In a nutshell
- London Heathrow is the largest airport in London — and in all of Europe.
- You have six transfer options into the city center to reach London’s top attractions.
- Our top pick is the Elizabeth Line — it offers the best value for money when you factor in cost, convenience, and travel time.
- Got an early flight? Stay near the airport the night before. The Moxy London Heathrow Airport is right next to the terminals, has a great vibe, and serves a solid breakfast.
London Heathrow Airport: 5 Important Facts
Before we dive in, here are a few key facts you should know before flying into London Heathrow.
- London Heathrow is the largest of the six airports in London (and in Europe)
- The airport has four terminals
- The airport is located 24 kilometers from the city center in southwest London
- Direct flights are available from major European cities, including Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and more
- Major airlines operating routes to and from Heathrow include British Airways, Lufthansa, and Eurowings
Flying into a different London airport? Check out these articles for the right info.
London Airports: an overview of all airports
London Gatwick Transfer: our tips
London Stansted Transfer: our tips
Extra tip: If your flight is ever delayed, our article on flight delay compensation gives you tips on how to get your money back.
Heathrow Airport to London: All Your Transfer Options at a Glance
Before we get into the details of the various airport transfer options from London Heathrow, here’s a quick summary of all six options with the most important info on each.
| Transfer | Travel time | From Heathrow to the center | From the center to Heathrow | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow Express | 15 min | 05:12 to 23:57 | 04:51 to 23:25 | 25 pounds | Buy here |
| Elizabeth Line | 25 min | 05:15 to 00:07 | 04:36 to 23:24 | 12.80 pounds | on-site |
| Piccadilly Line | 60 min | 05:12 to 23:45 | 05:47 to 00:33 | 5.80 pounds | on-site |
| Bus | from 60 min | all day | all day | from 6 pounds | Buy here |
| Taxi | from 30 min | all day | all day | from 60 pounds | Buy here |
| Private transfer | from 30 min | all day | all day | 80 pounds | Buy here |
Once you’ve made it into the city, you’ll probably want to start exploring right away. Depending on how much you want to see, a London City Pass might be worth looking into.
Our Recommendation for the Best Transfer from London Heathrow
Don’t want to wade through all the options and just want to know what we’d do? Fair enough.
Personally, we’d go with the Elizabeth Line (#2) — it simply offers the best value for money when you weigh up travel time, cost, and convenience.
Now let’s take a closer look at each transfer option from Heathrow.
Heathrow Express: The Fastest Option
The Heathrow Express is a nonstop train running between Terminals 2, 3, and 5 and Paddington Station. The journey takes just 15 minutes, making it the fastest way to get from London Heathrow to the city center. From Terminal 4, a free shuttle train connects you to the station.
Trains run every 15 minutes. The first train from Paddington departs at 5:10 AM and the last at 11:25 PM. In the other direction, the first departure is at 5:17 AM and the last at 11:59 PM.
At £25 for a one-way ticket, it’s not exactly cheap. That said, if you book well in advance, prices can drop as low as £10. Children under 15 travel for free. You can book online via the official Heathrow Express website and show your ticket on your phone or as a printout. Ticket machines are also available on-site.
Elizabeth Line: Best Value for Money
The Elizabeth Line — formerly known as Heathrow Connect — is your second train option for the Heathrow airport transfer. It departs from Terminals 2 and 3. From Terminals 4 and 5, a free shuttle gets you to the station.
You’ll reach Paddington Station in 25 minutes. Unlike the Heathrow Express, there are several intermediate stops — really handy if your accommodation is in west London. Since 2023, you can also ride all the way through to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in east London.
A one-way ticket costs £12.80 and can be bought on-site at a ticket machine. You can also pay with your Oyster Card. Find out everything you need to know about the Oyster Card here.
You’ll find departure times in the table above. Times vary on weekends — you can check all Elizabeth Line timetables here. Trains run every 10 minutes.
Piccadilly Line: For Spontaneous Travelers
Your third option is the London Underground. The Piccadilly Line has a station serving Terminals 2 and 3, plus individual stations at Terminals 4 and 5.
The journey to Piccadilly Circus in the city center takes about an hour — noticeably longer than the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth Line.
The upside? It’s seriously cheap. A standard paper ticket from a ticket machine costs £6.70, while your Oyster Card brings that down to just £5.80. Do keep in mind that long lines can form at the airport ticket machines.
Another big plus: the Underground runs every few minutes. From Piccadilly Circus, trains run between 5:47 AM and 12:33 AM; from Terminal 5, between 5:12 AM and 11:45 PM. Weekend times vary — check the official London Underground website for the latest schedules.
Bus: The Cheapest Heathrow Transfer
With the National Express bus, you can travel from London Heathrow to the central bus station at Victoria from as little as £6. Depending on traffic, the journey takes around 60 to 80 minutes. The bus stops at all four terminals.
Buses run partly through the night as well. Since departure times and frequency vary a lot throughout the day, your best bet is to search for a connection using the online form — and you can book your ticket right there too.
Book your National Express ticket online
Taxi: Expensive, but Comfortable
A taxi is probably the priciest transfer option from London Heathrow. Depending on exactly where your hotel in London is, the ride takes around 30 minutes and costs between £60 and £80.
If you’re traveling in a group, it can definitely be worth splitting. You’ll find taxis right at the airport — just follow the signs. If you can’t find a cab stand in the city, you can call +44 845 300 7000.
It’s best to pay in cash, as paying by card can add a surcharge of up to 10 percent. Tipping is customary.
One important thing: only use the iconic Black Cabs. With less reputable operators, you can end up with a very unpleasant surprise on the fare.
Our tip: Alternatively, there are also so-called minicabs. These are significantly cheaper than regular taxis, but must be booked in advance. A well-known platform for this is minicabit.
Private Transfer: For the Organized Planner
As an alternative to a taxi, you can also book a private transfer through GetYourGuide. This is a great option if you want to sort your Heathrow airport transfer before you even leave home and prefer a reliable, trustworthy platform.
Your driver will pick you up directly at the airport and will be waiting with a sign. They’ll take you straight to your destination without any stops.
Private transfers start from £80 — especially for groups, this can be really good value.
Book a private transfer to or from London Heathrow
Our Hotel Picks near London Heathrow Airport
Got an early flight and don’t want to stress about getting to Heathrow in the morning? Here are our three recommended hotels near the airport.
Moxy London Heathrow Airport: We’ve stayed at Moxy Hotels in other cities and always enjoyed them. Fun design, a relaxed vibe, and a great breakfast — this would be our first choice!
Courtyard by Marriott: a solid 4-star hotel near Terminals 2 and 3. From the terrace, you can watch the planes take off — great for aviation fans.
Holiday Inn Express: our pick if you’re flying from Terminal 4, since it’s not directly connected by train. Staying here means zero transfer stress on the morning of your flight.
Still searching for the perfect hotel in central London? We’ve got two articles that can help.
