London's Heathrow airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. There are several ways to get to and from London if your flight arrives or leaves from Heathrow.
Heathrow Express
The most popular and convenient way to get to and from London. It is also the fastest - it takes just 15 minutes between Heathrow Terminal One and London Paddington station.
When you get off the plane, please follow Heathrow Express signs to find a platform. If you are lost, please ask any airport employee to help you find Heathrow Express departure point.
Please buy tickets online on Heathrow Express website. You can also purchase tickets at airport kiosks. You can also purchase tickets on-board the train, but the ticket will be £5 more expensive.
When you arrive at Paddington Station, there are 3 ways to continue your journey if your final destination is not in the Paddington area. The first one is by underground. There is a tube station called Paddington for District, Circle and Bakerloo lines. Hammersmith&City Line is accessible from Paddington Underground Station. If you walk for 5 more minutes in the direction of Hyde Park, you will reach a Central line station, Lancaster Gate. The 2nd option is taking a bus. Check the bus routes map here. The third way is taking a cab. There is a taxi stand at the exit from Paddington (please follow the signs to find one). There is almost always a very long line, but it moves very fast. It will be faster to get into a cab in this line rather than trying to hail a cab on the neighboring streets.
Paddington Station has a food court where you can get coffee, sandwiches, sushi, snacks. There is also Marks&Spencer food supermarket called M&S Simply Food with a selection of alcohol-free drinks, wines and beer, snacks, fruit etc.
For Heathrow Express schedule and to buy tickets online, please check Heathrow Express website.
There is another rail service that connects Heathrow and London Paddington, Heathrow Connect. It is a little less expensive than Heathrow Express, but makes more stops and travel time is 30 minutes. Your ticket will be checked on-board the train, but you must retain your ticket and make sure not to lose it even after your ticket has been checked on the train - you will need the ticket to get out from platform at Paddington Station. It is a good idea to have it at hand not to be on the way of a quickly moving passengers.
From London Heathrow by Underground
Piccadilly Line connects Heathrow Airport with Central London. Please follow the signs at the Terminal to find the Underground stations. The trip will take you about an hour. As London Underground has zoned tickets, Heathrow Underground stations are in Zone 6. The ticket price varies what kind of ticket you will be purchasing. If you are buying just one single ticket to Central London, the ticket will cost £5.70, but if you buy an Oyster card, it is £5. There are other options. It may sound confusing at first, but it is actually easy to follow if you spend 5 minutes to understand London Underground prices and tickets. For more information about Tube zones, tickets and prices, please click here.
Taxi
Taxi is available outside the terminals, please follow the signs for official taxi stand. Please do not use unauthorized car services. An approximate taxi fare to Central London is £60-£80. 10-15% tip is considered customary.
