Heathrow airport for first time flier

[CleverQuacks]

Hello all,
Next weekend I am flying from Heathrow airport terminal 3 to Sri Lanka. I have never flown before and I am going on my own! I am starting to get nervous. How easy is it to navigate Heathrow? Is it fairly easy to find where you need to go? Looking at the website it seems huge!

I will be getting there very early so that I don’t risk missing the flight if I get lost. Is there stuff to do there whilst I wait?

Any tips for a first time flier would be great.

How are you getting there and what time you'll be arriving? I've always flown there first thing in the morning and it's not too busy 6am.

Top tip: for hand luggage, the 100ml limit for bottles of liquid refers to the bottle size, even if it's half empty. All bottles/liquid containers must be 100ml or less. If you have a 200ml bottle that's only half full, it can still be confiscated.

OP there will always be someone to help you. Ask anyone if in doubt. Lots of information desks and people in uniform around. Lots of shops to look at, cafes and restaurants. I would avoid alcohol until you are on the plane. Make sure all your hand luggage liquids are easily accessible for the scanners. Good luck. Try not to be overwhelmed. Sri Lanka is wonderful.

Never had problems at Heathrow - loads of signs and loads of staff. You'll be fine OP. Have a wonderful holiday.

Thank you. I am not planning to take any liquids in my hand luggage. I don’t want to risk getting it wrong and them not letting me on the plane!

I am flying at 8pm and the flight is overnight. I am hoping to get some sleep on the plane.

Airports are designed to process lots of people as efficiently as possible. Heathrow is massive, but well organised. On arrival at the terminal you will see boards listing which check in desks you need for which airline. Queue up and at the desk they'll check your ticket/passport and label and take any check in luggage. If you can't see signs for security then ask at the check in desk. Go through security, there will be plenty of signs tell you what to do, which docs you need out and people directing you. Once through this you are air side where there are plenty of shops/cafes/seating areas. There are also lots of screens listing departures. If you haven't been given a boarding gate, Keep a check on these screens which will update once the gate is known. There's no hurry, but don't leave it to the last minute to get to the gate as these are often further walk than you expect. There's lots of signage. Better to get to the gate (where there is more seating) and wait there to be called to board. If you do get distracted by the shops/cafes/amenities there are usually loudspeaker announcements to remind passengers to get to the gates.

Enjoy Sri Lanka, you could hardly have picked a lovelier spot for your first destination.

I reckon airports are easier to get through than railway stations. Yes, they're bigger with more parts to negotiate, but they are so well sign-posted that if you have your wits about you you can't really go wrong.

There are lots of shops there, both landside (as you go in to the terminal) and airside (once through security). More airside, though, so don't worry too much about going through too early. Lots of restaurants, too, so you could have an early dinner there. There'll be WIFI, and charging points (I presume re the latter, there are at Gatwick) so if you're bored you can sit and MN. Maybe go to the pub and have a glass of wine if you're nervous (but only the one!!!). Make sure you go to the departure gate in good time (again, there are tv screens telling you which one you'll need to go for, though it should be on your ticket as well).

Enjoy!

I've always found Heathrow quite easy, the staff are helpful although it can be quite busy. I know you said you don't want to take liquids, but they don't stop you flying if you get it wrong, they just take it off you. Also, be ready to go through security, computers and mobiles etc out of bags and pockets, belts and shoes off etc.

I'd buy some food while in the airport and drink for the plane, even though they usually give you some it's better to know you've got something you like with you.

For the plane take earplugs and a comfy eye mask. I also take a herbal sleeping remedy. I find those U shaped pillows useless but a small cushion might be more comfortable.
At the airport take your time and I usually keep and eye out for the gate number on the information boards and head there as soon as it’s up. Then I know I won’t miss the flight.

The most confusing thing about Terminal 3 is that once you’ve been through security you go into the duty free shop and it’s actually quite hard to find the exit of the shop 😂

Just a warning that some gates at terminal 3 are a reasonable walk from the shops/terminal area so check on the signs the estimated walk time to your gate. You don’t want to go to the gate too early (literally nothing at the gates beyond seats) but worth noting how long it’ll take you to get there so you arrive in time for boarding without having to run!

I always get to the airport far too early and when I get through security I do a couple of loops of the departure area so I can find the loos, the gate numbers etc. Then I find a seat and read an easy book while watching the boards.

Thank you everyone. You are reassuring me. I will just follow the signs and get there early in case something goes wrong.

Terminal 3 is easy. The check in/bag drop is on the lower level, and then you go upstairs to get to security. The desk agents will usually give you directions after you drop your bag.

Security is usually quite quick. There's a table as you enter the queuing area where I usually stop to get out my electronics and liquids and take off my coat. They give out plastic bags.

Departures has a duty free area and then a mix of high street stores/higher end ones. The Heathrow website lists all the places you can eat. I usually go to Spuntino for sit down, Pret if I'm lacking time.

Depending on your gate it can take a while to walk there and the last toilets are quite a way from the high number gates. It's definitely worth going before you start walking to your gate.

Go through security as soon as you’ve checked in. Plenty to do after security and once you’re through it’s one less thing to worry about.

Don't forget to wear nice socks! They often ask you to take your shoes off to go through security and if you have manky holey socks....

Also don't go overboard squirting testers in the duty free shop, the one you hate will linger for the whole flight!

Ds flew to Sydney from Heathrow last year for his first ever flight. He said it was easy to find his way around and had no problems at all.

Thanks all.

Can anyone offer advise on what to do with my prescription medication? Should I take it all in my hand luggage (it’s in tablet form incase that makes a difference) as I am worried they could lose my suitcase and then I will be without very important medication?

I always take medication in hand luggage for that reason.

They would never not let you on the plane if you had the wrong bottle - they would just take the bottle away.

There is always some chance (it is quite low for a direct flight) that your checked bag will be lost. So bring anything essential in your hand luggage, so yes, definitely prescriptions should be with you, along with some painkillers, inhalers if you use them, a snack (which you can buy after going through security), something to read for when the screen isn't on or you are sick of it.

Do NOT forget your passport. That's the reason they wouldn't let you board! (oh and don't make jokes about bombs or whatever at the security line).

Airports are very well-marked and you won't have a problem.

Def take anything you can't be without in hand luggage-medication, laptop, phone etc.

Agree with PP-go through security after dropping bags then you can relax.

You can get a bottle of water etc once through security that you can take on plane. I often buy something to eat as I like to get on and go to sleep right away after a glass of wine and don't tend to eat the inflight meal.

have a great trip!!

I also tend to put swimsuit in carry on for warm weather holidays in case bag is delayed I can still swim!!

Clean pants, any important meds, swim suit and wet wipes in your hand luggage. I also like to take a good moisturiser or moisturising spray, not because I particularly care about plane dehydration but because I like to channel Gwynneth on a plane. A very light wrap is a good idea too, there's always a teasy draft somewhere.

In your hand luggage:
Medication and travel sickness pills
Resealable see through bag with hand cream, lip balm and moisturiser
Inflatable neck pillow, ear plugs, eye mask
Travel sickness pills
Charged battery pack for phone
Chargers and adapter
Book and or magazine
iPad/kindle
Change of underwear (and a day’s clothes if you have room)
Extra pair of socks

Set your watch to local time as soon as you take off

Take your medication in your hand luggage and keep everything in the original packets, don't decant. Don't buy water at the airport it's extortionate, take an empty bottle and fill it from one of the water fountains, these are usually located near the rest rooms. Have a great trip !

Check which terminal and keep a note of it on you.