Transfer to/from - London Heathrow airport (LHR)

Transportation

Door-to-door transfer service

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.

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National Express Coach

Journey time and schedules

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.

Rates

The 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.

Luggage

Two 20kg bags and one carry-on bag can be carried per adult.

Gatwick Airport

Another 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 Airport

Direct connection to Luton Airport, with 13 daily departures from £20.00 (approximate journey time: 70 min).

Stansted Airport

Direct connection to Stansted Airport, with 1 daily departure from £18.00 (approximate journey time: 90 min).

Other destinations

Other important routes are operated by Megabus, RailAir and The Airline.

Stops

Terminals 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.

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Heathrow Express

Journey time

The journey between London Paddington Station and terminals 2 & 3 takes 15 minutes (3 extra minutes to Terminal 5). Trains depart every 15 minutes.

Fares

Tickets 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.

Stops

Trains 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 details

You 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.

Connections

London’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.

Underground

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.

Rates

Underground 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

Stops

The 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.

Times

First 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 Bus

When 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.

Elizabeth Line

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 Fees

The 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.

Coach services to train stations

Heathrow to Feltham

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)

Heathrow to Guildford

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 Oxford

The 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

Taxis and ride-sharing

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

Minicabit

Britain’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

Uber and Lyft

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.

Although there are issues that seem more than obvious, it is always advisable to take them into account when moving to or from the airport, and especially if we go by public transport.  1- To the airport - It is convenient to leave with a little more anticipation than what is commonly suggested. If you choose a taxi or a private car service, always take into account peak traffic times, demonstrations, strikes or events that may delay the journey to the airport from where you are. It is always good to be informed about what is happening. If you contract a shared transfer service, have a contact telephone number handy in case of any delay by the company. In these cases they usually already have a scheduled collection time. If you use public transport (collective, train) take into account the schedules (weekends and holidays tend to have less frequency), if you have to change and also how to board (if you need a card or paying the driver or motorist at the moment ). These are details that seem obvious, but it is advisable to know so as not to have surprises and suffer a delay that could cause complications. If you rent a car to get to the airport, check where to leave the vehicle. At some airports, there is an exclusive parking lot for rental cars.  2 -From the airport- Here it is a little less stressful since you don't have the pressure of missing your flight. In the worst case, you will arrive later at the place where you are going to stay or at the meeting point where you are trying to arrive. Once you leave the plane, look for your suitcase and finish with the arrival procedures that are required. Then, follow the directions for public transportation or ask the airport staff. It is very useful to find out in advance the schedules of the buses or trains in case you arrive late at night. Not all work 24 hours. The same goes for taxis. In case of using an Uber-type service, have the mobile application handy to contact the driver. On the other hand, if you booked a private transport service, it is likely that they will have a person waiting for you, identified with a sign. If you rent a car to go from the airport to your final destination, for greater peace of mind it is advisable to book it in advance. Rental counters are usually available in the arrivals hall.