Top ways to travel from Heathrow Airport to London

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

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

You have multiple options to get from Heathrow to the city center, based on your flexibility, the amount of luggage you have, your budget, and time constraints. Choices include taxis, the Tube, Uber, dedicated train services, and buses.

Discover the best travel options from Heathrow to London — including travel times and the advantages and disadvantages of each — to kick off your trip smoothly.

London Underground (also 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 many central city destinations. Often, you won't even need to change lines once you reach the city center.

If you're searching for the most affordable 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 summer.

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

Possible stops: The Piccadilly line directly connects 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 begins at Uxbridge (Zone 6) and ends at Wood Green (Zone 3).

Operating hours: Generally, Tubes operate from all terminals from about 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 view the timetable from all stations here.

Travel duration: This will naturally differ based on your final destination. For reference, it takes roughly 50 minutes to get to Piccadilly Circus from Terminal 5 at Heathrow, and about an hour to reach King's Cross St. Pancras.

Approximate fare: Single tickets from Heathrow to Zone 1 destinations (like Piccadilly and King's Cross) cost £5.60 ($7.09) when paid using contactless or an Oyster card. Purchasing a ticket to central London from a machine 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 outside of Zone 1 (for instance, to Hammersmith in Zone 2), expect to pay a lower fare of £2.10 (approximately $2.60) during peak hours and £3.40 (around $4.21) during off-peak times.

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

Note: The card readers are not always linked to the gates and may be standalone. Be vigilant for them. If you fail to tap in and out at the beginning and end of your trip, you'll be charged for traveling through Zones 1 to 9.

You can also tap in with a prepaid Oyster card, which can be purchased at any Tube and Overground stations, as well as most Elizabeth Line stations, for £7 (about $8.69); they're also sold at various newsstands and visitor centers throughout London.

Once you have your Oyster card, you can top it up using the ticket machines available inside Underground stations. This allows you to buy daily or weekly travel cards that cover different zones.

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

Some stations feature staffed kiosks instead of ticket machines; here, you can seek guidance on the best tickets to purchase or the best routes to take.

Elizabeth Line

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

Although not as economical as the Tube, the Elizabeth Line trains are newer, more spacious, air-conditioned, and offer Wi-Fi. While they aren't quite as fast as the Heathrow Express (details below), they are more budget-friendly.

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

Direct routes: The Elizabeth Line provides direct service from Heathrow to Abbey Wood, stopping at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf. For the complete map, visit TfL's website.

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

Operating hours: Departure times vary by terminal and whether it's a weekday or weekend. Generally, the first trains depart between 5:15 and 6:05 a.m., and the last trains leave the airport between 11:46 p.m. and 12:13 a.m. Depending on your route, trains may start a bit earlier or run slightly later. Check specific times here.

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

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

A trip from Terminals 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street costs £13.30 ($16.45). These rates apply only to contactless or Oyster payments. Purchasing a paper ticket at the station ticket machines is slightly more expensive — as recently experienced by TPG, who paid £14.30 for an off-peak ticket from Liverpool Street to Heathrow via the Elizabeth Line.

In general, although the savings are minimal, it's more advantageous to use contactless or an Oyster card for payment. Children under 11 travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Heathrow Express

The Heathrow Express offers a direct and the quickest route from Heathrow to Paddington. These relatively modern trains feature luggage racks and phone charging plugs, which are convenient for travelers arriving after a long flight, despite the short distance to the sole stop.

Paddington is well-connected to various Tube lines for further travel. However, keep in mind that the Heathrow Express is pricier than all other rail alternatives.

Departure points: Trains leave from Terminals 2 and 3 stations and Terminal 5 railway station. If you arrive at Terminal 4, you can take a free shuttle to the station.

Direct route: Paddington station; for an additional fee, you can include connecting Tube travel.

Operating hours: The service generally runs from about 5 a.m. until midnight, with trains departing every 15 minutes. You can check the complete Heathrow Express schedule here.

Travel duration: The journey to Paddington takes 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3, and 20 minutes from Terminal 5.

Ticket prices: A one-way journey on the Heathrow Express from Paddington to Heathrow usually costs 25 pounds ($31.65) per passenger, but booking in advance might save you some money. If you have a National Railcard, you could pay as low as 16.50 pounds ($20.89).

You can also find discounts by searching online for Heathrow Express vouchers or coupon codes.

The trains feature Business First Class carriages, starting at approximately 32 pounds ($40.51) for a single trip. While this may seem excessive for such a short journey, Business First Class ticket holders can access Heathrow Airport's fast-track security service, which could be beneficial if you're pressed for time.

Although the Heathrow Express is pricier than other transport options, it can be a great value for families, as children under 15 travel for free with a paying adult.

If you're planning to return to the airport within a month, an anytime ticket can be more economical than purchasing two single fares, which start at 32 pounds ($40.51).

Regular travelers can save money by purchasing carnets, which begin at six tickets for 109.80 pounds ($138.99) in standard class or 160 pounds ($202.54) in Business First class.

Uber

If you prefer not to use public transport or need to travel between Heathrow and central London during off-hours, booking an Uber is a convenient option. However, expect higher costs compared to the Tube or train.

Depart from: Short-stay parking areas at Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5. The app will guide you on where to meet your driver based on your terminal once your ride is confirmed.

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)

Possible destinations: Uber can take you anywhere you need to go.

When does it run? Technically, you can request an Uber at any time, but be prepared for longer wait times during busy periods.

Transit time: This varies based on traffic, your destination, and other factors. Typically, it takes around 50 minutes to get to Paddington by car, or about an hour to reach Piccadilly Circus from Terminal 5 in ideal conditions.

Keep in mind that while Uber is convenient, it may not be the fastest option to get to Heathrow from many places.

Estimated cost: Uber fares fluctuate depending on traffic and your destination. For instance, a ride from Terminal 5 to Paddington can cost around 59 British pounds ($74.69), or about 63 British pounds ($79.75) to Piccadilly Circus for UberX, not including tips.

Be aware that groups of four or more with larger luggage will need to book a bigger vehicle or multiple cars, and expect higher fares for Uber Lux or Comfort services.

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

In addition to Uber, there are many taxi services available in London. You can choose to hail a traditional London black cab, prebook an electric vehicle through Heathrow's private hire transfer service WeKnow, or schedule a pickup from a provider like Addison Lee.

The last two options offer a meet-and-greet service to ensure you and your luggage are quickly and conveniently taken to your car.

When booking with Addison Lee, you'll need to provide your flight number so the driver can adjust for any delays.

This mode of transport is generally pricier than public transit options.

Depart from: The designated taxi ranks located outside Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5 for black cabs; other services will indicate the pickup point during the booking process, or your driver will meet you at the terminal.

Possible destinations: You can use this service to reach any destination of your choice.

When does it run? In principle, you can arrange for a taxi or car transfer at any time.

Transit time: Like Uber, travel times vary based on traffic and destination. The journey from Terminal 5 to Paddington usually takes about 50 minutes, while a trip to Piccadilly Circus typically takes around one hour.

Estimated cost: Prices can differ based on the taxi service you choose and current traffic conditions. Below are some price estimates.

• Black cab: The fare begins once your journey starts. According to TfL, fares from Heathrow to central London range between 52 pounds ($65.83) and 97 pounds ($122.79). More details about black cabs can be found here.
• WeKnow: Fixed pricing means you’ll know the cost at the time of booking. A ride from Terminal 5 to Paddington or Piccadilly Circus generally costs between 70 pounds ($88.61) and 94 pounds (about $118.99), based on the car type selected. A meet-and-greet service adds an extra 9.99 pounds (around $12.65). You can book here.
• Addison Lee: Similar to WeKnow, Addison Lee offers fixed rates. A sample fare for a Terminal 5 to Paddington trip (departing immediately) was quoted online at 94.32 pounds ($119.40) or up to 122 pounds ($154.44), depending on the vehicle size needed. Meet-and-greet is included in both prices. For an accurate quote, visit Addison Lee's website and enter your flight number and trip details.

Coach services (including National Express and Megabus)

National Express and Megabus coaches from Heathrow drop passengers off at Victoria Coach Station. These options are generally affordable and often feature Wi-Fi and power outlets. They also have space for your luggage in the hold. Check out the Megabus luggage allowances and National Express luggage allowances for details.

While buses are budget-friendly, they are not the fastest way to reach central London, as travel times can vary significantly due to traffic, the time of day, and other factors.

Depart from: The fastest place to catch National Express and Megabus coaches is Heathrow's Central Bus Station, situated between Terminals 2 and 3. For those at Terminal 4, a free shuttle will take you to the bus station, while Terminal 5 has designated coach stops at arrivals level—look for stops 13, 14, and 15 for Megabus.

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

When does it run? National Express coaches operate all day, although there's a service interruption from 1 a.m. to 3:45 a.m. You can find schedules and fares here. For Megabus timings, check here.

Transit time: Coaches from Terminals 2 and 3 with National Express take around 55 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes to reach Victoria Coach Station, while Megabus typically takes 45 to 55 minutes for the same route.

For those departing from Terminal 5, National Express coaches usually take between one hour and 20 minutes and one hour and 35 minutes.

Estimated cost: National Express coach fares begin at 6 pounds ($7.60) per person, while single journeys on Megabus start at 8 pounds ($10.13).

Alternative travel options

The 285 bus departs from Heathrow's Central Bus Station (for Terminals 2 and 3) and travels to Feltham train station, which is 16 stops away. From Feltham, you can catch a train to Waterloo via Clapham Junction, taking either 30 or 45 minutes.

London's bus hopper fares are priced at 1.75 pounds ($2.22), and train tickets start at 8.60 pounds ($10.89) per person. The hopper fare allows unlimited travel within one hour after tapping in.

This method is likely the most economical choice from Heathrow to central London, though it does take longer.

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

In summary

Choosing the best route from Heathrow to central London will depend on your budget, luggage volume, and how much time and inconvenience you’re willing to tolerate.

To avoid street congestion and save on costs, we recommend the Elizabeth Line and the Tube. However, if your main priority is speed, the Heathrow Express is a great option.

If you want to avoid the hassle of carrying luggage or simply prefer the easiest route from point A to point B, consider taking an Uber or a taxi.