With the ever changing rules in the UK due to COVID, is transit allowed through airports like London Heathrow? In short, the answer is yes, London airports remain open to transiting passengers. Here’s what you need to know about transiting through London.
Check out our other blog Airport Transit And COVID: Do I Need To Quarantine? for the rules at other major transit hubs.
All passengers arriving into the London will require a negative PCR test taken less than 3 days (72 hours) before you arrive. This also applies to transit passengers.
Two types of transit
- ‘airside’ – you do not pass through UK border control before you leave on your connecting journey
- ‘landside’ – you pass through UK border control, but come back through it and leave the UK within a short amount of time (usually 24 hours)
Before travel to the UK
If you will be transiting through the UK or transit via London during COVID, you need to do the following before you travel to the UK:
- take a coronavirus test
- complete the passenger locator form
If you will be transiting landside through the UK, you need to do the following when you complete your passenger locator form.
- select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section
- reply ‘No’ to any questions about whether you are required to complete COVID-19 tests on arrival
- reply ‘No’ to the question ‘Have you visited a Red List country within the past 10 days and/or are required by law to quarantine in a government approved facility?’
COVID test required for ‘airside’ transit
If you are transiting in the UK and remaining ‘airside’ you are still expected to provide a negative COVID test.
As you’re transiting with onward travel outside of the UK and not passing through UK border control, you are exempt from self-isolation requirements.
Quarantine and COVID tests required for ‘landside’ transit
Flying on two separate tickets and transiting through London is permitted. As you are flying to the UK, you must provide a COVID negative test.
You are allowed to move between airports or stay at a hotel before catching your next flight. You may travel directly between ports (such as Eurostar to Heathrow). However, it’s recommended you do not take public transport. There are lots of taxi services available from London’s airports and stations.
If you’re staying in the UK for fewer than 10 days, you must self-isolate (i.e. not leave your hotel room) for the whole duration until your next flight. You may end self-isolation to go to your departure point (airport, train or bus station). You should travel straight to the departure point and avoid public transport.
Do note that the government’s advice and exemptions above is for anyone transiting through the UK to a country outside of the Common Travel Area.
When you transit through London during COVID
You do not need to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on arrival or on day 2 and day 8.
This applies if you are transiting ‘airside’ or ‘landside’.
If you are transiting landside (entering the UK from outside the Common Travel Area), you must be entering the UK for the sole purposes of continuing a journey to a country outside of the Common Travel Area. You must either:
- remain within your port of entry until your departure from England, or
- travel directly from your port of entry to another port of departure in England
New quarantine rules from 2 August for amber list arrivals
From 4am 2 August 2021, fully vaccinated visitors from the EU and US will be able to travel to England without having to quarantine or take a day 8 test on arrival.
Amber arrivals who have been fully vaccinated in the USA and European countries will still be required to complete a pre-departure test before arrival into England, alongside a PCR test on or before day 2 after arrival.
This rule does not apply to visitors arriving from France.
Can I transit if I’ve visited a ‘red-list’ country?
If you are transiting within the common travel area, and you have been in a red list country in the previous 10 days, then you are required to enter into managed quarantine at your port of entry. This applies whether transiting airside or landside.
When you arrive in England you need to follow the rules for the highest risk country or territory that you have been in or passed through in the previous 10 days. That can include transit stops. A transit stop is a stop where passengers can get on or off the same part of the transport in which you are travelling. It can apply to ships, trains or flights. Your ticket should show if a stop is a transit stop. The rules of a country or territory that you make a transit stop in could apply if:
- new passengers get on and are able to mix with you
- you or other passengers get off the transport you are on and mix with other people, then get on again
Making a transit stop would not affect what you have to do on arrival in England if, during the stop:
- no new passengers, who are able to mix with you, get on
- no-one on-board gets off and mixes with people outside
- passengers get off but do not get back on
Managed quarantine on arrival for red list arrivals
Starting on 15 February, all arrivals for people into England who have visited or passed through a red list country must quarantine for 10 days in a government designated hotel. You must:
- obtain a negative PCR test within 72 hours of your flight to the UK
- quarantine for 10 days in a managed quarantine hotel
- take a coronavirus (COVID-19) test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of quarantining
You must book the accommodation before you travel and your own expense. Further details on the quarantine hotel is available on the UK government website.
Which airports in England accept arrivals from red-list countries?
If you’re required to quarantine in a managed quarantine facility you can only arrive in England at certain ports of entry. Currently these are:
- Heathrow Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- London City Airport
- Birmingham Airport
- Bristol Airport
- Farnborough Airport
Source: Gov.uk
Do Your Research
While we’ve made every effort to ensure we’ve presented accurate information, the situation is changing continually. If you are flying and have a transit stop in your itinerary, be sure to check if you need to quarantine.
We therefore recommend you check directly your home and destination government websites before travelling. For more detailed information about travel to the UK during the COVID pandemic visit: https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control
Although transit is permitted through London airports, with COVID-19 still a major problem in many countries worldwide, please do your research.
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Hello,
I am planning to transit through LHR to another destination on a different date due to there not being the same date flight. I am going to book a hotel nearby and understand I will be able to leave my isolation to travel back to LHR to catch the flight.
In this case, let’s say you are arriving in LHR on Friday and departing on Sunday, what happens to 2/8 day COVID test kit? To fill in the passenger locator form, I heard you need to quote the testing kit reference. Whether I am able to use the kit or not do I still pay for it before I travel to the UK?
Hello, It depends on where you’re arriving from. There’s currently a travel ban in the UK from red-list countries. If you have been in or through any of the countries listed below in the previous 10 days, you will be refused entry to the UK. If you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK, you will be able to enter. You must quarantine in a government approved hotel for 10 days.
The rules are changing and further announcements will be made on 17 May.
Hello, Is transit from a red country banned even if you are a UK resident? Is it possible to transit from a red list country through London to Northern Ireland if you are a UK resident? Can you also do it if it is a landslide transit between airports? Thanks
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules
Under section ‘Transiting through’ it says;
“Transiting through the UK
You need to complete the passenger locator form before you travel to the UK.
You need to take a coronavirus test before you travel to the UK.
You do not need to quarantine or take a coronavirus test on day 2 and day 8 because you are only transiting via the UK.
This exemption applies to anyone transiting through the UK, ‘airside’ or ‘landside’.
For people transiting landside (entering the UK), it applies where you are entering the UK for the sole purposes of continuing a journey to a country or territory outside of the Common Travel Area, and you either:
remain within your port of entry until your departure from England, or
travel directly from your port of entry to another port of departure in England”
It says nothing here about transit being banned from red list countries if UK national or resident. It says ‘You do not need to quarantine’. Please clarify your guide. Thanks
Thank you for sharing the advice, if you read it very carefully it only applies to people entering the UK for the sole purpose of continuing a journey to a country or territory OUTSIDE of the Common Travel Area. Non UK nationals from red-list countries are not permitted to enter the country, and if you are a UK national, the government is advising against any international travel.
The rules apply, if you are coming from a red-list country, you should comply with the government requirements for self-isolating in a quarantine hotel.
There are exemptions for not requiring to spend time in a quarantine hotel, but these are very very rare. Even pilots and cabin crew must isolate in a government approved hotel and take a test on day 2 and 8, if they have visited a red-list country in the last 10 days. This is to prevent new variants of the virus being imported to the UK.
Our blog is targeted at leisure travellers, so the current rules and travel ban is relevant for them, which is what we cover in our blog. Travel exemptions are rarely applicable to our readers.
If you travelling to Northern Ireland from a red-list country via London the rules should apply. But we do recommend you check with your embassy or airline to confirm. Good luck!
As I read the requirements for “landside” transit at Heathrow Airport, my takeaway is that I am allowed to check into a local hotel for the night and proceed directly to my flight the next day. What, if anything, do I have to do/say when I pass through Border Control to ensure that I do not run into a problem?
Hi Evris. Assuming you’re not traveling for a country on the UK Government’s ‘red list’, you’ll just need to provide evidence of a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours prior arrival. Once you clear border formalities, you’ll be able to travel to your layover hotel as normal and return to the airport for onward flight.
Hi, I have looked extensively to find the information I need so thank you for your blog which is the best information I can find. However I am still not clear about my journey. I am a Jersey resident returning to Jersey(part of the common travel area) from Banjul Gambia. I have connecting flights via Brussels from Banjul to Heathrow followed by a British Airways flight to Jersey. The Heathrow connection time is short so I am considering travelling with hand luggage only in order to transfer between terminal 2 and 5 airside.
I will be completing a Belgian travel information form and a Jersey Passenger Locator form as well as following self isolation guidance and testing on arrival in Jersey. The Gambia and Belgium are not currently “red” listed.
My questions are
1, Will I have to pass U.K. border control at Heathrow or can I make an airside connection? I suspect I need to pass border control on arrival into the common travel area.
2, Will I have to complete a U.K. passenger locator form, and if so how will I avoid having to book and pay for the mandatory U.K. COVID tests?
Any insights or suggestions as to where I can clarify these point would be much appreciated.
Ruth
Hello
Yeah, you should complete a passenger locator form on arrival into the UK.
You can transit between terminals before immigration with a connecting ticket – so if you’re travelling on OneWorld airlines you can check if they are willing to combine your ticket. There is an airside transit system between the terminals at Heathrow. However if you are taking an onward flight without an official flight connection, then you may need to travel between terminals outside of the secured area – hence go through immigration.
Hope this helps.
I am a USA citizen planning to travel to South Africa in early July. By then I will be fully vaccinated. I plan to transit (airside) through LHR on my way to and from South Africa (flying BA). It is unclear whether I am – at this point – allowed to transit airside. Your post above states that a non UK resident will be refused entry into the UK. However, it does not address those who will transit without going through immigration (airside). Can you clarify? Thanks so much.
Hi there, you are allowed to transit through LHR (airside), however, there is a travel ban for South Africa at the moment as it’s on England’s red list. The rules may change by July, but if South Africa remains on the red list then British Airways is unlikely to have any flights to the country. The UK government is expected to announce a traffic light system for international travel next week, which may change the rules. As July is still a few months away, do keep checking the rules as quite a lot can change depending on the situation with COVID.
Very helpful – thanks! Where do I check the rules? I am not sure which websites to check.
The best website to check is the government here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-measures-to-protect-the-uk-from-variant-strains-of-covid-19
The rules are going to be updated in May, so do look out for further updates
I am a spanish citizen, flying to london on thursday and leaving on friday back to spain. Spain is not on the red list country currently. Do i have to book myself a day 2 and day 8 covid test as well eventhough im not in the country for that long?
how does this work? im afraid i will be denied boarding from spain.
Could you clarify this to me?
Thanks
Hello there,
I’m not sure what the rules are for Spanish citizens travelling abroad so best to check with your own country’s rules and regulations, but the current rules from the UK government states the following:
If you’re travelling to England you must either quarantine in the place you’re staying or in a managed quarantine hotel for 10 days because of coronavirus (COVID-19). What you need to do depends on where you travel in the 10 days before you arrive in England.
You must also get 2 coronavirus tests after you arrive in England. You’ll need to book these before you travel.
Before you leave for the UK, you’ll need to complete a passenger locator form and provide proof of a negative test
More information is available on the UK government website https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control
Hello, I will travel from Hong Kong to Manchester. But my connect flight from Heathrow to Manchester will on next day morning (less than 24 hours after departure from HK to LHR flight). Can I still get on my connect flight after 1 night stay in the hotel near Heathrow?
Hi there,
Hong Kong is not currently on the UK’s red list. As there is a travel ban in the UK at the moment, you’re expected to quarantine in your hotel until you can catch your next flight. Always check official sources before your travel, as with COVID the rules can change quite quickly. Hope this helps.
I will visit Iceland for a cruise in July. For my return home to the US I will need to stay in a hotel closeby to Heathrow to make my connection the following morning. My flight arrives in Heathrow at 11:55 a.m. one morning and scheduled to fly out at 11:50 the following morning. I will not be expected to quarantine right?
Based on the current rules, you are permitted to transit but expected to quarantine for the duration you’re in the UK until you catch your next flight. Which means if you’re staying in a hotel near Heathrow, you’re expected to quarantine in your room until your connecting flight. The rules are changing, so by July will depend on whether the US is on the UK’s green, amber or red list country – which will be announced in May.
Hello,
I am a UK citizen who is going to be transiting through the UK for less than 24 hours on my way to Australia from Mexico where i have been since August 2020. My wife is an Australian Citizen and is currently in Australia visiting family. My connection requires me to travel landside for around 15 hours only to change terminals. Will i have trouble leaving again? As i am technically only transiting through the UK. I dont want to arrive only to be told that i cannot leave again due to the new laws that have been brought in.
Any information on this would be great! Thankyou for your time.
Jason
Hi, it depends on when you’re travelling.The rules are changing from the 17 May. Based on the current guidance, it’s illegal to travel abroad. If you’re travelling abroad you should complete a declaration for international travel form https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-declaration-form-for-international-travel
The link above also outlines what the government outlines as reasonable excuses for travel abroad.
Hello.
I am Polish citizen, but moved to UK 7 years ago and I have EU settlement status. I got stack in Poland for while now got job offer on Channel Island Jersey. I am travelling this week but there is no direct flights to Jersey from Poland. I have to stay night in London. Am I allowed to do that as flying to London at the evening and catching flight to Jersey next day? Do I have to book 2nd and 8th day test even if I will be self isolating on the island and they have their own testing scheme ?
You are allowed to transit through London but do check the rules for what is expected when you arrive into Channel Island Jersey. I’m not sure if you need a day 2 or 8 test given you’re transmitting for less than 48 hours. However, it’s best to check with the Home Office before you travel.
Hi,
I plan to visit Crete in June. I’ll then be heading home to Glasgow via a transit through London. Provided it remains off of the red list will I be allowed to stay in a hotel upon arrival and board my flight to Glasgow the following day? There definitely would be no requirement to carry out my quarantine in London before heading home?
Thanks 🙂
Hi there,
It depends on where Crete will be on the UK government’s traffic light system in June, and it’s too early to say at the minute. This will be announced in May. Green – no quarantine required, amber -quarantine at home (you can do a test at day 5 to be released if it’s negative) or red – you must quarantine in a government approved facility.
I am expecting to travel from the US to Croatia with overnight landside layovers in London in both directions that require me to transfer airports (Heathrow and Gatwick). My layovers are 22 hours there and 45 hours back. I understand the transit rule to go directly from the airport and isolate in your hotel until you next flight, and to fill out the Passenger Locator forms and have a negative COVID test from the last 72 hours.
I’m a bit confused about the requirement for “Evidence of a pre-booked testing package, if travelling from anywhere not on the ‘red list’” that appears on the Heathrow website for Transfer Passengers (https://www.heathrow.com/customer-support/faq/coronavirus-covid-19) and the corresponding government site (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england).
Is it safe to assume you don’t need to purchase one of these packages if you are just passing through?
Thanks!
Hi there, As you’re passing immigration, you should check out rules for UK arrival here https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/before-you-leave-for-the-uk
Thanks
I am from the United States, and I am transiting through Heathrow to take a flight to Vienna. How do I know if I have to go through Border Control while in the airport? I only have less than 2 hours to get my next flight to Vienna.
What documents do I need beside my Covid test?
Hi Kathryn, did you book your flight together meaning you have one ticket that gets you from US to London Heathrow to Vienna? If so, you won’t need to go through border controls. You’re expected to complete a
Hi, at the end of May I plan to travel from the Netherlands to Jamaica transiting via London Heathrow. I have 2 separate tickets flying KLM to London and a 3 hour stopover before next flight with Virgin. Does this mean I only need a negative COVID test?
Hi Angela, The Netherlands is currently on the UK’s “amber” list, so it’s best to keep a close eye on the status at the end of May. If it moves from “amber” to “red” it means you’ll need to quarantine in a UK government facility. For now, you’re OK to transit between ports. It’s best to keep checking the status as the conditions may be different at the end of May. It’s noted that countries on the amber list can move to red quickly depending on the COVID situation.
Hey,
Im a Swedish citizen and need to get back to Sweden from Spain (one way). I have a trip with a change at Stansted and been calling everywhere in order to find out what the situation is like (ie Swedish embassy, British embassy, gov.uk etc) and with all tossing me elsewhere. I would be very thankful if anyone could please help me sort out the following:
– Am I allowed to transit? Need visa or any other papers?
– Corona: may I transit as off the situation? What do I need? If negative coronatest; are both valid or just one?
Cheers!
Hi Daniel, As an EU citizen you won’t need a visa to transit through London. Spain will be on the UK’s amber list which means that for the duration you’re in the UK, you must self-isolate, if you’re transiting you’re able to travel between the different airports (avoiding public transport). If you are entering the UK, this page will tell you what you need https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk
I’m an American transiting thru London (not leaving the airport) to Rome and plan to already have my boarding pass. I understand I need a Covid-19 test no later than 72 hours. However, it is not clear as to what type of test is required. If it has to be a PCR test, it is difficult to get results within 72 hours. If it’s an antigen test. no problem. Also, other than completing the on line passenger locator ahead of time, what else is required?
Hello there – further information about the COVID tests is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england The passenger locator form tells you what you need before arriving into the UK, https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk
Hi!Your blog is extremely helpful. I am an EU citizen and I urgently need to travel from Canary Island with a transit via London. I have to change airports and will do a test. Is it allowed to have a 21h transit? Could I stay at the airport or at a friend’s place?
Hi Nastia, Spain and the Canary Islands will be on the UK’s amber list, this means that you must quarantine for the entire duration that you’re in the UK, even if you’re at your friend’s place. You are allowed to transit and move between airports but the advice is to avoid public transport to get to and from there.
I am traveling to Finland from Seattle (USA) via Keflavik and London. I am fully vaccinated. Do I need to have a Covid test prior to departing US ? and fill the passenger locator form. Layover at Heathrow is for 6 hrs.
Hi there, you still need to provide a COVID negative test 72 hours before travel. If you’re remaining airside (i.e. have one ticket), you’re not considered as an arrival, so won’t need to go through border controls.
Hi. i´m a spanish national, that will have to transit through Gatwick in order to continue my journey to jamaica next month.
I have to book separate flights with different airlines. the first flight is from madrid to Gatwick with Air europa and the second flight is from Gatwick to Jamaica with british airways. ¿ Am i allowed to transit through the airport with separate airline tickets?
I have a layover of 15 hours between one flight and the other. I know i will have to present a negative Covid test prior to arrival and complete the passenger locator form.
Would I be allowed to stay overnight on a near by hotel from Gatwick airport and then continue my journey the following day? Do i have to quarantine longer than the transit duration?
This post is very much appreciated. Thank you for the information!
Hello, you are able to transit through Gatwick in order to continue your journey. Both airside and landside transits are permitted (usually travel within 24 hours). You’re expected to quarantine in your hotel with Spain being on the amber list of countries. Before Before travel to the UK, you need to do the following 1. take a coronavirus test 2. complete the passenger locator form
If you will be transiting landside through the UK, you need to do the following when you complete your passenger locator form.
select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section
reply ‘No’ to any questions about whether you are required to complete COVID-19 tests on arrival
reply ‘No’ to the question ‘Have you visited a Red List country within the past 10 days and/or are required by law to quarantine in a government approved facility?’
Thanks
Hi I am Finnish national and going to visit Pakistan in June 2021 and will return to Finland on August 2021 transit through London Heathrow airport (via BA alliance flights). Do I need quarantine during transit
Hi Akram,
Pakistan remains of UK’s red list country at the moment, so they are particular cautious with flights entering the UK from there. The UK government will review the list, so we would advise to check before you travel, as the rules may change when you come back in August, depending on the situation with COVID.
Hi, I am a Canadian Permanent Resident and Russian citizen and I am planning to travel from Toronto to Moscow by landside transit via London, as I will have to change the airports. My second flight is on the next day before noon and I would like to stay at a friend’s place.
Although I do not have UK visa, I found out that as a Canadian PR I can transit without it within this time frame.
– Do I have to present a hotel reservation or I can stay at my friend’s place?
– Do I have to select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section?
Thank you.
Canada remains on UK amber list, so do check if the situation changes before you travel.
If you will be transiting landside through the UK, you need to do the following when you complete your passenger locator form.
– select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section
– reply ‘No’ to any questions about whether you are required to complete COVID-19 tests on arrival
– reply ‘No’ to the question ‘Have you visited a Red List country within the past 10 days and/or are required by law to quarantine in a government approved facility?’
You should be able to stay at your friend’s place, but you’re expected to quarantine and only leave to go to the airports.
Hi dear!
just one question:
I am from Canada and travelling to congo, I will arrive in the morning and change my flight in the evening so can I get out of the airport and stay with one friend until my travelling time?
Canada remains on the UK’s amber list, so you’re expected to quarantine the entire time you’re in the UK.
If you will be transiting landside through the UK, you need to do the following when you complete your passenger locator form.
select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section
reply ‘No’ to any questions about whether you are required to complete COVID-19 tests on arrival
reply ‘No’ to the question ‘Have you visited a Red List country within the past 10 days and/or are required by law to quarantine in a government approved facility?’
Hi,
I will be staying 1 night in the Uk from Sweden and then returning to Sweden the next day.
I will transitting landside so will i need to take any tests whilst in the UK.
I will be here for less than 24 hours
Thanks
You’ll need to check with the border force. Technically you’re not transiting, you’re actually visiting and returning to Sweden. The current regulations states that Sweden is an amber list country and as such, you’ll need to self-quarantine for 10 days while in the UK. As you’re not staying 10 days, you’re expected to quarantine for the 1 night you’re in the UK. Hope this helps.
I am a US citizen that has been fully vaccinated by the Moderna Vaccine (as part of the Phase 3 clinical trials). I have a card from them indicating both shots. My spouse has been fully vaccinated with the Moderna Vaccine by our local 5 county EMS and has a CDC card with the stickers for both shots. We have made flight reservations for a flight from the US (Houston, TX to Newark, NJ, to Heathrow) that will arrive at 8:30 AM on October 20th, 2021. We are connecting to a transatlantic cruise on Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas that will depart on October 20th from Southampton. Will we be allowed to “landside transit” via dedicated personal transport or a Royal Caribbean provided Bus Transfer to the Southampton Port of Departure without being required to quarantine or do any other testing other than the original pre-flight pCR test? (any chance that will be dropped now that the WHO has approved the Moderna vaccine?)
i.e. If the U.S. remains on UK amber list, the following will apply?
If you will be transiting landside through the UK, you need to do the following when you complete your passenger locator form.
– select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section
– reply ‘No’ to any questions about whether you are required to complete COVID-19 tests on arrival
– reply ‘No’ to the question ‘Have you visited a Red List country within the past 10 days and/or are required by law to quarantine in a government approved facility?’
Some have tried to tell me this is not a Landside transit but a transfer and is not eligible. Can you clarify?
Thank you.
At the moment, being fully vaccinated doesn’t exempt you from the rules of self-quarantine. October is quite a long way away in COVID-19 rules and regulations terms. A lot can change between now and then. The US remains on the UK’s amber list, which means you’re expected to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the UK. I suggest you contact Royal Caribbean to ask them what their policy is. I expect they’ll want all passengers to abide by the quarantine rules and have provided multiple tests before they let them board. There will be many people in similar circumstances to you, and hopefully, they have a clear policy of what is allowed and not based on their policies.
Hi, I am a Swedish Citizen travelling to UK for the sole purpose of collecting my Daughter who has been stuck here since October. I will be in the UK for less than 24 hours so will I be able to transit landside at my friends house before going back to the airport the next day for a flight back to sweden,
I have been trying to find out if this is ok but have had no luck
Thanks
Hi Theresa, technically you’re not transiting and you’re visiting. As you’re visiting the UK and going back to Sweden. You’re expected to self-quarantine the entire time you’re in the UK, as Sweden remains on the UK’s amber list. Hope this help.
Hello
My daughters partner who is American wants to fly to uk , stay overnight in a hotel and then fly back to usa the next day. This is to assist my daughter who will be travelling with two young children. It’s not clear about the rules for this. She will have had her test for flying before she leaves the us but will only be staying overnight. She will not be in the country long enough for a day 2 and day 8 test so not sure why it says they have to be booked or have I read this wrong? Also will she be able to take a test at the airport in preparation for her flight back as the one she took before leaving usa will not be within the three required days before her arrival back in the USA.
You can test at the airport – like here https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/fly-safe/covid-19-test
The instructions for short transit on what you need to complete your passenger locator form.
select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section
reply ‘No’ to any questions about whether you are required to complete COVID-19 tests on arrival
reply ‘No’ to the question ‘Have you visited a Red List country within the past 10 days and/or are required by law to quarantine in a government approved facility?’
Hello, I am flying to London today from Saudi Arabia which is on the amber list. I am a British National. After 3 days I plan to fly to New York as I have a green card and work there. Will my three days in England count as Transit?
The UK Gov site says I don’t need to book a Day 2 or Day 8 test, but it also doesn’t mention anything about isolation. Do I need to isolate or does it not count because I am in transit.
The rules about the duration of a transit is not very clear from the UK’s perspective. Usually it’s 24 hours but some have said 48 hours is OK for landslide transits. In any case, you should still self-isolate for the 3 days that you’re in the UK, given the UK is on the amber list. You may get a call from the government for where you’re isolating. Hope this helps.
I am a UK national with Spanish residency. My children need to be taken to my parents in the UK later this month for child care reasons once school is over for the year, it’s too difficult for family to get here this summer. I want to escort them to the UK and fly back 24 hours later. I understand I will need a negative test to enter the UK. As I am delivering and returning straight to Spain, and will not leave my parents’ home until returning to the airport, is it considered a transit through London, or do I really have to pay for day 2 and 8 tests even though I am not going to be there.
Alternatively, if I do not leave airside, I avoid the day 2 and 8 tests, but can my parents enter the airport and meet the children straight from arrivals at Stansted?
You just need to self-isolate when you’re in the UK. if you will be transiting landside through the UK, you need to do the following when you complete your passenger locator form.
select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section
reply ‘No’ to any questions about whether you are required to complete COVID-19 tests on arrival
reply ‘No’ to the question ‘Have you visited a Red List country within the past 10 days and/or are required by law to quarantine in a government approved facility?’
Hi, I want to go from Amsterdam -> Heathrow -> mex
What happens if neitherlands gets red listed?
You’re fine to transit, but if you plan to stop in England going through border controls you’re expected to go into government controlled quarantine facilities if the Netherlands gets put on the red list. If it does go on the red list, then only residents will be allowed into England.
I am flying to Heathrow from Bahrain and then transiting to the USA. Will that be allowed?
Many thanks!
Kathy Guyon
Are you doing a landslide or airside transit? You should be able to transit if you have a through ticket direct from Bahrain to the US. Although you should be checking the rules of entry into the US, as without US residency, UK nationals are still not allowed to enter the US.
Hi there,
I have got a “landside” transit between two different London airports and the timing is v tight between the transfers. If I accidentally miss my flight and then can’t get another for over 10 days hypothetically. Would I be flagged on any system, to need to go through the normal formalities after returning from an amber country?
Yeah, you should be self-isolating during that time and follow the formalities of an arrival from an amber list country. My colleague just travelled back from an amber list country recently, and they’re getting multiple calls (up to 4) from the track and trace people to make sure they’re at home.
Hi! My friend and I are arriving from Amsterdam to Heathrow airport on Sunday afternoon to then catch the next plane (different airline) on Monday morning from Gatwick to the Caribbean. Do I understand correctly that a negative covid test would be sufficient to enter the UK, and as long as we are landside transiting, we do need to quarantine but just remain in our hotel until the next day? We were planning on using nationalexpress shuttles to transit from Heathrow to Gatwick.
Amsterdam is currently on the UK’s amber list, which means you’re expected to self-isolate for the duration you are in the UK for landslide transit.
Hi
I am coming back from France on the 23rd July 20.00 and leaving for Portugal 07.30 24th July less than 12 hours. So I want to transit Landside. Do you think I would be able to stay at my own home which is in London or do I have to stay at a Hotel?
France is currently on the amber list, which means you can self-isolate at home. Only countries on the red list will require you to stay at a government quarantine facility
Hello I am travelling with my family from Copenhagen to London to make a connecting flight to Barbados. Unfortunately BA has cancelled my connecting flight on the same day so we need now to travel the day before my flight to Barbados. We are travelling on 25th June from Denmark to London Heathrow and then onwards on 26th to Barbados from Heathrow. We are travelling on two different tickets. Can you explain the rules to us? Can we leave the airport to sleep in a airport hotel that night? We are of course aware we need to self-isolate and will have a valid PCR test when we land.
Landside transit are allowed and you should be able to transit, provided it’s within 24 hours. Some people have said that 48 hours is OK too. You’re just expecting to self-isolate in the UK and provide a negative COVID test.
Hi C!
Could you please let me know how did it go? I’m in a very similar situation and I would love to know how was the landside travel.
Many thanks!
Hi,
I am a Canadian Citizen and stuck in India. I plan to travel Del – LHR – YYZ with British Airways. I need to get COVID tested at Heathrow on Air Side. I believe that Collinson Group is carrying out the same at the terminal. My layover is 4.5 hours at Heathrow. Please advise.
Hi there, information about COVID test is available on the Heahthrow website https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/fly-safe/covid-19-test At the moment, if you have been to a country or territory on the red list in the last 10 days you will only be allowed to enter the UK if you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK. Hope this helps.
Hi! i am a Cypriot citizen traveling to New York through London Heathrow but due to my flight cancelation i have to stay transit for 10 hours at terminal 5..As i have been told transit area /lounges are closing at 22:00 .Can you please advice me what to do.Can i stay at a hotel near the airport(i think Sofitel is still closed??)Im i allowed? is there any other lounge at the other terminals that are 24/7 open?
Thank you
Hi, Cyprus remains on the Amber list at the moment and you are allowed to quarantine in a hotel nearby. However, you should check the rules for arrival into the US, based on the current guidance (since 16 March 2020), it is not possible for most British nationals to enter the USA if they have been in the UK, Ireland, Schengen zone, Iran, Brazil, or China within the previous 14 days. So you should check the rules before you travel.
I’m a US citizen who will be entering England via France. Could I arrive via the Eurostar train and proceed to LHR within 24 hours of entry for departure back to the US?
Yeah, based on the current guidance you are OK to travel between ports.
Hello! I have a two hour layover at Heathrow on my way from Madrid to USA. I will remain airside, it is the same ticket. I plan to get an antigen test to enter into the US, I want to make sure an antigen test is okay for transiting through LHR but I’m having trouble finding this information. Thank you!
If you’re transitting through LHR, you’ll need to take a COVID-19 test and complete the passenger locator form. This link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england#type-of-test outlines the list of tests that are accepted
Hi, hello! Been searching the internet for days for some advice and happened upon your blog – many thanks for the helpful advice so far.
My question is; my husband is a UK citizen currently stuck finishing a work
contract in Mumbai, India and needs to travel to Mexico in a few weeks time. Can he transit in London without the need to quarantine since India is a red list country? And more specifically, can he switch airports? His first flight lands in LHR and his second flight departs Gatwick. Nowhere is the advice clear on this. Any help would be wonderful and most appreciated.
Hi there, India remains on the UK’s red list, so if your husband arrives in the UK you are expected to quarantine in a government facility. If you have been in a red list country in the 10 days before you arrive in England, you must quarantine in a managed hotel at the airport where you arrive. Arrival from red list countries have dedicated lanes through border force, so they will check this.
If you are transiting landside, you must be entering England for the sole purposes of continuing a journey to a country outside of the Common Travel Area or to the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. You must either:
remain within your port of entry until your departure from England, or
travel directly from your port of entry to another port of departure in England
I am a US citizen connecting at LHR from San Diego on July 09 Arriving on BA and connecting to a BA flight to Athens within 4 hours. I have had the Covid – 19 vaccine. Do I still need the Covid-19
test 72 hours before arrival?
Yes. If you’re transitting through LHR, you’ll need to take a COVID-19 test and complete the passenger locator form, to enable you to transit.
Thank you so much for this blog. I live in Trinidad and Tobago which is currently red listed with the UK. I am flying to the USA Houston to catch an Singapore airline flight that stops in Manchester before onward journey to Singapore. I have done this route already. All passengers are required to come off the plane and them board the same plane from the same gate. You are given two boarding passes for this journey. You don’t clear any immigration. You literally just sit at the gate. Would I need to quarantine. I will be in possession of a PCR test taken within 72 hours.
Hello, do you mean if you have to quarantine in Singapore? Currently the rules for entering Singapore are quite strict
Only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can enter Singapore without permission.
From 24 June, there are new requirements for travellers who have been in the UK or another ‘high risk’ country must quarantine for 14 days – the rules are listed here https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/updates-on-border-measures-for-travellers-from-higher-risk-countries-regions
Please clarify for me: I’m a USA citizen with British Airways tickets flying from the US and transiting through LHR on a connecting flight (with a boarding pass) to Nairobi, Kenya on August 2nd. My return flight is from Nairobi transiting thru LHR back home to the USA, again with a connecting flight with a boarding pass and only a 2 hour time frame for boarding my US flight. Knowing that Kenya is currently red listed by the UK will I be able to transit airside through LHR back to the USA on my return flight from Kenya on August 17th without having to exit through border patrol and spending 10 days in quarantine? IF so is there transportation established for passengers between LHR Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 to make connecting onward flights to the US? Thank you for specific clarification on this.
Hi there, the rules are changing frequently, with countries moving between green, amber and red. There is appropriate airside transportation between the open terminals. If you have one ticket then you don’t have to go through border controls. However, given that you’re not travelling till August 17, it’s best to keep checking the rules as they can change at any point.
Hey nope will also be transiting Singapore on Singapore airline connection. Luggage and everything would be tagged from Houston all the way to Bangkok. The itinerary is IAH to Sing via MAN ( just a stop) same plane but we do have to come off. Come off in Singapore and catch new Singapore connection. My issues is I live in UK red list country and I will be flying to the USA and catching the Singapore airline from from IAH. I want to know if given the nature of this stop which isn’t intransit if I would be ok to board. My interpretation of intransit is closer to what I have to do in Singapore as in come off the plane and catch a new Singapore airline flight.
My question is specific to will be allowed to board the IAH to SING flight which has that stop in Manchester? Will that stop in Manchester be considered an intransit stop and therefore render me ineligible to utilise this flight as I live in a red light country which I would have been in 48 hours before I catch my flight in IAH.
DOnt forget me lol
Hi, I have a question for transiting through Stansted. Im a swedish citzen flying from Copenhagen to Spain with a layover in the UK for about two hours. I will stay on the “airside” for the transit and I am taking a PCR test before the trip, will this be enough for the transit?
Hi there, yeah, you’re allowed to transit and will need to provide a negative PCR test result.
Hi, I have a question for transiting through Stansted. Im a swedish citzen flying from WMI Warsaw, Poland to RAK Marrakesh, Morocco with a layover in the UK for about 8h layover I will stay on the “airside” for the transit and I am taking a PCR test before the trip, will this be enough for the transit?
You are allowed to do airside transits, and yes you will need to do a PCR test before you travel and also to complete the passenger locator form.
Hi just wanna ask we are coming from cayman islands (philippine citizen) transiting London heathrow to doha. But due to unforeseen circumstances our flight to doha was move for the following day which leaves us a 21hr stay in heathrow. My question is are we able to stay overnight for the transit?and do we need a transit visa or just to have the rtpcr test and a quarantine hotel?
Cayman Island is on England’s green list so you won’t need to quarantine upon arrival. You are allowed to transit through Heathrow. The citizens of the Philippines will need to obtain a visa in advance. If your trip is for business, tourism, or medical purposes, you have to acquire a UK Standard Visitor Visa. Information about transit visas are on the government website https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa/visitor-in-transit-visa
Hi,
My return trip from Spain on July 22/23rd is via Heathrow (I will have taken a COVID 19 test within 72 hours of the flight). My flight gets into Heathrow late on the 22nd. I then leave on the 23rd at 9:15am to fly to the US.
Will I be able to leave the airport to stay at a nearby hotel, returning in the morning? I’m concerned that if I leave the airport, I might run into problems regarding quarantine and/or needing another COVID-19 test.
If necessary, am I able to stay in the airport overnight between my arriving flight on the 22nd and departing on the morning of the 23rd?
Any information would be very helpful- I’ve found conflicting information on the internet.
Thank you!
You should be able to transit between ports and stay at the hotel before you travel. Spain is on England’s amber list so you’ll just need to quarantine in your hotel.
Hi! I’m flying from Germany to the US landside on 2 different tickets via Heathrow. I’m arriving one day and I have the next flight to the US the next day.
I will have my PCR and the form with me but will there be any problems? My layover will be approx. 14-16 hours. I want to book a hotel next to the airport but I don’t know if I will be allowed back into the airport afterward? I need to check out my baggage and check them in the next morning (so go through immigration)
I tried to find any phone number to contact Heathrow or UK gov but I can’t find any.
Best and thank you!
You should be able to transit landslide, as long as your sole purpose is for transit and you’re only staying for a short period of time. Do check the rules for entry in the US though.
Hi, I’m traveling from Japan to portugal with a London layover- I Land at Heathrow airport, but need to fly from luton the next day. Am I able to do that and will i need to show proof of where I’m staying in the layover?
You’ll be able to transit between ports, if your sole purpose is for transit and you’re staying in England for a short amount of time.
Hi. I am planning to visit France in the next couple of weeks, return to the UK where I have a home, and then leave again to visit Ghana. On my return, can I transit “landside” in London for 48 hours? Without the need to purchase a day 2 & day 8 PCR test, or to self isolate for the 48 hours or so when I am in the UK? Can I stay at home during these 48 hours? Thank you.
Hi there, Ghana is on the UK’s amber list which means you’re expected to quarantine for the duration you’re in England. The rules are changing for vaccinated travellers. As you’re only transiting for a short duration you won’t need to purchase the PCR tests for day 2 and 8. However, you still need a COVID negative test before arrival.
We have two RT tickets on BA from DEN to LHR and LHR to NCE 3 hours later. We will have both boarding passes and will have bags checked through from DEN to NCE. Do we have to go through UK Border Control at LHR? We understand we will need a Passenger Locator Form and a negative COVID test for this ‘Airside’ Transit. We are fully vaccinated.
Yeah, you won’t have to go through border controls as you’re doing an airside transit.
Hello,
We would be traveling and arriving in Luton (LTN) airport at 26th and transitioning to Stansted (STD) airport leaving 27th. Everything would go on in a span of 24h. Is a negative covid test and passenger locator form be sufficient for this layover?
Yeah, that’s fine. It also depends where you’re arriving from. If you’re arriving from a redlist country you’re expected to quarantine in a government facility.
Hello!
Thank you for all your information. I need some clarification.
I am travelling with my husband from Belgium to London (Heathrow) on 30 July and we leave the next morning at 11am for Cancun. We are afraid that they will ask us for a quarantine because nothing is clear.
We are vaccinated and will have a negative test. Can you transit us?
Thank you very much for your answer.
Emilie
You will be fine to transit, but will have to provide a negative COVID test and complete the passenger locator form.
Hello,
We are Belgian citizens and will be flying to Cancun via London. On the way to Cancun, we will be staying less than 24 hours in London (landside but vaccinated, with PCR and form) so it will be fine.
However, on the way back (mid August), we stop in London for a few hours (landside as changing airports), then fly to Amsterdam, then Brussels (short stop in Amsterdam of 1 hour; same airport; airside).
My question: if Mexico would suddenly move from the amber to the red list, would we be asked to stay in London and quarantine or the transit rules do not change whether the country of departure (Mexico in this case) is red or amber?
Many thanks and your website is by far the best source of info!
Regards,
Arnaud
If Mexico falls into the red list country, then only British nationals are allowed into England. As you’re doing a land side transit, you’re expected to go into a government facility to quarantine if Mexico falls into a red-list country. As we’ve seen from this pandemic, travel rules can change at any point so it’s worth keeping a close eye.
Hi I have a American friend who is fully vaccinated travelling from Colorado to london to attend a family wedding in august . He arrives the 6th and goes back 1st September. He has booked a central london hotel to self isolate in and booked the day 2&8 and day 5 test to release . He is arriving london Heathrow – will I be able to meet him at the airport (I am prepared to do a Covid test -lateral before and after meeting him ) and where can we meet ? Before he goes to his hotel in central london . He intends to get a cab to his hotel
From the 2 August, fully vaccinated travellers from the US and EU won’t need to quarantine.
My husband and myself are arriving from Canada, and are both fully vaccinated, will be traveling to Southampton from Heathrow, for a transatlantic cruise, departing November 5th we would like to arrive at least 48hrs early, what are our transit requirements
Thank you
It’s best to check the requirements closer to the time of your travel, as the rules can easily change. For the moment,
Before travel to England
If you will be transiting through England, you need to do the following before you travel:
take a COVID-19 test
complete the passenger locator form
If you will be transiting landside through England you need to do the following when you complete your passenger locator form.
select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section
reply ‘I will be travelling for an exempt reason’ to the question about whether you are required to self-isolate on arrival
select the Exemption options, and then select ‘Transit Exemption’
A passenger has been denied boarding for a flight to Barbados from Istanbul by both KLM and Turkish Airlines because the airline claims that the passenger cannot meet the airside rules for Heathrow.
The passenger has a Russian passport and no visas.
She was supposed to arrive at LHR on August 1 at about 3 PM from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. Her next flight was to Barbados on Virgin Atlantic on August 2 at 9:30 AM. That is about an 18 hour layover at Heathrow, and overnight.
She was flying on ONE ticket from (originally) Antalya, Turkey to Barbados, with stops at IST and LHR. Her baggage was checked to Barbados. She was assured that her baggage would be automatically transferred at LHR from the Turkish Airlines flight to the Virgin Atlantic flight because she was travelling on ONE ticket and because Turkish Airlines and Virgin Atlantic are partners.
She was denied boarding by one airline agent because she was told that she could not remain airside AT ALL at Heathrow. She was told that she MUST go landside after she arrives. Another agent told her that she could not remain airside at LHR for more than six hours.
In the past, transit LHR passengers were allowed to remain up to 24 hours (including overnight) airside as long as they had a connecting flight.
Can you send me a document link that gives the airside rules for LHR. I need something official from LHR that clearly gives the airside requirements for Turkish Airlines so that she can fly.
The UK requires some passengers to have a transit visa even if they’re staying airside for the duration of their transit. It’s called a Direct Air Transit Visa (DATV) https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa. Airlines can be fined if they allow a passenger to arrive in the UK without one and will usually deny boarding at the origin.
Good morning,
I am travelling on Sunday 8th morning, arriving from Geneva to London Heathrow ; then I will transfer with National Express to Gatwick where I have another flight to South America.
My travel agency did contact British Airways and they confirmed that we do not need specific COVID 19 test for such a connection. I precise that we are French; I travel with my wife and my two kids, and we are fully vaccinated.
Can you please confirm that I do not need to provide negative test?
Many thanks in advance for your feedback.
The rules are changing and France will move from Amber plus to Amber at 04:00 BST on 8 August, which means travellers from EU won’t need to self-isolate on arrival. I think you may have to double check the rules around the test, as it’s a requirement before you travel to England by
– provide your contact details by completing the online passenger locator form
– provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test
Link from the government website below
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-air-travel-guidance-for-passengers#transiting-through-england
Thank you for continuing to answer questions – it’s so hard to find really clear info on this! I’ll be traveling through LHR with an unvaxxed US citizen (due to medical reasons doc does not recommend she vax) from an amber country (Greece) – currently scheduled to arrive in LHR on 9/21 (one ticket), departing less than 24 hours later on 9/22 to US (different ticket). Will she be able to leave the airport to stay in a hotel overnight between the two?
There is one flight that would get us from CHQ to JFK (through LHR) on 9/21, but it only leaves 1 hr, 10 min for layover in LHR (both arrival and departure from T5, but I understand we’ll have to go through security again), so am concerned about our ability to make the second flight.
There is one other flight combo on BA that gets us through on 9/21 (same route) but so far it appears there are only 6 seats sold on the flight, which makes me think it could be canceled.
I’m spending way too much time stressing over this, so really appreciate any input you can share! Thank you.
Are red list countries passengers who are non nationals allowed to transit landside if the next flight is within a few hours?I’m still not clear about that thanks
If you’re coming from a red list country and passing through border controls, you’re expected to go to government managed quarantine, as technically you’re arriving into UK and flying out again.
My wife and I (both carrying USA and UK passports) will arrive at LHR from USA on United at 2:10pm next May. We have British Airways tickets to Berlin, Germany at 7:25pm.
Can me do an airside transfer?
If not, is 5 1/4 hrs enough time??
You are able to do airside transfers and it depends which Terminals and airports you’re travelling between. You’ll be OK between Heathrow terminals.
Since October 4th, UK rules have changed regarding cOVID. I am still confused though. I will be coming in on Virgin Atlantic from the US on Oct 16th as a fully vaccinated traveler. I will be transiting (airside if I can) to Lufthansa to Munich. Do I need a cOVID test? I do need to do the passenger locator form but do I need to test now that it after Oct4th?
Thanks
Hello,
I am doing a landside transit in LHR. we are flying in from Porto and will go home to USA within 24 hours. do i need to stay at an airport hotel or can i stay in a hotel in the city? do you know?
thank you in advance!
Hi Jeanne. There are currently no restrictions that will prevent you from leaving Heathrow Airport to stay in a hotel in central London. With long layovers, airlines allow you to leave the airport and stay wherever you choose. Just remember to return to the airport early enough to check-in for your onward flight. Enjoy your visit!
Hello
I hope someone can assist me in the following question. I will be travelling from Stockholm, Sweden to South Africa in december 2021. I will be transitting in London Heathrow both on the way to south africa and back to sweden again. I am fully vaccinated and will be presenting a Covid Pass. Did I understand correctly that I need to present a negative PCR-test on both transits? What else do I have to do on both transits. Thanks
Yeah, you’ll need to provide negative tests and complete the passenger locator form. Although, South Africa is now on England’s red list due to the omicron variant, which means that it’s not open to flights unless you’re a British national.
Hello, we are travelling from South Africa on BA transiting airside via Heathrow onto another international flight the following morning out of T5. BA changed our flight so we now have an overnight layover of 11 hours instead of 2 hours same morning. I understand T4 processes arrivals from red list. How do we remain airside coming into T4, transfer to T5 and stay in the terminal airside overnight?
I am traveling from USA to LHR on Virgin Atlantic (6 hour layover), for final desitnation to GVA on Swiss Air. We all have been vacinated as well as have a current Negative PCR test. Do we need to fill out a passenger loctor form upon arrival to the UK as well as arrival to GVA Airport?
Yeah. You’re expected to complete a passenger locator form even if you’re transiting.
Hi. Can you help me? We are traveling from USA with Virgin Atlantic to Sweden with layovers in Manchester and Amsterdam. We are a family of 4 (kids are 6 & 8) Adults are vaccinated, not the kids. Do we need a covid-test to transit i the UK? And is antigen-test ok? Do the kids have to?
My family and I are traveling from the USA to South Africa, in March, with a 10 hour layover in London (LHR). We are all fully vaccinated, and will have negative Covid tests (required for entry to South Africa). Are we allowed to leave the airport and visit a site or two during our layover in London? The tickets are all on one itinerary, so we wouldn’t need new Covid tests, would we? Thanks!
I will be coming from the US and briefly stop over in the UK and reside a day or two in one of the airport hotels before I continue with my journey. What protocol do I have to observe during this short period?