Heathrow Airport
Travel Guide
Elizabeth line or Piccadilly? It depends on your terminal, your budget and whether you're prepared to stand for 45 minutes with a suitcase. Here's the honest breakdown — with live status for both.
26 min
Paddington to Heathrow T2/T3 on the Elizabeth line
£5.50
Piccadilly line with Oyster — cheapest option to Heathrow
4
active terminals: T2, T3, T4 and T5
3 hours
recommended arrival before long-haul international flights
Getting there
Five ways to Heathrow Airport
Elizabeth line (recommended)
The fastest and most comfortable option. From Paddington to T2/T3 in just 26 minutes, and T5 in 35 minutes. Trains run every 5 minutes at peak times. T4 requires a separate short spur — add around 10 minutes.
~£10.30 off-peak with Oyster · Every 5 minPiccadilly line (cheapest)
The budget traveller's best friend. Around £5.50 with Oyster from Central London. Slower at 45–55 minutes, but runs very late and serves all four terminals. Can be cramped with luggage at busy times.
~£5.50 with Oyster · All terminalsNational Express coach
Good value at £7–15 from Victoria Coach Station. Journey time is 45–90 minutes depending on traffic. Useful if you are already near Victoria, but timing can be unreliable — allow plenty of buffer.
£7–15 · From Victoria Coach StationTaxi or Uber
Door-to-door convenience at a price. Expect £45–65 from Central London and 45–90 minutes depending on traffic. Worth considering for very early morning flights or heavy luggage, but book in advance during peak hours.
~£45–65 · 45–90 min, traffic dependentElizabeth line tip: Paddington is your fastest hub
From Liverpool Street, the Elizabeth line also runs direct to Heathrow in about 40 minutes — no change at Paddington needed. Great if you are coming from east or central London.
Timing & planning
When to leave for your flight
Before your flight
- Long-haul international: Arrive 3 hours before departure — check-in queues can be long
- Short-haul European: Arrive 2 hours before — less luggage queuing but still allow time
- Terminal 4 or T5 from T2/T3: Add 20 min for inter-terminal travel on top of your journey time
- Rush hour (7–9am, 5–7pm): Add 15–20 min buffer — Elizabeth line can get very busy
Arriving at Heathrow
- Fastest exit: Elizabeth line to Paddington — then Elizabeth line or other TfL lines onward
- Budget exit: Piccadilly line direct to Central London — no changes, just slow
- Late arrival: Check last Piccadilly train time — consider taxi if past midnight
- T4 arrivals: The T4 spur adds time — budget an extra 10 min on Elizabeth/Piccadilly
Check your terminal before you travel
Getting the wrong terminal adds 20–30 minutes. Always confirm your terminal on your boarding pass or airline app before leaving.
Terminal guide
Which terminal do you need?
Terminal 2 — The Queen's Terminal
ElizabethPiccadillyTerminal 3
ElizabethPiccadillyTerminal 4
ElizabethPiccadillyTerminal 5 — British Airways
ElizabethPiccadillyInter-terminal connections at Heathrow
- T2 ↔ T3: Short walk through the terminal — no train needed.
- T2/T3 ↔ T4: Free inter-terminal shuttle train from Heathrow Central station. Runs every ~15 min.
- T2/T3 ↔ T5: Free Heathrow Connect shuttle bus, OR take the Piccadilly or Elizabeth line one stop to Heathrow Terminal 5.
- Allow at least 20 minutes for any inter-terminal transfer, plus time to clear security again.
Ask Roamer
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Popular questions
Food & drink at the airport
Best dining at Heathrow
Destination dining
- Gordon Ramsay Plane Food — T5 · Pre-flight treat, great steak
- Heston Blumenthal's Perfectionists' Café — T2 · Inventive, fun, worth the premium
- Caffe Nero, Pret & Itsu — All terminals · Reliable fast option
Drinks & bars
- Wetherspoons (T2, T3, T5) — Cheap pints pre-flight — a Heathrow classic
- The Globe Bar — T5 airside · good atmosphere, sports TV
- Fortnum & Mason — T5 · Great for a posh tea before long-haul
Terminal 5 (best range)
- T5 is the clear winner — British Airways home — most investment in food & retail
- Wagamama, Giraffe, Comptoir Libanais — Full casual dining choice in T5 airside
- World Duty Free & luxury retail — Excellent shopping, best selection in T5
Eating before you fly
- Book Gordon Ramsay / Heston in advance — Popular spots fill up — book online before you travel
- Landside vs airside — Airside (past security) has more choice; landside is quicker
- Budget extra time at T2 / T3 — Security queues can be longer — don't cut it fine
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is the Elizabeth line the fastest way to Heathrow?
Yes — the Elizabeth line takes 26 minutes from Paddington to Heathrow T2/T3, and 35 minutes to T5. It runs every 5 minutes at peak times and costs around £10.30 off-peak with Oyster or contactless. It is the best balance of speed and value.
What is the cheapest way to get to Heathrow?
The Piccadilly line with Oyster or contactless is the cheapest option, costing around £5.50 from Central London. It is slower at 45–55 minutes but serves all four terminals and runs very late into the night.
How long does the Piccadilly line take to Heathrow?
The Piccadilly line takes 45–55 minutes from Central London stations such as King's Cross, Leicester Square or Earl's Court. It stops at T2/T3, then either T4 (via the spur) or T5, depending on the service. Check the destination board on the platform.
How do I get between Heathrow terminals?
T2 and T3 are connected by a short walk through the terminals. For T4, take the free inter-terminal shuttle train from the T2/T3 station. T5 is a separate station — either take the Piccadilly or Elizabeth line one stop, or use the free Heathrow Connect shuttle from T2/T3.
Does the tube run through the night at Heathrow?
The Piccadilly line runs very late but is not 24-hour at Heathrow. For very early morning or late-night flights, check the first and last train times on the TfL website, or consider the National Express coach or a taxi.
Which terminal is British Airways at Heathrow?
Terminal 5 is the British Airways home terminal — all long-haul BA flights depart from T5. Some BA short-haul and partner flights use T3. Always check your boarding pass to confirm your terminal.
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Quick journeys
Plan your route to Heathrow
Paddington → Heathrow
Elizabeth line direct
King's Cross → Heathrow
Piccadilly line direct
Leicester Square → Heathrow
Piccadilly line direct
Victoria → Heathrow
Piccadilly via Earl's Court
Liverpool Street → Heathrow
Elizabeth line direct
Waterloo → Heathrow
Jubilee + Piccadilly connection