Last updated on November 2023
How to get from London Heathrow Airport ✈️ to the City Center
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest international airport of London and the second busiest airport in the world. Heathrow Airport is located about 23 km west of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown London by Express Train, Public Train, Underground (Metro, also called Tube), Express Bus, Taxi, Welcome Pickups (Private Transfer), Uber or Shared Shuttle.
This guide compares all available airport transfers at Heathrow Airport (LHR) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.
AD
Express train (AD)
Travel time:
15 minutes
Cost:
£ 25 pp
Description:
‘Heathrow Express’ train from Heathrow Airport (Train stations in Terminal 2/3/5) to “London Paddington” Rail Station (City West), from here 4 Underground lines run into central London; free WIFI
Regional train
Travel time:
30 minutes
Cost:
£ 12.30 pp
Description:
‘TfL Rail’ from London Heathrow Airport (Train stations in Terminal 2/3/5) to “London Paddington” Rail Station (City West), from here 4 Underground lines run into central London
Underground (Tube)
Travel time:
60 minutes
Cost:
£ 3.50 pp
(+ £ 5 Oyster card)
Description:
Underground (Metro) ‘Piccadilly Line’ (dark blue route) from London Heathrow Airport (Underground stations in Terminal 2 & 3) to “Piccadilly Circus” station, directly in the city center
Express Bus (AD)
Travel time:
40 minutes
Cost:
£ 6.00 pp
Description:
‘National Express’ Bus from London Heathrow Airport (Bus stations at Terminal 5 and Central Bus Station) to “London Victoria Coach Station” in the city center, here you can change to public transport
Shared Shuttle (AD)
Travel time:
60-90 minutes
Cost:
£ 45 pp (from 2 persons)
Description:
Shared Shuttle (Minibus) from London Heathrow Airport (pick-up point as per provider) to central London or directly to your city accommodation; Maximum 3 stops en route
Taxi
Official local taxis
Travel time:
60 minutes
Cost:
£ 60–80
Description:
Taxi from London Heathrow Airport (Taxi ranks in front of all terminals) to central London, Piccadilly Circus or directly to your accommodation in the city center
Welcome Pickups (AD)
Travel time:
60 minutes
Cost:
£ 100
Description:
Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from London Heathrow Airport (nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to central London, Piccadilly Circus or directly to your city accommodation
Uber (AD)
Travel time:
60 minutes
Cost:
£ 50-120
Description:
Uber from London Heathrow Airport (pick-up location according to Uber App) to central London, Piccadilly Circus or directly to your accommodation
Route from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London (Piccadilly Circus)
Things to know about London:
1. London is the first city to host the Olympics three times (1908, 1948 and 2012)
2. When the Queen is at Buckingham Palace, her royal flag flies from the flagpole on the roof
3. Harry Potter catches the train from London’s famous Kings Cross Station to Hogwarts (Platform 9 ¾)