How to get from Heathrow Airport to City Centre
There are 4 modes of transportation available when travelling from Heathrow Airport (LHR) to the city centre of London; taxi, train, underground and bus. Taking a Heathrow airport taxi is always the most convenient option, but it's also fairly costly. Taxi rides to the downtown area of London cost around 57€ (£53) and take approximately 30 minutes. The fastest route from Heathrow airport to the city centre is by train. Heathrow Express train tickets cost 25€ (£22) one-way and the journey takes around 15 minutes to reach Paddington Station in London. A cheaper alternative to the train is the London Underground. Underground metro tickets from Heathrow Airport (LHR) to the city centre cost only 6.80€ (£6) and the journey takes approximately 35 minutes. The fourth and final option is taking either the National Express or TfL local bus. The journey takes around 50 minutes and the price of a single ticket ranges from 1.70-11.30€ (£1.50-10).
Comparison of the options
| OPTION | PRICE | DURATION | AVAILABILITY | |
|---|
| Train | €50 | 15min | 05:12–23:48 | |
| Taxi | €57 | 30min | 24/7 | |
| Underground | €13.60 | 35min | 05:10–23:20 | |
| Bus | €22.60 | 50min | 04:20–22:10 | |
How to get from Heathrow airport to city centre by Train
When it comes to travelling from Heathrow airport to the city centre of London, trains provide the fastest services. The Heathrow Express runs up to 4 times an hour and takes only 15 minutes to reach London Paddington station. Off-Peak one-way train tickets cost 25€ (£22) and can be purchased using cash, card or Oyster cards.
TfL trains also provide similar services to that of Heathrow Express, but they are slower and less frequent.
How much is the train from Heathrow airport to city centre?
Heathrow Express tickets cost 25€ (£22) for off-peak and 27.50€ (£25) during peak times from Heathrow airport to Paddington station. Ticket desks and automated ticket machines can be found at Heathrow Central Station (walking distance from Terminals 2 and 3) and in Terminal 5.
Please note that If you choose to purchase your ticket when on the train, instead of online, from the ticket desk or an automated ticket machine, prices will be higher.
Photos (4)
Heathrow Express
Cost
25€
Trip Duration
15 Min.
Waiting time is around 15 minutes.
Heathrow Express trains run from Heathrow airport to London Paddington station from 05:12 to 23:48.
Where do I get it from?
If you arrive in Terminal 2 or 3, simply follow the signs for Heathrow Central Station. In Terminal 5, the station is on the basement level and can be reached by lift or escalator. From Terminal 4, you have to take the free shuttle transfer to Terminals 2 or 3 in order to access the train station.
The free shuttle transfer from Terminal 4 departs every 15 minutes and the travel time is only 5 minutes.
Convenience
Although taking the Heathrow Express train is a little on the expensive side, it's an extremely fast and convenient transfer option. In addition, all Heathrow Express trains provide free TV and wireless internet, so you can travel to the city centre of London in comfort.
Editor’s Note
Paddington Station is right in the heart of London's downtown area. From there, you will have access to major bus and underground lines to reach your accommodation in the city.
Useful Tips
Children under 16 years of age travel for free.
The direct journey from the airport to the city centre takes around 15 minutes.
There may be less services on weekends and major holidays.
Purchasing tickets once on the train is more expensive than using the ticket machines or kiosk. How to get from Heathrow aiport to city centre by Taxi
The most convenient and comfortable way to reach the city centre of London is by taxi. Heathrow airport taxis are easy to spot as they are a classic black colour with a yellow 'TAXI' sign on top. Licensed taxis also have a windscreen sticker and a white plate on the back displaying their unique license number.
It's important to note that during rush hour there is always a queue for the taxis, so waiting in line could add a significant amount of time to your journey. Once you're in your taxi, it will take around 30 minutes to reach the city centre of London from Heathrow airport under normal traffic conditions.
Taxi fare from Heathrow airport to city centre
There's no official flat rate from Heathrow airport to the city center of London. Your taxi driver will charge you using a taximeter based on distance. However, the average cost of a taxi ride from Heathrow airport to downtown London is 57€ (£50). Additional charges may apply when taxing a taxi during public holidays or late at night.
if you prefer a fixed rate fare, you can always book your taxi in advance through a private taxi company.
Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM LHR - TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE
€57
€57
30 min
FROM LHR- TO CITY CENTRE
€57
€57
30 min
FROM LHR - TO GATWICK AIRPORT
€180
€180
50 min
FROM LHR - TO OXFORD
€195
€195
1h 05 min
FROM LHR - TO CAMBRIDGE
€287
€287
1h 50 min
FROM LHR - TO BRIGHTON
€272
€272
1h 25 min
FROM LHR - TO COLCHESTER
€372
€372
2h 05 min
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Convenience
Taxi rides might be expensive, but they are by far the most convenient and safe transfer option. You don't have to worry about carrying your luggage or navigating public transport, and if you land late at night, there will always be a taxi waiting for you as they run 24/7.
Editor’s Note
Please note that traffic in London can be extreme throughout the day. Therefore, you should expect some delays and higher taxi prices during these times.
Useful Tips
Taxis in London can fit up to 3 people with 3 pieces of luggage.
All London taxis accept payments with debit/credit cards.
Be sure to take a taxi from the line at the rank as these are the only official ones at Heathrow Airport.
Make sure your driver resets and starts your taximeter before you begin your journey. How to get from Heathrow airport to city centre by underground
London's underground train system is directly connected with Heathrow airport. All you need to do is hop on the Piccadilly line at Heathrow, and you can travel to many major central points throughout London city centre. The journey from Heathrow airport to Piccadilly Circus station takes around 35 minutes and tickets cost just only 6.80€ (£6) one-way, making the underground the most cost-effective transfer option.
How much is the underground from Heathrow airport to city centre
Underground train tickets from Heathrow airport to the city centre of London cost 6.80€ (£6) one-way as it is located in Zone 1.
Tickets can be bought from the ticket desks or automated ticket machines found at the underground stations of each terminal. You can pay using cash, card, Contactless or Oyster card.
Photos (4)
Heathrow Underground
Cost
6.80€
Trip Duration
35 Min.
Waiting time is around 10 minutes.
The underground trains run from 05:10 to 23:20. On Fridays and Saturdays the underground from Heathrow airport runs 24/7.
Where do I get it from?
There are 3 underground stations at Heathrow airport. One that operates from both Terminals 2 and 3, one in Terminal 4 and one in Terminal 5. For Terminals 2 and 3, the underground station can be found in between the Terminals via a pedestrian subway. The underground stations of Terminals 4 and 5 are in the basement of the buildings, you can reach them using the lift or escalators.
Convenience
During rush hour, the underground trains tend to get grossly overcrowded and hot. Therefore, if you've had a particularly long flight, are feeling tired or simply have a lot of luggage, you may want to look for a different means of transportation to get from Heathrow airport to the city centre of London.
Editor’s Note
Please note that when the underground isn't running, there's an alternate night bus (N9) that runs from Heathrow airport to central London every 30 minutes.
Useful Tips
Always keep an eye on your belongings while on the underground train.
It is recommended to have a map of London's underground network so you can plan your journey.
If you plan to travel around zones 1-6 of London during your first day, we recommend buying a one-way unlimited travel pass for £18.10.
If you wish to use a pay-as-you-go Oyster card, your journey will be just £5.10. How to get from Heathrow airport to city centre by Bus
Taking a bus from Heathrow airport to the city centre of London may be a cheap transfer option, but they are the slowest and least convenient choice.
National Express provides buses that travel directly from Heathrow airport to Victoria Coach Station. These buses depart every 30 minutes and when the traffic flow is normal the average travel time is 50 minutes. There are also local TfL local buses that run to most major stops in West London and cost as little as 1.70€ (£1.50) when using a pay-as-you-go Oyster card.
How much is the bus from Heathrow airport to city centre?
The price of the National Express bus ticket depends on the time of the day you're travelling and how far in advance you book it. However, the price usually ranges from 6.90-11.30€ (6.10-10£). National Express tickets can be bought online, from the ticket desk in the arrivals terminal or from the ticket machines at Heathrow Central Coach Station, which is between Terminals 2 and 3.
The TfL local bus tickets can't be purchased using cash, only via Oyster card, Visitor Oyster card, Contactless Payment card or a Day Travelcard. The cost of your ticket from Heathrow Airport to central London depends on the station you're travelling to but will cost around 1.70€ (£1.50).
Photos (5)
Buses at Heathrow airport
Cost
1.70-11.30€
Trip Duration
50 Min.
Waiting time is around 30 minutes.
National Express buses run from 04:20 to 22:10. The TfL local buses run from 06:00 to 22:30.
Where do I get it from?
National Express and TfL local buses depart from Heathrow Central Station which can be found between Terminal 2 and 3. If you happen to arrive in Terminal 4 or 5, simply take the free shuttle train to Terminal 2 or 3. The free shuttle departs every 15 minutes and the travel time is only 5 minutes.
Convenience
Taking the National Express or TfL Local bus from Heathrow airport is a very cheap transfer option if you are on a budget, but the travel time can be extremely long. Although Tfl Local buses are cheaper, the National Express buses are much more spacious, have better luggage storage and even free WiFi, making them much more comfortable.
Editor’s Note
The buses of National Express are modern, air-conditioned, with washrooms and free Wi-Fi.
Useful Tips
You can't buy a National Express bus from the bus driver, you must purchase it online or before you enter the bus.
The National Express buses come with a free luggage allowance of 2 20kg cases per person.
Children under 6 years of age travel free.
The TfL local buses don't accept any form of cash payment. 
