london bus tour from heathrow airport

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London Layover Tours: London tours from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, City Airport and Ports

• Private Tour

Tour Description

Private tours of London, Windsor, Hampton Court, Stonehenge and Oxford with transfer services to and from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, City Airport, as well as the Cruise Ports of Southampton, Harwich and Dover. Perfect for visitors on transit and layovers to maximise their visit.

What's Included?

• Original founders of the Layover Tour
• Make the most of an Opportunity - Avoid lengthy waits at the Airport or Cruise Ports
• Choose from our range of tours to London, Windsor, Hampton Court, Stonehenge and Oxford
• Private car/minibus/coach according to your party's size
• Available to/from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, City Airport, the Cruise Ports and the Eurostar
• Exclusive to London Magical Tours: Driver/Guide or Tour Team (Tour Guide plus additional Chauffeur)

Learn more about the London Magical Tours Difference

• Tours from Heathrow Airport
• Tours from Gatwick Airport
• Tours from London City Airport
• Tours from Heathrow to Gatwick or City Airport (or vice-versa)
• Tours from Dover Cruise Port
• Tours from Southampton Cruise Port
• Tours from Harwich Cruise Port

TOUR ITINERARY

As the original pioneers of the Layover Tour, we are aware of how important your time is while on transit. Whether it be that you only have a few hours in between journeys or that you just want the safety and comfort of a London Magical Tour after a flight, cruise or train journey, we can help. Avoid all travel worries and hassles during your layover. With our meet and greet service, the tour begins from the moment you arrive in London. You will be welcomed inside the arrivals hall at Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, City Airport or the Cruise Port by a representative carrying a London Magical Tours sign, before being chauffeur driven to your destination to begin your guided tour. Following the tour you can be returned to a central London hotel or if on a layover, back to the airport, train station or port to continue with your journey. Simply choose from any one of our tours to London, Windsor, Hampton Court, Stonehenge and Oxford, all of which are available as a layover option, including the popular Harry Potter London Tours . Tour times are offered according to your layover schedule and our dedictated team are happy to advise accordingly. Tours are available in most languages and outside working hour services are also available on request for late arrivals.

TOURS FROM HEATHROW AIRPORT

Collection and return is available directly from your terminal of arrival and return to your departure terminal at Heathrow Airport following your tour. The terminals at Heathrow Airport are numbered 1 to 5.

TOURS FROM GATWICK AIRPORT

Collection and return is also available directly from your terminal of arrival and return to your departure terminal at Gatwick Airport. The terminals at Gatwick Airport are called North or South.

TOURS FROM CITY AIRPORT

Our layover tour services are also available directly from London City Airport. London City Airport only has one terminal.

TOURS FROM HEATHROW TO GATWICK

Tours are also available if you have a mixed airport layover, that is where you arrive at one airport and depart from another. Collection is also directly from your arrival terminal at one airport and return to your departure terminal at the other following your tour. As a guideline for the London airports, allow approx. 40 minutes to clear Immigration and Customs to begin your tour. Check in for flights to Europe is at least one and a half hours before your scheduled departure time and two hours for long haul flights. Our customer service team is happy to advise on the best option according to your schedule. For further information on airport layovers, including useful tips on baggage and terminal information, please see our London Airport Information Guide Blog entries.

Passengers on layovers will normally have their luggage forwarded to their final destination by their airline, meaning you will only have your carry on bags in London. Passengers are able to bring one item of carry on luggage each with them onboard the tour vehicle. If you will have greater luggage requirements please let us know the number of full size bags and hand luggage and we will be happy to advise accordingly.

TOUR DATES / TIMES / LANGUAGES

Tours are available according to your schedule. To see our range of tours, all of which are available on layovers, please see the London tours page. We will be glad to recommend tour times according to your flight/train schedules. Tours are also available in most languages through our specialist multi-lingual guide team, including Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese. Language surcharges apply.

LAYOVER TOURS BLOG

We are proud to welcome guests on our Layover Tours on a daily basis at the London airports. Please take a moment to read a selection of our London Tour Reviews , including comments from single travellers, couples, family visitors, corporate visitors, missionary groups, universities, ambassadors and Heads of State. We are on occasion even able to arrange a personal hello from Her Majesty the Queen during your layover - as our clients at non-profit health organization Oldways were only to happy to share! Read more about their layover tour experience with the Queen on the Oldways Blog .

Tour Extras

Service levels.

Platinum VIP

Platinum Plus VIP

Meal options.

Fish and Chips Pub Option

Two Course Pub Option

Three Course Pub Option

Express Afternoon Tea Option

VIP Afternoon Tea Option

Tour prices.

There are no hidden extras: prices include your own private driver-guide or team of a tour guide and chauffeur (at VIP levels), private vehicle, parking fees, collection and return to your London airport of arrival and departure and all taxes. Sample pricing below based on the Private London Half Day Tour plus return transport from and back to Heathrow Airport (4.5 hours total), with layover saving rate.

There are no hidden extras: prices include your private tour guide, your chauffeur, private vehicle, parking fees, collection and return to your central Manhattan hotel or Grand Central Station, and all taxes. We do not charge additional fees for card payments. Lunch/Entrance fees not included. Internet prices include a discount for online bookings. Prices are according to your party size. For example, the cost of the Half Day London Tour is $449 for a party of 5, which works out at $89.80 per person. At less than $90 pp, private tours are amazing value, offering a personal experience for less than the cost of bus tours

Normal Price

Online price (save £20).

More than 6 passengers? Benefit from our group savings for 7 to 100+ passengers: please see Private London Group Tours.

More than 5 passengers? Benefit from our group savings for 6 to 100+ passengers:please see Private London Group Tours. On transit through London? See Our London Layover Tours

Tour Comments

Our driver and our guide were super nice and friendly. It was so much fun for my sister and I to do this on our layover at Heathrow Airport - our parents enjoyed it too!

The Michaels Family, USA

London Magical Tours took us on 2 days of great touring. We were picked up from the airport and they took such great care of us throughout. The tour guide was fabulous, extremely knowledgable and the driver was very attentive. Thoroughly enjoyable, we had a wonderful time.

Mr. and Mrs. Olig, USA

Other tour ideas.

Private London Tours - Half Day London Tour

Private London Tours - London Day Tour

• What is a private tour?
• What time do the tours start?
• Where can I be collected from?
• What are the differences between the 3 hr and 7 hr London tours?
• Will we get out of the vehicle to sightsee and take photos or is it just a drive-by?
• Are lunch/entrance fees included?

UK: 020 7859 4561 Abroad: +44 20 7859 4561 USA/Canada: + 1 866 834 8371

Enquiry Form

Magical Tours Blog

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 Erin London Tours

LONDON LAYOVER TOUR

Layover Tours from Heathrow Airport

Long London layover? Nothing to do at London's crowded Heathrow airport? Meet Erin - your private tour guide!

I offer private London Layover Tours from Heathrow airport for solo travellers, couples, families and small groups up to 6 people.

Stonehenge tour from Heathrow or Windsor Castle private tour, t here are many more to choose from.  Your London layover tour experience can be customized to your choice, whether you enjoy visiting medieval castles and villages, the skyline of London city or having a pint of beer in the same pub William Shakespeare did. 

London Heathrow Layover Tours, day or night!

I will meet you at the airport and take you to the most fabulous places of London or countryside of England, then take you back to the airport on time to catch your connecting flight.

BELOW IS A SELECTION OF TOURS

London Sightseeing Tour from Heathrow Airport

see highlights of London in a day

Buckingham Palace

Tower of London

The London Eye

Tower Bridge

Westminster Abbey

Trafalgar Square

Piccadilly Circus

St. Paul's Cathedral

National Gallery

Churchill War Rooms

The Beatles Crosswalk

Authentic British Pub Experience

Hampton Court Palace Tour

Day Tours from Heathrow Airport 

see countryside of England in a day

Stonehenge Tour

Salisbury Tour

Avebury Tour

Canterbury Tour

Warwick Castle Tour

Blenheim Palace Tour

Stratford-upon-Avon

Glastonbury Tour

Cotswolds Tour

White Cliffs of Dover Tour

Shakespeare's Birthplace Tour

Oxford Tour

Windsor Castle Tour

Leeds Castle Tour

Dover Shore Excursions

English Countryside Tour

Southampton Shore Excursions

All tours are private and can be customized to my guests interests

If the place you are looking for is not mentioned on the list, you can always contact Erin and ask to make arrangements that suit you.

Booking is easy and immediate, please click  ENQUIRY  button, provide your arrival and departure flight details and write a short description of what you would like to see. You will receive a possible custom made itinerary and prices for your London Layover Tour from Heathrow airport.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED

SOUTHAMPTON CRUISE TERMINAL

Private transfer tours to / from London Heathrow airport

Enjoy a hassle-free private transfer from London Heathrow airport to Southampton Cruise Termina l , that combine a transfer with sightseeing along the way, with visits to places such as Central London, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Salisbury, Cotswolds Medieval Villages, Avebury, Downtown Abbey and more.

DOVER CRUISE TERMINAL

My sightseeing private transfer tour from London Heathrow to Dover Cruise Terminal  via Canterbury and Leeds Castle is perfect if you are looking to turn your transfer into a fun day trip!

You name it – we arrange it! Anything is possible!

Private Sightseeing Tours of England

RELATED LINKS

On this page, most popular tours, special interest tours, tours from london, hop-on hop-off bus tours, central london tours.

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London sightseeing tours & tour transfers from Heathrow Airport

Short stopovers between flights, transfer tours to your london hotel or tours from heathrow hotels.

No public tour bus visits Heathrow!

OK, let's get one thing clear first, the answer to the most common question from people on a layover at Heathrow Airport...

There are no public sightseeing tours that pick up from Heathrow or its hotels that will take you sightseeing into London, (or indeed anywhere).

If you want a public tour of London then you will need to take public transport into the centre of London and join the tour there or charter your own private sightseeing capability.

Heathrow to London by public transport is discussed on our dedicated page.

Private personalised tours from Heathrow   What you need to know about private tours   Popular tours at prefixed prices   London Non-stop Highlights Tour   Classic Grand Tour   Enquiry form

Private, personalised tours from Heathrow Airport

Time to kill between flights? See memorable Central London sights

We can offer tours from Heathrow Airport customised to your needs.

The most common categories these tours address are people who:

- Have time to kill between flights at Heathrow and want to use that time productively to see a little bit of London's famous sights rather than an airport terminal that could be anywhere.

- Transfer tours between your flight arrival at Heathrow and your Central London providing a good orientation of London's main sights before arrival at your hotel. Very practical if you have an early morning flight and are not able to check-in until lunch time. You'll see pretty much all the sights you'd see on one of London's hop on, hop off sightseeing buses .

- For those staying at a Heathrow hotel, some of which are quite remote from Heathrow, let alone London, providing a quick efficient way to visit London.

Very practical if you have a late flight time and return to your departure terminal just before check-in.

What you need to know about London black taxi tours

Up to 5 people in a famous london black cab with a cabbie guide.

We can offer value for money tours, (remember the price is per cab, not person) from Heathrow at a fixed price or you can design your own custom tour.

The famous London black cab can go down lanes and roads far too narrow for tour buses so you can see parts of London others do not. The black taxi is also able to use the dedicated bus and taxi lanes on London's roads while other traffic have to queue.

Flexible pick-up & finish points

There is great flexibility where you start and finish your tour. It can be a Heathrow hotel, a Heathrow passenger terminal or a Central London hotel.

A London taxi can carry up to 4 suitcases plus 4 people or 5 people without luggage. With 5 people and 4 suit cases the newer Vito cabs can be substituted for the classic London black cab pictured at the top of the page at no extra charge.

More than 5 people?

For larger groups than 5 people we can offer a very similar service but in standard touring coaches of between 16 and 60 seat capacity with or without a professional guide. Use the enquiry form at the bottom of the page to start a dialogue and a firm costed proposal.

Popular pre-prepared tours at fixed prices

Below are our two most popular black cabbie tours from Heathrow at fixed, published prices.

Travel time between Heathrow and Central London sights is normally around 40-60 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

If you have a clear alternative requirement in your mind in terms of itinerary or longer duration tour please use the enquiry form below to outline your requirement and you will get a personalised quotation by return.

London Non-stop Highlights tour - 2.5 hour tour in London

One Way Heathrow transfer + 2.5 hour tour in London - £239.99 (per 5 seat cab)

Return Heathrow transfer + 2.5 hour tour in London - £309.95 (per 5 seat cab)

Our London Cabbie Guide will collect you from your hotel or passenger terminal at Heathrow and you have a chance to build up a rapport before you arrive in the centre of London. Your journey across London visits the many sights and sounds of London. This is a great way to get to know London’s best attractions and sights.

For those whose end of tour destination is at their London hotel the tour will be completed first. If you would like to go to the hotel first and leave your luggage there is a supplemental charge.

Your knowledgeable cabbie will show you a selection of sights with photo opportunities that may include:

Tower of London and Tower Bridge , Buckingham Palace , Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey , Big Ben, London Eye , Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and many more attractions along the way.

Classic Grand Tour - 3.5 hours

One Way Heathrow transfer + 3.5 hour tour in London - £289.99 (per 5 seat cab)

Return Heathrow transfer + 3.5 hour tour in London - £359.99 (per 5 seat cab)

As the London Highlights Tour, but an extra hour, 3.5 hours in total in London.

Remember, this is a private tour you can decide priorities and must sees however obscure, or just let the cabbie showcase London for you.

London Black Taxi custom tours

If you know exactly what you want to see and it is different to the popular itineraries and time scales in the popular itineraries detailed above, just let us what your requirements and we'll provide a quotation by return.

Please use the enquiry form below to outline your thoughts as the spur for a dialogue that will result in a quotation for your ideal black London taxi tour.

HEATHROW TO/FROM LONDON

Tours from heathrow, airport to airport, cruise port transfers, to the rest of the uk, heathrow hotels, hotel to terminal, heathrow hotel areas, heathrow parking.

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Heathrow Airport to London

From £8.40 one-way*, duration: 25 mins (fastest), departures: up to 79 services per day.

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Select time, outward journey, return date.

Select a return within 3 months of your outward travel.

Return Journey

Children under 14 years of age are not permitted to travel without being accompanied throughout the journey by a responsible person aged 16 years or over. Children aged 14 - 15 years old may travel unaccompanied, as from 5am, arriving at their booked destination no later than 10pm. Unaccompanied children will be asked for proof of age or a signed letter of permission from their parent/guardian. (sms or chat based messages are not permissible)

One infant aged 0-2 travels free when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. Additional infants aged 0-2 must be paid for. If you are travelling with more than 1 infant aged 0-2, please book the additional infant as 'Children (3-15).

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• Heathrow to London

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Coach from Heathrow to London

Our coaches travel from Heathrow Airport (terminals and coach station) to London (Victoria Coach Station) up to 79 times a day, from just £8.40 one-way*.

Our Heathrow to London services and stops

A30 coach towards london.

Our A30 service travels up to 1 time a day and calls at the following stops:

• Heathrow Airport (Terminal 4)
• Heathrow Airport (Cargo Area)
• Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5)
• Heathrow Airport Central Bus Station
• London Victoria Coach Station

A40 coach towards London

Our A40 service travels up to 1 time a day and calls at the following stops:

• Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5) 

008 coach towards London

Our 008 service travels up to 1 time a day and calls at the following stops:

• Heathrow Airport Terminal 5
• London (Earl's Court)

025 coach towards London

Our 025 service travels up to 32 times a day and calls at the following stops:

• Heathrow Terminal 5

401 coach towards London

Our 401 service travels up to 9 times a day and calls at the following stops:

403 coach towards London

Our 403   service travels up to 7 times a day and calls at the following stops:

444 coach towards London

Our 444   service travels up to 7 times a day and calls at the following stops:

460 coach towards London

Our 460 service travels up to 8 times a day and calls at the following stops:

501 coach towards London

Our 501   service travels up to 4 times a day and calls at the following stops:

502 coach towards London

Our 502   service travels up to 2 times a day and calls at the following stops:

504 coach towards London

Our 504   service travels up to 5 times a day and calls at the following stops:

Heathrow to London route map

You can bring 1x large suitcase (or 2x medium cases) & 1x soft hand luggage item onboard our coaches. However, be sure to check your flight luggage allowance with your airline before your pack.

View our luggage policy  

Departing from Heathrow

While you are waiting for your coach, Heathrow Airport has many great facilities for you to enjoy.

Facilities near to the stop include a wide assortment of cafes, shops and restaurants, as well as rest areas, toilet facilities, cash machines and ticket machines.

Arrival and Departure information:  

Terminal 2 & 3: Coaches arrive and depart from the  Heathrow Central Bus Station .

Terminal 4: Coaches arrive and depart outside of  Heathrow Terminal 4 .

Arriving in London

London Victoria Coach Station is just 300 metres from the tube network, and is served by the Victoria Line, the District Line, and the Circle Line.

A bus stop is directly outside the coach station, and is served by many routes into the city centre.

Victoria Rail Station is also just 300 metres away, and there is a taxi rank outside the coach station on Eccleston Place.

When is the first coach from Heathrow to London?

The first coach leaves from Heathrow Central Bus Station at 1.00am, arriving at London Victoria Coach Station at 1.50am.

When is the last coach from Heathrow to London?

The last coach leaves from  Heathrow Central  Bus Station at 23.59pm, arriving at London Victoria Coach Station at 0.50am.

How much is the coach from Heathrow to London?

A one-way journey from Heathrow to London is available from £8.40*.

How long does the coach take from Heathrow to London?

Our fastest coach journey from Heathrow to London takes 25 mins to our Earl's Court stop.

What happens if I miss my coach or my flight is delayed?

We have fare types available to give you more flexibility when you travel. Both our Standard and Fully Flexible fares are amendable, however, excess fees may apply. For more information, please visit our   tickets page .

Alternatively, when buying your ticket you can add Change and Go to your booking. Change and Go allows you to board any available coach 12 hours before or after your original departure time for just £5 per journey. Find out more at our   Change and Go page .

Return route

• London to Heathrow

Popular routes to London

Routes to London

• Bath to London
• Birmingham  to London
• Blackpool to London
• Bournemouth  to London
• Bradford to London
• Brighton  to London
• Bristol  to London
• Cambridge to London
• Canterbury to London
• Cardiff  to London
• Cheltenham  to London
• Chippenham to London
• Cirencester to London
• Coventry to London
• Derby to London
• Edinburgh to London
• Exeter to London
• Glasgow to London
• Leeds to London
• Liverpool to London
• Loughborough to London
• Manchester to London
• Milton Keynes to London
• Newcastle to London
• Newport to London
• Northampton to London
• Norwich to London
• Nottingham to London
• Oxford to London
• Peterborough to London
• Plymouth to London
• Portsmouth  to London
• Sheffield to London
• Southampton  to London
• Sunderland to London
• Swansea to London
• Swindon  to London
• Taunton to London
• York to London

Airport Transfers to London

• Stansted to London
• Heathrow to London
• Luton to London
• Gatwick to London

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Open Return Information

Book your return

Your Open Dated Return is valid for 3 months from your outbound journey. To guarantee your seat on your return you need to confirm your ticket before you travel on www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/tickets/open-returns or call 0371 781 8181.

Open Dated Return Information

If your return date is not yet known, open return tickets provide flexibility. When travelling within the UK, the return journey can be made within 3 months of the outward date of travel. To guarantee your seat on your return journey you need to confirm your ticket before you travel by visiting www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/tickets/open-returns or call us on 03717 81 81 81. Lines open 7 days a week, 8am - 8pm (calls to this number are charged at local rate). Valid on any day throughout the year.

Open returns are not available on European journeys.

Wheelchair accessibility

Accessible coaches.

The majority of stops along the routes listed below are accessible to wheelchair users but are subject to change. Please call us to check the latest situation before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

To see a list of accessible coach routes please visit our Accessibility page.

Assisted Travel Helpline

If you are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance, please call our helpline before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

03717 81 81 81 - ( option 3)  (lines open 8am - 8pm 7 days a week). Calls to this number are charged at local rate.

For more information please visit our Disabled travellers page.

Passengers & Wheelchair accessibility

Passenger descriptions.

Our passenger descriptions are designed to help you choose the right ticket for yourself or your fellow travellers.

Adult (16+) and Children (3-15)

Children under 14 cannot travel alone unless accompanied by an adult (16+). Please note, you may be required to show proof of age at any point during your journey. Failure to do so, may result in the full adult fare being charged.

Children (3-15)

Children under 14 cannot travel alone unless accompanied by a responsible adult (16+).

Disabled Children

Should be booked as Children. If they are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance, please call our Assisted Travel Helpline.

We strongly recommend that you bring a car seat appropriate to your child's age, but ask you to take responsibility to fit the seat.

Booster Seats

Children aged between approximately 4-11 years old, or up to 150cm tall, may use booster seats. We carry a limited number onboard most coaches.

If travelling with a child, you may be required to show proof of age when buying tickets or at any point during your journey. Failure to do so may result in the child being required to pay the full fare for the journey on that day.

Booster seats

Children aged between approximately 4 years and 11 years or up to 150cm tall may use booster seats, we carry a limited number onboard most coaches along with our comfort fit seat belts.

Disabled children should be booked as children rather than 'Disabled'. If they are travelling in a wheelchair or you wish to book assistance with travel please call our Assisted Travel Helpline before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

You can find a list of accessible coach stops on our Accessibility page .

Please call us 36 hours prior to travelling to check the latest status.

If you are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance we recommend that you contact us on the following local rate telephone number: 03717 81 81 81 (lines open 8am - 8pm 7 days a week) 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

Adult (26 - 59)

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged between of 26 and 59 inclusive.

Child 0 - 12 inclusive

Children aged 12 or under travelling on any European service must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Unaccompanied children will not be carried

Young persons (13 - 25)

Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Young persons aged 16 or 17 years can travel alone on European services but only if they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Senior (60 and over)

Passengers aged 60 and over are entitled to receive a small discount on European journeys. On European journeys a 50% discount is given to carers, please call us on 08717 818177 to book.

Please select your passenger type first and then add your coachcards.

We have three different Coachcards available, each offering savings of 1/3 on all of our Standard and Fully Flexible coach fares all year round.

Prices shown include your coachcard discount, your coachcard number will be required during the booking process.

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged 2+. Adults under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel alone on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over or they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Infants 0-1 Inclusive

Children aged under the age of 2, must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Unaccompanied children will not be carried.

European travel

For bookings to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam we have teamed up with BlaBlaCar to offer these journeys. To continue booking your journey please visit our International site

The best ways to get from Heathrow Airport into London

Editor's Note

After a long flight, you just want to get from the airport to your hotel in the easiest (and, ideally, the most cost-effective) way possible.

With an airport as vast as London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) — the biggest and busiest flight hub in the United Kingdom — achieving that goal can seem daunting even though it's only 16 miles from central London.

There are several options for getting from Heathrow to the city center, depending on your flexibility, the amount of luggage you're carrying, your budget or your time constraints. You can choose between taxis, the Tube, Uber, dedicated train services and even the bus.

Here are the best options for traveling from Heathrow to London — along with how long they take and other pros and cons — so that you can start your trip off on the right foot.

London Underground (aka the Tube)

Heathrow is on the London Underground's Piccadilly line. To spot it, simply look out for the dark blue line on any Tube map.

The popular service — run by the Transport for London (or the TfL for short) — connects the airport to plenty of central city locations. Often, you won't even need to transfer once you've made it to the city center.

If you're looking for the cheapest option to get you from Heathrow into the city, this is likely it. However, it may not be the most comfortable if you are carrying lots of luggage or traveling during peak commuter hours — especially during summer.

Depart from : Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5; the latter two have Underground stations in Zone 6.

Possible destinations : The Piccadilly line directly serves Hammersmith, Gloucester Road, South Kensington, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Holborn and King's Cross St. Pancras, among other stops. The first and last stops on the line are Uxbridge (Zone 6) and Wood Green (Zone 3).

When does it run? Typically, you can expect Tubes to run from all terminals from around 5 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.; nighttime services from stations in Terminals 2, 3 and 5 run on Fridays and Saturdays. You can check the timetable from all stations here .

Transit time : This will obviously vary depending on your final destination. As a guide, it takes approximately 50 minutes to reach Piccadilly Circus from Heathrow's Terminal 5 or an hour to reach King's Cross St. Pancras.

Estimated cost : Single journeys from Heathrow to destinations in Zone 1 (such as Piccadilly and King's Cross) cost 5.60 British pounds ($7.09) if you pay contactless or with an Oyster card. Buying a ticket to central London at a machine will cost around 6.70 pounds (about $8.29) per person. Children under 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

If you're going outside of Zone 1 (such as to Hammersmith, in Zone 2), then you're looking at a smaller fare of 2.10 pounds (around $2.60) during peak times and 3.40 pounds (around $4.21) at off-peak times.

Paying for your trip : You can pay as you pass through the gates or by buying a ticket. The most convenient method is to use your contactless payment card by touching it on the yellow card readers found at Tube entrances and some platforms.

Note: The card readers aren't always connected to gates and are sometimes free-standing. Keep an eye out for them. If you don't tap in and out at the start and end of your journey, you'll get charged for traveling through Zones 1 to 9.

You can also tap in using a prepaid Oyster card, which is available to buy at all Tube and Overground stations, plus most Elizabeth Line stations, for 7 pounds (about $8.69); they're also available at some newsstands and visitor centers throughout London.

After purchasing an Oyster card, you can add money to the card using the ticket machines found inside Underground stations. You can then purchase daily or weekly travel cards covering various zones.

Alternatively, you can buy paper tickets from the ticket machines at each Tube, Overground and Docklands Light Railway station. One-way, return, daily and weekly travel cards are available.

Some stations also have staffed kiosks instead of ticket machines; you can ask for advice here on the best tickets to buy or routes to take.

Related: The best lounges at London Heathrow — and how to get inside

Elizabeth Line

A relatively recent addition to the TfL network, the Elizabeth Line opened in 2022. It is one of the fastest and cheapest options for traveling into central London from Heathrow Airport.

While not as cheap as the Tube, the Elizabeth Line trains are newer, roomier, air-conditioned and equipped with Wi-Fi. It's not quite as fast as the Heathrow Express (more details below), but it is more affordable.

Depart from : Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 railway stations.

Possible destinations : The Elizabeth Line travels direct from Heathrow to Abbey Wood, serving Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf. You can see the full map on TfL's website .

There are no direct services between Canary Wharf and Terminal 5 except for some early morning and late evening services; instead, you must go via Paddington or transfer at Terminal 4. Trains arriving at Heathrow from Canary end at Terminal 4.

When does it run? Times vary by terminal and whether you're traveling during a weekday or weekend. Typically, the first trains leave between 5:15 and 6:05 a.m., and the last trains leave the airport between 11:46 p.m. and 12:13 a.m. Depending on your destination or starting point, you may find trains start slightly earlier or run marginally later. Find specific timing here .

Transit time : It depends on where you're headed. As a guide, Terminal 5 station to Paddington takes around 35 minutes, while traveling from stations in Terminal 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street takes about 45 minutes.

Estimated cost : Heathrow claims journeys to or from the airport that start or end in Zone 1 cost up to 12.80 pounds ($15.83) per person. However, if you use contactless payment or Oyster, TfL's single fare finder shows a single journey from Terminal 5 to Paddington on the Elizabeth Line costs 12.20 pounds ($15.44).

A journey from stations in Terminals 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street costs 13.30 pounds ($16.45). These prices only apply to contactless payments or Oyster payments. Buying a paper ticket via station ticket machines costs a small amount more — as discovered by TPG recently when we paid 14.30 pounds for an off-peak ticket from Liverpool Street to Heathrow via the Elizabeth Line.

Generally speaking, while savings are only minor, it's better to pay by contactless or Oyster card. Children under the age of 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

Heathrow Express

The direct train, Heathrow Express, is the fastest option to get from Heathrow to Paddington. The trains are relatively modern and, despite the short distance between its sole stop, they also have luggage racks and plugs for charging phones — handy if you're boarding after a long journey.

For onward journeys, Paddington is well connected to multiple Tube lines. Do note, however, that the Heathrow Express is more expensive than all other rail options.

Depart from : Terminals 2 and 3 station and Terminal 5 railway station; you'll need to take a free connecting shuttle to the station if you land in Terminal 4.

Possible destinations : Paddington station; for an extra cost, you can add connecting Tube travel.

When does it run? It typically operates from around 5 a.m. until midnight. Trains run every 15 minutes. See the full Heathrow Express timetable here .

Transit time : It takes 15 minutes to get to Paddington from Terminals 2 and 3 or 20 minutes from Terminal 5.

Estimated cost : A single Heathrow Express journey from Paddington to Heathrow usually costs 25 pounds ($31.65) per person, but you can sometimes pay less if you book in advance. If you're from Great Britain and have a National Railcard, you could pay as little as 16.50 pounds ($20.89).

Alternatively, you can sometimes find discounts online by searching for Heathrow Express vouchers or coupon codes.

The trains also have Business First Class carriages that start around 32 pounds ($40.51) for a single journey. This may not seem worth it given the short distance and travel time. However, Heathrow Express Business First Class ticket holders are also eligible to use Heathrow Airport's fast-track security service — it may be worth it if you're in a rush.

While the Heathrow Express is more expensive than other options, it can sometimes be a good deal for families; children under 15 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

If you are returning to the airport within one month of your ticket, an anytime ticket is cheaper overall than booking two single journeys, which start at 32 pounds ($40.51).

Frequent travelers can also save by buying carnets — starting at six tickets for 109.80 pounds ($138.99) for standard class or 160 pounds ($202.54) for Business First class.

If public transport isn't your thing or you need to travel between Heathrow and central London when other transport isn't running, you can easily book Uber rides. Naturally, this will cost more than a Tube or train ride.

Depart from : Short-stay parking lot in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5; the app will tell you where to go once you've requested a ride and your driver is confirmed, depending on the terminal you're in.

You can typically find Uber pickup spots in the following locations:

• Terminal 2: Level 4, Row H (Short Stay Car Park 2)
• Terminal 3: Level 3, Row A (Short Stay Car Park 3)
• Terminal 4: Level 1, Private Hire Pickup
• Terminal 5: Level 1, Row R (Short Stay Car Park 5)

Possible destinations : You can use Uber to go wherever you like.

When does it run? In theory, you can get an Uber at any hour, but be wary of long waits during peak times.

Transit time : It varies depending on traffic, destination and other factors. (Pay attention to rush hour and commuting times.) As a rough guide, it typically takes approximately 50 minutes to reach Paddington by car or one hour to reach Piccadilly Circus from Terminal 5 (on a good day).

Note that despite its convenience, Uber isn't necessarily the quickest way to reach Heathrow from most locations.

Estimated cost : The cost of an Uber depends on traffic, your destination and other factors. As an example, it can cost 59 British pounds ($74.69) from Terminal 5 to Paddington or 63 British pounds ($79.75) to Piccadilly Circus for UberX rides, excluding tips.

Do note that groups of four or more with more than small suitcases will need to order either a larger car or multiple cars. Expect to pay more for an Uber Lux or Comfort journey.

Related: Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you

Taxis (including black cabs, WeKnow and Addison Lee)

Beyond Uber, there are plenty of other taxi services in London. Options include hailing an iconic London black cab, prebooking an electric car from Heathrow's private hire transfer service WeKnow or arranging a pickup from a company such as Addison Lee.

The latter two options provide a meet-and-greet service to help get you and your luggage straight into the car.

If booking with Addison Lee, you'll be required to share your flight number at booking so the driver can adjust your ride in case of a delay.

Again, this mode of transport will be more expensive than using public transport.

Depart from : The relevant taxi rank outside Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 for a black cab; other services will specify the pickup location when you book, or the driver will meet you at the terminal.

Possible destinations : You can use this option to go wherever you'd like.

When does it run? In theory, you should be able to arrange a taxi or car transfer anytime.

Transit time : As with Uber, it varies depending on traffic, destination and other factors. Terminal 5 to Paddington will typically take around 50 minutes while heading to Picadilly Circus will usually take roughly one hour.

Estimated cost : Prices vary depending on the taxi service you opt for and traffic. Some estimates are below.

• Black cab : The meter starts when your ride begins. TfL — which manages London's black cabs — says trips from Heathrow to central London cost between 52 pounds ($65.83) and 97 pounds ($122.79). More information about black cabs is available here .
• WeKnow : Prices are fixed, so you'll know what you're paying when you book. Terminal 5 to Paddington or Piccadilly Circus typically costs 70 pounds ($88.61) to 94 pounds (around $118.99), depending on the car booked. A meet-and-greet service costs 9.99 pounds (about $12.65) extra. Book here .
• Addison Lee : Like WeKnow, prices for Addison Lee rides are fixed. A sample Terminal 5 to Paddington journey (leaving ASAP) was quoted online as 94.32 pounds ($119.40) or up to 122 pounds ($154.44), depending on the car size needed. The meet-and-greet is included in both prices. For an exact quote, visit Addison Lee's website and input your flight number and journey details.

Coach (including National Express and Megabus)

From Heathrow, National Express and Megabus coaches can drop you off at Victoria Coach station. They're usually inexpensive and often have Wi-Fi and power outlets. They can also carry your luggage in the hold. Here's where you can find Megabus luggage allowances and National Express luggage allowances .

While cheap, buses are not the quickest way to reach central London, as times fluctuate considerably depending on traffic, time of day and other factors.

Depart from : Heathrow's Central Bus Station between Terminals 2 and 3 is the quickest departure point for both National Express and Megabus coaches. From Terminal 4, you'll need to take the free shuttle to the bus station. You can also board a coach from Terminal 5 (look for arrivals level stops 13, 14 and 15 for the Megabus).

Possible destinations : You can use these modes of transportation to reach Victoria Coach station, which is a short five-minute walk from the Victoria Line at Victoria station. This line stops at Green Park, Oxford Circus, Warren Street and King's Cross.

When does it run? National Express coaches run throughout the day, with a service gap between 1 and 3:45 a.m. You can check times and prices here . For Megabus times, head here .

Transit time : From Terminals 2 and 3, National Express coaches take between 55 minutes and one hour and 20 minutes to reach Victoria Coach station. Megabus takes between 45 and 55 minutes for the same journey.

From Terminal 5, National Express coaches can take anywhere from one hour and 20 minutes to one hour and 35 minutes.

Estimated cost : National Express coach rides start from 6 pounds ($7.60) per person. For Megabus coaches, a single journey starts from 8 pounds ($10.13).

Other travel options

The 285 bus from Heathrow's Central Bus Station (serving Terminals 2 and 3) will take you to Feltham train station — it's 16 stops away. From there, you can take a 30- or 45-minute train to Waterloo via Clapham Junction.

London bus hopper fares cost 1.75 British pounds ($2.22), and train tickets start from 8.60 pounds ($10.89) per person. The hopper fares allow you to take unlimited journeys from one hour of tapping in.

This is probably the cheapest option from Heathrow to central London, but it is a long-winded option.

There are several local bus routes from the airport for those traveling somewhere in Greater London rather than central London. View them here .

Bottom line

The best route from Heathrow to central London depends on your budget, the amount of luggage you're traveling with and the amount of time and hassle you are willing to put up with.

The Elizabeth Line and Tube are our top picks to avoid street traffic and save money. If speed is your primary concern, then consider the Heathrow Express.

Need to get away from dragging luggage around or just want the absolutely simplest path from point A to point B? Consider an Uber or taxi.

  Tours from Heathrow Airport 

Our tours from Heathrow Airport to Southampton Cruise Terminal & Dover Port are carefully coordinated with your ships departure time. Pickup is from all Heathrow airport hotels and includes a visit to a nearby heritage site along the way. This includes tours to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle or Winchester Cathedral. At the end of the visit, we drive to your Cruise Terminal, with plenty of time to check-in. Your baggage is taken directly to the cruise ship by porters. These tours departing from Heathrow airport are a great solution for passengers staying overnight at airport hotels, as well as arriving at the airport in the early morning.

We also arrange private Heathrow layover tours, which are a perfect solution for travellers with a long layover between flights. Book a layover tour to London or Stonehenge and make the most of your time in England.

Pre Cruise 3 Day London Package - with Transfer to Southampton

Stonehenge Tour from London & Heathrow to Southampton

Windsor Castle Tour from London & Heathrow to Southampton

Windsor or Stonehenge Private Transfer from London to Southampton

Shuttle from London & Heathrow to Southampton

Dover Private Transfer via Leeds Castle or Canterbury Cathedral

Heathrow Layover Tours

Coaches to and from London Heathrow Airport

Health and safety, large bus network, arrive on time, travel environmentally-friendly, on this page, popular bus trips.

• London Heathrow Airport
• London Gatwick Airport
• Newport (South Wales)
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Middlesbrough
• Port Talbot
• Bristol Airport
• Chesterfield
• Madrid Barajas Airport

Bus stations and stops in London Heathrow Airport

London heathrow airport (central bus station, t2 and t3).

View this address on Google Maps

London Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5)

London heathrow airport terminal 2 & 3 train station, london heathrow airport terminal 5 train station, discover all destinations, frequently asked questions.

Opting for FlixBus for your trip from or to London Heathrow Airport is cost-effective. The fare can start as low as £6.49, depending on the route!

With FlixBus, getting to or from London Heathrow Airport is straightforward with connections from 22 cities. You might want to consider our overnight coaches for savings on accommodation.

We provide various payment methods for your ticket to or from London Heathrow Airport. You can choose card payment, PayPal, Google Pay, and others. During the payment process, select your preferred option. If you run into any problems, visit our payment assistance page . Cash payments are also accepted when purchasing tickets onboard or at our sales points.

Booking a seat on our airport coach from or to London Heathrow Airport is simple with FlixBus. You can book online by selecting your departure and arrival airports and your desired travel date. For the best deals, use the free FlixBus App .

When booking for your trip from or to London Heathrow Airport, you have the option to reserve a seat, subject to availability. This includes choices for panorama seats, table seats, or bed seats. For more details, check out our seat reservation page .

To utilise your FlixBus ticket for travel from or to London Heathrow Airport, simply show the PDF booking confirmation you received via email or the ticket saved in the FlixBus App. There's no need to print the ticket: just display it digitally to the driver when boarding the coach.

Absolutely! You can track your FlixBus in real-time using our coach tracker . Simply input your stop and review the status of your journey.

In London Heathrow Airport, there are 4 FlixBus stops. You can find their locations on the map on this page. If you're departing from London Heathrow Airport, please make sure to check the distance and calculate the required travel time from your stop to the airport departure area, ensuring a hassle-free trip.

Our airport transfers from or to London Heathrow Airport ensure a comfortable journey with ample legroom, power sockets, and onboard toilets. Most of our coaches also offer free Wi-Fi. So, don't forget your device chargers to take advantage of our onboard power sockets.

No need to worry about packing for your airport transfer from or to London Heathrow Airport with FlixBus! Your ticket includes the FREE transportation of one hand luggage (30x42x18 cm, up to 7kg) and one checked bag (50x80x30 cm, up to 20 kg). For information about carrying additional or special luggage, please visit this page . Also, do double-check the baggage policy of your airline to ensure a smooth journey.

Absolutely! Our airport transfers from or to London Heathrow Airport are designed to accommodate everyone, including those using wheelchairs, assistance animals, or if you're expecting.

Certainly, passengers under 15 years receive discounted fares on our airport routes from or to London Heathrow Airport. We guarantee the best fare at the time of booking, which might even be lower than the child fare. For more information, check our child travel policy . Don't forget, we transport pushchairs or buggies for free!

Indeed, choosing our airport coach from or to London Heathrow Airport is an environmentally friendly decision. It produces fewer carbon emissions compared to individual cars or planes. Help us achieve our zero-emission goal by ticking the CO₂ compensation box during booking!

Information about Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport, located in the outskirts of London, stands as one of the United Kingdom's principal airports. It houses four operative terminals: Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, and Terminal 5. Each terminal serves a variety of flights, from long-haul and intercontinental to low-cost and charter, and is equipped with an array of amenities. These include restaurants, shops, currency exchange counters, and car rental services, designed to meet the diverse needs of every traveller.

Prominent airlines operating from Heathrow Airport include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, and Emirates. These airlines offer connections to a plethora of destinations worldwide, establishing Heathrow as a significant hub for both domestic and international travel.

Regarding security checks, passengers are recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. This ensures ample time for check-in procedures, baggage drop-off, and to clear security checks without any hassle.

For travellers pondering on how to reach Heathrow Airport, FlixBus offers exceptional and affordable connections. The FlixBus airport bus service stands as a cost-effective and convenient option for reaching the airport. With numerous departures daily, FlixBus proves to be the ideal solution for stress-free travel to the airport.

Remember, allocating the right amount of time at the airport is essential to begin your journey in a tranquil and relaxed manner. We wish you a pleasant journey!

Experience Unrivalled Convenience on Your Airport Transfer from/to London Heathrow Airport with FlixBus

Simple booking process, strategically located stops, live coach tracking, plan your transfer from or to london heathrow airport, discover more destinations.

• London - Paris
• Paris - London
• Bristol - London
• London - Birmingham
• Birmingham - London
• Manchester - London
• London - Bristol
• London - Manchester
• Nottingham - London
• Cardiff - London
• Glasgow - London
• London - Amsterdam
• London - Cardiff
• Leicester - London
• London - Nottingham
• London - Edinburgh
• London - Leicester
• London - Glasgow
• Aberdeen - Glasgow
• Edinburgh - London

Onboard services are subject to availability

Heathrow Airport Bus

Heathrow Airport (LHR) › Transportation › Shuttle & Bus

Heathrow Airport Shuttle and Bus Lines

London Heathrow Airport has numerous and efficient bus connections to every part of London as well as to other UK cities and destinations. Verily, several coaches and shuttles handle rides from and to LHR. Moreover, many Transport for London local buses travel from the airport to various central or west London regions. Overall, buses are one of the most affordable ways to reach your final destination in London. However, they are, at the same time, the most time-consuming one.

Heathrow Airport Bus Stations

All Heathrow airport terminals house bus stations. Thus, the Heathrow Central Bus Station is to be found between terminals 2 and 3, within walking distance from the terminals’ doors. Passengers can reach the Central Station via underground passageways. Lying above the London Underground Station and the T2/T3 rail hub, it is a busy station providing connections to more than 1000 destinations inside and outside the London area. On the other hand, the T4 Bus Station is outside the Arrivals area (bus stops 12-17), close to the station of Elizabeth Line. Last but not least, the bus stops at T5 are located outside Arrivals as well, right above the London Underground, the Heathrow Express, and the Elizabeth Line Stations.

Heathrow Airport Shuttles and Coaches

Five shuttle companies operate at London Heathrow Airport. Providing top-rated and reliable services, they are highly valued by travelers on a tight budget who are looking for a value-for-money alternative for their airport ride. Explicitly, the five Heathrow airport shuttle providers are:

• National Express

National Express has more than 30 lines serving LHR Airport. It mainly links the airport to London Victoria, via comfortable coaches offering adequate luggage space, Wi-Fi, and leather seating. Overall, the journey from London Heathrow Airport to Victoria Coach Station lasts around 45-80 minutes, while you’ll find an available route every 30-45 minutes, from 01:00 am to midnight. The usual cost of the bus ride to Victoria is 6£/7€/7.50$. Early bookings come with better prices.

In detail, the National Express Bus Lines from Heathrow Airport are:

Departing from Heathrow Central Bus Station, the Megabus Coaches are equipped with extra legroom, toilets, and charging points. Moreover, they offer free Wi-Fi. Their prices start from 16£/18.60€/20$. The Megabus Heathrow Shuttles are:

RailAir provides links from LHR Airport to various train stations. Two luxury coaches depart from Heathrow Airport, offering Wi-Fi and charging outlets.

RA1 runs from Heathrow Central Bus Station (also stops at T5) to Reading Station. Its frequency is every 30-60 minutes and operates from 04:15 am to 00:10 am, while it reaches its terminus in about 50-55 minutes. The ticket fare is around 22£/25.50€/27.30$.

RA2 heads to Woking and Guildford Stations, calling at Heathrow Central Bus Station and T5 Terminal Station. It gets to Guildford Station in about 90 minutes (but in less than an hour from T5). RA2 is available from 04:30 am to 11:15 pm on an hourly basis. Its tickets are priced at around 9.50£/11€/11.80$.

• The Airline

Oxford Bus Company is also present at LHR Airport. It offers shuttle connections from the main London airport to Gatwick Airport and Oxford. Thus, the LGW Shuttle runs from Heathrow airport terminal 5 to Gatwick Airport, making a stop at Heathrow Central Bus Station as well, whereas OXF/LHR travels from Heathrow Central Bus Station (also from T5) to Oxford. OXF/LHR operates almost around the clock (from 00:55 am to 10:55 pm) every 1-2 hours. It needs around 2.5 hours to reach Oxford, and its prices start from 25£/29€/31.10$.

The famous international Flixbus shuttle company offers its services at London Heathrow Airport as well. Running to various UK cities, the green Flixbus coaches are kitted with charging outlets, extra legroom, and toilets and offer Wi-Fi. Their operational hours and their ticket fares vary depending on the chosen route and the final destination. Thus, the Flixbus Shuttles running from LHR Airport are:

The Heathrow Airport Local Buses

LHR Airport is efficiently connected to the west and the central part of London via an effective local bus network. Indeed, many local bus lines travel from Heathrow to London , as well as to its suburban areas. The Transport for London buses are the cheapest way to travel from LHR. Moreover, they provide night services as well. Thus, the local buses running from and to the airport are:

How to Pay for your Heathrow Airport Bus Ride

Cash payments are out of the question when it comes to Heathrow airport bus services. Thus, if you want to buy a ticket for your ride from LHR Airport, you’ll have the following options:

• Oyster Cards

Londoners commonly use  Transport for London Oyster Cards for their rides around London. The rechargeable smart cards can be loaded with cash or Travelcards and be used in all public transit modes (subway, bus, tram, DLR, National Rail, Elizabeth Line, etc.).

Hence, unless topped up with Travelcards, Oyster Cards can be used according to the “pay as you go” system. Verily, you’ll have to buy a 7£/8.10€/8.65$ Oyster Card and load it with money. After reaching the maximum daily cap (5.15£/6.10€/6.50$ for bus rides), you won’t be charged for the rest of your journeys. Please note that the daily cap is calculated from 04:30 am to 04:29 am the next day, while the adult fare for a Heathrow airport bus ride is 1.75£/2€/2.10$.

Passengers using an Oyster Card can benefit from the Hopper fare. Therefore, they are allowed to make unlimited bus journeys (even not consecutive) for one hour paying just 1.75£/2€/2.10$. However, in-between rides with any other means of transit are charged extra.

Oyster Cards must be touched in before the onward ride. All stations have yellow card readers for that purpose. If you don’t touch in your Oyster Card, you won’t relish the benefits of the “pay as you go” system or the Hopper fare. On the other hand, Oyster Cards can be used by multiple passengers, yet not for the same ride. What’s more, children younger than 11 travel for free (when it comes to bus rides), whereas kids 11-15 are offered discounted fares as long as the airport’s staff adds the discount to their Oyster Cards. Alternatively, you can buy a Zip Oyster Photocard providing free rides to kids aged 11-15. Nevertheless, a photo is required, while administration fees are as much as 10£/11.60€/12.40$.

Oyster Cards can be bought from the Ticket Stops lying around the airport, the automatic machines, and the ticket offices at the LHR rail stations, as well as from the T2/T3 Visitor Center, from 09:00 am to 04:30 pm, only on weekdays.

• London Travelcards

You can also use a day Travelcard to pay for your Heathrow airport bus fare. London Travelcards are paper tickets valid for 1, 2, or 3 days that offer unlimited journeys to all of London’s public transit modes (and 33% lower fares on the Thames Clipper River Bus). They can be bought only online and must be delivered to your place before your trip to London. A day’s Travelcard for Zones 1-6 (LHR is located in Zone 6) costs as much as 15.20£/17.60€/18.80$. Nevertheless, the fare for the bus rides isn’t dependent on the traversed London’s zones. 

• Visitor Oyster Cards

Most travelers just visiting London usually opt for a Visitor Oyster Card. Visitor Oyster Cards can be purchased online before the arrival date in London. They are delivered to the passengers’ home addresses as well. Their price is 5£/5.80€/6.20$ and are reloadable. Still, they can’t be topped up with Travelcards. Overall, passengers purchasing a Visitor Oyster Card can top it up with their desired amount of money, ranging from a 10£/11.60€/12.40$ credit (paying 15£/17.40€/18.60$) to an up to 50£/58€/62$ fare (paying 55£/63.70€/68$ in total). Visitor Oyster Cards also offer various discounts to London restaurants, shops, and sites.

The “pay as you go” system and the Hopper fare apply to Visitor Oyster Cards too. Thus, you must always touch in the card before your bus ride.

• Contactless Payments

Contactless payments are accepted on all Heathrow airport buses. As a matter of fact, passengers paying contactless actually use the “pay as you go” system and are benefiting from the Hopper fare.

You can have the benefit of the “pay as you go” system and the Hopper fare as long as you use the same device for all the contactless payments.

The Heathrow Airport Buses to Intercity Destinations

Various Heathrow airport shuttles and bus companies link the airport to numerous intercity destinations. Indeed, buses depart from all the airport bus stations heading to nearby regions and long-distance locations. In detail, the bus companies providing intercity transit services from LHR Airport are:

• First Berkshire
• Thames Valley Buses
• Carousel Buses
• Carlone Limited
• Diamond Bus South East
• Reading Buses

How much is the Heathrow London bus​?

The fare of the Heathrow airport bus lines varies depending on the chosen shuttle company and the journey’s end. The usual tickets for the private shuttle agencies operating from LHR Airport cost from 6£/7€/7.50$ to 22£/25.50€/27.30$. Alternatively, local buses are cheaper. Thus, they are priced at 1.75£/2€/2.10$.

Which terminal is the Heathrow Bus Station?

Heathrow Central Bus Station is located close to terminals 2 and 3, within walking distance from their exit doors. On the other hand, both terminal 4 and terminal 5 house bus stations. The T4 Station lies outside the Arrivals area, and the T5 Bus Station is located above the London Underground Station.

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The best London airport hotels: Where to stay for Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton

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The joy of an early morning flight out of London – and the promise of a long day ahead to enjoy your final destination – is quickly shattered by the reality of a dash to the airport in the wee hours, often contending with public transport (if it’s even running at that time). Similar problems face travellers who arrive back late, having squeezed out every hour of a trip, only to find the post- holiday blues fly in to focus when facing the final leg of the journey home.

You can avoid all of this hassle with a stay at an airport hotel for Heathrow , Gatwick , Stansted, Luton and London City. Expect a leisurely pace before you reach the terminal – which is often around a five-minute walk away – and a chance to enjoy breakfast before you get through security. What’s more, the better airport-adjacent properties have gotten a lot more stylish, so you can expect a dash of flair to go along with the convenience.

These are the best airport hotels in London, according to Independent Travel ’s experts.

Ibis Styles London Heathrow Airport

Distance from terminal: 15 minutes

Now this is a budget hotel that doesn’t scrimp on personality. Overlooking Heathrow on the busy Bath Road (which runs parallel to the airport), even the lobby of this Ibis bulges with kooky design touches, from hot-air-balloon lamps to wallpaper festooned with clouds. Upstairs, the wackiness continues, with minibars that resemble air stewards’ trollies and animal-themed prints in the bathrooms. Amenities are sound, with a restaurant serving up decent comfort food (think burgers, lasagnes and bangers and mash) and helpful additions like printers for boarding passes, departures screens and a long-stay car park (at a cost) if needed. The breakfast buffet is functional and included in the cost of your room, and after that, you can take the shuttle bus directly outside to Terminals 2–5, which should get you there in around 30 minutes (taxis take half the time but are costlier than the bus fare).

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Rates provided by Booking.com

Hotel Amenities

Health & wellbeing, sofitel london heathrow.

Distance from terminal: 5 minutes

Convenience is key at this Sofitel, the only on-site hotel at Heathrow Terminal 5. Looking a little like a series of greenhouses, buildings here are divided into a series of glass atriums, in which you’ll find the main accommodation blocks. Rooms are spacious (the bathrooms slightly less so) and you’ll have all you need for a comfy night’s sleep. Design-wise, the spa is soothing enough to calm any pre- or post-flight jitters. The lobby is replete with restful marble sculptures, Japanese potted trees and wood and stone panelling, and the main Belle Epoque restaurant (filled with velvet booths and heavy aubergine curtains) is genuinely lovely, serving up fine dishes – from express lunches to chef’s table experiences – to bleary-eyed business travellers. There’s also a champagne bar and fitness centre, and a sprawling breakfast buffet to fill-up with before your flight.

Distance from terminal: 4 minutes

You can’t get much closer to Gatwick’s South Terminal than Bloc Hotel, a converted office block which sits directly above the terminal building (just a quick hop from the departure lounge). Rooms here are small but tech-forward, based around the Japanese capsule-hotel concept, with bedside tablets allowing you to operate lights, electric blinds, air conditioning and even check-out, which makes speedy departures a given. Beyond that, facilities are sparse – there’s no restaurant or communal areas and room service is not available. There is a 24-hour front desk on the second floor but other than that, you won’t have to talk or interact with any other human beings, should jetlag or early mornings turn you into an antisocial grump. Bloc also puts you within easy access of the Gatwick Express, which runs to London Victoria, and the interconnecting monorail to the North Terminal is just a floor below.

The Yotel model revolves around "smart design" at "smart prices" in city centres (including central New York, Singapore and Amsterdam) and airport terminals. What this means in practice is small but ergonomic rooms, with beds that switch from upright sofas to flat double beds with a flick of a bedside switch. The futuristic Yotel Gatwick – bathed in a purple glow – is on the basement level of the South Terminal, and just a few minutes' walk to departures. Cabins are rented by the hour (although there's a four-hour minimum), and come with surprisingly generous shower cubicles, a table and chair that handily folds away and TVs in every room. Food and drinks (hot drinks are free) and available from the equally spacily-named Mission Control at the entrance.

Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport

Distance from terminal: 7 minutes

This is another budget-friendly option that goes beyond just the basics. It’s a Hampton, which is Hilton’ more laid-back, mid-range brand, and delivers pops of yellow and green (especially in stools, chairs and cushions) against clean lines in the public areas, including the bar and restaurant; the occasional aviation-related motif ensures you don’t forget why you’re there. Inside the rooms, colour palettes are softer, contrasting with the dark wood edges, and while you won’t miss out on anything, you won’t find any extras: functionality is a clear the focus (there’s plenty of sockets to ensure your gadgets are fully charged pre- and post-flight). The beds are brilliantly comfortable, however, and blackout blind keep out any pesky light so you can sleep until your alarm. If you’re peckish, downstairs there is a casual restaurant serving some crowd-pleasers – curries, burgers and the like – at lunch and dinner; just be warned that service can be a tad slow. Come breakfast (which is included in every stay), help yourself to all the full English elements, waffles, cereal, hot drinks and sweet treats. There’s also a small fitness centre (open 24/7) and connecting rooms for those holidaying en masse. Reach the terminal via a short walk, most of which is covered).

Radisson Blu Hotel London

Just a five-minute walk from Stansted airport’s main terminal, the Radisson Blu is well-equipped, well-located and home to a pretty spectacular wine bar featuring a tower of over 4,000 bottles (just don’t get too carried away and miss your boarding call). It’s not the most characterful hotel around, but comfy beds, black-out blinds and a banquet of a buffet breakfast mean it’s a failsafe choice for you pre or post-trip slumber (all 500 rooms come with tea and coffee making facilities, a safe and a minibar). There’s a fitness centre and spa on site (treatments include knot-busting massages and Murad face and body treatments), as well as two restaurants – British brasserie, Collage, and Station 169 for steaks and grilled fish. A series of sheltered walkways link the hotel to the terminal, meaning you won’t have to board a flight in soggy clothes if the heavens open either.

Distance from terminal: 10 minutes

Luton Hoo feels like a bit of a trick. It’s a gloriously stately country-estate hotel, yet it’s only 10 minutes by car from the frenetic Luton airport. You’ll feel like you’re in an episode of The Crown rolling up to its Grecian columns with your suitcase (this is, after all, where the Queen and Prince Phillip spent part of their honeymoon) and the regal vibes continue inside. The historic suites (named after their famous temporary residents, including Queen Mary and Winston Churchill) are cavernous, with giraffe-high ceilings, hefty mahogany furniture, plenty of red velvet and grand four poster beds with silk drapes. Otherwise, standard rooms are restful and well-equipped, with Molton Brown toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities and views of the sprawling grounds. Breakfast is – quite literally – fit for a queen, with smoked kippers, full English breakfasts and tasty eggs benedict served alongside continental croissants and juices. If you want to stretch your flight-weary legs, take a stroll around the Capability Brown-designed gardens and venture onto the secret rock garden. Or take a Luton Hoo cab to its spa and country club, around which resident peacocks waft.

London City

Aloft london excel.

Aloft couldn’t be handier for City Airport – you’ll find it right next to the Excel exhibition centre and the Prince Regent DLR station, and within striking distance of Canary Wharf (you can simply cross the bridge and get to the airport on foot in about 20 minutes if you don’t want to wait for a taxi). Loft-inspired rooms are high-ceilinged, with vast windows offering views across east London and the buzzy Docklands and bathrooms with walk-in showers and Bliss Spa toiletries. There’s also plenty to do here if you prefer socialising to slumbering. The indoor pool comes with city views, sauna and steam room; the lively W XYZ bar has karaoke and music performances three times per month; and there’s fast Wi-Fi plus ‘grab & go’ food 24 hours a day (the Docksider restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Contributions from Cathy Adams, Benjamin Parker and Lizzie Pook.

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British Airways baggage chaos at Heathrow follows latest airport systems failure

T housands of British Airways passengers are waiting for their luggage to be delivered after the latest systems failure at a major UK airport.

On Tuesday afternoon and evening BA’s allocation system – which covers everything from aircraft stands to baggage handling – failed at London Heathrow Terminal 5.

It is the main base for the airline, and the busiest terminal at Heathrow. No other airlines were affected.

The latest chaos arose only two days after a power issue at Manchester triggered the cancellation of 140 flights , with thousands of passengers who did travel arriving without their baggage.

While the cause of the Heathrow failure remains unclear, the effects were clear: severe disruption.

On Twitter/X, David W-J wrote : “Landed at Heathrow T5 tonight at 6.30pm … about 6.50 all arrivals from all destinations told no bags would be delivered… chaos.

“What’s going on with UK airports basic competence?”

Matthew Kiziltan wrote : “No baggage at LHR T5. Told to go home and expect the baggage anywhere from two to seven days. Good job @British_Airways.”

A BA spokesperson told The Independent : “We’ve apologised to those customers who were unable to travel with their luggage due to a temporary technical fault that was outside of our control. This issue has been resolved and we’ve brought in additional colleagues to support our teams in getting bags back to our customers as quickly as possible.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Earlier, British Airways experienced a technical issue with their allocation system, this has now been resolved. Our teams are on site supporting BA with their recovery.

“We advise passengers to check with BA before travelling to the airport as BA passengers in Terminal 5 may still be impacted. No other airline is impacted.”

The Independent has been unable to find out more about the nature of the failure.

Within minutes, scammers were targeting passengers with fake social media accounts . Someone calling themselves “Juliet Harper British Airways Representative” wrote: “Please follow back and share with us via DM your full name, email address, phone number, and reservation number to allow us further“.

This is the starting point for trying to trick frustrated passengers into inadvertently sending hundreds or thousands of pounds to fraudsters.

Travellers who carried only cabin baggage were able to leave the airport as normal. BA has one of the most generous hand luggage allowances of any airline, with passengers allowed to bring two 23kg bags into the cabin.

From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here .

News | London

Heathrow baggage chaos as British Airways passengers left without belongings and stranded for hours due to IT failure

Heathrow Airport has apologised to passengers who were separated from their luggage and left stranded on planes for hours due to a technical fault.

Holidaymakers travelling with British Airways (BA) were forced to travel without their bags and faced huge delays waiting for their possessions.

Video from Terminal 5 taken on Tuesday night showed massive queues of travellers forming as BA passengers struggle to find their luggage. 

British Airways was reported to texted passengers: “We’re sorry to inform you that, due to a technical issue with our baggage allocation system at Heathrow, we can’t guarantee that your bags will have travelled with you on your flight today.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said BA had experienced a technical issue with their allocation system and the issue has now been resolved, although issues may still continue into Wednesday at the UK’s busiest airport.

Passengers described how “all hell broke loose” at the airport as their luggage went missing, with one traveller claiming they were told to “go home” by BA.

Freddy Rogers told the Standard his flight from Heathrow to Nice was delayed by around three-and-a-half hours, with passengers forced to wait on the plane.

He said: “We ended up boarding the plane at around 8pm. Locked inside unable to leave until 11pm when passengers were given the option to leave the plane or stay on... We finally took off at 11.48pm.

“Every single passenger on my flight that checked in a bag has lost their luggage. You can imagine the mayhem as the majority of the plane, once we landed at Nice, wanted answers as to the whereabouts of their belongings.

“All we are able to do is report it missing but still no update from BA.”

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Stephen Rooney told the Standard a “short hop” home to Newcastle to celebrate his mother’s 70th birthday had become a “nightmare”.

The 37-year-old explained his flight was delayed by over three hours before the plane finally took off without carrying any passenger’s baggage.

A second traveller told the Standard they faced a three-hour wait for their luggage once they had landed at Heathrow.

Jennifer Macey, 73, said a member of staff at the airport explained that BA’s IT system “had been down all day” and passengers were warned they faced long waits for their luggage.

She said: “A woman came round with sheets of paper. There was a problem and you could wait three hours on average or you could go without your luggage and use the PIN on the sheet to claim for lost luggage and have it delivered.

“In the end we decided to go because it was after 6pm and we had been travelling since 8am and a taxi driver was waiting.”

Indian actress Aditi Rao Hydari was also held up by the disruption at Heathrow. The Bollywood star complained on Instagram that she had been stuck at an empty conveyor belt at the airport for hours after her luggage went missing.

Another angry traveller wrote on social media: “Shambles at Heathrow Airport, no bags arriving. No info just told to go home. but need the bag for a wedding tomorrow and you’re telling me 48 hours for by bag.”

Another passenger said their child was having an anxiety attack because of having to wait around for so long.

He said on social media: “My family have been stuck on a plane that landed from Madrid 90mins ago. Absolute disgrace. 

“My daughter is having a panic attack and the pilot is not being given any updates.”

A BA spokesperson said: “We’ve apologised to those customers who were unable to travel with their luggage due to a temporary technical fault that was outside of our control.

“This issue has been resolved and we’ve brought in additional colleagues to support our teams in getting bags back to our customers as quickly as possible.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “British Airways experienced a technical issue with their allocation system. This has now been resolved.

“Our teams are on site supporting BA with their recovery.

“We advise passengers to check with BA before travelling to the airport as BA passengers in Terminal 5 may still be impacted. No other airline is impacted.”

Have you been affected by the disruption? Email [email protected]

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