T5 to T5 connection: Can I go to T3 for the lounges?
 

I flying AMS-LHR-JNB with a lengthy 5 hour layover at Heathrow. Both flights arrive and depart into T5. Is there a way to get from T5 to T3 airside and back without a ticket for a flight departing from T3.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29389821-post4.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30335742-post9.html

Personally I wouldn't bother but that's me. I'm not sure I get this apparent need to lounge hop but if that's what the OP wants ...

You'd need to allow time to get to T3 (which involves clearing security on arrival at T3) and then as stated in the second link posted above 90 minutes before departure to get back to T5 (and again reclear security)

The poster in the second link @corporate-wage-slave is a denizen of LHR and he probably knows more about getting around it that many of the staff there so if he says 90 minutes then he means it!

Thanks @:D! and @UKtravelbear

Thanks @LondonElite . Seeing as T3 is out, what would be the best lounge in T5 then? Appreciate all the help!

Unfortunately no status, just flying on a paid J ticket from AMS to JNB.

T5B lounge. You'll likely be leaving from C gates (if A380) or B or C if the 787 rotation, and it's a much more peaceful and pleasant experience.

5 hours is a loooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggg time to spend in a T5 lounge, though, so I can kind of see an attraction for a two-way inter-terminal transfer as a kind of kill-time exercise with access to a nicer choice of lounge as a bonus but you are right that everybody will have their own take on this and there simply isn't a 'right' or 'wrong' answer on whether to stay put at T5 or not.