Avoid the tube and arrive at Heathrow in 15 minutes If you’re looking for the best route to get from Central London to Heathrow Airport, the Heathrow Express is the most efficient way to travel. The London Underground’s Piccadilly line serves all four Heathrow terminals, but the journey takes longer, and trains are often very busy. For a comfortable and smooth alternative to the tube, the Heathrow Express offers the fastest route to Heathrow. On this page, we’ll compare the speed, cost, comfort, convenience, and overall experience of travelling to Heathrow on the Heathrow Express vs the tube. So you can make an informed decision on the best way to travel. Grab your tickets now Purchase Your Heathrow Express Tickets Here The Heathrow Express runs non-stop from London Paddington to Heathrow, and takes just 15 minutes to arrive at Heathrow Central with an extra six minutes to reach Terminal 5 station. The Piccadilly Line to Heathrow runs from Cockfosters to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 crossing central London in the process with stations including Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Covent Garden. The average journey time on the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow from Central London is around 52 minutes. The Piccadilly Line also doesn’t run to Terminal 5, Heathrow’s busiest terminal. Travel need to knows Instead of getting the tube to Heathrow, hop on the Heathrow Express. Relax in your comfy seat and stretch out to enjoy your legroom. There are loads of places to store your luggage, as well as free Wi-Fi and accessible toilets throughout the carriage. You can even upgrade to Business First Class for the ultimate luxury experience. You’ll also be at the airport in just a quarter of an hour, compared to 49 minutes on the underground to Heathrow. The table below has all the important info when comparing Heathrow Express to the tube. Heathrow Express Piccadilly Line Journey Time (To Heathrow Central) Train Frequency Every 15 minutes Every 5-10 minutes off peak Number of Stops 0 stops from Paddington 15 stops from Kensington £20 Return with 2 Advance Discounted Tickets £11.60 when you purchase 2 singles Why the Heathrow Express beats the tube Whether you’re travelling for business or jetting off on a family vacation, it’s faster and more convenient to take the Heathrow Express to the airport than it is to travel by tube. With trains leaving Paddington every 15 minutes, here’s why travelling on the Heathrow Express is more efficient than taking the Piccadilly line. Journey time is just 15 minutes, compared to 49 minutes on the Piccadilly line The journey is direct with no stops along the way Children aged 15 and under travel for free Business First-Class tickets include free fast-track security at the airport 10% off your first purchase Download the Heathrow Express App Arriving at Heathrow on the Heathrow Express

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. Do children travel free on both the Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly line? keyboard_arrow_down Do children travel free on both the Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly line? Do fares or journey times differ depending on whether I’m travelling during peak or off-peak hours? keyboard_arrow_down Do fares or journey times differ depending on whether I’m travelling during peak or off-peak hours? Do both services serve all Heathrow terminals, and how do I get to each one? keyboard_arrow_down Do both services serve all Heathrow terminals, and how do I get to each one? Which option is better for travelling with large luggage or mobility aids? keyboard_arrow_down Which option is better for travelling with large luggage or mobility aids? Can I use an Oyster card or contactless payment on both the Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly Line? keyboard_arrow_down Can I use an Oyster card or contactless payment on both the Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly Line? How do onboard comfort and amenities differ when travelling on the Heathrow Express vs the Piccadilly line? keyboard_arrow_down How do onboard comfort and amenities differ when travelling on the Heathrow Express vs the Piccadilly line? See how we compare to our competition Heathrow Express vs Elizabeth Line Which is faster and more affordable the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth Line? We compare the two services in this article 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 See how the Heathrow Express stacks up against the competition in more detail in this article © 2026 Heathrow Express. All rights reserved