Transport

Rail

The train is a comfortable choice, particularly if you have a lot of luggage. The speedy Heathrow Express runs every 15 minutes to London Paddington, and takes 15 minutes from Terminals 1, 2 and 3; add five minutes for the journey to and from Terminal 5 and three minutes more for Terminal 4. The cost of a single ticket is £14.50. The cheaper Heathrow Connect train links Heathrow to London Paddington in 25 minutes and departs every 30 minutes from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. There is a free bus transfer to and from Terminal 5. A single fare is £6.90.

Heathrow Express website

Heathrow Connect website

Underground

London Underground's Piccadilly Line connects Heathrow Airport (all five terminals) to the whole of the Underground network (the Tube), and arrives at Central London's Hyde Park Corner in around one hour. Underground trains run every five minutes (every ten minutes off peak). Fares to Hyde Park Corner cost £4.00.

London Underground (Transport for London) website

Car

Drive to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 via the M4 (Junction 4) or M25 (Junction 15). For Terminal 4, take the M4 (Junction 3) or M25 (Junction 14). Terminal 5 has direct access off the M25; leave at Junction 14. Coming from the M4, leave at Junction 4b and follow the M25 to Junction 14. Car hire is available from all five terminals. Journey lengths vary according to the time of day. Driving to and from Central London in the morning rush hour can take well over an hour. In the middle of the day the trip is shorter, at around 40-45 minutes.

Taxi

London black cabs wait outside all terminals. The journey into Central London takes roughly one hour (more during commuter rush hours) and costs between £40-£70, depending on the traffic. Cab drivers also expect you to tip, so add another 5-10% onto the final fare.

Transport for London (Taxis & Minicabs) website

Coach

The saver's choice, frequent National Express Airport coaches (+44 (0) 121 423 8716) link Heathrow Airport with Central London (Victoria Station) in 35-85 minutes. There are also links between Heathrow and Gatwick and Stansted Airports. Coaches leave from Heathrow's Central Bus Station opposite Terminals 2 and 3, and from Interchange Plaza at Terminal 5. A single fare to Victoria from all terminals is £4. Coach links with Terminal 4 are less frequent, so you may need to change terminal.

National Express Heathrow website

Shuttle Bus

The National Express Dot2Dot shuttle bus service runs between the airport and both central London and Canary Wharf, making it a convenient option for travellers to the Docklands business district. Vehicles travel in bus lanes, thus avoiding most traffic jams. Prices vary according to destination and number of passengers; a one-way fare to/from Canary Wharf for one person is approximately £30 and takes around 30-40 minutes.

Dot2Dot website