Tell me about Heathrow like I’m a small child

[TheHorneSection]

Flying tomorrow, haven’t flown in about 10 years and have the DC with me this time. I need a step by step guide to calm me down!

Flight is at 11.30, Europe, we should arrive about 8.30. We’ve checked in online and have one bit of luggage for the hold.

Is the Lizzie Line platform in T5 or do we need to get an airport bus? If we’ve checked in online what do I need to do in the airport, is it just check in the bag and then head to security? Can we take food through security or have to buy food once we’re through? What else am I forgetting?!

Don't know about the underground as I got the coach to my specific terminal but basically once you are there, drop your bag..it is really easy you put them on a machine and print a label. Then head for security. The only thing to remember is that Heathrow is massive and there can be a little tram ride to your actual gate! This shocked me a bit as I was idly wandering round the shops

Elizabeth line goes to T5
if your plane is departing from B or C gates there is a train which takes you there.
you can take food through but not drinks
stuff at WHSmith and Boots at the airport is extortionate so try not to have to use those shops.

You can get the Piccadilly Line, Elizabeth Line or Heathrow Express directly to Terminal 5. You can do self service bag drop or use the family check in in zone E if it's British Airways. You then go through security. There is one at each side of the terminal, titled North and South but they are the same. Liquid rules apply and need to be in plastic bags they supply but you may not have any if you're checking in a bag. Food that is solid is fine but yogurts etc are classed as liquid. You can buy drinks or fill up water bottles after security. Europe flights tend to go from the A gates just after security.

Bring through some larger empty bottles , after security there will be somewhere to full them up, but you might have to ask , it might be "in" one of the cafes etc.

I brought the tiny bottles of super concentrated squash through security and then made up large bottles for the plane (if you want sweetened drinks if course)

If there is a wetherspoons after security , if you buy Thier hot chocolate you can have as many as you want and I also filled up my insulated cup.

It is a "silent" airport so you won't hear any gate announcements, they will be on a screen

No help on the travel as I haven't flown from Heathrow in 15 years but once in the main atrium, go to the big display and see where your airline check-in desk is. Go there.
Luggage drop off:
There will either be a person checking in your luggage or a machine where you type in your booking reference and get a luggage sticker. Peel the back of the sticker and attach it to your case handle. Then drop the bag on the conveyor belt and use a scanning gun to scan the barcode on the sticker. A member of staff is usually available to help you if you are stuck.
Security:
After dropping your luggage, go straight to security gate. The queues can be long so try not to linger in the main atrium. To enter the security area, scan barcode of your boarding pass.
Remove your jacket, cardigan, watch and jewellery. Some airports will want your liquids in a separate clear bag, others don't. Same for your electronics, some will want you out of the bag, others not. There should be a board which demonstrates the rules. Again, staff are available for help. You may have to go through the body scanner. Follow staff instructions.
Inside:
Once inside, locate the board displaying your gate number. If the gate is not available yet, there will be a notice next to your flight number telling you what time gate information will be available. Once your time comes, check the signs at the airport directing you to your gate. As soon as gate information is displayed, head there. Don't linger as it could take some time to get to the gate and airlines don't wait if you are late getting there. You should have plenty of time to get to your gate unless you are in the middle of your lunch or having a toileting accident. So check how much time you have until the gate information before making any far-reaching plans.
Gate:
Have your passport and boarding pass ready. The rest should be self-explanatory.

Enjoy the flight.

P.S. Bring your own food and snacks for the flight unless long-haul. You are not allowed to drink your own alcohol on board or bring bottles of liquid larger than 100ml through security.

Thank you SO much everyone! That sounds relatively straightforward, though I know I won't stop panicking until I'm through security and staring at the gate board!

I hate T5. Last time we flew from there (Istanbul in July) it was a complete farce, don't know if this was due to lack of staff.
We weren't allowed to check in / drop off luggage until the last minute, queues were long, bag drop label machines kept breaking down/ running out of labels, no help for those who needed it.
Of course, summer is peak holiday time but you'd think they'd have extra staff employed.
Compared to Istanbul airport on the way back (and most other airports I've travelled through) it was (and maybe still is) an embarrassment.

Rant over....sorry. Take food...empty water bottles as plenty of refillable places.