London Heathrow Airport

 

London Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport is located 32 km (20 miles) to the west of Central London and there are excellent transport links.

Each of the five terminals has competitive currency exchange facilities, information counters, accommodation desks and left luggage facilities. Heathrow’s latest addition, Terminal 5 opened in 2008 as the airport’s new longhaul base. Heathrow Terminal 5 is the biggest freestanding building in the UK and is five times the size of Terminal 4.

Heathrow’s Terminal 2 closed for renovations in late 2009 after nearly 60 years of operation. The new and improved Terminal 2 is due to reopen in 2014.

• Visit the London Heathrow Airport website

 

Heathrow Hotels and Hotel Transfers

There are numerous hotels near Heathrow. The Heathrow Hotel Hoppa bus, operated by National Express, links local hotels to the airport. The service runs from Heathrow Terminals 1,3 and 5 (Terminal 4 passengers can use the free rail link to or from Terminal 3). Heathrow Hotel Hoppa tickets cost £4 one way.

• Visit the National Express’s Hotel Hoppa website
• Search Visit London’s Accommodation Guide to find and book a hotel or see our page about hotels near Heathrow airport

 

Heathrow Airport by Train

The Heathrow Express is the fastest way to travel into Central London. Trains leave Heathrow Airport from approximately 5.00am until 11.45pm. Standard adult fares are £16.50 for a single ticket purchased online (£18 if bought from the ticket machine at Heathrow Airport and £23 if purchased onboard).

Operating 150 services every day, Heathrow Express reaches Heathrow Central (Terminals 1 and 3) from Paddington in 15 minutes, with Terminal 5 a further four minutes. A free transfer service to Terminal 4 departs Heathrow Central every 15 minutes and takes four minutes.

• Visit the Heathrow Express website

Heathrow Connect services run from London Paddington, calling at Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, Hanwell, Southall, Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Central (Terminals 1 and 3). For Terminals 4 and 5, there’s a free Heathrow Express transfer service from Heathrow Central. Heathrow Connect journey time is 25 minutes from Paddington to Heathrow Central and adult tickets cost £8.50 single or £16.50 return.

• Visit the Heathrow Connect website

 

Heathrow Airport by Tube

The Piccadilly line connects Heathrow Airport to Central London and the rest of the Tube system. The Tube is cheaper than the Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect but it takes a lot longer and is less comfortable. Tube services leave Heathrow every few minutes from approximately 5am (5.50am Sundays) to 11.45pm (10.50pm Sundays).

Journey time to Piccadilly Circus is about 50 minutes. There are three Tube stations at Heathrow Airport, serving Terminals 1-3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. A single paper ticket from Heathrow (Zone 6) into Central London (Zone 1) costs £5.00 (£4.50 on Oyster). If you’re going to be using London’s public transport system, it’s worth buying an Oyster card.

• Visit the Transport for London (TfL) website

 

Heathrow Airport by Coach

National Express runs frequent coach services between Heathrow’s central bus station and Victoria Coach Station. The journey takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the route. Some services stop en route in Hammersmith or Earl’s Court. Standard tickets cost £5 single or £9 return. Services from Heathrow commence around 5.30am and run until 9.30pm.

Coaches from Victoria leave from around 7.15am until 11.30pm. It’s advisable to check details of the service and book in advance, particularly at weekends or peak times. Also, allow plenty of time in case of road delays.

• Visit the National Express website

 

Heathrow Airport By Bus

Between midnight and 5.30am, the N9 night bus runs every 30 minutes to Central London (Trafalgar Square). Journey time is approximately 65 minutes. For more information visit the Transport for London website. Standard bus fares apply (£1.30 Oyster/ £2.20 cash) and Travelcards are accepted.

 

Heathrow Airport By Taxi

There are usually taxis queuing for customers at London’s airports. Ask the driver or minicab company how much your journey will cost beforehand. Only use a black cab or reputable minicab and never use unauthorised drivers. A metered trip in a black cab to/from Central London generally cost from £50 to £80 and take 30 minutes to 1 hour. All Heathrow Terminals have an approved taxi desk and authorised taxi rank.

• Visit the Heathrow Taxis website