Wil be coming from DC to Heathrow on Virgin Atlantic and then taking a connecting flight on BA to Edinburgh. From my research most arrivals from the States on Virgin come into terminal 3; it appears the BA flight to Edinburgh is in terminal 5. I have about 4 hours between flights. I will have checked bags so assume will have to go through customs to get to the next terminal. I understand there is a fair distance between the terminals. Looking for the best/quickest least stressful way to get from terminal 3 to terminal 5. Thanks!

>> Looking for the best/quickest least stressful way to get from terminal 3 to terminal 5. Thanks!<<

There is really only one practical way -- the HEX (the Heathrow Express train in to London) is free between terminals. No hassle at all really. But you will have to schlepp the bags - the lighter you pack the better.

You will go through immigration at LHR. I assume your two flights are on separate bookings - right? If so, yes you'll have to collect your bags. But if you land near on time you will have plenty of time.

All of VS flights arrive at T3, you can transfer using the HEX or the London Underground. The transfer is free but you will have get a ticket from the ticket machine or present a credit card or Oyster card if you have one. You won’t be charged.

Maybe I’m missing something here - I’ve made connections (between terminals) at LHR several times and have always used the shuttle buses - Perhaps because I’ve always either had only carry-on or my luggage was check through to my final destination.

anyway, you can go to the LHR website (https://www.heathrow.com/) and click on the “Connections” link. Enter your planed date of travel and flight info. You’ll get step by step directions for making that connection.

Hope this helps.

If the luggage is through checked then the OP can follow the signs for Flight Connections & take the shuttle bus. If they have to collect luggage they will have to go landslide & take the HEX or tube,

Got it, Odin. Thanks for clarification.

Yep - it is the separate tix/checked bags that is the problem. Another reason I travel carry on only.

Separate tickets are not a problem, they do not prevent bags being thru checked. VS do not interline bags from their flights to BA, whether on separate tickets or not.

You can book flights with VS that include a BA flight, with those bookings luggage will be checked through

Changing planes at LHR use the dedicated flight connections bus to another terminal for that. Go to Heathrow’s website, find connections, enter your flight number and date. It will give you exact advice of how to connect via the dedicated bus.

Odin never wrong!!