Getting from Heathrow to London is simple, but with so many options to choose from, which mode of transport should you opt for? We’ve put together this handy Heathrow to London ultimate guide to help you out!
London Underground
First in our Heathrow to London ultimate guide is the most cost-effective rail route to London. The London Underground is an easy way to get into the centre of London, and piccadilly Line trains run from all the terminals.
Journey time: 50-60 minutes. You shouldn’t have to wait longer than 10 minutes for a train, even off peak.
Fares and tickets: Underground tickets are available at all stations. The single cash fare to central London (Zone 1) is £6.00. A one-day Travelcard, giving unlimited travel in Zones 1-6, costs £18.10 (Anytime) or £12.70 (off-peak). For more information visit tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments or visit the Travel Information Centre at Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 underground station.
Oyster pay-as-you-go fares are £5.10 (Mon – Fri, 06:30 – 09:30) and £3.10 (all other times). You’ll need an Oyster card – for details see oyster.tfl.gov.uk – or a contactless payment card.
Drop off point: Central London (Leicester Square)
Information: Heathrow has three London Underground stations – one for Terminals 2 and 3 and one each at Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 underground station is between the terminals, which are a few minutes’ walk away via pedestrian subway. Heathrow Terminal 4 and Heathrow Terminal 5 underground stations are in the basements of the terminal buildings.
All stations are in Travelcard Zone 6.
Train Times: The first and last trains to and from Heathrow are shown below. Train times and fares are subject to change – please confirm using the Transport for London website or call +44 (0)343 22 1234 before travelling.
Night Tube
On Fridays and Saturdays the Piccadilly Line now operates a 24-hour service, with night trains to and from Terminals 2, 3 and 5 on average every 10 minutes. There is no service on the Terminal 4 loop.
First and last trains to central London
Terminals 2 and 3, First 05:12 (Sat/Sun 03:17), Last 23:45 (Fri/Sat 03:07; Sun 23:28)
Terminal 4, First 05:02 (Sun 05:47), Last 23:35 (Sun 23:15*)
Terminal 5, First 05:23 (Sat/Sun 03:14), Last 23:42 (Fri/Sat 03:04; Sun 23:25)
* Change at Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3
Heathrow Express
Next in our Heathrow to London ultimate guide is the fastest link between Heathrow and central London. The Heathrow express offers non-stop trains run to Paddington every 15 minutes, and journey time is 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3 (a few minutes more from Terminals 4 or 5).
Journey time: 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3 (a few minutes more from Terminals 4 or 5).
Fares and tickets: Tickets are available online, via the Heathrow Express app, at the station or on the train.
Tickets purchased online, at the station, a ticket machine or via the Heathrow Express app:
The Express Saver single fare is £25 if travelling during our peak times (6:30am – 9:30am or 4pm – 7pm, Monday – Friday) or £22 if travelling during off-peak times. Returns are £37 throughout the day. Book in advance to save, with weekend advance tickets available from just £5.50 one way.
Tickets purchased on-board:
You can also purchase tickets on-board. If purchasing Express Class tickets on-board our trains, the Express Standard fare will be charged. The Express Standard single is £30 if travelling during our peak times (6:30am – 9:30am or 4pm – 7pm, Monday – Friday) or £27 if travelling during our off-peak times. Express Standard Returns are £42 throughout the day.
For more fares, timetables and special offers, or to book tickets, visit HeathrowExpress.com or call 0345 600 1515.
Children
Children aged 15 years and under travel free when accompanied by a paying adult. Proof of age may be requested.
Peak travel
Please note that our peak travel hours are Monday – Friday between 6:30am – 9:30am and 4pm – 7pm. When purchasing a single ticket to travel during these times you will need to make sure you purchase a peak single. The peak pricing only applies to single fares not return tickets or advance tickets.
Drop off point: Paddington Station. Paddington station is close to Hyde Park and Oxford Street. From Paddington you can catch trains to the West, South-West and south Wales, or take London Underground’s District, Circle, Bakerloo or Hammersmith & City lines.
Information: Heathrow Express trains stop at Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 and Heathrow Terminal 5. Passengers travelling to Terminal 4 should change on to the free transfer train at Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 (connecting trains every 15 minutes, journey time four minutes).
Train times: Please see https://www.heathrowexpress.com/timetable-schedule/heathrow-london for the exact timetable
More info:: https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/trains/heathrow-express
TFL Rail
Next on our Heathrow to London ultimate guide is TFL Rail. Departing every 30 minutes, TfL Rail’s service links the airport with local stations in West and Central London.
Journey Time: 30 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3
Fares and tickets: The easiest way to pay for your travel is to pay as you go with a contactless or Oyster card available at ticket machines. You can use a contactless debit or credit card or mobile device. No need to buy a ticket – just touch in and go! To find out more at tfl.gov.uk/contactless.
Drop off point: various locations in West and Central London.
Information: TfL Rail trains stop at Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 and Heathrow Terminal 4. Passengers travelling to Terminal 5 should change at Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 for the free transfer train (four trains per hour, journey time 6 minutes).
Travel between Heathrow terminals is free on any service if you touch in and out with a contactless or Oyster card. Alternatively collect a Terminal Transfer ticket from select machines throughout the stations.
Train times: please refer to the tfl time table for latest times http://content.tfl.gov.uk/paddington-heathrow-terminal-4-20-may-8-december-2018.pdf
Individual tickets and zone 1-6 Travelcards can also be used.
Coach
Next on our Heathrow to London ultimate guide is the humble coach. Coaches run throughout the day, from £10, offering journey times of 40–80 minutes to Victoria coach station (and many other destinations). The first service departs from Victoria Coach Station at 03:00 and arrives at Heathrow’s central bus station (for Terminal 2 and 3) at 03:40. The bus arrives at Terminal 5 at 03:55 and Terminal 4 at 04:10. To find out more please visit: http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/airport/heathrow-airport/index.html?utm_medium=businessdevelopment&utm_source=heathrowairport.com&utm_campaign=getting-into-london
Felsham Rail Link
Last on our Heathrow to London Ultimate guide is the Felsham Rail Link. The 285 bus links Heathrow with Feltham rail station, where there are frequent trains to London Waterloo. Combined journey time is one hour and 40 minutes. To find out more please visit: https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/buses-and-coaches/rail_air-bus-links