LHR only 1hr 40mins Terminal 4 to T2.

[Happy Grumpy]

We're due to arrive in LHR Terminal 4 at 16:35, then depart Terminal 2 at 18:15.

 

Reading up it's quite a distance between the 2! there are trains every 15 mins that take 20 mins to travel between the 2.

 

Straight away that could be 35 mins gone. Leaving one hour between touch down and take-off - to clear the first plane and immigration/security etc, do the traveling, check in for the 2nd flight, get to the gate etc.

 

 

That's a bit tight! Especially if there the first flight is late arriving.

 

Anybody familiar with getting from T4 to T2? 

 

What will happen if we miss the 2nd flight? We've booked and paid through expedia. 

 

Will we just be put on the next flight, or just left there and have to buy our own ticket for a new 2nd flight?  Both the 1st and 2nd flights are different airlines. 

 

Thanks. 

[KittenKong]

2 hours ago, Happy Grumpy said:

Reading up it's quite a distance between the 2! there are trains every 15 mins that take 20 mins to travel between the 2.

Straight away that could be 35 mins gone.

 

It doesnt work like that. Actual travel time is only a few minutes. Waiting time could be up to 15 minutes. So total time from terminal to terminal is around 10-25 minutes.

 

That said, once at T2 you will still have to check in and clear security and that could take some time especially if it is a peak travel period.

 

You may also need to collect your luggage and possibly clear immigration at T4, which can also take ages.

 

It would help if you gave your starting point (presumably Bangkok) and final destination (UK or international).

 

You should find out at what time the second airline closes check-in and the gate also. Personally I think that you are cutting it very fine indeed.

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Happy Grumpy said:

What will happen if we miss the 2nd flight? We've booked and paid through expedia.

Will we just be put on the next flight, or just left there and have to buy our own ticket for a new 2nd flight?  Both the 1st and 2nd flights are different airlines. 

 

That depends entirely on whether you have one ticket or two. If you have two then it's your problem. Refunds and re-bookings will be at the discretion of the airline according to the fare rules printed in your ticket. Some may be free, some may cost you 100% or more.

 

If you have just one ticket for through travel to your final destination then the airline selling the ticket should take care of you in case of delays and missed connections.

[chickenslegs]

This calculator could help ... http://www.heathrow.com/flight-connections

 

Make sure to read the Important Information note.

[CharlieH]

You dont state when you are travelling, remember August is peak holiday time in UK. European flights /terminals will be very busy.

[CNXBKKMAN]

If your flights are different airlines, two separate tickets and your baggage won't be checked through you have to give yourself enough time to be able to check-in to the next flight without missing it which will be a lot of expense and inconvenience if you do. Let's not mention an overnight hotel or the terminal floor either. Also you have to factor in do you want to be relaxed or stressed out running through the terminals? 

     So arrive at LHR 16:35 if it's on time? Will the aircraft take half hour just to get on gate and open the doors? Baggage comes off within 30mins? Or 45 to an hour? I would be thinking 16:35 add at least 30mins delay time so 17:05. Bags off hopefully less than 45 mins but add 45. 17:50. 20 mins total to get to T2. 18:10 . The very minimum for checking onto another flight might be an hour but realistically look at 1 hour 30.  So that's 19:40 an onwards for selecting a suitable flight.

     If there was a suitable flight around 20:40 I would be happy with that because it's giving you more safety and plenty of time for security queues, bathroom visits, coffees, etc. If you have an expensive flexible ticket for your onward flight you could aim for a faster connection because you know you will be rebooked onto the next available. If you have gone with the cheap ticket(like I do) you make sure you don't miss it. 

[DLang]

No problem.

 

1:40 is no problem. All you do is go downstairs, there's a train every 15 minutes. The journey is about 4 minutes! Upstairs and done. The recommended time for this is 90 minutes between the two flights. 

[Happy Grumpy]

Thanks, yes.

 

The 3 flights are all on one ticket.

 

Rang expedia, they confirmed that the checked in luggage will go to the final destination, despite it being 2 separate airlines.

 

And that as it is all one ticket, we would be put on a later flight free of charge if we miss the final flight.

 

 

 

"Time needed for this connection: 90 minutes. You have 1hr 40min available. "

 

All good, thanks. :)

 

[CNXBKKMAN]

It's called minimum connection time not recommended connection time. If the two connecting flights are within the minimum connection you cannot book it. So 85 mins might be impossible. 90 mins hits the minimum so is bookable and if you arrive on time should be no problem. If you are a little bit late you may still make your connection but your bags might not? If you doing anything important or there are not many alternative flights to rebook on, a longer than minimum connection time would be recommended.

[Happy Grumpy]

2 hours ago, CNXBKKMAN said:

It's called minimum connection

Where is it called that? 

 

All nicely booked. Nice chat with Expedia, nothing to worry about. Cheers chaps. :)

Edited July 31, 2017 by Happy Grumpy

[Ricardo]

The following, concerning airside-connections which avoid the need to clear UK-Immigration, may help others in this situation  ...

 

https://ukimmigrationspecialist.com/2012/08/25/i-need-to-change-terminals-at-heathrow-can-i-transit-airside/

 

"Heathrow’s terminals are connected by dedicated buses that transport passengers from one terminal to another airside. If your baggage has been checked through to your final destination, you will not have to pass UK immigration control; the buses are part of the airport’s internal airside transit system."

 

I recall seeing the signs directing transfer-passengers to these, when arriving at T4.

 

Happy travels !

[irishken]

On 7/31/2017 at 10:45 AM, Happy Grumpy said:

Thanks, yes.

 

The 3 flights are all on one ticket.

 

Rang expedia, they confirmed that the checked in luggage will go to the final destination, despite it being 2 separate airlines.

 

And that as it is all one ticket, we would be put on a later flight free of charge if we miss the final flight.

 

 

 

"Time needed for this connection: 90 minutes. You have 1hr 40min available. "

 

All good, thanks. :)

 

This happened to me a few years back returning from Malaysia to Ireland via Heathrow. 

We had to circle London a few times, then wait for our gate to be cleared of another departing plane and then the bus between terminals had a near 70 year man driving and he was in no hurry to get going.

Then my Thai wife had to fill out a 24 hour transit visa form and by the time we got through even though we had nearly 50 minutes to spare Aer Lingus said we were too late.

They asked us the reason for been late and put us on the next flight which left in about another hour.

The lady said they would just charge Malaysian Airlines for the new flight.

[DLang]

Was no bother at all.

 

There are interterminal shuttle buses that mean you don't have to clear immigration or whatever. Just out to your bus, off to the new terminal, and off ya go. Had time for a nice coffee.