Book a ticket on the quickest way to get to Heathrow Are you looking for the best way to transfer to and from Heathrow Airport and Central London? The Heathrow Express and the London Underground’s Elizabeth line both serve the airport, but the Heathrow Express is by far the most efficient and fastest way to Heathrow. This handy guide compares Heathrow Express vs the tube, providing useful information about cost, comfort, convenience, and overall experience to help you get your trip off to a smooth start. Grab your tickets now Purchase Your Heathrow Express Tickets Here Both Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth Line use the same track to travel from Paddington to Heathrow. The big difference is the number of stops. Journeys on Heathrow Express are direct from Paddington, whilst the Elizabeth Line stops at six stations in between. On average, the trip on the Elizabeth line takes around 27 minutes to arrive at Heathrow, compared to journey times of just 15 minutes on Heathrow Express. Travel need to knows When travelling between Heathrow and London Paddington, Heathrow Express trains reach a top speed of 110 miles per hour. They cover a distance of 16 miles (25km) in just a quarter of an hour. Whether you’re journeying from Central London to the airport or landing at Heathrow and heading to London, you’ll be there in no time. Heathrow Express Journey Time (To Heathrow Central) Train Frequency Every 15 minutes Every 10 minutes Number of Stops 0 stops from Paddington 6 stops from Paddington £20 Return with 2 Advance Discounted Tickets £30.59 Anytime Return via Trainline When is Heathrow Express the right choice for you? The Heathrow Express is the right choice for anyone who wants to spend less time transferring between Heathrow and Paddington and more time enjoying the city. It’s fast, spacious, and there’s plenty of space for luggage. The Heathrow Express may be the right option for you if you are: A time-sensitive business traveller: With a fast and direct journey time of just 15 minutes (compared to nearly 30 minutes on the Elizabeth line), the Heathrow Express is a relaxed and time-saving way to travel. A family seeking ease and value: Children aged 15 and under travel for free on the Heathrow Express (only under 11s travel free on the tube), helping families make significant savings on airport transfers. A premium passenger looking for extra perks: Unlike the Elizabeth line, the Heathrow Express is designed for airport travel, with dedicated luggage space, onboard amenities, and free fast-track security at the airport for Business First Class travellers. Can you get a Heathrow Express ticket cheaper than The Elizabeth Line? If you book your single ticket on the Heathrow Express 30 days or more in advance, it's just £10 for a single journey. With two advance single tickets covering both legs of your journey, you'll pay £20 which comes in cheaper than an Anytime Day Return on the Elizabeth Line to Heathrow. 10% off your first purchase Download the Heathrow Express App Arriving at Heathrow Heathrow Express trains take just 15 minutes to travel non-stop from London Paddington to Heathrow Central. It’s then an extra six minutes to arrive at Terminal 5 station. If you’re flying from Terminal 2 or 3, it’s only a short walk from Heathrow Central. For flights from Terminal 4, you’ll need to leave the train at Heathrow Central and take a shuttle bus to your terminal.

Our ticket types Choose from a range of Heathrow Express ticket types to suit your journey and your budget. Book your train tickets to Heathrow Airport, or in the opposite direction, with Heathrow Express in minutes. Book a Single ticket in either Standard Class or PREMIER+. Pick any train on that day and travel one way either from London to Heathrow, or the opposite direction, whether you're flying for business or pleasure. Advanced Discounted Single Make great savings by booking your single ticket on Standard Class 30+ days in advance. Get organised with your train travel and plan a single journey to or from Heathrow for just £10. Get your advanced discount ticket here. Same Day Return Book a Same Day ticket if you're flying out of and returning to Heathrow on the same day. Ideal for business travellers regularly flying out of Heathrow. Hop on a morning flight for a meeting in Edinburgh or Berlin and fly home that evening, using Heathrow Express both ways. With a Return ticket on Heathrow Express, you have ultimate flexibility for your travel to and from the airport. Whether you're away for two weeks with the family or enjoying a city break, you can travel five days after you buy the ticket and return within one month. Available as a Carnet x6 or Carnet x12 in both Standard Class and PREMIER+, you'll save money on your journeys by buying your tickets in bulk. With a Carnet x6 you get 6 journeys for the price of 5, whilst a Carnet x12 will give you 12 journeys for the price of 9. Children aged 15 and under travel for free on Heathrow Express. If you're travelling as a family from Heathrow – whether to see friends or for the holiday of a lifetime – book tickets for the whole family, but only pay for the adults. Which option has the most space for luggage and mobility aids? keyboard_arrow_down Which option has the most space for luggage and mobility aids? Can I pay using Oyster or contactless on the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line? keyboard_arrow_down Can I pay using Oyster or contactless on the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line? Which option is the most comfortable way to travel - the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line? keyboard_arrow_down Which option is the most comfortable way to travel - the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line? Do the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line both stop at all Heathrow terminals? keyboard_arrow_down Do the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line both stop at all Heathrow terminals? Do fares or journey times differ depending on what day and time you travel? keyboard_arrow_down Do fares or journey times differ depending on what day and time you travel? Where do the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line stop in central London, and how do I continue my journey from there? keyboard_arrow_down Where do the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line stop in central London, and how do I continue my journey from there? See how we stack up against the competition here Heathrow Express vs National Express Bus Struggling to decide between the bus and Heathrow Express for our transfers between Heathrow and Central London. We lay out the pros and cons to both modes of transport in this article Heathrow Express vs Piccadilly Line Do you take the tube or jump on the Heathrow Express? This guide lays out the pros and cons to each option giving you the tools to make the right choice for your trip. See how the Heathrow Express stacks up against the competition in more detail in this article © 2026 Heathrow Express. All rights reserved