How to Get Into Central London from Heathrow Airport (Guide)

I recently flew in and out of London and had to deal with the trek to/from the airport TWICE, and believe me, it was a little overwhelming. I was traveling by myself and only had one carry-on size suitcase to deal with, which helped, but honestly there’s so much to think about.

Heathrow is very well-connected and you can get into London proper a few different ways. What you’ll pick depends totally on your budget, how much time you have, and how much luggage you need to deal with.

In this post I’ll go over the major options to use to get into Central London from Heathrow airport. Keep reading to find out what’s available and make the best decision for yourself!

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Option 1: The Underground (aka the Tube) (aka the metro)

This is the way I did it and it’s pretty easy IF you’re familiar with using public transportation in general. If this is your very first time ever going on a metro, I’d maybe save it for when you’re not running on fumes after a long flight.

Heathrow connects to two lines: Piccadilly and Elizabeth. All the terminals have a station, so you can get on wherever– though keep in mind that getting to the station from the terminal is still quite a hike. These lines connect to other routes at major underground stations, so if you need to transfer to get to your hotel then taking either is a good bet.

There’s lots of ways to get a ticket for the Tube, but the easiest is to just use contactless payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay. This is the same way you’ll pay for rides on the Tube in London, too, so it works great. Tap into the gate and use the same card to tap out, and there you go!

Something to note is the price difference between the two lines. Both lines run at peak price all day if you’re starting/ending at the airport, and Elizabeth’s peak hours price is significantly higher than Piccadilly’s.

For instance, I took Elizabeth the first time I came into London and paid £13.30 to get to the Bethnal Green neighborhood. Compare that to the cost for the Piccadilly line which should be around £5.50 instead!

The Elizabeth line is (I think) 10 minutes faster than the Piccadilly line, and is a newer and nicer-kept train. But is that 10 minutes in a slightly cleaner train worth £5+? Hmmm…

Option 2: Heathrow Express

This is a dedicated (aboveground) train service going from Heathrow Airport to London Paddington Station. It’s the fastest way to get into the city, taking only about 15 minutes, and there’s a new train every 15 minutes as well– so you don’t have to wait long.

Of course, convenience comes at a cost. Tickets typically start from £25 for a single journey in Standard Class, if purchased at the station. If you remember early enough, you can buy tickets online and get a discounted rate, sometimes as low as £10 for an advance ticket.

You can get tickets on the website, on the Heathrow Express mobile app, on sites like Klook, or in-person at the airport. There’s train staff at little podiums trying to wave down tourists to come buy tickets on the way to the train station. Just remember that buying on-the-spot can mean paying a higher price than purchasing tickets online.

Option 3: Public Bus

There’s several routes that go from the airport into the city. Generally it’ll take you about 90 minutes to get into Central London, so if you’re crunched for time this might not be the route for you…but on the other hand, if you’re on a super low budget then this IS the cheapest way to get into the city. A bus ticket is a mere £1.75 (when paying with contactless card)!

I used the buses a lot during my last London trip. They’re clean, comfortable and it’s nice to be able to see some of the scenery around town. The only downside is sometimes you get stuck in traffic if it’s rush hour.

Plus, as a bonus: if you’re a late arrival there are night buses like the N9 that run into central London, making buses a 24/7 transportation option. Since some of the other options on this list stop running after a certain time, it’s nice to have another way to get into the city at weird hours.

Buses leave from the airport’s Central Bus Station, which is located near Terminals 2 and 3. A short walk or shuttle ride connects from other terminals. You can buy a bus ticket with cash (exact change only), an Oyster card or your contactless credit card (including mobile pay).

Option 4: Private Transfer or Taxi

If you have a lot of luggage, a lot of people, or if you just want something comfortable and easy, then a private transfer is for you! (It’s also the most expensive, at a minimum of £65, but you’re paying for convenience!)

You can either book one ahead of time on a site like GetTransfer or even Viator, or you can use the Uber app to get a rideshare car once you arrive.

A private car typically gets you to central London in about 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic. Plus it can drop you right off at your hotel, so you don’t even have to drag your stuff up stairs or down random side streets.

If you’re going with Uber: there’s no Uber pick-up area AT the terminals, so you’ll have to get to the short-stay area/arrivals area and request a ride from there OR go to the car park (which does have an Uber pick-up spot).

You can also of course get one of the famous black cab taxis. Heathrow has a taxi stand and you can just book a ride through them. It’ll cost about £80+ depending on your destination.

Final Thoughts

Getting from Heathrow Airport into London proper may seem intimidating at first, but there’s multiple options for whatever kind of travel you’re into. If you’re familiar with public transit and don’t mind hauling your suitcase a bit, then the underground or public bus would be great for you. If you prefer something a little nicer, than the Heathrow Express train is fab. And if you don’t want to worry about anything except unpacking at your hotel, then pre-booking a private transfer service would be best for you.

However you get into the city, remember to enjoy yourself and have fun! Happy travels!

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