AirportsExploreGuidesCalculatorAbout
Home/Explore/Europe/United Kingdom/LHR/25 min

Is a 25 min layover in London long enough?

LHR · Heathrow · London, United Kingdom
Cutting It Close

No, 25 minutes is probably not enough for a layover at LHR (London).

Even a same-terminal BA connection at 25 minutes is below Heathrow's 60-minute international MCT and risks a missed flight.
Quick Stats
Concourses
4
Max Transit
35m
Avg. Security
20m
Primary Hub
British Airways
Minimum Connection Times
Domestic → Domestic
45min
✗
Domestic → International
60min
✗
International → Domestic
60min
✗
International → International
75min
✗
AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
Tips for 25 min Connections
If your itinerary is entirely on British Airways within Terminal 5, connections can be genuinely fast since it's a single, well-organized building.
Any connection involving Terminal 4 should be given extra buffer, as it's physically distant and served only by rail or bus shuttle.
Check whether your transfer is 'airside' (no immigration) or requires exiting to landside — Heathrow's transfer routing varies by airline alliance and terminal pairing.
Security queues can be unpredictable at peak times (early morning and evening banks), so don't assume the posted MCT accounts for a bad day.
Use the free inter-terminal transit trains rather than walking whenever offered — distances between T5 and the central terminals are much longer than they look on the map.
Busyness — Connection Risk
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
Getting Between Concourses
Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are adjacent and connected by a covered walkway (10-15 minutes on foot). Terminal 5 is linked to the central area by a dedicated driverless transit train (Heathrow Express-style pod), while Terminal 4 is the most remote and requires either the Heathrow Express/Elizabeth line rail link or an inter-terminal bus, both of which involve exiting to landside transfer areas and passing through security again at the new terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 25 minutes enough for a layover at Heathrow (LHR)?

Even a same-terminal BA connection at 25 minutes is below Heathrow's 60-minute international MCT and risks a missed flight.

What is the minimum connection time at LHR?

Minimum connection times at Heathrow: Domestic-to-Domestic is 45 minutes, International-to-International is 75 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.

Can I make a 25 minutes connection at LHR on an international flight?

25 minutes is below the 75-minute international MCT at Heathrow. You may need to rush and could miss your connection. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are adjacent and connected by a covered walkway (10-15 minutes on foot). Terminal 5 is linked to the central area by a dedicated driverless transit train (Heathrow Express-style pod), while Terminal 4 is the most remote and requires either the Heathrow Express/Elizabeth line rail link or an inter-terminal bus, both of which involve exiting to landside transfer areas and passing through security again at the new terminal.

How much time do I need for a layover at LHR?

We recommend at least 1 hour for a comfortable connection at Heathrow. This gives you enough buffer for security (typically 20 minutes) and transit between terminals (up to 35 minutes).

What happens if I miss my connection at LHR?

If you miss a connection, British Airways and most other carriers have transfer desks in the arrival terminal (especially prominent in T5) that can rebook you without needing to collect bags first if you remain airside; if you've been forced landside, use the airline's rebooking desk in the terminal you land in.

Other Layover Durations at LHR
30 min35 min40 min45 min50 min55 min1 hr1¼ hr1½ hr1¾ hr2 hr2½ hr3 hr4 hr
25 min Layovers at Other Airports
LGWLondonMANManchesterBHXBirminghamATLAtlantaDXBDubai
AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER