Air Canada and British Airways routes, current UK ETA rules and what to expect at Heathrow — plus a fixed-fare transfer waiting when you land.
Air Canada and British Airways fly non-stop from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary to London Heathrow, with journey times from around 7 hours from Toronto to over 9 hours from Vancouver. Canadian citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling, not a full visa, for stays under six months. Book your Heathrow transfer before you fly and a driver tracks your flight and meets you in arrivals.
This page pulls together everything you need on Canada to Heathrow in one place — how it works, what to expect and the questions we are asked most — so you can decide and book with confidence. Prefer to talk it through? Call us any time on +44 (0) 158 282 4631 for a fixed-fare quote.
Air Canada is the main direct carrier, flying non-stop to Heathrow from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, alongside British Airways which serves Toronto and Vancouver. Travellers from smaller Canadian cities usually connect through one of these hubs first, or occasionally via a US gateway.
Toronto or Montreal: around 7 hours non-stop.
Calgary: around 8.5 hours non-stop.
Vancouver: over 9 hours non-stop.
Air Canada is a Star Alliance member, so it shares Heathrow's Terminal 2 with United and Lufthansa.
Canadian passport holders do not need a full visa for a short tourist or business visit to the UK (normally up to six months). Since the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme became fully mandatory in February 2026, Canadian travellers do need an ETA applied for online before departure — a lighter, faster process than a visa, currently costing a small fee and valid for multiple trips over roughly two years. Apply a few days before you fly rather than at check-in, and always check the current official requirements on the UK government website, especially if your trip is for work or study rather than tourism.
Air Canada flights typically use Terminal 2, alongside other Star Alliance carriers, while British Airways uses Terminal 5 — but terminals can change, so check the one on your boarding pass or airline app before you travel. After landing you clear UK Border Force, where ETA holders can normally use the e-gates with a valid passport, then collect luggage and head into arrivals, where your driver will be waiting if you have booked a transfer.
The UK uses pounds sterling (GBP); contactless card payment, including Canadian cards, is accepted almost everywhere in London, so carrying much cash is rarely necessary. The UK is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Canada (Toronto, Montreal) and 8 hours ahead of Pacific Canada (Vancouver), and the gap can shift by an hour around daylight saving changeovers since Canada and the UK do not always switch clocks on the same date. Tipping culture in the UK is lighter than in Canada — restaurant service charges are often already included, and tipping a minicab driver is appreciated but not expected.
After a long transatlantic flight, working out an unfamiliar currency, terminal and transport system is the last thing most travellers want to do. Booking your transfer with Airport Move before you leave Canada means the price is fixed and known in advance, your driver has your flight number and adjusts to your real landing time if Air Canada or British Airways runs late, and you are taken straight to your hotel or address — no queuing at a taxi rank after a 7+ hour flight.
No, not for a standard tourist or short business visit. You do need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online before you travel, which is a separate and usually quicker process than a visa.
Around 7 hours from Toronto or Montreal, roughly 8.5 hours from Calgary, and over 9 hours non-stop from Vancouver, depending on winds and the exact route.
Air Canada operates the most non-stop routes, from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, alongside British Airways, which serves Toronto and Vancouver.
Air Canada typically uses Terminal 2 and British Airways uses Terminal 5, but terminals can change, so always check your boarding pass or airline app rather than assuming.
Travellers with a valid ETA can typically use the e-gates alongside UK and eligible passport holders, which is usually faster than the manual desks — check current guidance before you travel as rules can change.
With Airport Move the fare is fixed and quoted before you travel based on your exact pickup and drop-off, so there is no meter and no surge pricing — get an instant quote for your address.
It is not required, but booking ahead locks in your price and means a driver already has your flight details, useful after a long flight when arranging transport on the spot is the last thing you want to do.
The UK is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Canada and 8 hours ahead of Pacific Canada, though the exact gap can shift slightly around daylight saving changeovers.
Not much. Contactless card payment, including Canadian cards, is widely accepted across London, including for your Airport Move transfer, though a little cash is useful for card-free exceptions.
It is appreciated but not expected the way it can be in Canada — there is no set percentage, and it is entirely at your discretion.
This page is written and reviewed by the Airport Move operations team, a London-licensed private-hire operator based at 450 Bath Rd, near Heathrow. We arrange fixed-fare airport, station, cruise-port and door-to-door transfers across London and the UK every day. Need help? Call +44 (0) 158 282 4631 or email booking@airportmove.co.uk.
Last updated: 28 July 2026
