In my view, theElizabeth line is the best option for most passengers, as it runs through a large part of the city centre without the need to change trains.

The traditional Piccadilly Line is the cheapest and is worth taking if you’re staying at hotels around South Kensington, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus or King’s Cross.

The Heathrow Express high-speed trains are particularly useful for travelling to Paddington, when booking in advance, or for families with older children.

Buses are only a good option if your hotel is right next to a bus stop and you don’t want to change transport.

Transport	When to choose it	Journey time	Price
Elizabeth line	Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street or Canary Wharf	30 to 55 minutes	15,50 gbp to Zone 1
Piccadilly line	Earl’s Court, South Kensington, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square or King’s Cross	45 to 60 minutes	5,90 gbp to Zone 1
Heathrow Express	Only when travelling to Paddington	15 minutes	10 gbp if booked in advance, otherwise 26 gbp
National Express / Terravision	Direct journey to Earl’s Court or Victoria	up to 80 minutes	from 6,50 gbp

Find a hotel in central London

Which service to choose depending on where you’re staying

First, find the nearest station to your hotel on the map. Any time you save on the train can easily be lost when changing trains and walking with your suitcase.

• Paddington: Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line
• Bond Street, Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road: Elizabeth line
• Farringdon, Liverpool Street, City: Elizabeth line
• Canary Wharf: Elizabeth line
• Earl’s Court, South Kensington, Knightsbridge: Piccadilly line
• Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square: Piccadilly line
• King’s Cross, St Pancras: Piccadilly line
• Victoria: direct bus, or the Underground with one change

If your hotel is right next to a Piccadilly line station, it’s usually not worth paying for a faster train and then having to return via the city centre on the Underground.

How to pay and avoid overpaying

On the Elizabeth line and the Underground, simply tap your contactless card, phone or smartwatch when you board, and use the same device when you alight. An Oyster Card isn’t necessary for the average adult tourist.

Each passenger must use their own card or device. A plastic card and the same card stored on a mobile phone count as two different payment methods.

A journey on the Elizabeth line from Heathrow to Zone 1 costs 15,50 gbp. The daily cap for Zones 1 to 6 is 16,30 gbp.

This means that if, upon arrival, you continue your journey on London public transport and continue to use the same card or phone, you’ll pay no more than 16,30 gbp. After your journey on the Elizabeth line, you’ll therefore have only 0,80 gbp.

The daily limit includes the Underground, the Elizabeth line, the DLR, the London Overground and London buses. The Heathrow Express is charged separately and is not included in this calculation.

We provide more information on paying by card, the Underground and London buses in our guide to transport in London.

The Elizabeth Line: best for most passengers

The Elizabeth line connects all terminals to several key parts of London without the need to change trains.

Approximate journey times are:

• Paddington:30 minutes
• Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road:35 to 40 minutes
• Farringdon and Liverpool Street:40 to 50 minutes
• Canary Wharf:50 to 60 minutes

Trains run most frequently from Terminals 2 and 3, usually every 10 minutes. From Terminal 4, expect a service approximately every 15 minutes, and from Terminal 5, every 30 minutes.

A ticket to Zone 1 costs the same when paying by contactless card or Oyster Card 15,50 gbp. The price is the same regardless of whether you alight at Paddington, Bond Street or Liverpool Street.

Although you’ll see ticket machines all over the airport, it really is much better value and cheaper to pay with your own card.

The Elizabeth line is faster and more comfortable than the Underground. It has more space for luggage and air conditioning.

• Operating hours:from 5.00 am to midnight
• Timetable: TfL – Elizabeth line

Piccadilly line: the cheapest way to get to London

The Piccadilly line is the cheapest way to get from Heathrow to the city centre. When paying by card or Oyster Card, a journey to Zone 1 costs 5,90 gbp.

The Underground runs from all terminals and, without changing trains, stops at stations such as Earl’s Court, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and King’s Cross.

The journey to Piccadilly Circus takes about 50 minutes, and to King’s Cross approximately an hour. Trains usually run every 5 to 10 minutes.

The Piccadilly line is slower and tends to be crowded during rush hour. However, if you live right on its route, it may ultimately be more practical than the Elizabeth line.

• Operating hours:5.00 am to 11.30 pm
• Timetable: TfL – Piccadilly line

Heathrow Express: the fastest, but only to Paddington

The Heathrow Express runs non-stop to Paddington station.

The journey takes 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3, and around 20 minutes from Terminal 5. Trains depart every 15 minutes.

If you buy your ticket at least 30 days before your journey, the fare from 10 gbp. In that case, the Heathrow Express may be cheaper than the Elizabeth line.

If you buy your ticket on the spot or simply tap your card on the turnstile, you’ll pay 26 gbp.

The Heathrow Express therefore makes sense in three situations:

• you live near Paddington
• you buy your ticket at least a month in advance
• you’re travelling with children under 15, who travel for free

A free ticket must also be issued for the child.

The Heathrow Express stops directly at Terminals 2, 3 and 5. When travelling from Terminal 4, you’ll need to change at Terminals 2 and 3 onto the free Elizabeth line, so the time saving is almost negated.

• Fare: 10 gbp if booked in advance, otherwise 26 gbp
• Official website: HeathrowExpress.com

Buses to Victoria and Earl’s Court

The bus is particularly a good option when travelling to Victoria or Earl’s Court. You don’t have to change buses whilst carrying your luggage, but journey times depend on traffic.

Buses depart from Heathrow Central Bus Station near Terminals 2 and 3, and from Terminal 5.

National Express

National Express offers tickets from 6,50 gbp when purchased well in advance (usually around 1 month); otherwise, prices are around 9,50 gbp.

The fastest buses take about half an hour to Earl’s Court and approximately 45 minutes to Victoria. However, in heavy traffic, the journey can take considerably longer.

Only some services stop at Terminal 4, so please check the specific departure point when booking.

• Buy a ticket: NationalExpress.com

Terravision

Terravision sells direct tickets between Heathrow and Victoria Station.

A single ticket costs 10,50 gbp, a return ticket 17,50 gbp. Buses run approximately every 30 to 40 minutes and the journey to Victoria takes about an hour, provided there is no heavy traffic.

Buses stop at Heathrow Central Bus Station and at Terminal 5. They do not serve Terminal 4.

You do not need to print your ticket. If your flight is delayed, you can use it on the next bus, subject to availability.

• Buy a ticket: Terravision.eu

Taxis and Uber

The journey by car from Heathrow to central London takes about an hour. However, during the morning and afternoon rush hours, it can take considerably longer.

UberX is usually the cheapest option. A journey from Heathrow to London costs on average around 55 gbp. The price varies depending on your destination, demand and traffic conditions, so always check the fare in the app before booking.

Traditional London ‘black cabs’ are waiting at ranks outside all terminals.

According to the official TfL fare, a journey between Heathrow and central London costs between 70 and 120 gbp. The fare is calculated by the meter and depends mainly on traffic. When you get in at an airport rank, a surcharge is added 1,60 gbp.

There are no extra charges for luggage or additional passengers in a black cab, and all cabs accept payment by card.

If there are three or four of you travelling, Uber may be a sensible option. For one or two passengers, the Underground or the Elizabeth Line is significantly cheaper.

Free transport between terminals

Transfers between terminals are free on the Elizabeth Line, the Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly Line. The free zone also includes Hatton Cross station.

Tap your Oyster Card or contactless card at the ticket barrier. No fare will be deducted.

If you don’t have a card, you can collect a free ticket for the train between the terminals from a ticket machine. However, this ticket is not valid on the Underground.

There is also a free H30 bus running between Terminals 4 and 5, usually every 20 minutes.

The original, extensive Heathrow Free Travel Zone for regular local buses no longer applies. Only the services marked on the official free transport map are free of charge.

You can also find details on transfers in our guide to Heathrow’s terminals.

Hotels near Heathrow and Hotel Hoppa

Just because a hotel is called ‘Heathrow Airport’ doesn’t necessarily mean you can walk there. Always check the specific terminal and transport options before booking.

Paid Hotel Hoppa buses run to hotels in the area. A single journey costs 7 gbp, a return ticket 13 gbp.

The buses run from around 4.00 am until midnight. They do not stop directly in front of Terminal 4.

You can get to many hotels more cheaply by using a regular London bus. However, for an early morning flight, the most convenient option is a hotel directly connected to the terminal via a pedestrian walkway.

We describe specific hotels and how to get to them in our guide to hotels near Heathrow Airport.

Find a hotel near Heathrow Airport

To Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports

The easiest way to get to London’s other major airports is by the direct National Express coach. Travelling by train involves a journey through London and at least one change.

Airports	Easiest connection	Journey time and fare
Gatwick	Direct National Express	1 to 1.5 hours, from 14,90 gbp
Luton	Direct National Express	1 to 2 hours, from 14,50 gbp
Stansted	Direct National Express	1.5 to 2 hours, from 18 gbp

Gatwick

Buses run very frequently between Heathrow and Gatwick and stop at both Gatwick terminals. Under normal conditions, the journey takes about an hour; it takes longer in traffic.

• Buy a Heathrow–Gatwick ticket

Luton

A direct bus will take you right to the terminal, so you don’t need to change to the Luton DART train. The fastest services cover the journey in about an hour, but depending on traffic, you should allow for up to twice that time.

• Buy a ticket from Heathrow to Luton

Stansted

Direct buses to Stansted run less frequently. The journey usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, or longer in heavy traffic.

• Buy a ticket from Heathrow to Stansted

Not every bus stops at all Heathrow terminals. When buying a ticket, please check whether it departs from Terminal 4, Terminal 5 or Heathrow Central Bus Station.

If you’ve booked your flight separately, I’d allow at least 5 hours between your scheduled arrival and your next departure. When travelling to Stansted, it’s better to allow 6 hours. If you have checked-in luggage or need to go through immigration, allow extra time.

To London City Airport

The easiest way to get to London City is by taking the Elizabeth line towards Abbey Wood. At Custom House station, change to the DLR, which will take you straight to the terminal.

From Terminal 5, you may need to change trains on the Elizabeth line. In total, allow approximately 75 to 90 minutes.

You can pay for the entire journey with a contactless card, and the fare counts towards the same daily London transport cap, so you’ll pay 16,30 gbp.

Long-distance coaches

Heathrow is a major hub for long-distance coaches.

Direct services run to destinations such as Oxford, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton.

If you’re travelling beyond London, check for a direct bus first. Travelling via the city centre tends to take longer and involves an unnecessary change whilst carrying your luggage.

It’s worth buying the cheapest tickets in advance. Buses depart from Heathrow Central Bus Station and, depending on the specific route, also from Terminals 4 and 5.

• Search for National Express long-distance buses

Car hire

If you’re only heading to London, don’t hire a car. You’ll face heavy traffic, expensive parking and other charges in the city.

Hiring a car makes sense if you’re travelling to the English countryside or on a tour of the UK. Offers from different car hire companies vary significantly, so be sure to compare the total price, including insurance.

Compare prices and book a car

Transport at night

At night, it depends on the day of the week.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the Piccadilly line runs all night from Terminals 2, 3 and 5. The night tube does not serve Terminal 4.

The N9 bus also runs every night from Terminal 5 and Heathrow Central Bus Station. It travels via Hammersmith, Kensington, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square before continuing on to Aldwych.

The N9 bus runs approximately every 30 minutes and the journey to the city centre takes around 80 to 90 minutes.

Standard London bus fares apply, which count towards your daily travel limit.

Neither the Elizabeth line nor the Heathrow Express run throughout the night.

Personally, though , I’d recommend a taxi or an Uber at night.

Buses to the surrounding area

As well as the Hotel Hoppa, regular buses also run to hotels and the surrounding neighbourhoods. They are often considerably cheaper.

On all TfL bus routes, a single journey 1,75 gbp regardless of the distance. If you pay with the same card, you can change buses as often as you like within one hour without being charged any further fares. 

Payment is made by contactless card when boarding. Drivers do not accept cash, and each passenger must use their own card or device.

In the Heathrow area, for example, routes 105, 111, 278, 285, 350, 423, 482, 490, A10 and U3 operate. You can use these when travelling to hotels or to the areas of Hatton Cross, Hounslow, Hayes, West Drayton, Southall, Feltham or Uxbridge. Not all routes stop at every terminal, so please enter your hotel’s exact address into the TfL journey planner.

The H30 bus is free of charge. It connects the central coach station at Terminals 2 and 3 with Terminals 4 and 5, Hatton Cross and other parts of the airport grounds.