Originally Posted by
alex67500
The Sofitel is landslide. You won't be able to make an airside transfer if you don't have a flight leaving T5 the same day, and if you did an airside transfer you'd have to stay airside unless you're willing to go through a bit of a faff. All that to say: you should go landside at T2 and take Heathrow Express or the tube to get to T5.
The answer to your question on time required is very dependent on the state of the UK Border when you arrive, the passport you hold and any other complications (visas etc.). On a very good day with a passport allowed to use the e-gates (assuming they work) you could be there 30 minutes after landing. But you could also queue for over 2 hours before you're out of T2.
Thanks for your speedy reply. This
post mentioned an T2 airside transfer to T5 arrival without onward connection yesterday, and the
guide indicates it is possible and preferable, which is what I had in mind. However, perhaps it is intermittently disallowed or the egates at T5 are slower than those at T2. But I will assume 30 minutes plus egate time, then, which sounds quite quick. It always seemed to take me 15 minutes to walk from the gate to the immigration area and another 15 minutes to walk from the customs exit to the bus terminal at T2, but perhaps I am misremembering.