Getting to and from Heathrow
Ways of getting in and out of Heathrow include private cars, hire cars, taxis, trains, coaches and local buses.
Local buses
The cheapest and easiest way to get between the hotels and the terminals, by a wide margin. Individual hotel entries have full details of how to get to and from that specific hotel.
How the buses workElizabeth line
The Elizabeth line runs from every terminal to Paddington in about 30 minutes and on through central London. A single is £15.50 on contactless, cheaper than the Heathrow Express. It is the option we use most.
Heathrow Express
15 minutes to Paddington, non-stop. It is the fastest way in and the most expensive, up to £25 for a single bought on the day. Book ahead for cheaper fares. Use it when the speed matters and Paddington suits you.
Underground
The Piccadilly line runs from every terminal into central London and stops at every station on the way, so it takes about 50 minutes. At £5.90 on contactless it is the cheapest train into town. You can change to other tube lines to get pretty much anywhere, though there is less coverage south of the River Thames.
Coaches
National Express run coaches from Heathrow Central bus station and terminals 4 and 5, to cities across the UK as well as to Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports. Fares and times are on the National Express site.
Taxis & private hire
Black cabs wait at the official ranks outside every terminal. Many people use meet and greet, though whether that’s needed is debatable. The easiest way is probably getting an Uber. Airport charges are included in their quoted fares and you can take trolleys in the lifts to the collection point.
Uber
At Terminal 5 the Uber pick-up point is a two minute walk from arrivals, walk outside to the external lifts (not the ones inside the terminal) and go to level 1 of the terminal car park. Uber has maps of the pick-up points at every Heathrow terminal. Follow the live directions shown in the Uber app as locations can change.
Car hire
Compare every rental firm at Heathrow in one search. Our guide covers where you collect the car and how to avoid overpaying at the desk for excess cover.
Hiring a car at HeathrowParking
On-airport, off-airport and the park-and-ride options. Heathrow’s own parking pages are here.
