, or have lots of heavy luggage with you, then a hotel connected to the terminals might be a better option. For example, Premier Inn is connected to Terminal 4 by a walkway, Sofitel is connected to Terminal 5, and the Hilton Garden Inn is a three-minute walk to Terminal 3. 

Purchasing your hotel and airport parking together can save you money: If you’re jetting off for a week, airport parking can get pricey. However, if you purchase a hotel and parking package deal, it will be significantly cheaper. Most Heathrow Airport hotels have parking on-site, so you simply leave your car at the hotel, enjoy a comfortable stay before your departure flight, and know it’s secure while you’re away.

Things You Didn’t Know About Car Hire at Heathrow Airport

Hiring a car is seamless at Heathrow Airport. Pre-book your vehicle with Enjoy Travel for unbeatable deals, and we’ll let you know where to pick up your car. Most car hire companies have desks at the terminals, but some of the more affordable options are off-site. However, they will send a bus to come and pick you up from arrivals for a seamless experience.

• There are car hire desks at every terminal. Pre-book your hire car for the best deal, and head to the arrivals area to pick up the keys.
• Despite picking up your hire car at Heathrow Airport, you can drop it off somewhere different. Just make sure you input where you would like to drop off your car when pre-booking your vehicle. 
• There is a wide range of car hire companies at Heathrow Airport, including Easirent, Keddy, Europcar, AVIS, Budget, Alamo, and others. Green Motion is another great option, specifically for those seeking a greener car hire option. 

Things You Didn’t Know About Booking With FHR

At FHR, we offer a range of services, including affordable airport parking, airport hotels, and access to airport lounges. With over 35 years of experience, you can expect customer service that is second to none, the best prices on the market, and efficient service that you can rely on.

Here are some things you didn’t know about booking with FHR:

• We don’t have AI chatbots. When you’re speaking with our customer service team, even on the pop-up chat box on the website, you are communicating with a human. We know how important it is for our customers that their queries are handled by a person, not a robot. 
• As a standard, we offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. 
• We run regular discounts and promotions. Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know, or check our website for regular updates. Save money on your airport parking, airport hotels, or airport lounges in just a few clicks. 
• Booking airport services is easier than ever with FHR – your secure booking will be confirmed in just three steps.
• Get your confirmation sent to your phone by SMS at no extra cost.

FHR also serves Australian airports, so you can continue to secure affordable airport parking and airport lounges Down Under.