Your journey to this dynamic city begins at Heathrow Airport, your London entrance. But how can you efficiently find your way into the centre of London? In our guide, we have guided you on how to choose the best transit options for your time and finances. Let us make the journey from Heathrow to London as easy and stress-free as possible.
| Transport Option | Description | Pricing | Timing |
| Train (Heathrow Express) | – Direct, fast, and comfortable.
– Runs from 5:15 a.m. to midnight. – Trains every 15 minutes. – Free Wi-Fi. – First and second-class options. |
– Anytime web single: £25
– Fixed-day return: £36 – Anytime economy: £37 – Anytime day single: £32 – Anytime return (business class): £55 |
Peak hours: 6:32-9:17 a.m. and 4:02-6:47 p.m. |
| Metro | – Economical but less convenient.
– Can get crowded. – Multiple exit points. |
– Oyster Card: £5.50 (zone 1 and 2)
– Visitor Oyster Card recommended for tourists. – London Travelcard for frequent metro use. – Contactless debit/credit cards accepted. |
Various options are available. |
| Elizabeth Line | – Newer, spacious, with Wi-Fi.
– Stops in Paddington. – Less expensive than Heathrow Express. |
– Single fare from Heathrow: £12.80
– Oyster/contactless payment recommended. |
Various options are available. |
| Bus | – Cheap and comfortable.
– Direct to London Victoria Station. – Takes 45 minutes to an hour. |
– One-way: £5.50 –
Open return: £20 (online booking recommended) |
Various times available. |
| Taxi/Uber | – Convenient but potentially expensive.
– Flat fee from the airport to London. |
– Pricing varies.
– Uber is available. – GETT offers fixed fares. |
Variable waiting times. |
| Private Transfer | – Door-to-door service.
– No waiting, even for delays. – Online booking and cancellations available. – Choice of car. |
– Pricing varies.
– Online booking and cancellation options. |
Customisable. |
By Train
The train is probably the simplest and most comfortable way to travel from Heathrow to London.
Heathrow Express trains operate every day from approximately 5:15 a.m. until approximately midnight. Heathrow Express operates every day from 5:17 a.m. to 00:03 a.m. to Paddington Station. Trains leave every fifteen minutes and take only 15 minutes to arrive. The train has step-free access points, so even if you have a lot of luggage, you will not have to deal with steps. The train is neat and tidy, comfy, and even includes free Wi-Fi.
Pricing
Anytime Web Single (one way, economy, and off-peak) – £25 (about $30 USD).
Fixed-Day Return Ticket – £36. A less expensive alternative that is only valid on the specified days of travel. If you are not sure about your return, you must select the anytime return option. Refunds are not available for tickets.
Anytime Economy – £37. This somewhat more expensive option gives you more freedom: you can go in 5 days and return in a month. It is completely refundable.
Anytime Day Single – £32. It implies you have no time constraints, can travel on the specified date, and it is entirely refundable.
Anytime Return (business class, round journey) – £55. This is a business class ticket that can be changed at any time. You can board any train you wish within 5 days of your departure date, and you must return within one month. It is refunded.
Peak Hours
Peak-season tickets are typically more expensive. Monday through Friday, peak hours are 6:32 to 9:17 a.m. and 4:02 to 6:47 p.m.
By Metro
Travelling from Heathrow to London by metro is substantially less expensive but not nearly as convenient. The metro can become congested, particularly as you reach central London; there are only a few spots on the carriage where you can lay your baggage Moreover, to exit most train stations, you will have to use an elevator and, on occasion, go up the stairs while carrying your luggage.
The benefit is that you can exit at a variety of locations and quickly connect with another train to reach your final destination.
Pricing
A one-way ticket from Heathrow to London zone 1 and 2 costs £5.50 (Oyster Card payment) or £6.30 (cash payment). –
If you are visiting London for a few days, you should purchase a Visitor Oyster Card to get around and save cash on transport. It functions as a touch-in/touch-out card at all stops and buses. You may also order it online using a credit card to get it shipped to your home address. Get yours right here.
Alternatively, you can obtain your Oyster Card at the Heathrow Terminal Underground Station. Another good alternative is to purchase a London Travelcard for a few days if you foresee riding the metro frequently. Finally, similar to the Oyster Card, you can use a contactless debit or credit card as a touch-in touch-out.
Heathrow Express
Heathrow Express will provide the quickest route from Heathrow to Paddington Station. It is a direct train with no additional stops on the way. There are also baggage racks and cellphone charging plugs, which are always useful. Paddington is well served by various Tube lines for onward travel. The Heathrow Express has the disadvantage of being more expensive than alternative rail options.
Heathrow Terminals two and three as well as Terminal 5 railway station, are served by the bus. If you land in Terminal 4, you’ll have to take a free linking shuttle to the station. Paddington Station is one of the probable destinations. You can change to the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Bakerloo, District, or Elizabeth Lines for an additional fee.
Pricing
A single Heathrow Express travel from Paddington to Heathrow typically costs 25 pounds per person, though you can sometimes pay less if you book ahead of time. If you are from the United Kingdom and have a National Railcard, the cost could be reduced to 16.50 Pounds.
If you do not have a National Railcard or are not a resident of the United Kingdom, you can sometimes discover discounts online by looking for Heathrow Express coupon codes to use when booking online.
While the Heathrow Express is a more expensive rail alternative, it may be a better deal for families than it appears because children under the age of 15 ride free with a paying adult.
Elizabeth Line
The Elizabeth Line opened in 2022 and provides a quick route into Central London. It strikes a good price-efficiency balance. While the trains are not as cheap as the Tube, they are newer, more spacious, and cool, and they have Wi-Fi. These trains stop in Paddington, although there are many other destinations available. It takes somewhat longer than the Heathrow Express, but it is also less expensive.
The Elizabeth Line connects Heathrow Airport to Abbey Wood, including stops at Bond Street, Paddington, Canary Wharf, Farringdon, and Liverpool Street. The full map can be found on TfL’s website. Except for select early morning and late evening flights, there are no longer direct connections between Terminal 5 and Canary Wharf. Trains from Canary Wharf arrive at Heathrow and stop at Terminal 4.
Pricing
According to Heathrow’s website, any journey to or from the airport that begins or finishes in Zone 1 charges 12.80 Pounds. TfL’s single fare finder reveals that a single ride from Terminal 5 to Paddington costs 12.20 Pounds whether you use Oyster or contactless payment. The fare from Terminals Two and Three to Liverpool Street is 13.30 Pounds.
These charges, however, only apply to Oyster or contactless payments. Purchasing a paper ticket from a ticket machine in a station will cost you slightly extra, as TPG recently discovered when we paid 14.30 Pounds for an off-season ticket from Liverpool Street to Heathrow. In general, even if the savings are slight, it is preferable to pay for your travel with a contactless or Oyster card.
Take the Bus
If you can tolerate the roundabouts, speed bumps, and occasionally crazy driving, the bus is a rather good alternative for getting from Heathrow Airport to central London – it’s cheap, comfy, and you don’t have to carry your things up and down the stairs.
National Express operates direct buses from Heathrow Airport to London Victoria Station. Buses run every hour and fifteen minutes during peak hours. Depending on traffic, the trip takes 45 minutes to an hour.
Pricing
A one-way ticket can be purchased for as cheap as £5.50. If you are unsure about your return date, you can purchase an “open return” ticket, which is valid for three months from your departure date and is priced at £20. Tickets can be purchased at the airport. However, they are substantially cheaper if purchased in advance online. They are available on the National Express.
Get a taxi or Uber
Black taxis can use the bus lane, and there is a flat fee for travel from the airport to London, but getting a taxi can be extremely expensive. You might even have to wait in queue for a taxi!
Uber is now available to transport passengers from Heathrow Airport to London. GETT is a suitable alternative to Uber because it offers fixed fares for transport from Heathrow Airport to downtown London. To use GETT, you must first download the app and have an online connection.
Get a Private Transfer
Private travel is a far superior alternative to taxis. They provide door-to-door service; they will be waiting for you at the gate and will wait even if the plane is delayed; you don’t have to bother about baggage, and you can book them online – and even cancel a maximum of three hours in advance and get a full refund. You can even choose the type of car you desire! If you’re travelling with a small party, they’re a great option.