Attn: Knowledgeable World Travellers!

[warden]

...Or at least anyone who's ever had a flight connecting through Heathrow!

I'm going to Italy for a vacation in the fall and am finally ready to book my flight. My question is this: booking a flight that connects through Heathrow airport in London, how much time should I be leaving myself between arrival in London and departure to Rome, taking into account Customs and Security.

More specific details - the flight leaves Vancouver on Friday, arriving in London Saturday around 10:00am local time.

The connecting flight to Rome is being booked with the flight to London, so I won't have to pick up and drop off baggage.

Arrival and departure are from the same terminal (Terminal 5).

According to the British Airways website, regardless of the fact that I'm not staying in England, I will still have to clear Customs there.

The flights I'm looking at leave about 3 hours and 45 minutes between arrival in London and departure to Rome. Will this be enough time?

I would really appreciate any advice!! Thanks!

[onestop67]

According to the British Airways website, regardless of the fact that I'm not staying in England, I will still have to clear Customs there.:

I don't think you need to clear customs if you don't actually get off the plane. Doesn't really answer your main question though does it!


Other readers have rated this answer

[warden]

Good point. But I do have to switch planes!

[crash 99]

Hiya Warden!...As soon as I can contact my UK cuzz...I'll try to get you info
She's been over here a few times...and the reverse info may work...??


Will let you know.

[crash 99]

ETA
Cuzz says allow for at least 3 hrs in th UK Airports...BEFORE boarding

[Abu]

Oh that is plenty of time! I've been thru there several times, and its always a breeze, the bigger airports always are more efficient in my opinion. Let me know if you have anymore questions about international travel!

[warden]

Thanks Crash and Abu!

Abu - perhaps you can help me with my customs confusion! I was under the impression that regardless, I would have to clear customs in London before carrying on to Rome. However, after doing some digging today, it looks like if my itinerary is booked straight through to Rome (i.e. both legs booked together, my bags checked in Vancouver all the way to Rome), I won't have to do customs in London. Apparently after I get off the plane, there's a 'path' for connections that bypasses customs.

Is this right?

When I went to Ireland a few years ago, I did have to do customs at Gatwick, but my flights were booked separately.

Thanks again!

[Abu]

You got it, if you book em together on the same airline, they forward the bags, if you switch airlines they make you rebook etc, but when I was there last all I had to do was run for the plane....so I ran very slowly on my 8 hour layover!

[warden]

Thank you so much Abu!

That was the piece that I was most concerned about as it takes the most time! Looks like I'm good to book that flight!