London Heathrow Airport has a duty to providing help to visitors with special needs and follows government guidelines. Measures taken to aid the disabled include providing ramps for wheelchairs, wider access pathways, disabled restrooms, telephones accessible by wheelchair users, adapted elevators, reserved seating in check in areas.

To ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible please follow guidelines below

• Contact your airline at least 48 hours ahead of flight time, if you need assistance due to mobility issues .
• In order to aid your movements throughout your journey try to contact Heathrow Airport well ahead of time so they can cater to your needs upon arrival. In the event of not notifying the Airport they will try to assist your needs where possible.
• Heathrow Airport is a large place to get around and the distances that need to be walked to get to gates and terminals can be quite long, so you may need assistance even for people who are more mobile.
• In addition to informing the airline your traveling with it is wise to also inform someone from special assistance at Heathrow

Contact for special needs assistance

• Terminal 1, Mitie: +44 (0)20 8745 2165
• Terminal 2, Mitie: +44 (0)20 8745 2195
• Terminal 3, OCS: +44 (0)20 8745 2227
• Terminal 4, Mitie: +44 (0)20 8745 2357
• Terminal 5, OCS: +44 (0)20 3165 0285

• In order to get special assistance arrive at the set location up to 2 hours before flight is due to leave, or be at the check in 1 hour before flight is due to depart.
• Help points can be found at various positions including terminal forecourts, short stay car parks, stations, and baggage collection areas and around the terminals where the routes are particular long.

Guide Dogs

Apart from security dogs the only dogs allowed on the terminal are guide and assistance dogs. Ensure that you have checked with the airline that is transferring the dog that they allow dogs to be taken. They also need to be registered with the Pet travel Scheme which will ensure that they have the correct vaccinations and passport. For more information contact DEFRA( Department for environment, food and rural affairs)

Tel: 0044 (0)870 241 1710

Fax: 0044 (0)20 7904 6206

www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

The Piccadilly line runs directly from the center of London to Heathrow Airport with stations at Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the other at Terminal 4. It takes roughly 50 minutes to get from London to Heathrow on the Tube.

If you have any mobility issues it is best to check routes before traveling as the some of the stations en route to Heathrow may have steps on platforms which could be difficult to negotiate although the stations at Heathrow terminals all have stair free access to platforms Check out for a 2008 map of accessible Underground station check the Transport of London's website www.thetube.com or call +44 (0)20 7222 5600 A map of accessible station can be found here Map

Operating hours: 5:00 am - 12:00am

The quickest way to get to Heathrow from the centre of London is the Heathrow Express. Travelling from Paddington station to Heathrow in 15 minutes to teminals 1,2 and 3 20 minutes to Terminal 4 . Depending on the level of disability it may be worth letting them know 48 hours in advance if possible to ensure that can aid you.

Customer care line.

Freephone 0845 600 1515
Minicom No: 01293 513179†)
General Queries email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Heathrow Express Disabled Peoples protections policy can be found here

Additional information

• Modern trains provide level access between the train ands the platform
• Restrooms have been designed with disabled access on four of the carriages
• Openers for doors are lit up and at a low enough level for wheel chair users.
• Wheelchair users have designated spacers at both sides of the train with access to a call button nearby.