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London Heathrow (LHR) Airport Guide

from www.anyairportcarhire.com

 



SUMMARY


One of seven airports which serves London, Heathrow is the world’s busiest airport with some 67 million annual passengers, though that figure took a hit in 2010 due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland. It is located in the London Borough of Hillingdon, close to Slough and the M25 motorway.


HISTORY


Despite its long history as Britain’s premier airport, a great deal of controversy has taken place over the expansion of Heathrow airport. Governments have long been at odds about whether or not it is beneficial to the country to build more terminals and runways at the airport. Although Terminal 5 was opened with great pomp and ceremony in March 2009 by the Queen (only to suffer massive operational failures on its first day) the Tory government has just put a stop to plans to build a third runway and a sixth terminal which were approved under Labour. Heathrow originally replaced Croydon airport as the main airport of London in the 1930s. The first flight from Heathrow airport left London for Buenos Airways in 1946.


DIRECTIONS


If you are driving, Heathrow airport is very well signposted. You can either take the M25 motorway and exit at junction 14, or come off at junction 4 of the M4. Remember that the terminals are all quite spread out and you will need to take a different route for each.

Terminal 4 is in the southern part of the airport and it has a separate entrance. Exit the M25 at junction 14 and follow signs for Heathrow Terminal 4. If you are coming from the M4, leave at junction 4b and follow the M25 south to junction 14.

Terminal 5 is on the Western Perimeter Road and has its own separate access road, reached from junction 14 of the M25. If you are coming from the M4, exit at junction 4b and follow the M25 south to junction 14.

Use the following postcodes
for satellite navigation:

* Terminal 1: TW6 1AP
* Terminal 2: TW6 1EW
* Terminal 3: TW6 1QG
* Terminal 4: TW6 3XA
* Terminal 5: TW6 2GA

FACILITIES


Heathrow is incredibly well-equipped to cater to the needs of any traveller, even if they have a long stopover or a delayed flight.

To get access to money there are ATMs machines located in every terminal as well as bureaux de change.

If you need to stay overnight there are a number of airport hotels located very close to Heathrow including the Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel and the Skyline Hotel and Conference Centre.

There are also three petrol stations near to Heathrow airport.

* Esso station on the Southern Perimeter Road.

* Texaco station on the A4 Bath Road, opposite the main entrance.

* BP station at Great West Road, Hatton Cross on the A30.

SHOPPING


Heathrow prides itself on having excellent shopping, so much so that there is even a branch of the London institution Harrods. You can also get the latest fashions from a number of high-end stores including Jimmy Choo and Ermenegildo Zegna. If you want to buy a CD or iPod to keep you entertained during your journey and then you can go to HMV or Dixons.

DUTY FREE


There are four main duty free stores. Cocoon is located in terminal one and sells beauty and skin care products. World Duty Free has a range of different products at low prices which are in terminals one, three and four, in both the arrivals and departures sections. To get the perfect present for someone that likes a drink, World of Whiskeys can be found in terminals one, four and five. To be able to enjoy duty-free shopping you must first go through the security checks.

CAR HIRE


With all leading suppliers located at the airport you wiil be spoilt for choice with Heathrow Airport car hire.

LHR QUICK FACTS


Serves Greater London and the UK
Terminals 5
IATA Code LHR
Annual Passengers 67 million
Owner BAA
Hub for Virgin Atlantic, BA, BMI
Coordinates 51°28′39″N 000°27′41″W


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