Transport from Heathrow Airport to London

If you have arrived at London Heathrow Airport there a few tips that will help you get around, get out of the terminal and get transport into London. Traveling by Car, Cab, Tube or Airport Express Train are all options so which one is best for you?

The first thing to realise is that Heathrow Airport has 5 main terminals (not all are that new so don't expect much. They are being done up). Depending on where in the world you are coming from and what airline you are traveling on you will end up at one of the five terminals. Terminal One is normally used for BMi and Europe flights. Terminal 5 is mainly BA flights and Terminal 3 and 4 get used for a lot of other international flights, including flights from North America and Australasia, Asia Pacific.

All the terminals except for Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 are connected by underground tunnels and walkways. The London Underground (tube) is in the middle of these underground walkways (kind of). So if you arrive into Heathrow at Terminal 1,2,3 you can walk to the Tube quite easily. If you are Terminal 5 or Terminal 4 you have your own Tube station attached but you can't just walk to the other Terminals as it is too far.

Transport from London Heathrow Airport

London Underground (The Tube) from Heathrow Airport
The Tube or Underground is the best way to get out of Heathrow Airport. There is only one Tube line from Heathrow and that is the Piccadilly Line but it has three stops. There is a stop for Terminal 5, a stop for Terminal 4 and a shared stop for Terminals 1,2 and 3. The Piccadilly Tube Line runs into London and goes through the heart of London West End so you can get close to nearly all the main Hotels and attractions, including the West End.

All the Underground Tube stations at Heathrow are well sign posted. Once you get to them you will be able to buy tickets for the journey in. An Oyster card is a good idea - Read this post on the Oyster Card for more info.

The Tube at the time of posting goes from Terminal 5 and then to Terminal 1,2,3 and then into London. The other Tube runs from Terminal 4 and then to Terminal 1,2,3 and then into London (or visa-versa 1,2,3 then 4 and off). This is because the Piccadilly line forks at the Airport to get to Terminal 4 and 5 independently. It is still the same tube line and they merge together into one before the first stop after leaving the Airport. This is less of a concern when leaving London Heathrow but keep it in mind when traveling back to the Airport.

Traveling time from Heathrow Airport to the West End is about an hour on average. Sometimes there might be delays, other times not. Make sure you use the bathroom before getting on the Tube. Nothing worse than stopping in the middle of the tracks for an accident for an extra 30 minutes when you need to go...

Cost - your looking at it costing around £5 for an Adult single ticket into London. Tubes go about every 5-7 minutes so you won't be waiting long.

Heathrow Express Train
Heathrow Express is the fastest way between central London and Heathrow. Costs a bit more - around £16.00 for a single Adult Fare. The trains travel from Paddington Station to Heathrow and is not part of the London Underground Network. These are overland trains that take less stops and travel faster. They are less frequent that the Tube also.

Follow signs to Heathrow Express or Trains when in the Terminals NOT Underground or Tube signs.

Taking a Cab into London from Heathrow Airport
Cabs are expensive so unless you are rich or the company is paying then don't jump in a Black Cab. It is quite a long way to the West End and if there is traffic you will be paying a lot. You are better off getting the Tube into the West End or similar and then getting a Black Cab. You still get the Black Cab experience but without the enormous cost. There are Cab and Bus lanes on the motorway going in to London but these don't go for very long.

Shuttles from Heathrow Airport
Unlike a lot of international airports Shuttles are not even as obvious as you would expect. They do exist but you are better to organise it before landing.

Bus from Heathrow Airport
There is a Bus terminal attached to Terminals 1,2,3 and buses go to 4 and 5 but this is not the best way to travel. Unless you are staying close to the airport, otherwise I would not bother.