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From modest beginnings Heathrow has blossomed into one of the world's busiest airports, handling over 64 million passengers each year. The British Airport Authorities (BAA) - Heathrow's owner - is investing millions to make Heathrow Airport more user-friendly.

The go-ahead to construct Terminal 5 was essential if Heathrow Airport is to cope with the projected increase in traffic during this decade. With over 200 international destinations on the departure screens and a healthy slice of domestic flights, airlines are still lobbying for access to the self-styled 'Gateway to the World'.

Heathrow Airport has four terminals. Terminal 1, Heathrow Airport is for all domestic flights, and most UK airline departures to Europe. Terminal 2, Heathrow Airport is mostly for non-UK carriers, flights to Europe and some long haul destinations. Terminal 3, Heathrow Airport is for long haul flights for the USA, South America, Asia Pacific airlines and most African Airlines. Terminal 4, Heathrow Airport is for mostly for British Airways long haul flights and KLM and Qantas also use Terminal 4.

Heathrow Airport is west of London on the M4 motorway near to the M25 interchange. All terminals at Heathrow Airport are sign posted from the appropriate motorway exits. If you are departing Heathrow Airport from Terminals 1, 2 or 3 then you should leave the M4 at junction 4. If you are departing Heathrow Airport from Terminal 4, then you would leave the M4 at junction 3 or the M25 at junction 14. The journey time from Central London to Heathrow Airport is approximately 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic. You should allow plenty of time for your journey to Heathrow Airport as the M4 coming out of London can be busy at all times of the day. There are two fuel stations at Heathrow Airport - one in the main airport complex between Terminals 1, 2 & 3, the other being between Terminal 4 and the M25 motorway.

Taxi's and Black Cabs are available in each of the 4 terminals at Heathrow Airport; just follow the signs for the taxi ranks. The journey time from Heathrow Airport to Central London is between 45-60 minutes and the fare will be approximately £35-£45.

Heathrow Airport has two rail services from central London. In addition to the London Underground ( "the tube" ) is the Heathrow Express train service from London Paddington station.

Most bus services arrive at the central Bus Station in the main area at Heathrow Airport between Terminals 1, 2 & 3. Pedestrian access to the terminals at Heathrow Airport are signposted. A limited number of services also stop at Terminal 4.

The National Express shuttle from London Victoria Coach Station to Heathrow Airport runs every 30 minutes. The first bus departs Victoria at 07.30, and the last bus departs Victoria 23.30. This service operate seven days a week, all year round.

The current adult fare is £7 one way or £10 return/round trip. Children pay £3.50 one way or £5 return/round trip. The journey time from Victoria to Heathrow Airport is around 40 minutes; 55 minutes at peak hours.

The Airbus service links to Heathrow Airport Terminals from many west London hotels and Kings Cross and Euston main line rail stations. The Airbus departures are every 20-30 minutes with a journey time around 60-75 minutes. These services drop off at all Terminal forecourts at Heathrow Airport. The fare is £7 one way, £10 return/round trip.

The Airbus A2 service leaves King's Cross rail station every 30 minutes and calls at Euston station and some Underground rail stations before arriving at Heathrow Airport. The service also picks up at various hotels on its journey to Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The first bus leaves King's Cross at 07:00, the last at 20:30.

London Transport provides a regular overnight bus service from Central London to Heathrow Airport. This night bus service - the N97 - runs twice an hour from London's Trafalgar Square to the central bus station at Heathrow Airport. The journey time is just over an hour and the fare from Central London to Heathrow Airprot is £1.00 each way.

Each of the 4 terminals at Heathrow Airport has its own short stay car park. These car parks a convenient but expensive. A better option is the Long Stay / holiday car park is on the Eastern Perimeter Road of Heathrow Airport and serves all four terminals. There is a free bus service from the car park to all 4 terminals at Heathrow Airport which operates between 05:30 and 23:30. Transport is available by telephone request outside these hours.

You should allow 30 minutes transfer time from the car parks to the terminals at peak periods.

The Long Stay / holiday car park is on the Eastern Perimeter road and serves all four terminals. There is a free bus service to all terminals which operates between 05:30 and 23:30. Transport by telephone request outside these hours.

Allow 30 minutes transfer time to terminals at peak periods.

Car parking charges at the short stay car parks start at £2.10 for the first 30 minutes, rising to £40.00 for the full 24hrs. The long stay parking rates are much more reasonable at £14.00 for up to 24hrs.