Airport location, terminals and transportation
Heathrow Airport is not only London's main airport, but also is one of the ten busiest airports in the world. Its passenger traffic makes up about 76 million people per year. The airport is located 24 kilometres west of London. It was transformed from a military airport, which began operating in the 30s of the previous century. The airport was named after the locality, on the territory of which one of the terminals is now situated. Since 1946 it has been functioning as a civilian airport. Now Heathrow Airport has five passenger terminals, one cargo terminal, and two runways.
You can get to London from the airport by express train, going to Paddington station, or by trains passing through Heathrow station. One can reach London by personal car or taxi via M4 highway. Buses link the central bus station, the airport terminals and other localities. The Piccadilly urban underground line leads to the centre of London from the stations of Terminals 5, 4, 3, and 2.
Rental offices, how to find them, where to return car
The offices of such world leading vehicle rental companies as Alamo, Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National, and Sixt rent a car are situated in the arrival areas of Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The car rental facilities are located at the ground level of Terminal 2. You should proceed from the baggage claim area (Carousel 1 and 2) through the checkpoint, and then to the ground level (the arrival area, Gate B) to the rental offices. The car rental facilities are next to the express train and bus ticket offices.
Moreover, there are rental offices at Level Zero of Terminal 3. Being guided by signs, you should go from the baggage claim area through the checkpoint to reach the car rental facilities opposite the office of Emirates company, providing driver services.
As for Terminal 4, you should proceed from the baggage carousels and the checkpoint at Level Zero (the arrival area) to the rental offices lying beside the escalator and the computer centre.
The offices of 3 companies are located in Terminal 5. These are Avis, Budget, and Sixt rent a car. Avis is located at the 4th level. You should go from the arrival area to the exit to elevators, go up to the 4th level and then turn right. Budget's rental facilities can be found at this very level. Sixt's car rental office are at Sofitel Hotel. One may take advantage of online car rental service provided by the official partner of the airport on the airport's website.
Long-term and short-term parking, hotels nearby
There are paid short-term parking lots next to each terminal . Provisional parking space reservation is recommended. One can take advantage of Fast Track service (quick parking and registration) in Terminal 5. A business parking lot lies on the territory of Terminal 5.
You can use long-stay parking free of charge for the first 2 hours. Transfers shuttle from the long-term parking lots to each terminal. There are services Heathrow Meet & Greet and Valet Parking . All car parks have parking spaces for people with disabilities.
You may also use Heathrow Airport's hotel and parking service. You can stay in such hotels as DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn London Heathrow Ariel, Mercure London Heathrow and others.