A lengthy flight (especially a redeye) dictates that after landing, your first need is to get to your hotel quickly, stress-free and within your budget. To avoid an awful experience in connecting to your destination below are the transportation options from London Heathrow to central London.
Trains
Using trains is the best and cheapest way to link to central London. If you do not have many bags, or you are fit to use stairs or escalators, the Heathrow Connect, or the Heathrow Express is the best option.
Heathrow Connect – This service is after every 30 minutes and stops at Paddington from the airport. Additionally, the trip may be between 31 and 49 minutes because of stops at local stations. The fare to Paddington is £10.2 while in between local stations can range between £6.2 and £7.9
Heathrow Express – It will take you 15 minutes between the airport and Paddington station. Consequently, it has the fastest trip time, and it leaves after every 15 minutes. Tickets can be booked online and during the weekends, a one-way ticket is the cheapest at £5.5 (on select days), while on weekdays £22 for online tickets and £27 on the platform.
Buses and coaches
National coaches dominate the long distance journey into and further away from London. Moreover, dedicated airport buses are available, but you have to consider the London traffic. An extensive bus network ensures that it is convenient to get anywhere, and the washrooms in the bus make the journey more comfortable. Connecting to other London major airports is £20 while fare to outside London ranges from £19 to £30.
London’s Underground
Three underground stations at Heathrow, one station at terminals 2 and 3 and the other two at terminals 4 and 5. A one-way ticket to central London, which is in zone 1, is £ 5.7 and the one-day travel cards cost £17 offering unlimited travelling to zone 1 to 6. Similarly, this makes it the most cost-effective rail route.
Black cab services and private cars
London’s black taxis stop at the ranks at each terminal, and all the drivers have passed the exam for London’s knowledge. Additionally, ticket fare ranges from £45 to £85 depending on journey time and distance. Private vehicles will have the driver open the door and wait for you at the terminus. On the other hand, you will need to pre-book online or by telephone, and the price might range from £55 to £65.
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
£5.50 for the Heathrow Express is only on bank holidays (public holidays) of which there are only 8 each year… and that price is if booked 90 days in advance. A walk up ticket to the Heathrow Express makes it one of the most expensive “miles per £” train journeys in the world – always book in advance!
The underground may be cheaper but it takes forever and carting suitcases up lots of stairs is no fun! I would recommend Heathrow express (although it is pricey!). You can collect AVIOS on tickets through the AVIOS store!