London Heathrow (LHR) is 27 km by road west of central London. Three rail lines link it with the city: the non-stop Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line of the Underground.
Short answer: the Heathrow Express is fastest: 15 minutes non-stop to Paddington, every 15 minutes, £26.00 single (from £10.00 booked 30+ days ahead). The Elizabeth line takes about 28 minutes to Paddington and continues through the West End and the City for £15.50 pay as you go. The Piccadilly line is the cheapest and slowest, under an hour. By car it is 27 km, about 38 minutes without traffic. Our private transfer costs €140 per car (1–3 passengers) and €170 per van (4–8).
| Option | Travel time | Price | Changes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow Express to Paddington | 15 min (about 21 min from Terminal 5) | £26.00 (from £10.00 in advance) | 0 | Speed, hotels near Paddington |
| Elizabeth line | about 28 min to Paddington | £15.50 pay as you go | 0 | West End, the City, Canary Wharf without changes |
| Piccadilly line (Underground) | under 1 hour | standard Tube pay-as-you-go fare | 0 | Lowest fare, Kensington, Piccadilly, King's Cross |
| ShuttleHero private transfer | about 40 min (60+ min at rush hour) | €140 per car (1–3), €170 per van (4–8) | 0 | Families, groups, luggage, door-to-door |
The Heathrow Express runs non-stop between Heathrow Central (for Terminals 2 and 3) and London Paddington in about 15 minutes, every 15 minutes; from Terminal 5 add about 6 minutes. A Standard single costs £26.00 at any time of day, the same if you tap in with a contactless card or Oyster; Advance singles booked 30 or more days ahead cost from £10.00. Children aged 15 and under travel free. Heathrow Express is not included in Tube daily caps or Travelcards. Terminal 4 has no direct service: change at Heathrow Central.
The Elizabeth line runs six trains an hour to and from Heathrow: all call at Terminals 2 & 3, four go on to Terminal 4 and two to Terminal 5. The trip to Paddington takes about 28 minutes, and the trains continue through Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street without a change. From 1 March 2026 the adult pay-as-you-go fare between Heathrow and Zone 1 is £15.50; tap in and out with a contactless card or Oyster.
The Piccadilly line has stations at Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. Trains run about every 10 minutes and reach central London in under an hour, stopping at Earl's Court, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and King's Cross St Pancras. It is the cheapest rail option, paid with a contactless card or Oyster at the standard Tube fare.
The road route is about 27 km along the M4 and A4 and takes about 38 minutes without traffic; morning and evening rush hours add a lot. Central London is inside the Congestion Charge zone and the ULEZ, and many West End streets have restrictions, so a car stops at the nearest permitted road to your hotel.
A private transfer Heathrow → central London costs €140 per car for 1–3 passengers and €170 per van for 4–8 passengers. The price is per vehicle, fixed and paid by card when you book, and luggage is included. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup, and a child seat costs +€10. The driver takes you to your hotel or apartment, with no change at Paddington and no stairs with suitcases.
Heathrow → central London
Car, 1–3 passengers: €140 · Van, 4–8 passengers: €170
Heathrow has four passenger terminals: 2, 3, 4 and 5. Your driver waits in the arrivals hall of the terminal where your flight lands, after baggage reclaim and the customs exit, with a sign showing your name. We track your flight and you get 60 minutes of free waiting after landing, which matters at Heathrow, where immigration queues can be long.
Staying near Paddington and in a hurry: Heathrow Express, especially with an Advance ticket. Staying in the West End, the City or Canary Wharf: the Elizabeth line, with no change. On the lowest budget, or heading to Kensington or Piccadilly: the Piccadilly line. With children, several suitcases, a group of four or more or an address far from a station: a private transfer to the door, priced per vehicle.
The Heathrow Express: 15 minutes non-stop from Heathrow Central to Paddington, every 15 minutes. A Standard single costs £26.00.
From 1 March 2026 the adult pay-as-you-go fare between Heathrow and Zone 1 is £15.50. The ride to Paddington takes about 28 minutes.
The Piccadilly line of the Underground, paid by contactless card or Oyster. It takes under an hour to central London.
About 38 minutes for 27 km without traffic, often an hour or more at rush hours.
Our transfer costs €140 per car for 1–3 passengers and €170 per van for 4–8 passengers, fixed when you book and including luggage.
Public transport times and fares were checked on 23 October 2026 on the operators' websites. Timetables and fares change, so check the operator before you travel.
We are reachable around the clock, 7 days a week — before, during and after your trip.