How to get to London from Heathrow Airport
Getting to London from Heathrow Airport is an easy process but there are many options available with varying costs and travel times. Depending on your budget and the number of people travelling, choose between a private transfer, a shared taxi, or one of the train services such as the Heathrow Express. We discuss all the different options below:
by private transfer
The best way to get from Heathrow Airport to London if you are traveling as a family or a large group of people. You’ll be met in arrivals by your driver, and taken directly to your hotel in Central London. Vehicles are available in 3-seater, 5-seater and 8-seater sizes.
by shared taxi Transfer
An easy and cost-effective way of getting directly to your hotel from Heathrow Airport if you are travelling alone. These shared taxis operate every day, 24/7. You will have a maximum of 3 stops along the way.
by train:
This is a very convenient way of getting from Heathrow airport into Central London. There are three different train options to choose from:
- A Heathrow Express train direct to Paddington Station. This is the fastest way of getting into London and the train takes only 15 minutes! Paddington station is located next to the Bayswater Hotel district and is also an easy place to get to all Central London hotels via the London underground.
- The TFL Heathrow operates the same route as the Heathrow Express. The journey takes longer (30 minutes instead of 15 minutes) but is less expensive.
- The underground is the cheapest but also the slowest way of getting into Central London from Heathrow. The train stops in Earl’s Court and South Kensington along with Picaddilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Kings Cross/St Pancras.
By Heathrow Express:
The fastest way of getting from Heathrow to London is to take the non-stop train from Heathrow to Paddington station. Trains depart every 15 minutes and journey time takes 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3 (a few minutes more from Terminals 4 or 5). Bear in mind that you cannot use a Heathrow Express ticket on the London underground. You have purchase underground tickets separately or use an oyster card.
Paddington station is close to the Bayswater hotel district. It also runs on the Bakerloo, Circle and District Lines so it’s easy to get to most hotels in London.
By tfl heathrow:
This TFL Heathrow service takes 30 minutes to get to central London Paddington station with trains departing every 30 minutes. Whilst it stops at four stations along the way it is cheaper than the Heathrow Express service. The train goes to Heathrow Central Station (terminal 2 & 3). For passengers leaving terminal 4 & 5 a free service takes you to Heathrow Central Station.
By underground:
The London underground service runs between Heathrow airport and Central London on the Piccadilly Line. The train stops in the major hotel areas in Earl’s Court and South Kensington along with stops in Picaddilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Kings Cross/St Pancras. You can use an Oyster card to pay for the journey. Journey time is under an hour depending on where you depart from and trains run around every 10 minutes.
This service gets really busy, especially during the rush hour. Only take the underground if you are travelling with a small amount of luggage.
By bus:
The National Express Company provide a great value service, with frequent coaches running from Heathrow Airport to Victoria coach station (and many other destinations). There are stops outside terminal 2, 3, 4 and 5. Journey time range between 40-80 minutes.
