Public transportation services, licensed taxis and rideshare, private transfer companies and car rental services in London Heathrow airport (LHR)
If what you are looking for is the greatest comfort and tranquillity to transfer from Heathrow airport to London city, you can choose a private transfer service.
The best option is to book online and in advance your transfer to or from the airport so the driver will be waiting for you and you do not have to negotiate prices with taxis or transfer companies. You can hire a transfer for USD80.00 (a vehicle for 3 people), a vehicle for 4 people for USD88.00 or a minibus for 6 people for USD115.00.
The reservation must be made at least 12 hours in advance. At the airport, the driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name as soon as you leave the baggage claim area and enter the public hall. If you are staying in a hotel or apartment, the driver will be waiting outside the building. If they have the possibility to park the vehicle, sometimes they will wait at the reception.
Direct buses from Heathrow Airport to London (Victoria Bus Station) depart from 1:05 am to 11:30 pm, with travel times of 40 to 70 minutes.
RatesThe one-way fare from the airport to central London goes from £3.10 to £5.10 with an Oyster card or £6.00 in cash.
LuggageTwo 20kg bags and one carry-on bag can be carried per adult.
Gatwick AirportAnother direct route is the connection between Heathrow and Gatwick Airport, with 16 daily departures (from £20.00) and a travel time of 65 minutes.
Luton AirportDirect connection to Luton Airport, with 13 daily departures from £20.00 (approximate journey time: 70 min).
Stansted AirportDirect connection to Stansted Airport, with 1 daily departure from £18.00 (approximate journey time: 90 min).
Other destinationsOther important routes are operated by Megabus, RailAir and The Airline.
StopsTerminals 2 and 3: coaches depart from the Central Bus Station, which is only a 5-minute walk from the terminals via the elevators, escalators and travelators.
Terminal 4: stops are located just outside the Arrivals level. A free shuttle service to the Central Bus Station and Terminal 5 is available at stop 7. Buses can be found in stands 12-17.
Terminal 5: stops are between platforms 9-15, on the Arrivals level.
The journey between London Paddington Station and terminals 2 & 3 takes 15 minutes (3 extra minutes to Terminal 5). Trains depart every 15 minutes.
FaresTickets are available online or through the Heathrow Express app, as well as in the Arrivals areas or at the stations.
A single ticket costs £25.00. Express Class Returns tickets cost £37.00. Alternatively, book in advance (90 days) to get a ticket for only £5.50.
Children under the age of 15 travel free of charge in Express Class when accompanied by a paying adult.
Contactless and Oyster cards can be used to travel with the Heathrow Express. Simply touch in at the start of your trip and when you drop off and you will be automatically charged.
StopsTrains stop at terminals 2, 3 and 5. Passengers travelling to Terminal 4 must switch to the free transfer train at terminals 2 and 3 (connecting trains every 15 minutes, travel time 4 minutes).
Service detailsYou can travel comfortably on modern air-conditioned trains, with plenty of luggage space and onboard TV. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the train and power outlets are available in the seat. You can even use your mobile phone when the train goes through a tunnel. And for maximum comfort, you can opt for Business First, with larger seats, extra legroom, work tables and free newspapers and magazines.
ConnectionsLondon’s Paddington station is close to Hyde Park and Oxford Street and is served by the London Underground’s District, Circle, Bakerloo and Hammersmith & City lines. From London Paddington, you can take the main line trains to the west, southwest and south Wales.
It is the western end of the dark-blue Piccadilly line. The airport has three Underground stations: one for terminals 2 and 3 and one each for Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. The Piccadilly line runs through central London. Some popular stops are South Kensington, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden and Kings Cross.
Journey time: The journey between Heathrow Airport and central London takes 50-60 minutes. RatesUnderground tickets are available at all stations. The one-time cash fee to central London (Zone 1) is £6.30. A one-day Travelcard, which offers unlimited travel in zones 1-6, costs £18.10 (at any time) or £12.70 (out of peak). With an Oyster or Contactless card, the rates can be reduced to £5.50.
For more information, head to the Underground Visitors Centre at the underground station of terminals 2 and 3. See more
StopsThe station for terminals 2 and 3 is located between the terminals, which are a few minutes' walk via a pedestrian subway. The underground stations for terminals 4 and 5 are located in the basement of the buildings.
TimesFirst and last train to central London:
Terminals 2 and 3 from 5:12 am to 11:45 pm (11:28 pm on Sundays)
Terminal 4 from 5:02 am (5:06 am on Saturdays, 5:47 am on Sundays) to 11:35 pm (11:38 pm on Saturdays, 10:37 pm on Sundays)
Terminal 5 from 5:22 am to 11:42 pm (11:25 pm on Sundays)
On Fridays and Saturdays, the Piccadilly line operates throughout the night, but does not serve Terminal 4.
Night BusWhen the Tube is not running during the night, the N9 bus connects Heathrow to central London. The service runs every 30 minutes from the central bus station and Terminal 5.
The Elizabeth Line operates from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, with departures from 5:08 am until 11:40 pm. See more
Payment Methods and FeesThe easiest way to pay for your trip is with a Contactless or Oyster card, available on ticket machines. You can use a contactless debit or credit card or a mobile device. There’s no need to buy a ticket. Individual tickets and travel cards from zone 1-6 can also be used.
Travelling between Heathrow terminals is free on any TFL service if you touch in and out with a Contactless or Oyster card. Alternatively, you can pick up a terminal transfer ticket from certain machines at all stations.
Buses 285 and 490 run from Heathrow to Feltham (where you can catch a train to Richmond, Camberley, Bracknell, London Waterloo, Clapham Junction or the South).
Frequency: up to every 12 minutes
Journey time: Approximately 30 minutes
Fare: Adult Single - £1.65 (Contactless or Oyster cards only, cash not accepted)
The RailAir service between Heathrow and Guildford operates hourly with a journey time of 45 minutes.
Fare: Adult Single - £9.50, Return - £17.50
Heathrow to OxfordThe Airline coach runs from Heathrow to Oxford train station (trains to Birmingham New Street and Bicester Village).
Frequency: Hourly
Journey time: Approximately 80 minutes
Fare: Single £23.00, day return £30.00
Black taxis
Pick-up zones: Outside the Arrivals area of the terminals.
Estimated rates: The average fare from Heathrow Airport to downtown London ranges from £52.00 to £97.00, depending on the traffic conditions and the final destination. There is a minimum fee of £3.60 + £5.20 extra for taking you to the airport grounds. All units have meters and many of them are accessible for people in wheelchairs.Journey time: Between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Private-hire taxis - WeKnow
Private transfers in electric vehicles. Fixed rates and customer service desks are available in the Arrival area of all terminals. Fees and bookings
MinicabitBritain’s largest taxi comparison site allows you to compare the most competitive quotes of fleets reviewed by customers.
Prices are fixed and include ‘Meet & Greet’ in the Arrivals area.
Transfers are available between Heathrow and more than 550 UK cities.
You can book single and return trips up to 12 months before your trip. You can pay with a credit card or PayPal.
Rates to Central London from £29.00. Fees and bookings
Pick-up areas
Terminal 2 – Level 4, Row H (Short stay Park 2)
Terminal 3 – Level 3, Row A (Short stay Park 3)
Terminal 4 – Level 1, Private-hire pick-up area
Terminal 5 – Level 1, Row R (Short stay Park 5).
Rates from £30.00.
Latest updates: May 28, 2023