Heathrow Airport in London is arguably the busiest airport in Europe, which can be daunting for first-time visitors! Do not worry though, there are plenty of transportation options to get you from Heathrow Airport to London City so you can get busy enjoying your holiday.
When traveling from London Heathrow to the city center, you have five options: a taxi, private transfer, the train, the London Underground, or the bus. Taking a Heathrow Airport taxi or private Heathrow Airport transfer to Central London is always the most convenient option, as they offer 24/7 door-to-door services, taking 45 minutes to reach the city center.
However, the fastest way to travel from Heathrow Airport to Central London is to take the Heathrow Express train, which only takes 15 minutes to Paddington Station. Alternatively, you can take the London Underground, which takes 45 minutes to reach Paddington station on the Piccadilly Line, or 35 minutes on the new Elizabeth Line. Finally, another affordable alternative would be to take the National Express coach bus which takes around 1 hour to Downtown London.
6 options to go from London Airport to city center
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €88 | 45min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Be sure to request any vehicle customizations such as a minivan, a wheelchair-friendly vehicle, or a child booster seat at the time of booking. | ||||||
Taxi | €77 | 45min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| London is known for its dense traffic. Therefore, delays and higher taxi fares can be expected during rush hour. | ||||||
Heathrow Express | €59.4 | 15min | 05:12–23:57 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Paddington Station is right in the heart of London's Downtown area. From there, you will have access to various buses and underground lines. | ||||||
Underground - Piccadilly Line | €13.20 | 35min | 05:12–23:45 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Keep in mind that nighttime services don't stop at Terminal 4. | ||||||
Underground - Elizabeth Line | €30.40 | 35min | 05:21–00:12 | Convenience | Read more | |
| The Elizabeth Line is great for those that wish to travel around London since it connects with most parts of the city. | ||||||
Bus | €21 | 60min | 03:45–01:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| The National Express vehicles are modern and air-conditioned, with toilets and free WiFi available on board. | ||||||
The most reliable and convenient way to reach London’s city center is to take a classic black London Airport taxi. Taxis are available around the clock and provide a safe door-to-door service in the comfort of a private vehicle. A metered taxi from Heathrow Airport to London takes around 45 minutes and regular taxis can carry up to 5 passengers with one suitcase each.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow Airport to London?
Taxis in London calculate their fares using a taximeter based on the time and distance traveled to your destination. With this in mind, the Heathrow Airport to London taxi fare should be around £65 (€77) for a 45-minute journey, not including the compulsory airport surcharge of £2 (€2.40) or the extra charges that apply at night, on weekends and public holidays.
If you prefer a fixed price, you can always pre-book your airport transfer from Heathrow with Welcome Pickups.
Where do I get a cab from?
The official “black cab” taxi rank is easily spotted outside the arrivals terminal exit doors.
Convenience
Taxis might be the more expensive option, but they are also the most convenient and safest way to travel. You can forget about the stressful public transportation or carrying your heavy luggage and start your vacation stress-free and relaxed.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreWhen it comes to your transportation from Heathrow Airport to London, the train is often the fastest option available. The fastest train ride is the Heathrow Express which runs up to four times an hour and only takes 15 minutes to reach London Paddington Station.
How much is the express train from Heathrow Airport to London?
f you buy a ticket on the day, a one-way ticket on the Heathrow Express in Express Class costs £25 (€29.70). You can buy your tickets online, at the ticket desks, and at the automated ticket machines at Heathrow Central Station (within walking distance of Terminals 2 and 3) and Terminal 5.
Heathrow Express trains run from Heathrow Airport to London Paddington Station from 05:12 to 23:57 on weekdays and until 00:18 midnight on Saturdays. On Sundays and public holidays, trains run from 05:17 to 00:20.
Where do I get the express train from?
If you arrive at Terminal 2 or 3, follow the signs to Heathrow Central Station. From Terminal 4, you can take the free shuttle transfer to Terminal 2 or 3. In Terminal 5, the station is on the basement level and can be reached by lift or escalator.
*The free shuttle transfer from Terminal 4 departs every 15 minutes, and the travel time is 20 minutes.
Convenience
Although the Heathrow Express train is a bit expensive, it is very fast and convenient. In addition, all Heathrow Express trains provide free TV and wireless internet ensuring you have entertainment on your way to Central London.
Timetables
Heathrow Express Schedule
Heathrow Airport – London Paddington
Useful Tips
London’s Underground train system – managed by Transport for London – is directly connected to Heathrow Airport Terminals 2 to 5, making it another convenient travel option. Significantly cheaper than the express train, you can take the Piccadilly line at Heathrow Airport and make your way to major central points throughout London city center, reaching Piccadilly Circus station in 45 minutes, or Leicester Square in 50 minutes.
How much does it cost from Heathrow Airport to London on the tube?
A one-way Underground ticket from Heathrow Airport to Central London costs at least £5.50 (€6.60) if your journey ends or passes through Zone 1. You can buy tickets from the ticket counter or the automated ticket machines at each terminal. You can pay by cash, credit card or Oyster card.
The Underground tube runs from 05:00 to 23:30, with extra services on Friday and Saturday nights.
Where do I get the Picadilly Tube Line from?
There are three tube stations at Heathrow Airport. One that operates from Terminals 2 and 3, one in Terminal 4, and one in Terminal 5.
The station between Terminals 2 and 3 is accessed by a pedestrian tunnel. For Terminals 4 and 5, the underground stations are located on the lowest level.
Convenience
While the Underground takes much longer than the Heathrow Express service, it is significantly cheaper. However, it can get overcrowded during rush hour so if you’ve just come off a long flight or you’re carrying heavy luggage, it might be best to choose another travel option or pre-book a private transfer will that a vehicle will be waiting for you upon your arrival to take you directly to your hotel.
Timetables
Underground Timetable
Heathrow Terminals 2/3/4/5 to Leicester Square
Useful Tips
The newest travel option from Heathrow to Central London is the Elizabeth Line, which offers a cost and travel time somewhere between the Heathrow Express and Piccadilly trains. The Underground service is an excellent option, as it links the airport to most parts of Central London in around 35 minutes, with stops at Paddington, Bond Street, and Tottenham Court Road stations.
How much is a ticket on the Elizabeth Line?
A one-way ticket on the Elizabeth Line from London Heathrow to London Paddington station costs €14.70 (£12.80). You can buy tickets at the station counters or from the ticket machines.
The Elizabeth line operates daily from 05:21 to 00:12 midnight.
Where do I get the Elizabeth Tube Line from?
Convenience
The Elizabeth Line is a great option to get you from London Heathrow Airport to Paddington Station. The carriages are very new and modern. However, if you are traveling late at night, you will have to find an alternative transportation option, as the line closes shortly after midnight.
Timetables
Elizabeth Line Timetable
Heathrow Airport – Paddington Station
Elizabeth Line Information
Useful Tips
Finally, your last travel option would be to take a bus from Heathrow Airport to Central London. National Express provides direct coach services from the airport to Victoria Coach Station with a journey time of approximately 1 hour.
*Several local buses run from the airport to many destinations around London.
How much is a bus ticket from London Heathrow to city center?
The cost of a one-way ticket on the National Express bus can vary depending on the time of the day and when you buy your ticket, but is usually between £8.80 (€10.50) and £11 (€13). You can buy your tickets online, at the ticket desk in the Arrivals Hall, or at the ticket machines in each terminal.
National Express coaches run daily from 03:45 to 01:00.
Where do I get the coach from?
National Express coaches depart from Heathrow Central Station, located between Terminals 2 and 3, from bus bays 7-17. If you are arriving at Terminal 4 (T4) or Terminal 5 (T5), coaches depart from the Arrivals level, from bays 12-14 in T4, or bays 13-15 in T5.
Convenience
Taking the National Express from Heathrow Airport is a great cost-savvy alternative as the buses are frequent and modern. However, travel times can be long, especially at peak times, so this option is best for those connecting with another bus at Victoria Coach Station.
Timetables
National Express bus schedule from Heathrow airport to Victoria Coach station
TfL Local bus map
Useful Tips
If you’re looking for a reliable transportation option that can be tailored to your needs, look no further than a London Airport transfer. For roughly the same price as a taxi, with the added convenience of being dropped off at your hotel door, private transfers like those provided by Welcome Pickups offer several additional benefits to elevate your Heathrow Airport transfer experience. These include:
On top of that, your driver will give you a mini tour of London on the way to your hotel to help you get your bearings, and give you some local tips to help you enjoy your time in this incredible city.
How much does a private transfer cost?
One of the best things about booking a private transfer is the price transparency. You’ll receive an upfront quote, including all fees before you book, so you can rest assured that traffic jams and road tolls won’t add to the price on the day of your arrival.
For two people traveling from Heathrow Airport to London, you can expect to pay £73.80 (€88), and for 5 passengers in a spacious and modern sedan, it’s £110.70 (€132), with no hidden extras.
Private transfers can be booked either online or through the Welcome Pickups app. All that’s required is a few personal details, your flight information, and the time and date you’d like to be collected.
Private transfers can be arranged 24/7 from Heathrow International Airport.
Where will my private transfer depart from?
Finding your way around Heathrow Airport can be confusing, but when you book a private transfer a driver will be waiting for you at the entrance of the Arrivals Hall to escort you directly to your vehicle. To help you identify them, they’ll be holding a sign with your name on it.
Convenience
For almost the same price as a taxi, private transfers offer a fully customizable and personalized service that you can rely on at any time of day to get you where you need to go. If you don’t want to wait in line or navigate public transportation after a long flight, a private transfer is the best choice to ensure a relaxed and comfortable journey.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 3 passengers
€46Starting from 15.3 EUR / passenger
Maxi-Sedan up to 5 passengers
€58Starting from 11.6 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 8 passengers
€69Starting from 8.6 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to go from Heathrow Airport to London City?
The cost to get from Heathrow to Central London depends on the mode of transportation you choose to travel with, and your final destination. For a taxi, expect to pay around £65 (€77), the train will cost between £5.50 (€7.20) and £25 (€29.70), and for the National Coach bus, the price will be between £8.80 (€10.50) and £11 (€13).
How much is the train ticket from Heathrow to London?
There are a few train options to choose from at Heathrow Airport. A one-way ticket on the Heathrow Express costs £25 (€29.70), on the Elizabeth Line you’ll pay £12.80 (€15.20) and the most affordable one is the Piccadilly Line at just £5.50 (€7.20). You can buy your tickets from the ticket desks and machines in each terminal or online.
How far is Heathrow Airport to London?
The distance from Heathrow Airport to London is approximately 24 km. The journey from Heathrow Airport to Central London takes around 45 minutes by taxi, 15 minutes by train, 35-45 minutes on the London Underground (Piccadilly or Elizabeth Line), and 1 hour on a National Express bus.
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