I have built my own connection via LHR, which means I will:
1. land (hopefully on time, since my inbound flight has shown a very good on time record historically);
2. go through the passport control
3. claim my bags and clear customs
4. leave Terminal 5 and catch a bus to Terminal 4 in my case.
Based on the Inbound flight and bus schedule I would have approximately 30 minutes from the moment of getting off the plane to being at the bus stop #7(?) at Terminal 5.
US passport holders are now eligible to use egates to enter the UK. My question is - should I expect a super long line for egates? Everyone says that the process itself lasts for 10-15 seconds, but what about the wait line for the egates on a Sunday evening between 7 and 7:30pm?
Any input will be greatly appreciated!
Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
Re: LHR and egates for Immigration at Terminal 5
I have never queued for more than ten minutes or so, the delays usually caused by people having trouble following the pictorial instructions. However that was when only Uk and other EU citizens could use the e gates. Now that is being expanded to include The USA, Japan, Australia and others potentially that waiting time could increase.
Re: LHR and egates for Immigration at Terminal 5
Same as jumpjets, generally very short or little wait. Obviously can vary on volume of traffic and number of gates open. But don't follow the crowd keep your eyes open, people tend to follow one another, and if you look down the line you can often find quieter or empty gates further down the line that are working.
Re: LHR and egates for Immigration at Terminal 5
I agree with the above. The only caution I will flag is if you arrive through the gates at Terminal 5B or 5C, or a remote stand and have to be bused to T5A. In those cases the “commute” to the main terminal and then more frustratingly the wait at baggage collection can be quite long. In those situations I’ve easily had 30+ minute journey times between gate arrival and getting on the train/bus.
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Re: LHR and egates for Immigration at Terminal 5
As others have said, you will sail through the e-gates, but I think 30 minutes could be cutting it fine:
- T5 gets very congested at around the time the TATL flights arrive. After you have landed you can be sat on the tarmac for 10-20 minutes waiting for a gate to open up
- TATL flights usually park at the B gates, which are not so bad for getting to immigration. You need to take a transit but it should only take 10-15 minutes at most from when you get off the plane. As QF93 mentions, this will take a lot longer if you are unlucky and get a remote stand
- You could be waiting another 5-10 mins for your luggage once you have cleared immigration
The good news: Terminal 4 check in and security is usually pretty quick, so you probably have some leeway for missing your first bus.
This all assumes you are making this trip before 31st October. The post-Brexit situation is anyone’s guess!
- T5 gets very congested at around the time the TATL flights arrive. After you have landed you can be sat on the tarmac for 10-20 minutes waiting for a gate to open up
- TATL flights usually park at the B gates, which are not so bad for getting to immigration. You need to take a transit but it should only take 10-15 minutes at most from when you get off the plane. As QF93 mentions, this will take a lot longer if you are unlucky and get a remote stand
- You could be waiting another 5-10 mins for your luggage once you have cleared immigration
The good news: Terminal 4 check in and security is usually pretty quick, so you probably have some leeway for missing your first bus.
This all assumes you are making this trip before 31st October. The post-Brexit situation is anyone’s guess!
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