LHR Terminal 5 passageways - a pictorial guide for departing passengers
Aug 10, 2016, 8:04 am
#136
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC, IHG, LeClub, HHonors
Posts: 599
It still amazes how quiet it is down there. We walked to the B Gates on Saturday and saw no one else at all. Walked from C Gates today with another 6 or so people and it was good to blow the cobwebs off after an overnight flight from JFK.
Aug 10, 2016, 8:46 am
#137
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,926
I always find descending from the teaming masses on the transit platform to the zen calm of the tunnel very satisfying.
Aug 16, 2016, 8:04 am
#138
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Here and there
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,551
If I park up one of our birds on T5C, walk with the crew to the shuttle only to find it is just pulling out of the station I always take the walkway. I am always first to the reclaim hall when the remainder of the crew stay for the shuttle. #sigwxtoptip ^
P.s. I believe this is how to correctly use a hashtag to end a statement, but I will run it past my teenager for confirmation.
P.s. I believe this is how to correctly use a hashtag to end a statement, but I will run it past my teenager for confirmation.
Aug 16, 2016, 5:29 pm
#139
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: IAD
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 348
On an A380 arriving at T5C seemed to me to be a great opportunity to try this. Unfortunately, Mrs. G didn't agree with this idea - somewhere just short of T5B. Luckily, a trolley offered us a ride to T5A, making this probably faster than the transit due to the queues at the boarding end.
A month later on a solo IAD->LHR->DUB trip I did the walk. I recommend it if you're not in a huge rush (and if, like me, you're competing with your kids on Fitbit.)
A month later on a solo IAD->LHR->DUB trip I did the walk. I recommend it if you're not in a huge rush (and if, like me, you're competing with your kids on Fitbit.)
Aug 16, 2016, 5:32 pm
#140
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Nov 17, 2016, 8:57 am
#141
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
T5 Walkway
Who uses the T5 underground walkway to satellite Terminals B and C? I decided to try it out and go to -4 for a change.
It was COMPLETELY EMPTY, so I enjoyed the walk. Does it save time though?
I mean it is a long walk = )
It was COMPLETELY EMPTY, so I enjoyed the walk. Does it save time though?
I mean it is a long walk = )
Nov 17, 2016, 9:00 am
#144
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,197
I usually find it roughly equal to the train - usually I spot people from my flight getting off the train as I arrive at A.
Maybe a little slower from C vs. B.
Coming back from STR a couple of months ago half the plane followed me to -4 though.
Maybe a little slower from C vs. B.
Coming back from STR a couple of months ago half the plane followed me to -4 though.
Nov 17, 2016, 9:00 am
#145
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK.
Programs: Nowt of note.
Posts: 1,628
I used it on arrival last week, from T5C. Took me 8 minutes to get from the top of the stairs by the monorail to the Oyster-esque UKBA machines (and I wasn't hurrying). I saw 3 members of staff and no-one else. It was bliss, and I especially enjoyed not having to suffer the dreary announcer voice.
Nov 17, 2016, 9:08 am
#148
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
In terms of speed of using the tunnels v train.
I tend to operate on these rules:
If a train has just departed or there's only a small group of people waiting - use the tunnel
If there's a large group or there's a train that's just arrived being security checked or whatever - use the train.
The big benefit (for me) of using it when you arrive is that the lifts at the end of the tunnel take you past the queue into passport control and to the tensa barriers.
I tend to operate on these rules:
If a train has just departed or there's only a small group of people waiting - use the tunnel
If there's a large group or there's a train that's just arrived being security checked or whatever - use the train.
The big benefit (for me) of using it when you arrive is that the lifts at the end of the tunnel take you past the queue into passport control and to the tensa barriers.
Nov 17, 2016, 9:16 am
#149
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,026
In fact, the 'secret' T5 walkway is so popular with FT members that it has its own special thread.
Along various sections of the walkway are arrays of vertical metal fins. Each time I take a walk down I rotate a fin (they can be a bit stiff), and next time go down I move the next one. There's a nice metal wave pattern forming now.
Along various sections of the walkway are arrays of vertical metal fins. Each time I take a walk down I rotate a fin (they can be a bit stiff), and next time go down I move the next one. There's a nice metal wave pattern forming now.
Nov 17, 2016, 10:01 am
#150
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Betwixt SEA and LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, AS Gold MVP, IC RA, IHG Spire Elite, HH Diamond, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,354
I find the obsession on FT with these walkways fascinating. I have used them once, just for the sheer novelty of it. It's really only faster to walk if the train is somehow backed up or is having problems. Even if I was coming down the escalators/lift and the train is just pulling out of the station, I'd still wait for the next train, unless I really, really needed to rush to my gate.
The T5 trains are lambasted on here, but they're really not that bad, are pretty reliable, and aren't as slow as walking the tunnels. The tunnels are a neat fall-back option, but the way they're treated as some kind of T5 cheat-code that magically short-cuts your trip is wide of the mark.
The T5 trains are lambasted on here, but they're really not that bad, are pretty reliable, and aren't as slow as walking the tunnels. The tunnels are a neat fall-back option, but the way they're treated as some kind of T5 cheat-code that magically short-cuts your trip is wide of the mark.