How much time to get through Heathrow immigration?
 

I saw a recent thread that addressed the amount of time necessary to get through immigration and customs at Gatwick, and have a similar question re. Heathrow. I will be arriving at Terminal 4, on Sunday, May 14, at 12:25 PM; I have a bus ticket from Terminal 4 to Chepstow for 1:45 PM. Someone will be meeting my bus in Chepstow, so I am little worried that I might miss it. Is an hour and 20 minutes enough time to get through immigration and customs and pick up my luggage? Thanks.

I've only been through Heathrow twice. It took us about 20 minutes to clear immigration and another 15 minutes to pick up our luggage and then maybe 20 minutes to walk through. But that is just one example, and I could easily see that immigration could take much longer, as there were rows of ropes for the lines. Also, your plane may be a little late and not arrive exactly on time. Good luck with your connection.

On April 16, my plane arrived 1/2 early to Heathrow, on the other hand my sister's plane from NY arrive 1/2 late. I cleared customs in about 10 mins and my bags were on the conveyor belt in the time it took me to go to the bathroom. I would estimate from the time we disembarked to the time I picked up my bags was about 30 mins and most of that time was spent walking to immigration. Now it was Easter Sunday morning which I think was not as busy as most days.

Oh I forgot to add I was traveling Premuim Economy on Virgin and therefore my bags came out ahead of ecomony.

that could be tight - how long until the next possible bus?

There is so much that affects how long things take. Do you land on time? Does the plane immediately park at a gate or is there a wait? Which gate - since some are a loooong walk from arrivals. How many other flights are landing near the same time (immigration queues could be nothing or massive)

My guess w/ terminal 4 you <i>could</i> make it - but not if the flight is more than 10-15 mins late.

There's no rule of thumb...it really depends on a whole lot of factors. Generally the trans Atlantic flights from North American arrive in the morning and queues at immigration can make Disneyland queues look small...other times it can go much faster.

My guess is that you are more likely than not to make it in time. I would have a &quot;plan B&quot; set up just in case your plane is late or the airport is slow. A breakdown of machinery once trapped my baggage for about 90 minutes at T3.

You are for sure cutting it pretty close. I've been through Heathrow three times, and at the very least it seems like you walk for days to get just about any place, never mind getting luggage and going through immigration. Last time I was there, this last December, the line was miles long. The time before that, it took us about an hour..seems like several planes landed within minutes of each other. So, either ya' get lucky and zip right through, or you don't. I agree that you should really have a plan B if possible.

Will you have a cell phone on you to contact the person picking you up?

You might make it, or might not. Two factors I've experienced landing Heathrow... sometimes there is no gate open, so although you land on time you sit out on the tarmac for 1/2 hour or so waiting to deplane.

Depends how many flights land right at the same time how long, or short, the line at immigration is.

At that time of the day, especially on a Sunday, you're a great deal more likely to make it than not.

Terminal 4 is often easy as pie to get through: I was on a bus heading out of the airport 10 minutes after the plane's wheels touched the ground last time I used it. Mrs CS had precisely the same experience last time she went through T4.

Anything can go wrong. But it's a great mistake to base your plans on the experience of non-Europeans who've only ever arrived at T3 with a few thousand of their compatriots at 0630 on a weekday.

Assume the best. Have backup for the worst.

Thanks, folks, for the information and suggestions. Being a Luddite, I lack a cell phone, but I am in the midst of making arrangements to contact the person who will pick me up in Chepstow in case things go wrong and I miss my bus. Thankfully, there is another bus, only an hour and a half later. And though I have already purchased my ticket, hopefully National Coach will be merciful if I miss the earlier bus.

don't feel bad, i don't have a cell phone either, much to the dismay of my euro-friends trying to find me at the airport! that's why i suggested it -LOL.