Fastest way from T3 airside to T5 landside?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 611
Fastest way from T3 airside to T5 landside?
This has probably been covered somewhere, but my search didn't find it:
Which is faster when arriving on an international flight, clearing immigration in T3 and taking the train to T5, or taking the flight connections bus to T5 before clearing immigration there?
Or maybe the question is moot - will I even be allowed on the bus without an onward boarding pass?
Which is faster when arriving on an international flight, clearing immigration in T3 and taking the train to T5, or taking the flight connections bus to T5 before clearing immigration there?
Or maybe the question is moot - will I even be allowed on the bus without an onward boarding pass?
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
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Posts: 3,011
This has probably been covered somewhere, but my search didn't find it:
Which is faster when arriving on an international flight, clearing immigration in T3 and taking the train to T5, or taking the flight connections bus to T5 before clearing immigration there?
Or maybe the question is moot - will I even be allowed on the bus without an onward boarding pass?
Which is faster when arriving on an international flight, clearing immigration in T3 and taking the train to T5, or taking the flight connections bus to T5 before clearing immigration there?
Or maybe the question is moot - will I even be allowed on the bus without an onward boarding pass?
#5
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), SAS Diamond (*G)
Posts: 584
From T3 to T5, I would say it's faster staying airside, yes. From T5 to T3 I am not so sure anymore since the new T3 flight connections system started.
There are no boarding pass checks between walking off the plane in T3 and arriving by bus in T5.
There are no boarding pass checks between walking off the plane in T3 and arriving by bus in T5.
#7
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If you time a HEx right, then I suspect going landside in T3 and taking the HEx to T5 is quicker. The T3 EU immigration queue is generally smaller than the T5 EU immigration queue.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Yes, but not for a T3 arrival
#9
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#10
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Interesting - maybe next time I see a crazy immigration queue at T5 I should hop across to T3. More frequent tube service there too (although longer walk to platform I think)
#11
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Yes, this is something I have done for a while, it was even better when T1 was still with us since there were never queues there. Only works if HBO, and the bus shuttle stops late in the evening, when there can be queues at the T5 Border. You are correct that it is a bit of a hike to the tube from T3, and indeed HEX too. But particularly if you are staying at a Bath Road hotel, and therefore looking to use the Heathrow Central bus station, then this is a good way out of T5.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Badly worded, I guess I meant I would avoid T5 connections security. If I go landside at T3, I won't however touch FCC in either terminal. Just the gauntlet of regular T5 security to be run...
#13
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,464
I've been wondering about this, have a T3-T5 connection coming up after a TATL overnight, and was thinking that the showers in the AA arrivals lounge might be quicker than trying to get a shower in T5. Have a 2h45 connecting time, will see how on time the incoming flight is. Could avoid T5 conformance too...decisions, decisions...