LHR T5-Survival Tips, Hints, Places to go & Things to do

[TightSlot]

Eventually, the T5 Chaos will subside and this thread will become useful.

If you wish to post complaints about T5, or speculation or suggest punishment for BA or BAA managers then please use a different thread - We're trying to keep this one limited to information that will actually help passengers.

Many thanks

[SLFJan]

Arrived T5 yesterday. (all went very well!)

Regarding meeting somebody in arrivals

There is a long barrier across the exit from customs etc. Decide in advance which side of the barrier you will meet - If your meeting person is down one end of the barrier, and you chose to go the other way, it is quite a distance and at busy times they will be hard to see.

[Thunderbug]

Costa Coffe & Krispy Kreeme at landside arrivals

Starbucks is airside departures near gate 11 (main building!)

Well thats the important stuff dealt with! :ok:

T'bug

[All Ahead Full]

Went through yesterday, and all fine, people around helping, Carlucio's on the checkin side was good for food before going through, and you get an excellent view of planes taking off from the left hadn side of the building outside. The lounges are fairly impressive, although the toilets were broken for some reason. (Note the club lounge or gallery is one the second floor, and the Concorde and 1st Class lounge, are on the 1st Floor - one at each end of the building) As far as security goes, it took 15minutes to get to airside, but as soon as I went though a big queue appeared, so not too bad really.

[Rob Courtney]

Was there a couple of weeks ago, the domestic gates are closer to the North side security area, I was advised to use the south area and was on the last minute so a quick gallop down the concourse only to find south was just as chokker. Of course once through (40 mins later) it was another gallop back up to the domestic gates.

otherwise the terminal was very impressive, they are doing a lot of bussing to gates at the moment but I expect that will stop once the satellites are fully up and running.

[Hambleite]

Anyone sampled Ramsey's restaurant yet?

[WHBM]

Can someone advise how you get from T5 to T4 (ie for the bulk of BA long haul to short haul connections at the momet).

Read someone saying you wait 15 minutes for the Heathrow Express to depart, over to Central Area, cross the platform, wait 15 minutes for the train to T4 to depart - it took them 90 minutes overall. Can't believe that's all that's available. It must blow the Minimum Connecting Time. Even Piccadilly Line via Hatton Cross would be quicker.

[Llademos]

The lifts go to three levels landside. From the bottom, they are Trains - Arrivals - Departures.

To get from Trains to Arrivals, you must go via Departures
To get from Arrivals to Departures, you must go via Trains

I hope this makes sense to someone!

:}

[k3lvc]

Can someone advise how you get from T5 to T4 (ie for the bulk of BA long haul to short haul connections at the momet).

Read someone saying you wait 15 minutes for the Heathrow Express to depart, over to Central Area, cross the platform, wait 15 minutes for the train to T4 to depart - it took them 90 minutes overall. Can't believe that's all that's available. It must blow the Minimum Connecting Time. Even Piccadilly Line via Hatton Cross would be quicker.

This is indeed the situation - we did it in 70mins a couple of weeks ago but there is little if any signage, the trains often have the wrong announcements (as we pulled into T4 the tannoy announced we were arriving in Southall) and there are few if any staff on the platforms to assist.

Surely there must be an easier way :ugh:

[Skipness One Echo]

Is there no airside Flight Connections facility between Terminals 4 and 5 then?

[c2lass]

We flew from MUC to LHR this week and had a couple of hours before our connecting flight to ABZ. We had not had breakfast so were looking for something to eat. We saw "Plane Food" Gordon Ramsays new restaurant and took a look at the menu. £16.50 for a breakfast :ouch: I said to hubby we are not paying that much for a breakfast and we set off to go somewhere else.

I then thought airport food is usually expensive anyway, plus it was my birthday so lets treat ourselves, so off we trotted back.

Well I can honestly say it was aboslutely FANTASTIC. The food, the service and the ambience. You could sure taste the difference. Quality sausages, butter than tasted like butter, freshly made orange juice, the nicest marmalade I have ever tasted. It was wonderful and a lovely birthday treat and finish to our holidayin Bavaria.

The staff were very attentive and there were plenty of staff around too. There is a 12.5% service charge added to the bill but I think it is well deserved. Well done Gordon Ramsay!

I now cannot wait for our next flight through Terminal 5 in September as then we will try lunch. I am starting to save now!!

Next time you are in T5 give yourself a real treat!! I can highly recommend the place.

[VAFFPAX]

I have found the T5 <--> T4 transfer to be appalling too. Either Heathrow Connect or Piccadilly Line only? And Heathrow Connect only running every 30 minutes - That is really pathetic. It takes ten minutes (if that) by taxi from T5 to H/East (T1-3), although it's of course relatively more expensive.

I hope Heathrow Management do something about that.

S.

[traymat]

Flew this morning from T5, no issues, looks great. However on the way to the airport around 0630 this morning there was a 35-40 min queue on the T5 slip road from the M25. Is it always like this or was I just unlucky?

[Gonzo]

In my experience that happens most weekday mornings. I usually drive under the T5 spur at about 0620, and it's usually jam-packed then.

[VS-LHRCSA]

VAFFPAX

There are local buses that link T4 and T5 for free and they are fairly regular. I have also seen another bus, not the BA staff buses but some other sort of BA charter bus that had signage along the lines of T4-T5. It was going too fast to get a decent look, sorry.

Heathrow Express is too much hassle for me, personally. By the time you've made it all the way downstairs, waited for the train to come in, the security check, then boarding, you may as well have just caught the bus.

Hopefully, once the moves are completed it won't be too much of an issue.

[Globaliser]

If you're airside for a while and want somewhere to watch aircraft from, Cafe Amato has a grandstand spot. In T5A (main building), gate level, southeastern corner. It has a handy bar with stools facing in exactly the right direction; from the far right hand corner you can see all the way to the end of 09R/27L.

I can't say anything about the quality of the F&B, though, as I have so far only been able to try this during one of the trials trial.

[agrimble]

I have to agree that Cafe Amato seems to be the place to sit out those long waits. On "normal" days not many people discover it so it's a quiet and relaxing spot with reasonable food & Drink plus a great view.
I last went through in late April and T5 was nicely quiet after the fiasco of the 1st week - mind you all the gents loos in T5A were a disgrace (unclean, non-functioning, etc - thought I was back in T3 for a moment). Come on BAA - surely you can do better than this! 3 out of 5 ? No - I'll give it a 4 since I also experienced T2 @ Frankfurt on the same trip. T5 was on a different planet after that! :ok:

[Mr Quite Happy]

Hi guys,

I'm ZRH-LHR(T5)-Miami-LHR(T5)-ZRH in October. I'm travelling with Wife x1, Kids (5, 2 and 6 months) and we'll be looking for something like a kids area or at least kiddy friendly restaurant to while away the time whilst waiting for the connection. Has anyone got any recommendations/experience?

Thanks

G

[VAFFPAX]

You might want to try Giraffe. :-)

S.

[PAXboy]

My sister is departing to JNB on Thursday evening and wants to get her suitcase wrapped with security film.

You will all be shocked to learn that the BAA website mentions many shops but the list of 'Services' in T5 does not mention bag wrapping. Further, you will be surprised to read, if I put 'baggage wrapping' (or variants) into the site search ... it tells me how I can buy great value bags at the shops and warns me not to wrap gifts but - nothing about wrapping bags.

Does such a facility exist in T5 (as in T3 and others)? Those that regularly travel to Africa will understand why we wish to do this. :hmm:

[Door_One_Right]

I remember seeing bag wrapping at the Excess Baggage store,from memory it was on the ground floor.

Another tip for T5 - if you want to check in bags, you can't do this until 3 hours before departure. There's not many places to hang around if you arrive at the terminal earlier than this, so bear this in mind when you plan your trip to the terminal.

[TightSlot]

PAXboy - As mentioned by Door_One_Right, please see HERE (http://www.excess-baggage.com/airport_terminal_services.php) - Bag wrap is included in the services offered

[PAXboy]

Thanks TS, we did find it, although it was not as easy as we hoped since the signage is not great. If you stand outside one of the shops and look down the line of shops - there are no signs visible. You have to stand away from the line so that you can look along the front of the whole row to see the signs that are flat against the shop front.

Coupled with three people not knowing what we were looking for (two were shopkeepers and one was airport staff who turned out to be standing 30m from the shop but directed us to the far end)

On a lighter note ... I like this from Simon Calder:
Heathrow Terminal 5
When the sole tenant of a new terminal feels obliged to take out advertisements saying that only one in 10 of its flights is more than 15 minutes late, you know it has issues. But in the unlikely event that you find yourself lost in transit at Heathrow, try to make it inside this £4bn-plus public relations disaster. You can expect breathtaking views across Europe's busiest airport, classy shopping and the sense of space from a terminal operating at 50 per cent capacity.
Articel coparing a number of airports is here: The airports that make you pray for a delay - This Britain, UK - The Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-airports-that-make-you-pray-for-a-delay-892683.html)

[All Ahead Full]

Worthy of note, that the Valet parking is at the end of the departures lane, not inside short term, don't try asking anyone in Short term parking where valet parking as they don't know.

Also, valet parking (for 2 days at least) is the same price as business parking at T5, which is daft, as with the valet stuff you just arrive, throw your keys at someone and then clear off.

AAF

[alcockell]

"To get from Trains to Arrivals, you must go via Departures
To get from Arrivals to Departures, you must go via Trains

I hope this makes sense to someone!"

Start - Shutdown anyone? :D:E

[c2lass]

Was in T5 a couple of weeks ago and had a few hours to spare so after having a fab breakfast in April in Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food we booked lunch. It was good but we didn't come away with the "wow" factor which we had before. Cannot complain about any of the food (apart from the price) Total bill £77 which included a bottle of wine at £21. Most of the meals do not come with potatoes or veg so you need to order those separately at £2.95 a shot - 5 tiny boiled potatoes for that as well!!

One thing that did disappoint me slightly was at the side of the table on the floor was a sort of vent (basically a stainless steel/metal strip about a foot wide) which ran down the side of the floor and I noticed this had become quite dirty in the grooves and needed a good clean. Also there was a high chair at the back of the next table which sat there with its dirty tray for the whole of our time in the restaurant. Minor things I know but not what I would have expected from Gordon Ramsay.

Before our meal we went for an aperitif in the Bar 5 (think that is what it is called) which is the bar inside one of the World of Duty Free shop) and two gin and tonics set us back a staggering £16.00 :eek: Not bad when they sell two, two litre bottles for £16.00!!

[dubh12000]

I think I'm turning into Victor Meldrew.....I think T5 is utter gash to be honest. Took me 15 minutes to find Boots for some paracetamol on Sunday. I don't actiually see the public flocking to the Sony / Nokia / Ramsey / Other top end retail experiences.

TBH, I think T4 was better, with my newspaper and a Pret sandwich.

[TightSlot]

Thread no longer sticky - now sinks/rises on demand

[Munnyspinner]

:ugh:Just for anyone else who doesn't spot it on their boarding card.

MAKE SURE YOU GET THROUGH SECURITY AT LEAST 35 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE - Or, You'll get your balls cut off!

It can apparently take at least 15 minutes to walk swiftly to the gate and make sure you get there 20 before departure or you'll get duffed up by the ground staff or worse!

And where is rainboe now?

[ProM]

Am i missing something or is it really only possible to get to the Club Lounge (the one on your right as you go through security, is that north or South) by going down and then up? Seems ridiculous

[Munnyspinner]

The whole flipping place is ridiculous - compare t5 to Schiphol and you'll understand what I mean. It all up and down - like crossing the Alps! Starting at Hex station it's Up, Up, Up and as soon as you get through Security is back down down down - I'm out of breath even thinking about it! Probably much easier if you arrive by car!

If T5 is the answer - I would really like to see the question!:ugh:

[Skipness One Echo]

Munnyspinner you've been ranting about this on and on. You have to present your boarding card at security at -35, not be through security. T5 is the way it is because of the obvious space constraints. Hence it is a bloody long way to T5B and there is no way back if you miss your flight, hence the cut off.

[Munnyspinner]

Grounded SLF posted this from the BA website

Going through security

Please allow yourself plenty of time to go through airport security checks.

Please note - if you are travelling from London Heathrow Terminal 5 you must pass through check-in and security at least 35 minutes before your flight departs.

Vagueness 1e - admitted! But the word through is used by BA themselves. Perhaps more clarity is required!

It does seem that I may not be the only pax that thinks T5 is a waste of space. Constraints my ass. The building is big enough to enclose the whole of St. Paul's cathedral!

[strake]

ProM
I am trying not to get involved in the general "T5 knocking" but yes, after three visits where I have tried to use the building to it's advantages, it would appear you do indeed have to go down then up.
To then, on some flights, be bussed out to the aircraft (or back from) is the final ignomy. I'm embarassed to have to explain to business visitors that this is London's answer to air travel in the 21st Century.

[747-436]

Am i missing something or is it really only possible to get to the Club Lounge (the one on your right as you go through security, is that north or South) by going down and then up? Seems ridiculous

It means that you can walk past all the shops............. Its a BAA thing!!

[raffele]

To add my tuppence - I went through T5 yesterday for the first time. I didn't find any issue with it - I found it a good place to travel from. It was relatively quiet for evening rush hour, able to walk about without feeling like a battle's being fought. Only gripe perhaps would be to include a sign immediately at the bottom of the escalator from security telling people which way to go for the gates. But I enjoyed the experience and didn't have have any problems with it!

[Final 3 Greens]

Okay, let's get back on track.

My survival guide for T5 is not to go there :}

[radeng]

Alcockell,
It sounds like the old Punch cartoon

Railway booking office clerk to 3 kids

'Dogs is dogs and cats is dogs, but tortoises h'is h'insects and goes free.'

Getting to the south end BA lounge - what a route march. At the south end, IF you're travelling first, you get straight into the Concorde room without passing the shops. Strange in a way, because only if you can afford to travel First are you likely to be able to afford so much of the overpriced tat in the shops!

Final 3 greens, I wish it was possible to avoid Heathrow altogether, but for me the alternatives are much further away.

BA management is not really apparently that good, but I reckon they could run Heathrow better than the useless wotsits of BAA.

[strake]

Trying to be fair, if you have to travel through T5 and have access to the Terraces lounge, the coffee machines produce a pretty good drink. I especially like the one situated by the windows (and the "cinema") which looks down on the security check point.
You can sip your latte-mocha-espresso whilst watching other unfortunates being frisked.
Also, still being fair, my one and only experience of the Arrivals lounge was good.
The shower facilities were efficient and the breakfast was tasty. Access to the car park where my pick-up was located was quick and simple.
Now, if they could only get access to the aircraft similarly smooth, we'd be there:E

[Trinity 09L]

Quetion: When are they going to finish T5.
I arrived last week in the "B" section on a 777 from Mumbai - 20mins early, and had to wait for a stand, (then a little trouble parking the 777 :oh:), but it appears that "C" section is not complete? Is it still WIP?

[LHR27C]

it appears that "C" section is not complete? Is it still WIP?

Yes, will open in 2010.