Lufthansa and British Airways routes, current UK ETA rules and what to expect at Heathrow — plus a fixed-fare transfer waiting when you land.
Lufthansa, British Airways and easyJet all fly frequently from Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin to London Heathrow in around 1.5–2 hours. German citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling, not a full visa, for stays under six months — a change from the visa-free travel EU citizens had before Brexit-era rules tightened. 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 Germany 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.
Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin all have multiple daily flights to Heathrow, making Germany one of the best-connected countries on our guides. Lufthansa is the largest direct carrier, alongside British Airways and low-cost options such as easyJet on some routes, so there is a wide range of departure times and price points to choose from.
Frankfurt or Munich to Heathrow: around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Berlin to Heathrow: roughly 2 hours.
Multiple daily departures from all three cities.
Lufthansa is a Star Alliance member, sharing Terminal 2 with United and Air Canada.
German 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 expanded to cover EU/EEA nationals and became fully mandatory in February 2026, German travellers — like all EU citizens — do now need an ETA applied for online before departure, a change from the passport-only travel many are used to from before Brexit. The ETA is a lighter, faster process than a visa, but it is a genuine change worth planning for rather than assuming. Always check the current official requirements on the UK government website before you fly.
Lufthansa typically uses Terminal 2 at Heathrow, 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), not the euro, so it is worth carrying a card without foreign transaction fees or exchanging a little cash. Contactless card payment is widely accepted across London, including for your Airport Move transfer. The UK is one hour behind Germany year-round, since both observe daylight saving on the same dates, making this one of the simplest time-zone adjustments of any route on our guides. Tipping in the UK is lighter than some travellers expect — restaurant service charges are often already included, and tipping a minicab driver is appreciated but not expected.
Even on a short flight from Germany, Heathrow is a large airport and the drive into London can vary considerably with traffic. Booking your transfer with Airport Move before you leave means the price is fixed in pounds sterling before you travel, your driver has your flight number and adjusts to your real landing time, and you are taken straight to your hotel or address without needing to work out an unfamiliar train or taxi system after landing.
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 — a newer requirement for EU citizens since the scheme expanded, but not the same as a visa.
Around 1 hour 45 minutes from Frankfurt or Munich, and roughly 2 hours from Berlin.
Lufthansa operates the most services, alongside British Airways and, on some routes, easyJet, from Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin.
Lufthansa typically uses Terminal 2 and British Airways uses Terminal 5, but always check your boarding pass or airline app, as terminals can change.
Yes, since the UK ETA scheme expanded to cover EU/EEA nationals, German and other EU citizens need to apply for an ETA online before travelling, unlike the passport-only travel that existed before.
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 if traffic into London adds time on landing.
The UK is one hour behind Germany year-round, as both countries observe daylight saving on the same dates.
No, the UK uses pounds sterling (GBP). Carrying a card without foreign transaction fees or a little sterling cash is worthwhile.
It is appreciated but not expected — 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
