Travel To Heathrow: Train Options And Connections

Heathrow Airport is the UK's busiest airport and one of the world's busiest, flying over 200,000 passengers in and out of the UK capital. The airport is easily accessible by train, with three train stations at Heathrow Central, serving terminals 2 and 3, Heathrow Terminal 4, and Heathrow Terminal 5. Trains to Heathrow Airport are an easy, cost-effective way to travel, removing the stress of driving, parking, or relying on taxis.

London Paddington to Heathrow Express train

Yes, there are trains to Heathrow Airport. The Heathrow Express train offers a direct route from London Paddington to Heathrow Airport, with trains departing every 15 minutes. The journey takes 15 minutes to Heathrow Central, which serves Terminals 2 and 3, and an additional six minutes to Terminal 5. For Terminal 4, passengers can take a free transfer from Heathrow Central, which takes around four minutes.

The Heathrow Express is the fastest route from London Paddington to Heathrow Airport, and vice versa. The first train to Heathrow Airport departs London Paddington at 05:10, and the last train leaves at 23:25. Similarly, trains from Heathrow Airport to London Paddington run from 05:10 to 23:25.

The Heathrow Express offers two classes of service: Express Class and Business First Class. Both classes offer designated luggage storage, charging points, free Wi-Fi, and digital entertainment. Additionally, Business First Class provides complimentary newspapers and magazines, extra legroom, and free Fast Track Security at the airport.

Tickets for the Heathrow Express can be purchased in advance or on the day of travel. Advance tickets cost £10 for Standard Class and must be purchased at least 45 days before the selected travel date. On the other hand, tickets bought on the day cost £25 for Express Class and £32 for Business First Class. Purchasing tickets at least 90 days in advance can result in significant savings of up to 34%-40% on the regular ticket price.

CrossCountry trains to Reading Station

Heathrow Airport is Britain's busiest airport, with 5 terminals in total. Taking the train to the airport is a great way to remove the stress of driving and parking. CrossCountry trains can take you to Reading Station from all over the country, which is one of the busiest stations on the national rail network. From here, you can take the RailAir bus to Heathrow Airport.

Reading Station is conveniently located in the town centre, with easy access to shops, cafes, restaurants, and music venues. The station is fully accessible to those with a range of mobility needs, with step-free access throughout. Accessible ticket machines and counters, payphones, and taxis are also available.

The town of Reading has a lot to offer, from museums and art galleries to shopping, dining, and a vibrant music scene. The station is linked to almost every part of the UK and has direct routes to most places. CrossCountry Trains operates services between the south coast and the north of England/Scotland, with Reading as one of the stops.

To get to Heathrow Airport from Reading Station, you can take the RailAir bus, which departs every 20 minutes during the day, from 4 am to 11 pm. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes. With CrossCountry trains and the RailAir bus, you can easily and cheaply travel to Heathrow Airport from anywhere in the country.

Piccadilly Line London Underground trains

The Piccadilly Line is part of the London Underground (or Tube) system, which connects London Heathrow Airport to central London. Serving Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, the Piccadilly Line runs a frequent service to numerous locations in central London, with convenient connections to other Tube and rail services. Journeys to central London typically take 45 to 60 minutes, with trains running every 5 to 10 minutes. The Piccadilly Line also operates a 'Night Tube' service on Friday and Saturday nights, which runs throughout the night, although this does not serve Terminal 4.

The Piccadilly Line offers a cost-effective travel option, with fares starting from £3 to £6 for a single journey to or from Heathrow. Tickets can be purchased using contactless payment options, such as the Transport for London Oyster card, or contactless cards. Single journey tickets and Zones 1-6 Travelcards can also be bought from airport station ticket machines.

Heathrow Airport has three London Underground stations: one for Terminals 2 and 3, one for Terminal 4, and one for Terminal 5. The stations for Terminals 2 and 3, and Terminal 4, are located within a few minutes' walk of their respective terminals. The station for Terminal 5 is situated in the basement of the terminal building. All stations are in Travelcard Zone 6.

When travelling on the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow, it is important to board the correct train for your terminal. There are two routes: Route 1 serves Terminal 4, while Route 2 serves Terminal 5. Route 1 trains branch off after Hatton Cross station to Terminal 4 and then loop back to Heathrow Central (Terminals 2 and 3) before returning to London. Route 2 trains go straight to Heathrow Central (Terminals 2 and 3) and then on to Terminal 5. These trains do not serve Terminal 4.

The Piccadilly Line connects to several other Underground lines, including the District Line and the Victoria Line. When changing lines, it is advisable to use stations like Hammersmith and Barons Court, where different lines use the same platform, making the transfer more convenient.

TFL Rail trains

The TFL Rail trains (formerly Heathrow Connect) are a cheaper alternative to the Heathrow Express, running the same route between Heathrow Airport and Paddington Station in London. The TFL Rail trains are aimed at workers at Heathrow Airport, taking 30 minutes to reach Heathrow Central, compared to the 15 minutes taken by the Heathrow Express. The TFL Rail trains are also less frequent, arriving every 30 minutes instead of every 15 minutes. The TFL Rail Heathrow train visits Terminals 2, 3, and 5.

The TFL Rail Heathrow trains run every 30 minutes in each direction, seven days a week. From Heathrow Airport, the first train from Terminal 2 is at 05:17, and the last train is shortly before midnight. From Paddington, the first train is 04:42 (05:11 on Sundays), and the last train is at 23:02 (23:11 on Sundays). The average journey time between Heathrow Terminals 4 and Paddington is 35 minutes.

The TFL Rail Heathrow trains terminate at Terminal 4 and also stop at Heathrow Central (for Terminals 2 and 3). Terminal 5 has its own station, a short ride from Heathrow Central. Services only call at Heathrow Terminal 5 during the evenings and weekends. At Heathrow Central, the TFL Rail trains share platforms with the Heathrow Express trains.

The TFL Rail Heathrow stops at five stations between Heathrow and Paddington, including Ealing Broadway, which is a London Underground interchange connecting to the Central and District Lines. Paddington is the terminus of the Heathrow Express and TFL Rail Heathrow trains, offering the most comfortable and fastest transfer options. The TFL Heathrow train is a less frequent and cheaper option compared to the Heathrow Express.

The TFL Rail Heathrow uses the same integrated ticketing system as the London Underground, London's buses, and most other public transport in London, known as Oyster fares.

Elizabeth Line trains

The Elizabeth Line is a high-frequency hybrid commuter rail and rapid transit service that serves Heathrow Airport. The line stretches over 100 km from Reading in Berkshire to Shenfield in Essex and Abbey Wood in South-East London, stopping at Heathrow terminals 2 & 3, 4 and 5.

The line offers four trains per hour running directly between Terminal 4 to Abbey Wood, and two trains per hour operating a direct service between Terminal 5 and Shenfield. Additionally, six trains per hour serve Terminals 2 and 3, with two running through to Shenfield, and four to Abbey Wood. The first and last train times vary depending on the day of the week and the direction of travel.

The Elizabeth Line provides step-free access at every station, with new lifts and footbridges, and dedicated wheelchair spaces in the fifth carriage of each train. The trains also offer separate spaces for buggies and luggage, energy-saving intelligent lighting and temperature controls, and free Wi-Fi on platforms. Tickets for the Elizabeth Line start at £12.80 for a journey to or from Heathrow Airport, and various ticketing options are available, including contactless payment methods and Travelcards.

Frequently asked questions