Top methods to travel from Heathrow Airport to London

After a long journey, your priority is to reach your hotel from the airport in the simplest (and ideally, most economical) manner possible.

Navigating a massive airport like London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) — the largest and busiest in the UK — can feel overwhelming, despite it being just 16 miles from central London.

There are multiple ways to get from Heathrow to the city center, depending on your flexibility, luggage size, budget, and time restrictions. Options include taxis, the Tube, Uber, dedicated train services, and buses.

Discover the best routes from Heathrow to London, including travel times and various advantages and disadvantages, so you can kick off your journey smoothly.

London Underground (commonly known as the Tube)

Heathrow is located on the Piccadilly line of the London Underground. Just look for the dark blue line on any Tube map to find it.

This popular service, operated by Transport for London (TfL), links the airport to numerous central city destinations. Often, you won’t need to make any transfers once you arrive in the city center.

If you’re seeking the most economical way to travel from Heathrow to the city, this is probably your best bet. However, it might not be the most comfortable option if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling during busy commuter times, especially in the summer.

Departure points: Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5; the latter two have Underground stations in Zone 6.

Direct destinations: The Piccadilly line connects directly to Hammersmith, Gloucester Road, South Kensington, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Holborn, and King's Cross St. Pancras, among others. The line starts at Uxbridge (Zone 6) and ends at Wood Green (Zone 3).

Service hours: Generally, Tubes run from all terminals from around 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; late-night services from Terminals 2, 3, and 5 are available on Fridays and Saturdays. You can find the schedule for all stations here.

Travel duration: This will vary based on your final destination. As a reference, it takes about 50 minutes to get to Piccadilly Circus from Terminal 5 and approximately an hour to reach King's Cross St. Pancras.

Approximate fare: A single journey from Heathrow to Zone 1 destinations (like Piccadilly and King's Cross) costs £5.60 ($7.09) with contactless payment or an Oyster card. Buying a ticket at a machine for central London will be around £6.70 (about $8.29) per person. Children under 11 travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

If you're traveling beyond Zone 1 (like to Hammersmith in Zone 2), expect a lower fare of £2.10 (about $2.60) during peak hours and £3.40 (around $4.21) during off-peak hours.

Payment options: You can pay as you go through the gates or by purchasing a ticket. The easiest method is to use your contactless payment card by tapping it on the yellow card readers located at Tube entrances and certain platforms.

Note: The card readers may not always be near gates and can sometimes be standalone. Be sure to look for them. If you fail to tap in and out at the beginning and end of your trip, you will incur charges for traveling through Zones 1 to 9.

You can also tap in using a prepaid Oyster card, which costs £7 (about $8.69) and can be purchased at all Tube and Overground stations, as well as most Elizabeth Line stations. Some newsstands and visitor centers across London also sell them.

Once you have an Oyster card, you can add funds at the ticket machines located within Underground stations. This allows you to buy daily or weekly travel cards that cover multiple zones.

Alternatively, you can purchase paper tickets from ticket machines located at all Tube, Overground, and Docklands Light Railway stations. One-way, return, daily, and weekly travel cards are offered.

Some stations feature staffed kiosks instead of ticket machines, where you can seek guidance on the best tickets to choose or the most efficient routes.

Elizabeth Line

A relatively new addition to the TfL network, the Elizabeth Line commenced operations in 2022. It stands as one of the quickest and most affordable ways to travel from Heathrow Airport into central London.

Although it’s not as inexpensive as the Tube, the Elizabeth Line trains are newer, more spacious, air-conditioned, and feature Wi-Fi. While it may not be as fast as the Heathrow Express (details below), it offers a more budget-friendly option.

Departure points: Railway stations at Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Direct destinations: The Elizabeth Line travels straight from Heathrow to Abbey Wood, with stops at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf. You can view the complete map on TfL's website.

There are no direct trains from Canary Wharf to Terminal 5, except for a few early morning and late evening services; you'll need to go via Paddington or transfer at Terminal 4. Trains arriving at Heathrow from Canary Wharf terminate at Terminal 4.

Service hours: Schedule varies by terminal and whether you’re traveling on a weekday or weekend. Generally, the first trains depart between 5:15 and 6:05 a.m., while the last trains leave the airport between 11:46 p.m. and 12:13 a.m. Depending on your route, some trains may start slightly earlier or run a bit later. Check specific timings here.

Travel duration: This varies based on your destination. For example, it takes about 35 minutes to travel from Terminal 5 station to Paddington, while the journey from stations in Terminals 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street takes roughly 45 minutes.

Approximate fare: Heathrow states that trips to or from the airport starting or ending in Zone 1 can cost up to £12.80 ($15.83) per person. However, if you pay using contactless or an Oyster card, TfL's fare finder indicates that a single journey from Terminal 5 to Paddington on the Elizabeth Line costs £12.20 ($15.44).

A trip from stations in Terminals 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street is priced at £13.30 ($16.45). These rates apply only for contactless or Oyster payments. Buying a paper ticket at the station costs slightly more; for instance, TPG recently paid £14.30 for an off-peak ticket from Liverpool Street to Heathrow via the Elizabeth Line.

In general, while the savings may be minimal, it is advisable to pay with contactless or an Oyster card. Children under 11 travel for free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Heathrow Express

The Heathrow Express is a direct train that offers the quickest route from Heathrow to Paddington. These relatively modern trains include luggage racks and phone charging plugs, making them convenient for travelers arriving after a long flight, despite the short distance between stops.

Paddington station has excellent connections to various Tube lines for onward journeys. However, keep in mind that the Heathrow Express is pricier than all other rail options.

Departure points: Stations at Terminals 2 and 3 and Terminal 5; if you arrive at Terminal 4, you'll need to take a free shuttle to reach the station.

Direct destination: Paddington station; you can also add Tube travel for an additional fee.

Operating hours: The service usually runs from around 5 a.m. until midnight, with trains departing every 15 minutes. You can view the complete Heathrow Express timetable here.

Travel duration: It takes 15 minutes to reach Paddington from Terminals 2 and 3, and about 20 minutes from Terminal 5.

Approximate fare: A single journey on the Heathrow Express from Paddington to Heathrow generally costs £25 ($31.65) per person, though you may find lower prices with advance bookings. If you hold a National Railcard, you might pay as little as £16.50 ($20.89).

You can also occasionally discover discounts online by searching for Heathrow Express vouchers or promo codes.

The trains feature Business First Class carriages, starting at around £32 ($40.51) for a one-way ticket. While this may seem excessive given the short travel time, holders of Business First Class tickets can use Heathrow Airport's fast-track security service, which could be beneficial if you're in a hurry.

Although the Heathrow Express is pricier than other options, it can be a great deal for families since children under 15 travel free with an accompanying fare-paying adult.

If you plan to return to the airport within a month of your initial ticket purchase, an anytime ticket is generally more economical than booking two single journeys, which start at £32 ($40.51).

Frequent travelers can also benefit from purchasing carnets, which start at £109.80 ($138.99) for six standard class tickets or £160 ($202.54) for Business First class.

Uber

If public transport isn't your preference or if you need to travel between Heathrow and central London during times when other transport services are unavailable, you can easily book an Uber. Keep in mind, this option will be more expensive than taking the Tube or a train.

Departure points: Short-stay parking areas at Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5; the app will guide you to the appropriate pickup location once your ride is confirmed, depending on your terminal.

You can usually find Uber pickup locations at these spots:

• Terminal 2: Level 4, Row H (Short Stay Car Park 2)
• Terminal 3: Level 3, Row A (Short Stay Car Park 3)
• Terminal 4: Level 1, Private Hire Pickup
• Terminal 5: Level 1, Row R (Short Stay Car Park 5)

Available destinations: You can use Uber to travel to any location of your choice.

Operating hours: In theory, you can request an Uber at any time, but be prepared for potentially long wait times during busy periods.

Travel time: This can vary based on traffic, your destination, and other factors. Be mindful of rush hour and commuting times. As a rough estimate, it generally takes around 50 minutes to get to Paddington by car, or about one hour to reach Piccadilly Circus from Terminal 5 in favorable conditions.

Keep in mind that while Uber offers convenience, it isn't always the fastest option for reaching Heathrow from most locations.

Estimated fare: The price of an Uber ride varies depending on traffic, destination, and other factors. For instance, a ride from Terminal 5 to Paddington can cost about £59 ($74.69), while a trip to Piccadilly Circus may run around £63 ($79.75) for an UberX, not including tips.

Also, groups of four or more with larger luggage will need to request a bigger vehicle or multiple cars. Be prepared to pay extra for an Uber Lux or Comfort ride.

Taxis (including traditional black cabs, WeKnow, and Addison Lee)

In addition to Uber, London offers a variety of taxi services. You can choose to hail a classic black cab, prebook an electric vehicle through Heathrow's private hire service WeKnow, or arrange a ride with a company like Addison Lee.

The last two options come with a meet-and-greet service to assist you and your luggage in getting into the vehicle smoothly.

When booking with Addison Lee, you’ll need to provide your flight number to allow the driver to adjust your pickup time in case of any delays.

This transportation option will generally be pricier than using public transit.

Pickup locations: You can find the taxi rank for black cabs outside Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5; for other services, the pickup point will be specified when you book, or the driver will meet you at the terminal.

Available destinations: This option allows you to travel wherever you wish.

Operating hours: Ideally, you can arrange for a taxi or car service at any time.

Travel time: Similar to Uber, this varies based on traffic, destination, and other factors. Expect the journey from Terminal 5 to Paddington to take about 50 minutes, while reaching Piccadilly Circus usually takes around an hour.

Approximate costs: Fare estimates can vary based on the taxi service chosen and traffic conditions. Here are some examples.

• Black cab: The fare starts when your journey begins. According to TfL, rides from Heathrow to central London range from 52 pounds ($65.83) to 97 pounds ($122.79). More details about black cabs can be found here.
• WeKnow: Prices are fixed, so you'll know the cost at the time of booking. Trips from Terminal 5 to Paddington or Piccadilly Circus usually cost between 70 pounds ($88.61) and 94 pounds (around $118.99), depending on the vehicle chosen. A meet-and-greet service adds 9.99 pounds (about $12.65) extra. Book here.
• Addison Lee: Similar to WeKnow, Addison Lee offers fixed pricing. A typical fare from Terminal 5 to Paddington (for an immediate departure) is quoted online at 94.32 pounds ($119.40) or up to 122 pounds ($154.44), based on vehicle size. Meet-and-greet services are included in both prices. For an exact quote, check Addison Lee's website with your flight and trip details.

Coach services (including National Express and Megabus)

National Express and Megabus coaches from Heathrow can drop you off at Victoria Coach Station. They are generally budget-friendly and often provide Wi-Fi and power outlets, plus they can store your luggage in the hold. You can find Megabus luggage allowances and National Express luggage allowances here.

Although affordable, buses are not the fastest option to reach central London, as travel times can vary significantly due to traffic, time of day, and other factors.

Departure points: The Central Bus Station at Heathrow, located between Terminals 2 and 3, is the fastest spot for both National Express and Megabus coaches. If you're coming from Terminal 4, you'll need to take a complimentary shuttle to the bus station. You can also catch a coach from Terminal 5 at the arrivals level stops 13, 14, and 15 for Megabus.

Possible destinations: These coach services can take you to Victoria Coach Station, which is just a five-minute stroll from the Victoria Line at Victoria Station. This line connects to Green Park, Oxford Circus, Warren Street, and King's Cross.

Service hours: National Express coaches operate all day, except for a service interruption between 1 a.m. and 3:45 a.m. For schedules and pricing, check here. For Megabus timings, refer to here.

Travel duration: National Express coaches from Terminals 2 and 3 typically take between 55 minutes and 1 hour 20 minutes to reach Victoria Coach Station, while Megabus journeys generally last between 45 and 55 minutes.

From Terminal 5, expect National Express coaches to take about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes for the same trip.

Estimated prices: National Express coach fares begin at 6 pounds ($7.60) per person, while a single journey on Megabus starts at 8 pounds ($10.13).

Additional travel options

The 285 bus departs from Heathrow's Central Bus Station, which serves Terminals 2 and 3, and will take you to Feltham train station — 16 stops in total. From there, you can catch a train to Waterloo via Clapham Junction, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes.

London bus hopper fares are set at 1.75 pounds ($2.22), and train tickets start from 8.60 pounds ($10.89) per person. The hopper fare allows for unlimited journeys within one hour of tapping in.

This is likely the most affordable way to travel from Heathrow to central London, though it may be somewhat lengthy.

For those heading to areas in Greater London rather than central London, there are various local bus routes available from the airport. You can check them out here.

Conclusion

The ideal route from Heathrow to central London will depend on your budget, the amount of luggage you're carrying, and how much time and inconvenience you are willing to endure.

The Elizabeth Line and Tube are excellent choices to navigate street traffic while saving money. If speed is your top priority, consider taking the Heathrow Express.

If you're looking to avoid lugging your bags around or simply want the easiest journey from point A to point B, an Uber or taxi might be your best bet.