🚆 Heathrow Express, tube or bus: what is cheaper

Heathrow Airport lies about 25 km west of central London (on the map). After an eight-hour flight, the last thing you want is to figure out fares while standing at the turnstile with a suitcase.

The price range, however, is huge. The Tube will get you into the city for £5.90 (as of 09/2026, TfL fares), while a taxi to your hotel can easily top £70.

Below are five ways to get from the airport into the city: the Tube, train, bus, taxi, and private transfer. For each one you'll see the price, travel time, and who it's for.

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Five ways to get from Heathrow

All options start right in the terminals, and a transfer between modes of transport is almost never needed. Terminal 1 is closed; passengers are served by Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5. Free trains and buses run between them (as of 09/2026, Heathrow).

💡 In short:

Tube, Piccadilly line: the cheapest option, 50-60 minutes to the center.
Heathrow Express: 15 minutes to Paddington, but £26 one way.
National Express bus: from £9.50 to Victoria Coach Station.
Black Cab taxi: £70-120, but the ride takes you right to your hotel door.
Fares and schedules as of 09/2026: verified on the official TfL website.

Option	Price	Travel time	Source
Tube, Piccadilly line	£5.90	50-60 minutes	Tube fares
Elizabeth line	£14.60	29-35 minutes	official fares
Heathrow Express	from £10 to £26	15 minutes	Heathrow Express website
National Express bus	from £9.50	60-90 minutes	National Express
Black Cab taxi	£70-120	40-60 minutes	cab fares

Tube: the cheapest option

Piccadilly line train on the platform to Heathrow

Heathrow is connected to the Underground directly: the Piccadilly line terminus is right inside the airport. The blue line cuts across the whole city, so you can reach both western and eastern districts without changing trains.

Trains run every 5-10 minutes (as of 09/2026, timetable and fares), so you rarely have to wait. The first trains leave around 5 a.m., the last ones run until around midnight (as of 09/2026, official TfL website).

The airport is in fare zone 6. A trip that includes zone 1 costs £5.90 at any time: from March 1, 2026, the separate off-peak fare between Heathrow and central London was abolished, and you pay with a contactless card or an Oyster card (as of 09/2026, Transport for London).

It's worth ordering an Oyster card in advance: there can be a line at the machines in the terminal in the morning. It has a daily spending cap, so several trips in one day will cost you less.

A separate note about luggage. The Piccadilly line has no racks for suitcases, and at interchange stations you'll have to climb stairs. With two bags, the Underground after a long flight will wear you out.

In central London the line stops at Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and King's Cross, so you can reach the main sights without changing trains. After that, it's just a short walk to your hotel.

Who it's for: a couple traveling with light luggage and minimal expenses.
The catch: the journey takes 50-60 minutes, and within the city the car gets packed. With suitcases, it's inconvenient.

On Fridays and Saturdays the Piccadilly line runs all night as part of the Night Tube program. On other days the Underground closes after midnight, and then the N9 bus to Trafalgar Square comes to the rescue. It runs every 30 minutes (as of 09/2026, TfL bus timetable).

Train: Heathrow express and elizabeth line

Two trains run from the airport to central London on the same tracks, but with different prices and a different number of stops. The choice between them comes down to one question: whether to pay for speed.

Heathrow Express

Heathrow Express gets you to London Paddington station in 15 minutes, and it's the fastest transfer in the city (as of 09/2026, official Heathrow Express website). It has no intermediate stops.

The price is higher than the other options: £26 for a ticket on the spot and from £10 when bought in advance (As of 09/2026, fare page). A return ticket for both trips costs less than two separate ones.

Trains depart every 15 minutes, so you won't need to plan around the schedule (As of 09/2026, fares and timetable). From terminals 2, 3 and 5 the station is within walking distance, and from terminal 4 a free shuttle takes you there.

Who it's for: an urgent trip or a hotel in the Paddington area.
The catch: the most expensive option, and it drops you on the west side of the city. You may then need to take the Tube further.

Tickets for Heathrow Express are easy to buy online before your trip.

Elizabeth line

The Elizabeth line replaced the Heathrow Connect train, which was discontinued in 2018. It is now the main alternative to the express, and trains run to all airport terminals.

The journey to London Paddington takes 29-35 minutes and costs £14.60 (As of 09/2026, TfL on fares). You can pay by card or with Oyster.

The train stops at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street, so many central London hotels are within walking distance. You don't even need to change to the Tube if you're heading to the City area.

The first trains leave the terminals early in the morning, and the last ones run until almost midnight. If you arrive at night, it's better to set this option aside in favor of a bus or taxi.

The main plus: the train goes through the center without changes, so both the west and the east are equally accessible. The carriages are more spacious than the Tube, and you sit for almost the entire journey.

Who it's for: you need central London but don't want to pay £26 for the express.
The catch: at rush hour the train sometimes gets packed.

Bus: National Express and the night N9

National Express buses run from Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station. A ticket costs from £9.50 (As of 09/2026, National Express carrier website), and the journey takes 60-90 minutes if there is no traffic.

During the day services run frequently, up to 77 times a day (As of 09/2026, official services to Victoria). Your seat is guaranteed, and you can see the city from the window before you even reach your hotel. The luggage allowance includes two suitcases of up to 20 kg each and hand luggage.

Besides National Express, Megabus also runs between Heathrow and Victoria. Tickets there are cheaper, but there are fewer services and seats sell out faster.

Victoria Coach Station is right next to the Tube station of the same name, from where it's easy to reach any part of the city. Buses to destinations across Britain also leave from there.

Boarding depends on the terminal. At terminals 2 and 3 it's the central bus station, at terminal 4 it's platforms 13 and 14, and at terminal 5 it's platforms 11 and 25 (As of 09/2026, National Express timetable).

At night the Tube is closed, and then the N9 bus to Trafalgar Square for £1.75 comes to the rescue (as of 09/2026, TfL on night routes).

Who it's for: a trip with two suitcases when you want to ride sitting down.
The catch: in traffic, the bus falls behind schedule.

Bus and train tickets across Britain are easy to book in advance on Trip.com.

Taxis: Black cabs and mini cabs

Black cabs wait outside every terminal exit around the clock, and you don't need to book them in advance. This is convenient if there are two or more of you and you don't want to deal with transfers.

The fare is calculated by time and distance. The minimum fare from April 25, 2026 is £4.40 (as of 09/2026, TfL taxi fares). A trip to central London usually comes to £70-120 depending on traffic: black cabs have no fixed rate, the meter runs on time and distance (as of 09/2026, TfL taxi fares).

You'll spend 40-60 minutes in the car, unless you get stuck in a jam (as of 09/2026, meter and fares). The driver takes you straight to your hotel, and you don't have to carry your suitcases.

A classic cab takes up to five passengers, and luggage fits both in the cabin and in the compartment next to the driver (as of 09/2026, official cab fares). For a group, this kind of transfer works out to almost the same per person as the express, with noticeably more comfort.

Cars wait at the exits of all terminals, and there are almost always free cabs at the rank. You can pay by card, and cash is also accepted.

For a night arrival, a taxi remains the simplest option. The rank operates around the clock, and the driver works out the route to your hotel.

Mini Cabs are about a third cheaper than a classic taxi. You can't hail them on the street, bookings are made online only, but the price is fixed and you know it before the trip.

It's convenient to book in advance: the price is shown immediately and doesn't depend on a meter running in traffic. For a trip to the airport, this is a particularly stress-free option.

Who it's for: traveling as a family with luggage, when you don't want to go down into the Tube.
The catch: the price isn't fixed, and the meter climbs noticeably at peak times.

If you want a fixed price, you can book a transfer from Heathrow to your hotel in advance. The price will then be visible before you confirm.

Private transfer and minivan for groups

Private transfer with a driver

If you want to arrive without any hassle, book a car with a driver in advance. You'll be met in the arrivals hall with a sign, helped with your luggage, and driven to your hotel.

The price is fixed per car, so it's convenient to book a private transfer with a driver for the whole group at once.

Minivan for groups

A minivan works well for a group. It's slightly more expensive than a bus, but your luggage stays in sight and the group travels together. This option is convenient for several families or a trip with children.

The cost of a minivan is calculated per vehicle, not per person. For a group of six to eight people, it works out cheaper than several taxis.

It's best to confirm the booking in advance: in high season, there may be no cars left for the time you need.

Which transfer to choose for your situation

East London: the Tube. The Piccadilly line crosses London end to end, and at Holborn or King's Cross / St. Pancras you can change to other lines.
West London: the Tube or the Elizabeth line. Both options drop you closer to the western districts.
Peak time: train or Tube. Taxis and buses sit in traffic at this time.
Night arrival: bus N9 or a taxi. The Tube is closed at this time, except for the Night Tube on Fridays and Saturdays.
Traveling as a group: a minivan is cheaper than several taxis and more convenient than a bus.
You need the Victoria area: the National Express bus goes straight there, with no changes.

If a fixed price matters to you, compare the transfer offers below.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from Heathrow to central London?

The cheapest option is the Tube: £5.90 with a card (as of 09/2026, fares page). The Elizabeth line will cost £14.60, Heathrow Express from £10 to £26, bus from £9.50. A taxi to central London usually costs £70-120. The total depends on the number of passengers and the location of your hotel.

Which is faster, Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line?

Heathrow Express gets to Paddington in 15 minutes (as of 09/2026, carrier's official website), while the Elizabeth line takes 29-35 minutes (as of 09/2026, official TfL fares). The difference is about 15 minutes, but the budget option is noticeably cheaper than a standard express ticket. If you're not in a hurry, the Elizabeth line makes more sense: you pay for the journey, not for speed.

How to get from Heathrow at night?

The Tube is closed after midnight, except on Friday and Saturday nights with the Night Tube. Night bus N9 runs to Trafalgar Square every 30 minutes and costs £1.75 (as of 09/2026, TfL timetable). Taxis run around the clock, but fares are higher at night. A minicab is cheaper if you book it during the day, then the price is fixed.

Can you pay by card on the Tube and buses?

Yes, London transport accepts contactless cards and phones (as of 09/2026, TfL payment rules). An Oyster card works at the same fares, but you have to buy and top it up. Buses don't accept cash at all, so without a card you won't be able to travel.

How long does a taxi take from Heathrow to central London?

You'll spend 40-60 minutes on the road depending on traffic (as of 09/2026, fares and meter). At rush hour the journey drags on, and the meter runs by time and distance. Early in the morning and late in the evening a taxi is often faster than the train if your hotel is far from Paddington.

In short: what to book

It's better to decide before boarding, otherwise you'll spend an hour figuring it out in the terminal. Choose based on your situation.

Light luggage and a tight budget: the Tube.
Trip to central London: Elizabeth line.
In a hurry: Heathrow Express.
Suitcases or a group: transfer to your hotel.
Night arrival: bus N9.

If your hotel is near Paddington, compare accommodation options on Trip.com so you don't have to travel further with your luggage.

How to get from Heathrow to London: five ways and their prices