What are the best ways to get from Central London to Heathrow?

A perennial question for Londoners and tourists alike is what is the best way for me to get to the airport? Well in this series we will cover the most conventional ways to get to all the major London airports via public transport.

First up is Heathrow!

Heathrow serves nearly 80,000,000 million passengers per year, and granted, a lot of those will be connecting through, but a huge chunk will be trying to get to/from Central London.

The options to get to Heathrow have gotten exponentially better since the opening of the Elizabeth Line (ne Crossrail), so here we'll cover the main ways of getting to/from Heathrow, with some recommendations throughout.

Elizabeth Line

Opening in July 2020 the Elizabeth Line represents the latest addition to the London rail network. Whilst not technically being a tube line, this is how most people see it. The designers of the Elizabeth line wanted it to be seen in the same way as the RER in Paris.

Extending all the way out to the east of London in Abbey Wood and Shenfield, the Elizabeth links all four Heathrow terminals to this network. Upon opening the Elizabeth Line replaced the Heathrow Connect service from Paddington, stopping along the way, before getting to Heathrow.

The Elizabeth Line offers frequent services to Heathrow, typically running every 10 minutes during peak times.

The Elizabeth Line accepts both contactless payment cards and Oyster cards. Simply tap in at your departure station and tap out at Heathrow. A single fare using a contactless payment method from Heathrow to Tottenham Court Road is currently £5.60.

If you prefer, you can purchase a Travelcard that covers the appropriate zones, or a paper ticket specifically for your journey to Heathrow. For a journey from Heathrow to Tottenham Court road a paper ticket would cost £6.70.

The journey from central London to Heathrow is direct, without the need to change trains. Typical journey times are as follows:

- Paddington to Heathrow Terminals: Approximately 30 minutes.

- Bond Street to Heathrow Terminals: Approximately 35 minutes.

- Tottenham Court Road to Heathrow Terminals: Approximately 40 minutes.

The Elizabeth Line offers a direct and fast route to Heathrow, avoiding the need for changes or additional travel time associated with other methods. Modern trains with comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage make the journey pleasant and hassle-free. Frequent services and multiple central London stations make it easy to catch a train without long waits or complex transfers. The Elizabeth Line stations and trains are designed to be accessible, with step-free access and facilities for passengers with reduced mobility.

Heathrow Express

The Heathrow Express is a "premium" rail service that offers one of the fastest and most convenient routes from Central London to Heathrow Airport.

The Heathrow Express departs exclusively from London Paddington Station, a major West London rail hub well-connected to other parts of London via the Underground, bus services, and other rail lines. The Heathrow Express provides the fastest rail connection to Heathrow Airport, with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes from Paddington to Terminals 2 and 3, and a few minutes more to Terminal 5. Trains will run at 15 minute intervals throughout the day.

The train departs Paddington on the national rail platforms, using the Great Western mainline tracks, before arriving at Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3. Trains then continue to Terminal 5 after a brief stop at Heathrow Central. For Terminal 4, passengers need to transfer to a free shuttle service from Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3.

The Heathrow Express trains are designed for comfort, featuring spacious seating, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and dedicated luggage space. First-class carriages offer additional amenities such as larger seats and complimentary newspapers. The Heathrow Express is fully accessible, with step-free access and facilities for passengers with reduced mobility.

For the best prices purchase your tickets online in advance via the Heathrow Express website or app. Tickets can also be purchased at London Paddington Station from ticket machines or the ticket office. Contactless payment and Oyster cards are also accepted, providing a convenient option for travellers.

Tickets do not come cheaply though with a single in standard class costing £25, and a single in first class coming in at £32. You can find cheaper fares if booked in advance, as low as £15, but you'll have to plan ahead if using these fares.

Piccadilly Line

The Piccadilly Line offers a convenient and affordable way to travel from Central London to Heathrow Airport. As part of London’s extensive Underground network, it provides a direct and straightforward route, connecting key central locations with all Heathrow terminals

Major central London stations on the Piccadilly Line include King's Cross St. Pancras, Russell Square, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Green Park, and Hyde Park Corner.

The most convenient way to pay is using an Oyster card or a contactless payment card. Simply tap in at your departure station and tap out at Heathrow. Fares are automatically calculated and capped daily. You can also use a Travelcard that covers the appropriate zones or buy a paper ticket from ticket machines or the ticket office.

The Piccadilly Line is one of the most cost-effective ways to get to Heathrow Airport from Central London. The pricing structure is as follows.

Oyster Card or Contactless Payment Card

   - Peak Hours (Mon-Fri, 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM): £5.60

   - Off-Peak Hours (all other times, including weekends): £3.50

Travelcard

   - If you have a Travelcard covering Zones 1-6, the journey is included at no additional cost.

Single Paper Ticket

   - Anytime: £6.70

Piccadilly Line trains are designed for regular commuter traffic, with adequate seating and standing space, but limited to no luggage rack space. However, during peak hours, trains can be crowded, so plan accordingly.

The journey from central London to Heathrow Airport typically takes about 50-60 minutes, with the train will make several stops along the way. Not all stations on the Piccadilly Line are equipped with step-free access and facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, so check ahead before you travel.

Buses

Traveling to Heathrow Airport from Central London by bus is a viable option for those seeking a budget-friendly and scenic route. While it takes longer than the Tube or express trains, it can be a cost-effective and interesting way to see parts of the city. Here’s how to navigate this journey smoothly.

The first port of call would be to work out the operator of your route, typically that would either be Transport for London, or National Express. National Express operates direct coach services from various points in Central London to Heathrow Airport. Major stops include London Victoria Coach Station, Paddington, and Marble Arch. Coaches run frequently, typically every 30 minutes, with a journey time of about 40-90 minutes depending on traffic.

Prices start from around £6-£10 if booked in advance. Tickets can be purchased online, via the National Express app, or at the coach station.

Local London Buses are plentiful in number, but here are a couple of example of routes that extend towards Central London.

- Route 285: This bus runs from Kingston to Heathrow Central Bus Station. It stops at various points including Feltham and Hatton Cross.

- Route X26: Known as the "Heathrow Connect," this route runs from Croydon to Heathrow Central, passing through Kingston, Teddington, and Hounslow.

- Night Buses: For late-night or early-morning travellers, routes like the N9 run from Aldwych (near Covent Garden) to Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3.

I'd recommend using an online jounrey planner such as the Transport for London (TfL) website or Google Maps to check bus schedules and plan your journey accordingly. Do note that London buses do not accept cash payments. Use an Oyster card, contactless payment card, or purchase a Travelcard. A single on a London bus Hopper fare gives you unlimited journeys for £1.75, made within one hour of touching in. It is possible to make the journey from Central London to Heathrow for £1.75 as this video by Geoff Marshall demonstrates.

A few points to note:

Most bus services will terminate at Heathrow Central Bus Station. It’s a short walk to Terminals 2 and 3, and free shuttle services are available to Terminals 4 and 5. The journey will be longer, but offers a chance to see different parts of London that you wouldn't have seen before from inside a tunnel. London buses are equipped to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility, but will have limited space on board. Buses can be slower due to traffic, so plan to leave with plenty of time before your flight.

Taxi

The black cab is synonymous with London, and you will find them all over the city. At Heathrow, there are long taxi ranks outside each terminal at all times of days. Unlike in other cities like New York, journeys to and from London's airports are not capped and will run on a meter. A typical journey to/from Central London will cost around £70. If you're interested on how the taxi system works at Heathrow from a drivers perspective, I'd recommend clicking here for an excellent video by Tom the Taxi Driver.

Conclusion

For me, it's all about where in London I am trying to get to Heathrow from. Typically, this will mean the quickest possible route. If I am on Oxford Street, then I'd take the Elizabeth Line. If I am in Kensington, then I would take the Piccadilly Line, and so on. I hope this guide aids your understanding of the various ways of getting to Heathrow.