Yes, you can take a pushchair through security at Heathrow, and Heathrow's own advice for families is simple: fold pushchairs as you approach the security checkpoint. Baby food, milk and expressed breast milk are exempt from the standard liquid container limits, and children aged 15 and under travel free on Heathrow Express with a paying adult. Checked 2026.
What Heathrow says about pushchairs at security
Heathrow's official guidance for travelling with children states plainly that you should fold pushchairs as you approach the security checkpoint, in the same way you would take a laptop out of your bag ahead of time. This keeps the queue moving and means the pushchair itself can be checked as part of the standard process, rather than causing a delay at the point of screening. Security staff at Heathrow are used to dealing with families and can guide you through each step if you are unsure what to do.
Baby food, milk and liquids
Heathrow's advanced security scanners allow most liquids, including baby milk and food, to stay in your bag during screening rather than needing to be presented separately. Baby food, prepared baby milk, sterilised water and expressed breast milk are all treated as exempt from the standard liquid container limits, though expressed breast milk must be in liquid form (not frozen) and in containers no larger than 2 litres each. Security officers may still need to open or screen these containers to check the contents, so allow a little extra time if you are travelling with a baby. One important caveat: if you are connecting through another airport, or your return journey departs from an airport that still enforces the older 100ml liquid rule, you will need to follow that airport's rules instead.
Getting through the rest of the airport with a pushchair
Beyond security, Heathrow highlights a few features aimed at families travelling with buggies. Heathrow Express carries children aged 15 and under free when accompanied by a paying adult, trains are step-free, and there is dedicated space for luggage and buggies on board, making it a straightforward option if you want to avoid stairs, escalators and parking altogether. Free luggage trolleys are also available throughout the car parks and terminal forecourts if you need to move bags as well as a buggy.
Parking options if you are driving with a pushchair
If you are driving to Heathrow with young children, Parent and Child parking bays are available in Park & Ride and terminal car parks, positioned closer to lifts and transport links to make unloading buggies and luggage easier. Meet & Greet parking lets you drop off directly at a dedicated area in the terminal car park, handing your keys to a team member who parks the car for you, while Valet Parking works similarly but allows drop-off right at the terminal forecourt. Terminal 5 also has Pod Parking, a short driverless pod journey from the car park to the terminal, which some families find a welcome novelty for children as well as a practical option. For a full breakdown of parking prices, see our guide to Heathrow parking prices compared.
What to do at the gate
Most airlines allow you to keep your pushchair with you right up to the aircraft door, tagging it at the gate for loading into the hold, then returning it either at the aircraft door or at baggage reclaim on arrival, depending on the airline's own procedure. This varies by airline rather than by the airport, so check your specific carrier's buggy and car seat policy before you travel, particularly around weight and size limits for gate-checking. If you are also travelling with a car seat, see our guide on Heathrow taxis with child car seats if you plan to use a taxi onward from the airport.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fold my pushchair at Heathrow security?
Yes. Heathrow's own advice is to fold pushchairs as you approach the checkpoint, similar to removing a laptop from your bag, so the search process runs smoothly.
Is baby milk exempt from the liquid limit at Heathrow?
Yes. Baby food, formula and expressed breast milk are treated as exempt from the standard container limits, though they must fit the 2 litre per container maximum and staff may still need to check them.
Do children travel free on Heathrow Express?
Yes, children aged 15 and under travel free on Heathrow Express when accompanied by a paying adult, and the trains are step-free with space for buggies.
What is the difference between Meet & Greet and Valet Parking at Heathrow?
With Meet & Greet, you drop off in a dedicated area within the terminal car park and a team member parks the car; Valet Parking lets you drop off directly at the terminal forecourt instead, which can be more convenient with young children.
Can I keep my pushchair with me all the way to the gate at Heathrow?
In most cases, yes, with the airline tagging it for loading into the hold at the aircraft door, though this depends on your specific airline's policy.
Are there Parent and Child parking bays at Heathrow?
Yes, available in Park & Ride and terminal parking car parks, positioned closer to lifts and transport links to make travelling with a buggy easier.