Heathrow sits about 14 to 15 miles west of central London, near the M4 and M25, and it's very well connected by rail. The cheapest way in is the Piccadilly line Tube from around £5.60 with contactless, while the Heathrow Express reaches Paddington in 15 minutes. Drop-off at the terminals costs £7. Prices checked August 2026.
Getting to and from Heathrow at a glance
| Option | Price | Time to central London | Runs at night? | Door to door? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piccadilly line (Tube) | from ~£5.60 | ~50 min | Night Tube Fri and Sat | No, station stops |
| Elizabeth line | £15.50 to Zone 1 | ~35 min | No, last ~23:30 | No, station stops |
| Heathrow Express | £26 walk-up, from £10 advance | 15 min (21 from T5) | No, last late evening | No, Paddington |
| National Express coach | from £9.50 to Victoria | 45 to 90 min | Limited, plus night bus N9 | No, coach stops |
| Black cab (metered) | ~£75 to £130 | 45 to 75 min | Yes, 24/7 | Yes |
| Pre-booked minicab | ~£45 to £75 fixed | 45 to 75 min | Yes, 24/7 | Yes |
Heathrow handled a record 84.46 million passengers in 2025, making it the busiest airport in Europe. It runs four terminals (T2, T3, T4 and T5), so check which one your flight uses before you set off, because they aren't all in one place.
In this guide
- Taxis, Uber and private hire
- Public transport
- Parking
- Drop-off and pick-up
- Popular routes
- Latest news and updates
- Airport facilities and lounges
- Travel blog and guides
- FAQs
The quick answer
If you're travelling light and watching the cost, the Piccadilly line is the cheapest route into London, from about £5.60 with contactless and roughly 50 minutes to the centre. It has no off-peak discount to Heathrow, but it's still the best value. For a faster ride at a sensible price, the Elizabeth line is a flat £15.50 to Zone 1 in around 35 minutes.
If speed matters most, the Heathrow Express runs to Paddington in 15 minutes for a £26 walk-up single, or from £10 if you book 30 or more days ahead. When there are two or more of you with luggage, a pre-booked minicab from about £45 to £75 fixed can work out well and takes you to the door. Uber, Bolt and FreeNow all operate here, but they pick up from the short-stay car parks, not the kerb.
If someone is dropping you off, there's a £7 charge at every terminal forecourt with a 10-minute limit. The free way round it is the Park & Ride, where the first 29 minutes cost nothing and a shuttle runs to the terminals. Driving and leaving the car? The cheapest parking is Park & Ride long-stay, from around £37 to £47 a day and cheaper when pre-booked.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way from Heathrow to central London? The Piccadilly line Tube, from about £5.60 with contactless, taking roughly 50 minutes. See the public transport page for the full comparison.
What's the fastest way to central London? The Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes, or 21 minutes from T5. A walk-up single is £26, or from £10 booked 30 or more days ahead.
Is the Elizabeth line cheaper than Heathrow Express? Yes. The Elizabeth line is a flat £15.50 to Zone 1 and takes about 35 minutes, against £26 and 15 minutes on the Express. More on the public transport page.
How much is the drop-off charge at Heathrow? £7 per vehicle with a 10-minute maximum, at all four terminal forecourts. The free alternative is the Park & Ride, where the first 29 minutes are free.
How much is a taxi to central London? Roughly £75 to £130 in a metered black cab, or about £45 to £75 for a pre-booked minicab. See the taxis page.
How we verified this
The prices and facts on this site were checked in August 2026 against Heathrow's own website and the named operators (Heathrow Express, Transport for London for the Elizabeth and Piccadilly lines, National Express, and Uber). Fares and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Heathrow site before you travel.
We recommend a transport partner and may earn a referral fee. It never changes what you pay, and we only list options we would use ourselves.
Last verified August 2026 by the Heathrow Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Heathrow Airport website before you travel.