There are many ways to get into and around London. Choose your method of transport from our helpful information below. Simply click the image to jump to the relevant section:
Heathrow Airport is located about 20 miles west of the centre of London. We have put together all the information you could need for travelling here from Heathrow Airport.
National Express operate services from London Heathrow Airport to London Victoria and many destinations around the UK. The central bus station is located between Terminals 2 and 3, is open 24 hours and is well sign-posted. For terminal 4 & 5, coaches arrive and depart outside of the Terminals.
It is worth booking in advance and purchasing your tickets online, to take advantage of the discounts they offer.
National Express offer a London hotel transfer service to and from Heathrow Airport called Heathrow Hoppa.
Offering comfortable seats on clean and modern coaches, they are a great option for getting to London, and to or from your hotel.
There is no additional charge for luggage as every passenger is permitted two pieces of medium luggage and a piece of hand luggage. Modern air conditioning keeps the shuttles comfortable making sure you have a pleasant trip.
Most buses around London are low floor, meaning that they lower to pavement level, making it easier to board the bus. You can use Oyster cards on bus routes. For more information on what buses to get and timetables for the buses, visit Transport for London.
Heathrow Express runs four trains an hour, non-stop between the airport and Paddington station. This journey takes 15 – 20 minutes and Oyster cards and travelcards are not valid on this service. For more information call 0345 600 1515.
TfL also operate a service between Terminals 2, 3 & 4 to London Paddington, with journies taking between 31 & 49 minutes. You can use the service with a valid Oyster Pass, contactless card or a Zone 6 travel card. Please note: The Heathrow Express tickets are not valid on these services. If you need further information, please call 0343 222 1234.
The Piccadilly Line connects all Heathrow terminals with frequent services to London. There are three stations at Heathrow on Piccadilly Line, one for Terminals 2 & 3 located between the terminals, one for Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, both situated in the basements of the terminal buildings. The journey to central London takes about 50 minutes and services run between 05:00 and 23:30.
You are able to use your Oyster card for the underground or you can buy an all-day Travelcard for unlimited travel on the tube for that day. Buying a Travelcard is suitable for commuters who are planning on using the tube and the train as the tickets can be bought together. For more information on fares and what route to take call 0343 222 1234.
The journey time to central London is approximately 45-60 minutes and can cost between £70 and £80 or more.
Getting a taxi can take the hassle out of your journey. Choose a taxi to suit you and your passengers. From executive travel to minibuses, and coach taxis - you can just sit back and relax, knowing you will be at your destination soon.
However, you could get a better price by booking your transfer from the airport to London in advance. Find a taxi company on our Heathrow Airport Taxis and Transfers page. Alternatively, follow the signs from each terminal for taxi ranks.
Contactless payment is the easiest way to travel on London's public transport network, including buses, the Tube, DLR, London Overground, and some National Rail services. Instead of using paper tickets, you can simply pay with your bank card or mobile device.
The system automatically applies a daily cap, ensuring you always pay the lowest possible fare for your travel. This convenient "tap-in, tap-out" system is also expanding across the South East, with many stations now accepting contactless payments, including major hubs like Stansted Airport. It's a seamless way to travel, guaranteeing the best fare for your journey every time.
If you are planning to park your car at the airport whilst you are away then you may find cheaper quotes if you book online or by phone in advance. Take a look at our airport parking page to see prices, and compare car parks to find the cheapest deal.
Planning your journey once you arrive at Heathrow? Looking for car hire? Look no further, we have compared all the car rental companies operating from Heathrow. We also have their details if you wish to contact them directly.
It takes approximately 45-60 minutes to get to central London from Heathrow.
When leaving terminals 2 and 3, follow exit signs to the access/exit tunnel. Follow signs to the M4 motorway, which will eventually bring you into London. Terminal 4 is on the main A30 road while Terminal 5 is close to A3044. The M4 and M25 orbital are signposted. Again, follow signs to the M4 which will eventually bring you into London.
Driving in and around Central London means that you have to pay the Congestion Charge. It is £15 daily fee for driving within the Congestion Charge zone. It applies Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 18:00 and Saturday, Sunday, and bank holidays from 12:00 to 18:00. There is no charge between Christmas Day and New Year's Day (inclusive).
You can pay the congestion charge in a number of ways. By SMS, phone, online, at a shop and by post. For more information on how to pay the congestion charge, and where the congestion charge applies visit the Transport for London.
How does the congestion charge work? There are no physical toll booths or barriers, it is a network of cameras that monitor the entrances and exits of the congestion charge zones.
If the camera recognises that you have paid to be in the zone then your image is automatically deleted from the database. If at midnight your image still exists and you should have paid the charge then a penalty charge notice is produced and sent to the vehicle owner.
It will also calculate the CO2 and financial savings if you are to share a car, rather than driving alone.
Bicycles are permitted on the London Underground, however, some lines only allow non-folding bikes outside of peak times. Folding bicycles are permitted on the underground at all times, free of charge. You are not allowed to take non-folding bikes on moving escalators, at any time.
Overground trains will take folding bicycles, free of charge at all times, on all sections of the network. Non-folding bicycles may be allowed on some sections of the networks, outside of peak times.
London buses may allow folding bicycles, however, it is up to the driver. The same applies to pushchairs and large shopping luggage.
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) accepts folded bicycles if they are in a container.
Tramlink will only accept folded bicycles, however, they do not have to be in a container.
There is bike parking available at most stations around London. To find out if a particular station has bike parking and for more information on cycling around London take a look at the Transport for London website.
If you are travelling from London to Heathrow by bike, check out our section on cycle parking at Heathrow.
