TAKING A BREAK: Travel weary passengers will be able to take a break while waiting for their connecting flights. There are showers in Terminal 4 both before and after security and in Terminal 1 before security. There are additional shower facilities in the Flight Connections Centre. Also passengers may want to take advantage of the Holideck Lounge in Terminal 4. It is on 3 levels with all facilities including an arcade, computer games, a sports lounge and observation level overlooking the runways. The downside? It is expensive at GBP17.50 for three hours - better for a family to take a hotel room for really long waits.

QUICK LOOK AT LONDON: Yes you can do it with planning. Take the Heathrow Express for a 15 minute run into Paddington then pick up a tour or take a taxi. Leave plenty of time to get back for your flight especially if you are travelling in rush hour. The tube is cheaper but much slower - don't bother with it if your time is short.

INFORMATION AND HELP DESKS: For parking, transportation, shopping and flight information, or to confirm your flight reservation, (tel: (0)870 000 0123). Information desks are available in each terminal. There is a London Tourist Board centre in the underground station. Help desks are also located throughout the airport, where passengers can seek assistance by using a courtesy telephone and can also look at terminal maps. A Travellers' Welfare service is available in the Queen's Building (tel: (0)20 8745 7495).



AIRPORT FACILITIES: Money and communications: There are ATMs and bureaux de change facilities throughout the airport, as well as post offices in Terminals 2 and 4. Stamps can be bought in newsagents and book shops in each terminal and there are post boxes after passport control. There are public telephones in the main areas of each terminal, as well as wall-mounted pay fax machines. Eating and drinking: There are numerous restaurants, bars, fast food outlets, coffee shops, pubs and sandwich bars throughout the airport. Shopping: There are a wide variety of shops in each terminal including music shops, book shops, newsagents, clothing accessories shops, electrical goods shops, pharmacies, sunglasses shops, shoe shops, sweet shops and perfumeries. Luggage: Left luggage offices can be found in each terminal, whilst lost property can be reclaimed from the Airport Lost Property Office. Other facilities: There is a chapel beside the control tower outside Terminal 2 and a free spectators' viewing area on the roof of Terminal 2. Showers can be found in Terminals 1, 3 and 4.

DISABLED FACILITIES: Information for passengers with disabilities or special needs is available from Heathrow Travel-Care either at counters or by telephone (tel: (0)20 8745 7495), or from Tripscope (tel: (0)20 8580 7021). Detailed access information is also available on the airport website. Telephones are accessible to wheelchair users and there are text telephones for hearing-impaired travellers.

CONFERENCE AND BUSINESS FACILITIES: Wall-mounted credit-card-paid fax machines are available throughout the airport. The Business Centre in the Queen's Building (tel: (0)20 8759 2434), between Terminals 1 and 2, offers 20 meeting rooms, a conference suite, online computers, faxes, photocopiers, showers, videoconferencing and audiovisual equipment.

CAR HIRE: Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and National are all represented at each terminal. Passengers should return their hire car to return areas, the majority of which are located on the North Perimeter Road. These areas are connected to the terminals by courtesy shuttle buses. Chauffeur driven cars operated by Burgundy Global can also be hired (tel: (0)800 013 1313 or (0)20 8831 2000); credit card payment is necessary if you do not have an account.

CAR PARKING: Several car parks are available; a free shuttle service travelling between the terminals and the long-term and business car parks is provided. Valet parking is available at all four terminals. Disabled drivers can request assistance from customer service staff at the car parks. Motorbikes can park free of charge at designated areas at each terminal. There are also special areas where cyclists can leave their bikes.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are close together in the centre of Heathrow and can be reached via the following motorways: M4 Junction 4, M25 Junction 15, A4 (local road). Terminal 4 is on the south side of Heathrow and is reached via the following motorways: M4 Junction 3, M25 Junction 14, A30 (local road).

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Rail: Train: The frequent Heathrow Express train service to London Paddington Station takes 15-20 minutes . Trains leave every 15 minutes and run every day. From London King's Cross Station, passengers can connect with mainline train services to the north of England and to Scotland. Underground: The airport is also on the Piccadilly Line, which can take passengers into central London, via Knightsbridge, Green Park, Leicester Square and King's Cross underground stations. Tubes run every five minutes at peak times and every nine minutes off-peak. Road: Taxi: London's black taxi cabs also service London Heathrow Airport (journey time into central London: approximately 60 minutes). Limousine: Chauffeur driven cars operated by Burgundy Global can be hired (tel: (0)800 013 1313 or (0)20 8831 2000); credit card payment is necessary if you do not have an account. Bus: Bus services include the Airbus Heathrow shuttle to London Victoria or London King's Cross railway stations (journey time: one hour) and the Railair bus to Feltham Station in southwest London. At night, the N97 bus service travels to central London every 30 minutes. Coach: From Paddington Station, the Hotel Express coach (a fare is payable) takes visitors to hotels in the area.