Getting from Heathrow Airport to London: the best ways

Don't know how to get to your hotel? Not sure if you want the quickest or the cheapest way to get to the place you're staying? Don't know how much all the options cost? Want an independent guide telling you what he recommends? This is the article for you.

First things first. I’m sorry about Heathrow airport. I’ve nothing to do with this airport, I am in no way responsible for it, yet I, as a London resident, feel the need to apologize for it to you, formally, right now in writing. It’s a smelly, cramped, heaving, confusing mass of an airport. You like walking? Good. It’ll take you a solid week from the plane to baggage reclaim. How about waiting? Great. There’ll be plenty of time for that. Bring a word puzzle or a nail file or that novel you never finished - you'll be able to work on it in the line for passport control. I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry.

On a slight aside – things are improving, in places. The new swishy terminal 5 seems to be a great improvement on Heathrow, old-style. Only four terminals to go…

Anyway the important thing to remember once you get here is: you have arrived! And to be fair there are lots of things you would expect in an arrivals terminal. Shops/coffee places (which are open most, if not all the time), toilets and ATMs.

Heathrow is a mere 17 miles from the centre of London. But this being one of the busiest cities in the world it does take time to get from there to… well somewhere you actually want to be.

 

So here are the options. You’ll have to weigh up for yourself convenience vs time:

The best ways to get from Heathrow to London

	Cheapest	Most convenient	Fastest	Cheapest after Midnight	Cheapest for Groups	BEST VALUE OVERALL - Time vs cost
1	Tube	Black taxi-cab	Heathrow Express	N9 Nightbus	Prebooked minicab (van)	Tube
2	National Express Bus	Heathrow Express	Heathrow Connect	Prebooked minicab	Black cab (for up to five people)	National Express Bus
3	Pre-booked minicab	National Express Bus	National Express Bus

THE TUBE

Cheap and reliable - but takes a while.

Pros:

It’s the cheapest sensible way to where you need to get.

Cons:

• It takes quite a long time, and doesn’t run between about half eleven at night and five in the morning. It might seem a bit complicated if you’re tired and have lots to carry. (It's not - and there's a guide on how to use the london underground here)

 

• Can get very crowded if you hit it during rush hour.

 

What is it?

The London Underground. It’s one of the biggest and busiest underground train services in the world. Though confusingly, as you head towards London from Heathrow, the first bit is above ground - you only get into the tunnels as you approach the center of London.

Frequency?

Every few minutes. You shouldn’t have to wait over 5 minutes almost all the time.

 

When does it run?

First train into London is just after 0500 (5AM). Last train is at 23:35 (11:35PM). Later start on Sundays: 0545 (5:45 AM) but later finish too: the last train into London leaves Heathrow at 23:15.

It may well be that you have to change lines to get to the nearest tube stop to your hotel. But note that if you’re arriving very late at night – on the last train out of Heathrow or so – then other lines may have stopped running. In this instance you’ll be able to get as far as central London but no further – factor this in to your plan! In that case, I’d get to the nearest stop to your hotel and then flag down a black cab. It’ll be a lot cheaper than taking one straight from the airport.

 

How long will it take?

About 45-50 minutes to central London, depending on exactly where your hotel is.

 

How much does it cost?

Well, you can go for the easiest option or the cheapest option, which involves a wee bit more work.

Easy option

It’s never simple, is it? There are a frankly baffling array of options. The simplest solution at this stage is to buy a ‘single’ ticket to the nearest tube stop to your hotel. This costs £4 per person. Kids under 11 go free. Getting cheap London travel in general (i.e. not from the airport) is such a big topic I've got a whole other guide to that.

Cheapest option

For the absolute rock-bottom cheapest tube fare from Heathrow you need to:

Go to the London Underground ticket office and ask for a ‘visitor oyster card’ or go to the machine and buy an Oyster card. It costs £3 each, and every adult traveler needs one. It’s a plastic, rechargeable, pre-paid ticket. You’ll also need to put some credit on it, so let’s say £20 if you’re going to in London for at least a few days.
Swipe the card when you go in and out (more details about that HERE)
Using this card, the journey from Heathrow to any hotel in zone one will have cost you £3.80 if it’s rush hour, or £2.60 if it’s not. Good value because you’ll need your card again… lots.

[The only time I wouldn't recommend going down the 'cheapest option' route here and getting an Oyster Pay as You Go card (apart from if you just don't want the bother, which is a perfectly valid reason) is if you're staying in Central London for four days or more. In that case take the easy option now, and get a zones 1-2 travelcard for later. More details in my travelling in London section.]

 

How do I use the tube from Heathrow then?

Look for the Underground signs at Heathrow. Don’t get it confused with the Heathrow express which is much more expensive. There are tube stations at terminals one, two, three, four and five at Heathrow – which means there are stations at all five terminals in fact.

Heathrow’s the end of the line, so at the moment you can only go one way – towards London. Get on the next train that comes along! The journey takes roughly 45 minutes to central London. Keep an eye on the display in the carriage to find out if you’re at the station you need to end up in, or which you need to change at.

For reference you will be on the PICCADILLY line on a train towards Cockfosters (that’s the very last station in the line, as far away from Heathrow as you can get. Just make sure you get off long, long before this though - or you’ll have been all the way through central London and out the other side!) A tube map may help you understand this better, you can pick up a paper copy for free when you get your ticket - they're just lying by the counter for people to take.

 

Anything else I need to know?

Yes. It's a good idea to double-check they're not doing maintenance work on the parts of the system that you need to use on the day that you arrive. This happens more at weekends than in the week. Although they run rail-replacement bus services, knowing that there's engineering may sway your decision to take the underground from the airport.

 

Final comments on the tube

• If I arrived in London from some other part of the world before about 10pm, this is the method I’d take. You see ‘real London’ from the moment you get on the tube and save a packet getting from the airport.

 

• If you’re staying on a hotel near a tube stop that's on the Piccadilly line this is pretty much the only way I’d travel to my hotel, period.

 

• But if you hate lugging heavy bags around, or value convenience over money at this stage this may not be for you. The tube is not a dedicated travel system for tourists so you may have to carry your bags up stairs and move them around other passengers.
  

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THE HEATHROW EXPRESS

A very fast train that empties your wallet quickly too

Pros:

• It’s really quick. You can buy a ticket on the train, for a surcharge.

Cons:

• It’s pretty expensive.
• Gets into Paddington train station, in North West London so you may still need to use the tube or get a cab as well before you end up in your hotel.
• Doesn’t run between midnight and five.

 

What is it?

A high speed, non-stopping train service to central London – only used by people going to and from the airport. It’s got TVs on it – a must have for any train, these days, I suppose…?!

Frequency?

Every 15 minutes.

When does it run?

First train to London is about 05:07, last train is about 23:41. It’s the same on Sundays.

How long will it take?

15 minutes from Terminals 1, 2 and 3; 21 minutes from Terminal 5.

Terminal 4 is slightly more complicated – you’ve got to first get a free shuttle train from there to the main station at terminals 1, 2 and 3, and then take the Express as normal.

How much does it cost?

The standard single fare is £16.50 per person online if you buy in advance. It’s £8.20 for children until they’re sixteen. Under fives go free. The next cheapest option is to buy it at the ticket office or machine at Heathrow airport, then it's £18. It’s more expensive if you buy on the train - £23 for adults and £11.50 for children. Check out their website here.

If you have something wrong with your head or just want to burn money for fun, buy first class tickets. They're nearly double the price (remember, the journey takes FIFTEEN minutes…) though — hey! — you do get more legroom!

Can I get it cheaper?

Maybe.

• If you are four or more and it’s a weekend – and there have to be at least two adults — you can get ‘Group Weekender’ single tickets – and save 50% per person.
• It’s a 25 percent discount if you have an international student card (ISIC).
• You can book online in advance  but they do sometimes release money-off codes onto the internet you can redeem if you buy an ‘e-ticket’ before leaving home. (You know the sort, you print them out at home and show them to the train guard). Recently I saw one for 50% off so worth a quick google of ‘voucher’ and ‘Heathrow express’.

How do I use it then?

Make your way to the train station either at terminal 5 or the one at terminals 1, 2 and 3. There are loads of signs. Remember, buying before you board is cheaper!

  

Final comment about the Heathrow Express

Worth doing if you can get the group weekender, ISIC tickets, have money to spare or are landing late. But it still only gets you to Paddington - not convenient for many travelers and there's no getting away from the fact that it's really really expensive.

 

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HEATHROW CONNECT

A cunning alternative to the Heathrow Express - slightly slower but lots cheaper - but a poor choice on a Sunday

Pros:

• It’s fast, and much cheaper than the Heathrow Express
• Runs a bit later than either the tube or the Heathrow express.

Cons:

• It’s not as frequent as the Heathrow Express. Gets into Paddington train station, in North West London so you may still need to use the tube or get a cab as well before you end up in your hotel. Doesn’t run between midnight and 04:42.
• It’s only once an hour on a Sunday

What is it?

A fairly quick, stopping train service to Paddington station in central London. Used by airport workers and normal people as well as just tourists. It’s a normal train with no TVs!

Frequency?

Every 30 minutes, so if you just miss a train you’ll have to wait 30 minutes for the next one. On Sundays they’re much less frequent, only once an hour.

When does it run?

First train to London from the airport is about 05:23, last train is about 00:01. On Sundays the first one isn’t till 06:07. The last one’s at 00:01 too.

How long will it take?

On average, about 25 minutes.

How much does it cost?

The standard single fare is £15.80 per person. It’s £8.20 for children until they’re sixteen. Under fives go free.

Can I get it cheaper?

It’s pretty difficult. They do accept ‘railcards’ – a discount scheme for the under 25s, the over 60s or those travelling in groups – but the only problem is that the ticket office at Heathrow doesn’t sell them and you can’t buy them abroad. If you pick one up during your stay – probably only useful if you’re travelling out of London on the train network – then you can perhaps use it on your way back if you're eligible for one.

How do I use it then?

Make your way to the train station at terminals 1, 2 and 3. There are loads of signs. You need to buy tickets at the machines before you get on, there’s no facility to purchase onboard.

If you’ve landed at terminal 5 you need to get the free transfer service to terminal 1,2,3. The short bit between terminal 5 and terminals 1, 2 and 3 is run by competitor company heathrow express – you’re allowed on for this but remember to change at terminal 1,2,3 or you’ll be stuck on the (more expensive) Heathrow Express and forced to buy another ticket!

Assuming you managed to find Heathrow Connect, a tip is if your hotel is on the central line it may be quicker to get off at one of the intermediate stops, Ealing Broadway, rather than going all the way to Paddington. You would need to have bought a through ticket to your final destination at the Heathrow ticket office if you plan to do this though. (Or exit at Ealing Broadway, buy new tickets, and go back down to the platforms – a right pain in the butt, especially when you're tired and full of airline 'food'!)

Final thoughts on the Heathrow Connect

If you’re staying round Paddington or on the Central line, this is probably the one to take. Worth considering even if you’re not, as it’s quick and reliable and cheaper than the express.

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BLACK CAB

London’s traditional ‘black’ taxis – expensive but a great service and it may price out ok if there are a few of you.

Pros:

• It’s door to door, 24/7, 365 service.
• Black cab drivers are among the most professional and well-trained in the world.

Cons:

• The price. It’s not a nice feeling to have spent so much money in such a short time! And you don't know what the final bill will be until you arrive.
• The traffic.

What are they?

Black cabs – London’s regulated taxis. Every driver has to train for up to two years to learn the quickest way across London, memorising countless set-routes. They’re probably the best taxis and drivers in the world, if you’re nerdy enough to compare. You know it’s a black cab because it looks like the picture here. Confusingly some aren’t black anymore, but they're all the same unique shape.

How often?

Every couple of minutes, maximum. There are designated ranks outside every Heathrow terminal.

When do they run?

24 hours, every day.

How long does it take?

Ah – here’s the rub. You can’t tell. The problem is the traffic’s so unpredictable you can’t ever be sure about journey times. Count on anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours, depending on time of day (it’s busier in the morning and evening rush hours – between 7AM and 10AM and 4PM and 7PM) and where you’re going.

How much will it cost?

The good news is that you only pay what’s shown on the meter. The bad news is: the meter ticks on even when you’re stuck in traffic. You also pay more if you have bags, and it’s a higher rate at night. With all this taken into account you’re probably looking at the £40-80 mark, but you won’t know exactly how much until you pull up outside your hotel.

Can I get it cheaper?

Tricky. The only cheapening option is to find someone else going to your destination you could share the cost with. If there are people waiting for a taxi with you it may be worth asking around if anyone wants to share to your destination.

How do I use it then?

There are taxi ranks outside each terminal. Walk to the first one in the queue which has the ‘taxi’ light on and ask him to take you to… well, wherever you want to go really. Some accept credit cards for a slight surcharge but it’s better with cash. And also note that they can legally only take a maximum of 5 people and probably only 3 suitcases – so not ideal if you’re a big party.

Final comment on black cabs

The most effortless way into London – door to door service. But the timings are unpredictable, and so is the cost. It’ll be expensive whatever, though.

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PREBOOKED NON-BLACK TAXI

Another type of taxi – cheaper but not as well-renowned and has to be pre-booked.

Pros:

• It’s door to door, 24/7, 365 service.
• It’s a fixed price – no worries if you’re stuck in traffic.
• Cheaper than a black cab, or Heathrow Express in a group.

Cons:

• The traffic.
• You have to find your driver in the airport – the anxiety that they won’t turn up, though they invariably do.

What is it?

Wait, another type of taxi? Yup, ‘fraid so. These have to be booked in advance and drivers don’t need any special ‘taxi’ training so its cheaper but not as professional.

Fixed rate means no worries about ridiculous fares due to traffic problems. You should get met at arrivals – they usually hold up a notice with your surname emblazoned onto it. They seem to have some sort of competition for how badly they can misspell names going on, so check them carefully.

You can also order van taxis, which can hold up to 7. Make this clear when you telephone if you want one, otherwise you’ll get a car that holds four (plus the driver) though that will be a bit of a squeeze. Obviously they're a bit more expensive.

WARNING –
Don’t ever, ever, just get into a ‘taxi’ that someone offers you if you haven’t ordered it.

Illegal taxi drivers rip people off and there have been instances of attacks and worse. The only safe way to travel by taxi is to (a) prebook one from a reputable firm or (b) hail a black cab. Don't risk it!

Frequency?

Every few minutes – whenever you’ve booked it for.

When does it run?

24 hours, every day.

How long will it take?

As with black cabs, the vagaries of London’s traffic could mean anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. But you pay only what you agreed, so you’re not sitting there anxiously wondering if you’ll have to remortgage the house just to pay for the journey.

How much does it cost?

You agree a fixed price in advance with the taxi firm, and there are often different options depending on how big a car you need. If you’re coming from North America remember that everything is smaller over here – including the trunk! So factor that in to what you order if you’re likely to have loads of cases.
You can order minibuses that can seat up to about 16 if you’re a very big party and that’s by far the cheapest option for you per head. Otherwise, the average cost is probably around the £40-75 mark. Most only take cash, so have enough.

Can I get it cheaper?

You can shop around on the internet for the cheapest reliable company, but otherwise, no.

How do I use it then?

You can prebook on the phone or the web. There are lots of firms out there with differing options about car size and price – one of the biggest operators is OTS Airport Cars, who allow you to book online, you just need to know your hotel's post code (you'll be able to find it on the hotel website). Whoever you choose, if there are any problems I'd probably telephone rather than email, even at Transatlantic rates, just to make sure everything was sorted to my satisfaction. Sometimes you can't beat talking to a real human being.

At any rate, look for two key things:

(a) is it a fully inclusive price?

And (b) are they licensed?

If you forget to do all this in advance, there are also several ‘freephone’ (direct to the taxi firm) telephones at heathrow after you land. You get a similar price as you get on the web, but the disadvantage is that you’ll have to wait for a while before they rock up.

Final comment on minicab taxis

Fixed price has its advantages, but it's still not cheap unless you’re a larger group.

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THE NATIONAL EXPRESS BUS TO VICTORIA

Fastish, frequent and cheap – but an early finish and the tube's still cheaper.

Pros:

• Fast, frequent
• Cheap

Cons:

• The last bus finishes early
• It only drops off at one useful(ish) point in central London – Victoria bus and train station.

What is it?

It’s a regular, easy coach service which runs non-stop from the airport to London Victoria. You can catch a taxi, bus or local tube from there to your destination.

Frequency?

Varies. Anywhere between once every five minutes and once an hour.

When does it run?

First bus is at 0525, last one is at a very early 2140.

How long will it take?

Again, it varies. An average of 50 minutes but could well be longer, depending, as ever, on what London’s traffic is deciding to do.

How much does it cost?

It’s a pretty inexpensive £4.50 single fare, with reductions for children. It's best to buy in advance on their website to make sure you've got a seat at the best price..

Can I get it cheaper?

No.

How do I use it then?

The coaches leave from the Central bus station at Heathrow, which is at terminals 1,2 and 3. There’s a ticket office and some ticket machines to use as well. There are sheets at the station to let you know which stand it goes from and it will likely have the name of the operator ‘National Express’ emblazoned down the side. As it’s the most popular route from Heathrow it’s very easy to find.

It’s non-stop and will drop you at Victoria bus and train station a mere gnat’s breath from Buckingham Palace.

Final comment

It’s cheap but finishes early and can be delayed. I’d prefer the tube if my journey wasn’t ending very close to Victoria.

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THE N9 NIGHT BUS

A dirt-cheap bus which only runs at night – but not an easy option.

Pros:

• It runs overnight, all night.
• It’s dirt cheap

Cons:

• It’s a bus. Buses in foreign cities invariably seem complicated.
• It takes a while.
• It only drops off at one useful(ish) point in central London
• It doesn’t run in the day.

What is it?

Night buses are usually the preserve of the hardcore Londoner, a useful if often slow way of getting home to bed, often after a few drinks. It may not be luxury and you may spend part of your journey with the ‘merry’ or the mad but it certainly is the real McCoy, a red London bus, run by the local authorities, rather than for profit. Its final destinaton is Aldwych in Central London, a couple of minutes from Waterloo bridge though it twists a windy way from Heathrow out in the west through the suburbs, urbs and finally city centre destinations. There's a timetable here.

Frequency?

Every 20-25 minutes.

When does it run?

First bus is at 2355, last one at 0455. On Friday and Saturday night the last bus isn’t till 0525, though you’d be risking it to rely on the last service leaving exactly on time – they often go a couple of minutes early so the driver can race through the route and home to bed.

How long will it take?

The timetabled journey time is 71 minutes to Aldwych. After half an hour of stopping at god-forsaken settlements near Heathrow which you don’t even need to know about, the first (possibly) useful stop to you might be Kew bridge (after 35 station), Hammersmith (after 47 mins), Kensington (after 53 mins), Hyde Park Corner (after 58 mins), Green Park (after an hour), Piccadilly (one hour 2 mins), Trafalgar Square (one hour five minutes) or then finally, Aldwych after one hour ten mins. It's probably worth noting that you won't be able to take the tube anywhere onwards from when you've get on the bus, or at least not until it starts to run again at about 0530.

How much does it cost?

Single cash fare is a thrift-tastic £2, while if you can pick up an Oyster card when you land at Heathrow – you may not be able to if you land very late – the entire journey will cost a mere £1.20. That’s frankly absurdly cheap and in fact makes it the cheapest way to get from heathrow to London. But, for reasons best known to themselves, the transport operators don’t have a similar service in daylight.

Can I get it cheaper?

No, stop being silly. (actually, I suppose theoretically you could walk – though it would take about 6 hours.)

How do I use it then?

The buses leave from the Central bus station at Heathrow, which is at terminals 1,2 and 3. You pay onboard, and exact change, while not obligatory, is always grudgingly appreciated. You know it’s an N9 because it will say ‘N9 Aldwych’ on the front, and it will be red. There are notices at the station to let you know which stand it goes from.

The problem – as ever with buses - comes with getting off at the right moment. Drivers are usually pretty good at helping you out by shouting when you’re supposed to get off if you ask them politely as you get on. But they do sometimes forget – and let’s remember too that it’s the middle of the night so you’re not exactly going to be able to see where you’re going. Just keep an eye on the timetable – you should know roughly where you are by working out how long you’ve been on the bus and the name of the stop is on the top of each bus stop so looking out of the window might help slightly. At least in the worst case scenario you’re only in Aldwych at the end of the line where you can usually get taxis from anyway.

Final comment
Cheapest way by far – especially given the expense of other options at night. But tricky to get off at the right time.

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So once again, just to sum that mass of information up, for my money....

The best ways to get from Heathrow to London

	Cheapest	Most convenient	Fastest	Cheapest after Midnight	Cheapest for Groups	BEST VALUE OVERALL - Time vs cost
1	Tube	Black taxi-cab	Heathrow Express	N9 Nightbus	Prebooked minicab (van)	Tube
2	National Express Bus	Heathrow Express	Heathrow Connect	Prebooked minicab	Black cab (for up to five people)	National Express Bus
3	Pre-booked Minicab	National Express Bus	National Express Bus

This guide was last updated in Late 2010 and is updated every quarter. That's every three months, you lucky people!

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