Could anyone please give directions for the fastest way to get to WHSmith at LHR T3, which is before security at the departures area, from the arrivals area.

Could anyone please give directions for the fastest way to get to WHSmith at LHR T3, which is before security at the departures area, from the arrivals area. I need to top up my sim cards and have just realised ALL UK telcos do not accept non-Britsh registered credit card for online payment! Talk about globalisation taking a back seat!

It's about anti-money laundering (AML) I'm afraid - partially courtesy of the Europeans whom are experts in slapping red tape on everything and body within their pervasive grasp (talk about bureaucrats ensuring that they're in a job for life...)!

From memory there's a WHSmith in arrivals... I've doubled checked with the Heathrow T3 map and it says that there is: http://www.heathrowairport.com/static/Heathrow/Downloads/PDF/Maps/Heathrow_T3_Map.pdf

If you're transitting there's a WHSmith in passenger side departures too. Or have I missed/misinterpreted something...

Not sure how well you know Terminal three but when you come into the public arrivals area take one of the lifts up to level three departures there is a long hallway with a lot of shops which are all near the entrance to the security area - WH Smith is in that area

I have never used before but the attached link may enable you to purchase and receive SIM before leaving Australia www.telestial.com, although it wont take long to buy one in the shop.

Thank you LHRBNE & rcooper!

I've recently switched from a BB to iPhone5. Trying not to OD on data abroad!

Whenever I arrive the only thing I look out for is my taxi driver to whisk me away from the madness of T3. I've never really bothered to memorise the layout of the place. I will now! Thank you again!

Babushka, if your tolerance for dealing with this on arrival is as limited as mine always is, I recommend picking up something like Droam, Tep or a similar rental pocket 3G router for your first day or two, and then sorting out the SIM once you're compos mentis rather than compost mentis.

LOL!