Getting to Heathrow Airport
By car
Heathrow Airport is 15 miles west of central London and easily accessible from the M4 and M25 motorways.
Directions
Terminals 1, 2 and 3
The terminals are close together at the centre of the airport site. Exit the M4 at junction 4 or the M25 at junction 15 and follow signs for Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
If you are using satelite navigation system, here are some useful postcodes:
- Terminal 1: TW6 1AP
- Terminal 2: TW6 1EW
- Terminal 3: TW6 1QG
Terminal 4
The terminal is in the southern part of the airport site and has a separate entrance. Exit the M25 at junction 14 and follow signs for Heathrow Terminal 4. If you're coming from the M4, leave at junction 4b and follow the M25 south to junction 14.
If you are using a satelite navigation system, the postcode is TW6 3XA.
Terminal 5
The terminal is on the Western Perimeter Road and has its own separate access road, reached from junction 14 of the M25. If you're coming from the M4, exit at junction 4b and follow the M25 south to junction 14.
If you are using a satelite navigation system, the postcode is TW6 2GA.
By taxi
A taxi transfer is a quick, convenient and cost-effective way to get to the airport, and is particularly useful for those with wheelchairs or pushchairs, as the taxis usually have more room than shuttle buses.
To book a low-cost taxi from your hotel or home to the airport, click the link to the right.
By train (including Heathrow Express)
Heathrow Express offers the fastest journey between the airport and central London.
Non-stop trains run every 15 minutes and the journey between Heathrow Central and London Paddington takes 15 minutes (a few minutes more for Terminals 4 or 5).
Travel in comfort on modern trains with air-conditioning, plenty of baggage space, wireless internet and free TV. You can even use your mobile phone when the train is in a tunnel. Need to relax or work in peace? Every train has a Quiet Zone carriage.
Times and tickets
Trains run between 05:10 and 23:25 from Paddington, and between 05:07 and 23:42 from Heathrow.
Tickets can be bought on the internet, at the station or on board the train. The standard single fare is £16.50 and standard return costs £32.
To check times and book tickets, click the link to the right.
Where to catch trains
Heathrow Express trains stop at Heathrow Central (for Terminals 1, 2 and 3) and Heathrow Terminal 5. Passengers using Terminal 4 can transfer free to or from Heathrow Central using the Heathrow Connect shuttle.
London connections
Paddington station is close to Hyde Park and Oxford Street. From Paddington you can catch trains to the South and West of England, or take the London Underground's District, Circle, Bakerloo and Hammersmith & City lines.
By coach
National Express
The UK's largest scheduled coach operator offers frequent direct services to and from hundreds of destinations including Oxford, Bristol, Wales, London, and Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports. Coaches call at all Heathrow terminals and all services use modern, air conditioned vehicles.
Tickets and information
To view coach times and buy tickets, please click the link to the right.
Coach tickets
Tickets for all coaches can be bought from the travel centre at Heathrow central bus station or booked in advance with the operator. You may also be able to buy a ticket from the bus driver, subject to availability. Passengers using Terminal 5 will find a National Express ticket office inside the terminal, in the international arrivals area.
Where to catch coaches
Terminals 1, 2 and 3: All coach services call at the central bus station, which is a short walk from the terminals and has lifts, escalators and moving walkways to help with the journey. The bus station is open 24 hours a day and the travel centre is open from 06:00 to 22:30.
Terminal 4: Coaches arrive and depart from Stops 13 and 14 outside the terminal, at arrivals level. Free transfers to the central bus station and Terminal 5 can be made from Stop 7.
Terminal 5: Coaches arrive and depart from Stops 13-16, outside the terminal at arrivals level. Reading RailAir, Oxford Express and Woking Railair services operate from Stops 10-12. Free transfers to the central bus station and Terminal 4 can be made from Stops 8 and 9.