Heathrow, immigration question
 

Last year when I went to London the immigration lines were long and it took time to clear immigration and customs. I know that there were some reports of long lines due the Olympics, etc. What is the situation like now? I will be in London later this year and I'm wondering if things have improved.

Thanks.

The 'situation' will depend on the day, time you land, how many other long haul flights land the same time, where those planes originated, which terminal. Etc etc.

In other words, no telling . . .

So nothing has improved since last year? YIKES. That was the first time I experienced a looooooooooong wait at immigration on arrival in London. I was hoping things would have improved by now.

That isn't what I said.

Maybe if you had landed at a different time or terminal it would have been different even last summer.

Don't recall what day of the week I arrived last year, it was early in the morning off a long haul flight. I've been to Heathrow tons of times and have never encountered long lines like I saw last year. I guess it's the luck of the draw, will see what happens once I'm there.

We went through I&C at Heathrow about 6 months ago and had no difficulties at all.

I'll be flying into Heathrow next month- what margin for error should I plan for for passing through Customs? I fly inon a Monday around 9am, and I'm looking at booking a bus to Cardiff- so should I plan ofr two hours? Or three? Or should I just purchase my fare when I exit the Immigrations hall?

It all depends on what terminal you use-terminal 5 can take longer than say terminal 4. I would buy your ticket for your bus after you arrive and allow at least two hours for customs and collecting your luggage,hitting the bathroom and getting something to eat.

Thanks, I was hoping to take advantage on purchasing early and saving on the fare, but it looks like it's a bit of a risk.

I just came back from Heathrow.

Our departure was from Terminal 3 on a Monday evening.

The queues for immigration and security were super long. Super duper long. Give yourselves plenty of time.