A taxi from Heathrow to Windsor costs around £35 to £45 and takes 15 to 25 minutes for the roughly 7-mile trip. The direct Flightline 703 bus runs from Terminal 5 for under £6 one-way in about an hour, and the fastest public transport route, changing trains at Slough, takes around 30 to 35 minutes. Prices and times checked 2026.
Windsor Castle and Legoland Windsor are two of the most popular day-trip destinations from Heathrow, and the distance is short enough that visitors often build them into a layover or the first or last day of a UK trip. Here is how the taxi, bus and train options compare.
Distance and journey overview
Windsor sits about 7 miles north of Heathrow, closer to the airport than most central London hotels. That short distance means all three main options are realistic: a taxi door to door, a direct coach that needs no changes, or a slightly faster train journey that involves one change at Slough.
| Option | Journey time | Approx. fare | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi or pre-booked minicab | 15 to 25 min | £35 to £45 | None, door to door |
| Flightline 703 bus (direct) | Around 60 min | From £4.80 to £5.50 single | None |
| Elizabeth line + GWR train | Around 30 to 35 min | Two tickets, GWR leg from £3.70 | One, at Slough |
Taxi to Windsor or Legoland
A metered black cab or pre-booked minicab is the simplest option if you are travelling with luggage, young children, or a pushchair, since it takes you directly to the castle gates or the Legoland entrance without a walk from a bus stop or station. Heathrow's own routes data puts the fare at £35 to £45 for the roughly 7-mile, 15 to 25 minute drive, which is short enough that a taxi is often the most practical choice even though it costs more than the bus or train.
Black cabs wait at the marshalled ranks outside each terminal's arrivals hall, so no booking is required, though a pre-booked minicab with a fixed price removes any uncertainty before you travel. For the full breakdown of taxi ranks, fares and how ride-hailing apps work at Heathrow, see our taxis guide. If someone is dropping you off by car for the return leg, check the drop-off charges first, since Heathrow's forecourts cost £7 per visit.
Flightline 703 bus (no changes)
The Flightline 703, operated by Reading Buses' Windsor Express network, runs directly between Heathrow and Windsor, including a stop at Legoland, with no need to change buses. It departs from Terminal 5 and runs up to every 30 minutes during the day. Passengers at Terminals 2, 3 and 4 can use the free inter-terminal transfer to reach Terminal 5, or pick up connecting local services from the Central Bus Station.
Official single fares on this route run from around £4.80 to £5.50 depending on exactly where in Windsor you get off, with the Legoland stop priced at £4.80. A same-day return costs a little more than double the single. Journey time from Heathrow is typically around 60 to 65 minutes, which is the trade-off for a direct service with no changes and a stop right at Legoland's gates.
This is the option worth choosing if you are not confident navigating a station change, are travelling with a lot of luggage, or are arriving early in the morning before rail connections are running at full frequency.
Train: Elizabeth line to Slough, then a short local hop
The quickest public transport route to Windsor is by rail. From Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 (or via a short transfer from T4 or T5), take the Elizabeth line to Slough, a journey of around 15 to 20 minutes. At Slough, change onto the Great Western Railway local service to Windsor & Eton Central, which takes about 6 minutes on the fastest services, with roughly 55 trains a day on that short connection. Including the change, the whole journey typically takes around 30 to 35 minutes, making it the fastest of the three options door to door.
Two things are worth knowing before you travel. First, this is two separate tickets: the Elizabeth line covers you to Slough, but the short GWR leg to Windsor is outside the London fare zones and needs its own ticket, priced from about £3.70 one-way when booked in advance. Second, the Slough to Windsor connection runs roughly every 30 minutes, so it is worth checking the timetable rather than assuming a train will be waiting the moment you arrive at Slough. For full detail on the Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express and Piccadilly line from Heathrow, see our public transport guide.
Which option should you pick?
- Solo or travelling light, and want the fastest option: the Elizabeth line and GWR combination gets you there in around half an hour.
- Want to avoid changing trains, or arriving with a family and luggage: the Flightline 703 bus goes direct from Terminal 5, including a stop at Legoland.
- Travelling as a group, on a tight schedule, or arriving very early or late: a taxi is the most predictable option and drops you at the gate.
If your day trip continues further out, for example to Reading or Oxford, our routes overview covers distances, times and indicative fares for the other popular trips from Heathrow. And if you are combining a Windsor visit with an overnight stay near the airport before an early flight, our guide to parking at Heathrow covers the options if you are leaving a car behind.
FAQs
How far is Windsor from Heathrow Airport?
About 7 miles, which takes 15 to 25 minutes to drive or around 30 minutes to an hour by public transport depending on the route.
What is the cheapest way from Heathrow to Windsor?
The train is usually the cheapest per person: the Elizabeth line to Slough plus the short GWR connection to Windsor & Eton Central, with the GWR leg alone priced from £3.70. The direct Flightline 703 bus is a close second, from around £4.80 to £5.50 single.
Is there a direct bus from Heathrow to Windsor?
Yes. The Flightline 703 runs direct from Terminal 5 to Windsor and Legoland with no changes, roughly every 30 minutes, taking about 60 to 65 minutes.
Does the bus or train go to Legoland?
The Flightline 703 bus stops directly at Legoland. By train, you would still need a short taxi, local bus or a 15 to 20 minute walk from Windsor & Eton Central to reach the park entrance.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to Windsor?
Indicatively £35 to £45 for the roughly 7-mile trip, taking 15 to 25 minutes. Confirm the exact fare with the operator when you book, as it can vary with traffic and time of day.
Can I get from Heathrow to Windsor without changing trains or buses?
Yes, the Flightline 703 bus is the only direct, no-change option. Both the train route and any local bus alternative via Slough involve at least one change.