Heathrow Airport Transfers to London
Getting from Heathrow Airport to central London is usually very straightforward because Heathrow has some of the best public transport connections of any airport in the world. There are several different Heathrow airport transfer options, including fast trains, cheaper trains, the London Underground, buses, taxis and private transfers. The best option depends on your budget, how much luggage you have, and where you are staying in London.
Heathrow is located to the west of London, around 25 kilometres from central London, and the total journey time into the city usually takes between 15 minutes and 60 minutes depending on which transfer you choose. The Heathrow Express is the fastest option, the Elizabeth Line is usually the best balance between price and speed, and the London Underground Piccadilly Line is the cheapest way to travel from Heathrow into central London.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing your Heathrow transfer to London is where your hotel is located. Different transport options arrive at different stations in London. The Heathrow Express arrives at Paddington, the Elizabeth Line stops at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Canary Wharf, while the Piccadilly Line stops at many central London stations such as South Kensington, Green Park, Leicester Square and King’s Cross.
If you choose the right Heathrow airport transfer based on where you are staying, you can often save a lot of time and avoid changing trains with luggage, which makes your arrival in London much easier.
Heathrow Express
The Heathrow Express is the fastest way to travel between Heathrow Airport and central London, running non-stop between Heathrow and London Paddington Station. The journey takes around 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3, around 20 minutes from Terminal 5, and slightly longer if you are travelling from Terminal 4 because you need to change trains.
One important thing to understand is that Heathrow has multiple train stations:
- Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 station
- Heathrow Terminal 4 station
- Heathrow Terminal 5 station
Heathrow Express trains run directly from Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 5 to Paddington.
If you arrive at Terminal 4, you usually need to take a free transfer train to Terminals 2 & 3 and then change to the Heathrow Express.
Heathrow Express trains usually run every 15 minutes, starting early in the morning (around 05:00) and running until late evening (around 23:30, depending on the day). The trains are designed for airport travellers, so they have luggage space, comfortable seating, power sockets and Wi-Fi.
When you arrive at London Paddington Station, you can transfer to the London Underground (Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines), the Elizabeth Line, taxis or buses to continue your journey to other parts of London.
The main disadvantage of the Heathrow Express is the price, as it is much more expensive than the Elizabeth Line or the Underground. However, if you are staying near Paddington, Bayswater, Notting Hill, Marylebone or West London, or if you simply want the fastest possible transfer into London, the Heathrow Express can be a very good option.
Many business travellers and short-stay visitors choose the Heathrow Express because it is fast, predictable and very easy to use, especially if travelling with luggage.
Elizabeth Line from Heathrow
The Elizabeth Line has become one of the most popular Heathrow airport transfer options because it offers a very good balance between price, speed and convenience. Elizabeth Line trains run directly from Heathrow to several important stations in central London, including Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf.
Elizabeth Line trains run from Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, so you usually do not need to change terminals to use this train. This makes it easier than the Heathrow Express if you arrive at Terminal 4.
The journey from Heathrow to central London on the Elizabeth Line usually takes around 30 to 40 minutes, which is slower than the Heathrow Express but much faster than the Underground. Trains typically run every 15 minutes from each terminal, and services usually operate from around 05:00 until around midnight.
Another advantage of the Elizabeth Line is that it connects easily with many Underground lines, National Rail services and other train stations, which makes it very easy to continue your journey to other parts of London without too many changes. The trains are also modern, spacious and better for luggage than the Underground, which is important if you are travelling with suitcases.
If you are staying near Bond Street, Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, the City of London or Canary Wharf, the Elizabeth Line is often the easiest and most convenient way to travel from Heathrow into London.
For many travellers, the Elizabeth Line is now the best overall Heathrow transfer option because it is cheaper than Heathrow Express but still fast and comfortable.
London Underground Piccadilly Line from Heathrow
The London Underground Piccadilly Line is the cheapest way to travel from Heathrow Airport to central London, and it is a very popular option for travellers who want to keep transport costs low.
The Piccadilly Line serves all Heathrow terminals:
- Terminal 2 & 3
- Terminal 4
- Terminal 5
This means you do not need to change terminals to use the Underground, which makes it very convenient. You simply follow signs for the Underground station inside your terminal.
The journey from Heathrow to central London on the Piccadilly Line usually takes around 45 to 60 minutes, depending on where you get off the train. Trains run every few minutes throughout the day, and services usually operate from around 05:00 until around midnight, with night tube services on some days.
The Piccadilly Line runs through West London and into central London, stopping at stations such as Hammersmith, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and King’s Cross St Pancras.
You can pay using contactless payment, Apple Pay, Google Pay or an Oyster card, which makes it very easy for visitors to use and usually much cheaper than airport trains.
The main disadvantage of the Piccadilly Line is that trains can be crowded, especially during rush hour, and there is less space for luggage compared to the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line. However, if you are travelling on a budget and do not mind a longer journey, the Underground is still one of the easiest and cheapest Heathrow airport transfer options.
For travellers staying near South Kensington, Green Park, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Russell Square or King’s Cross, the Piccadilly Line is often a very convenient direct route from Heathrow into central London.
Buses and Coaches from Heathrow to London
Another option for travelling between Heathrow Airport and London is using buses or long-distance coaches. These are usually cheaper than trains but take longer, and they are often a good option if you are travelling late at night, travelling on a budget, or staying somewhere that is not close to a train station.
Buses and coaches operate from Heathrow Central Bus Station, which is located between Terminals 2 and 3. If you arrive at Terminal 4 or Terminal 5, you will need to take a free transfer bus or train to the central bus station before catching your coach. There are clear signs inside all Heathrow terminals showing how to reach the bus and coach station.
National Express Coaches from Heathrow
The main coach company operating from Heathrow is National Express, which runs coach services from Heathrow to London Victoria Coach Station as well as to many other UK cities such as Birmingham, Oxford, Bristol and Southampton.
The journey from Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station usually takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Because coaches use the motorway network, journey times can vary during busy periods, especially in the morning and evening rush hours.
National Express coaches usually run every 30 to 60 minutes, and services operate 24 hours a day, which makes them one of the best options if you arrive late at night or very early in the morning when train services are less frequent.
Coaches have large luggage storage compartments underneath the bus, so they can be easier than trains if you are travelling with large suitcases. Seats are also reserved, so you are guaranteed a seat when you book a ticket.
Victoria Coach Station is located near Victoria Station, where you can transfer to the London Underground, buses, taxis and trains to continue your journey to other parts of London.
National Express coaches are often a good Heathrow transfer option if:
- You are travelling late at night
- You are staying near Victoria
- You are travelling on a budget
- You have large suitcases
- You are travelling to another UK city
Local London Buses from Heathrow
There are also local London buses that operate from Heathrow, and these are the cheapest way to travel from the airport. However, they are much slower than trains and are usually only useful if you are staying in West London or near Heathrow.
Local buses run from the Heathrow Central Bus Station and also from bus stops outside Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. You can pay for London buses using contactless payment or an Oyster card, and fares are much cheaper than trains or coaches.
However, local buses make many stops and can take over 1.5 to 2 hours to reach central London, depending on the route and traffic. Because of this, most visitors travelling to central London will find trains much easier and faster than buses.
Heathrow Taxi and Uber
Taking a taxi from Heathrow to central London is the most convenient option, especially if you have a lot of luggage, are travelling with family, or arriving very late at night. You can take a black cab from outside the terminal, book a private airport transfer, or use Uber or other ride-hailing apps.
The journey from Heathrow to central London by taxi usually takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour, but it can take longer during busy traffic periods. The main disadvantage of taxis is the price, as this is usually the most expensive Heathrow transfer option, especially during peak traffic times.
However, taxis can still be a good option if you are staying somewhere that is not close to a train or Underground station, or if you are travelling with several people and can split the cost. In some cases, a taxi shared between three or four people can be similar in price to train tickets.
Many travellers also pre-book airport transfer services, where a driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you directly to your hotel. This can be one of the easiest Heathrow airport transfer options, especially if you are arriving in London for the first time.
Heathrow Transfer Comparison Table
This table gives a simple comparison of the main Heathrow airport transfer options:
| Transfer Option | Typical Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow Express | ~15 min | High | Fastest option |
| Elizabeth Line | 30–40 min | Medium | Best overall option |
| Piccadilly Line | 45–60 min | Low | Cheapest option |
| Coach | 60–90 min | Low | Budget & late night |
| Taxi / Uber | 45–75 min | High | Door-to-door travel |
The Heathrow Express is the fastest way into London, the Elizabeth Line is usually the best balance between price and speed, the Piccadilly Line is the cheapest option, and taxis or private transfers are the easiest door-to-door option.
When choosing your Heathrow airport transfer, you should consider not only the price but also how close the station is to your hotel and how much luggage you are carrying.
Which Heathrow Transfer Is Best
The best Heathrow airport transfer to London depends mainly on your budget, where you are staying and how quickly you want to reach central London. There is no single best option for everyone, but some options are better in certain situations.
If you want the fastest possible transfer, the Heathrow Express is the best option, especially if you are staying near Paddington or in West London. If you want the best balance between price and speed, the Elizabeth Line is usually the best overall option for most travellers because it serves many central London stations and is cheaper than the Heathrow Express.
If you are travelling on a budget, the Piccadilly Line is the cheapest way to travel from Heathrow into London and is very convenient for many central London areas such as Leicester Square, Covent Garden and King’s Cross. If you are travelling with a lot of luggage or in a group, a taxi or private transfer may be the easiest option, especially if you want door-to-door transport to your hotel.
For most visitors, the Elizabeth Line is usually the best Heathrow transfer option, because it offers a good combination of price, speed and convenience, and it connects directly to several important stations in central London.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Arriving at Heathrow Airport? Here are a few useful tips to help you get into London quickly and easily:
- The Elizabeth Line is usually the best option: It is cheaper than the Heathrow Express but still fast and very convenient for central London.
- The Piccadilly Line is the cheapest transfer: This is the best option if you are travelling on a budget and staying near central London Underground stations.
- Heathrow Express is fastest but expensive: Best if you are staying near Paddington or want the quickest transfer.
- Taxis are easiest with lots of luggage: Especially useful if you are travelling in a group or arriving late at night.
- Always check which terminal you arrive at: Heathrow is very large and terminals are not all connected by walking.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Further Reading & Related Guides
If you are arriving in London and continuing your journey across the city, make sure to read our Getting Around London Guide, which explains how to use the London Underground, buses, trains, contactless payment and Oyster cards. Understanding London’s transport system will make travelling from the airport to your hotel and around the city much easier.
If you are flying with British Airways, you may also want to read our British Airways Guide, which covers baggage rules, seat selection, check-in, boarding and what to expect when flying with one of the UK’s main airlines. This is particularly useful if you are flying into or out of Heathrow or Gatwick, where British Airways operates many flights.
If you are planning flights within the UK, you should also read our UK Domestic Flights Guide, which explains domestic flight routes, airlines, airports and when flying is faster than taking the train. This is useful if you are travelling between London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester or other UK cities.
Reading these guides together will help you plan your journey more efficiently, choose the best airport transfers and understand how to travel around London and the UK more easily.
Last Updated
April 2026
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