4hrs transit in LHR, enough to exit/re-enter?
Jan 16, 2020, 6:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,941
4hrs transit in LHR, enough to exit/re-enter?
Turns out a friend is transiting (4 hrs) through LHR enroute to the US, while I arrive LHR at the same time. Debating whether it makes sense fo try and meet 
I'm assuming 4hrs should be sufficient for them to exit and re-enter immigration (US passport and fast track). We would meet in T5 to save time.
I'm assuming 4hrs should be sufficient for them to exit and re-enter immigration (US passport and fast track). We would meet in T5 to save time.
Jan 16, 2020, 11:55 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
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Assuming your friend has the right kind of passport to use the e-gates (eg USA or EU), then anything up to a 2.5 hour delay should still give them time to meet you landside
T5 has conformance, so they need to be back at the boarding pass scans at the entrance to security in time, IIRC 35 minutes before departure or they'll be automatically offloaded, so keep an eye on the time
With 4 hours, you would need to just meet at one of the landside cafes in T5, or possibly the restaurant at the Sofitel, there's not really time to go elsewhere. One of the pubs served by the free Heathrow area local buses perhaps if everything is on time, but staying in T5 is probably easier and lower stress!
T5 has conformance, so they need to be back at the boarding pass scans at the entrance to security in time, IIRC 35 minutes before departure or they'll be automatically offloaded, so keep an eye on the time
With 4 hours, you would need to just meet at one of the landside cafes in T5, or possibly the restaurant at the Sofitel, there's not really time to go elsewhere. One of the pubs served by the free Heathrow area local buses perhaps if everything is on time, but staying in T5 is probably easier and lower stress!
Jan 17, 2020, 6:44 am
#3
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SAN
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Assuming your friend has the right kind of passport to use the e-gates (eg USA or EU), then anything up to a 2.5 hour delay should still give them time to meet you landside
T5 has conformance, so they need to be back at the boarding pass scans at the entrance to security in time, IIRC 35 minutes before departure or they'll be automatically offloaded, so keep an eye on the time
With 4 hours, you would need to just meet at one of the landside cafes in T5, or possibly the restaurant at the Sofitel, there's not really time to go elsewhere. One of the pubs served by the free Heathrow area local buses perhaps if everything is on time, but staying in T5 is probably easier and lower stress!
T5 has conformance, so they need to be back at the boarding pass scans at the entrance to security in time, IIRC 35 minutes before departure or they'll be automatically offloaded, so keep an eye on the time
With 4 hours, you would need to just meet at one of the landside cafes in T5, or possibly the restaurant at the Sofitel, there's not really time to go elsewhere. One of the pubs served by the free Heathrow area local buses perhaps if everything is on time, but staying in T5 is probably easier and lower stress!
