Heathrow Airport, approximately 23 km west of central London, is the primary hub of the United Kingdom and Europe's busiest airport: in 2024 it handled 83.9 million passengers. It is the main base for British Airways and one of the hub points for Virgin Atlantic, with approximately 230 direct destinations across 85 countries operated by over 80 airlines.
Consisting of four operational terminals (T2, T3, T4, T5 — Terminal 1 was closed in 2015 and demolished), it is the access point to the British capital, with its free museums, Parliament and Tower of London.
How to get to London Heathrow Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to LHR
Parking near London Heathrow Airport
Terminal Parking (formerly Short Stay), adjacent to the terminals, costs from 8 GBP for 29 minutes up to 98 GBP for 24 hours (107.80 GBP for Fast Track or Overheight spaces), with rates updated as of January 2026.
Park & Ride (formerly Long Stay), the most economical pre-bookable option with complimentary shuttle, starts from approximately 46.80 GBP for the first day, roughly 37.40 GBP for each additional day.
How to get to London from LHR
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Heathrow Airport: Private Transfer to/from Central London
London: Private Transfer to/from Heathrow LHR Airport
London: Private Transfers to and from London and LHR Airport
From LHR to the most sought-after destinations
| If you want... | Choose | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Spend less | Piccadilly Line (about 50 min) | ~5.90 GBP |
| Arrive as quickly as possible to Paddington | Heathrow Express, nonstop (15 min) | from ~25 GBP |
| Reach an area other than the city center | Elizabeth Line direct to Canary Wharf (47-53 min) | ~10-12 GBP |
| Have heavy luggage or a night flight | Black cab or booked minicab | 45-110 GBP |
Heathrow → Paddington
Heathrow Express is the fastest nonstop service: 15 minutes with no intermediate stops, departures every 15 minutes, fares from around 25 GBP if purchased on the day and much lower online in advance; from Paddington you can easily continue on GWR trains to Oxford, Bristol, or Cardiff.
Heathrow → Canary Wharf
Elizabeth Line connects the airport to the Canary Wharf financial district with no changes, in 47-53 minutes depending on your departure terminal, with a fare of 10.10 GBP outside peak hours (12.20 GBP during 6:30-9:30 and 16:00-19:00 slots).
Heathrow → King's Cross St Pancras (Eurostar)
For those taking the Eurostar, it's best to avoid changing at Paddington: the Piccadilly Line goes directly to King's Cross St Pancras in about 50 minutes, also proving the most economical option compared to a combined Heathrow Express plus metro ticket.
Heathrow → Windsor Castle
There is no direct train: the fastest solution is the Thames Valley bus from Terminal 5, about 50 minutes to the castle; alternatively the train requires a change at Slough or Hayes & Harlington, for a total of about 58 minutes.
Car rental at London Heathrow Airport
Major rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Sixt, Budget, Alamo, Dollar, National, Green Motion) have desks in the arrivals area of each terminal; at T2 and T3 car pickup is directly in the terminal, whereas at T4 and T5 cars are stored nearby (north/west of the airport) and reachable via free shuttle every 5-8 minutes from the arrivals exit.
Bring your driving license, passport and credit card; EU citizens don't need an International Driving Permit, but it is required for many other nationalities.
Hotels near London Heathrow Airport
At the airport (walking distance from the terminals)
Covered walkway or underpass: 5-10 minutes on foot to the linked terminal; the other terminals are reached by the free trains between terminals.
Best for: Those leaving at dawn or landing late who want to reach their own terminal on foot.
- No transport to wait for: you leave the hotel and arrive at check-in
- Each hotel is tied to one specific terminal: T2/T3, T4 or T5
- Elizabeth Line and Piccadilly Line stations a few steps away for getting into town
- Only really useful if you fly from the linked terminal
- Nothing around but the airport: in the evening you dine at the hotel
- Rates among the highest in the Heathrow area
Recommended hotels
- Sofitel London Heathrow Linked to Terminal 5 by a covered walkway of about five minutes: the natural choice for British Airways passengers flying from T5. View availability
- Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 Connected to Terminal 2 by a covered walkway and to Terminal 3 by a pedestrian underpass; reviews praise the beds and the staff. View availability
- Hilton London Heathrow Airport The only hotel linked to Terminal 4 by a covered walkway, about seven minutes on foot; gym open 24 hours. View availability
Bath Road (airport area)
Paid Hotel Hoppa shuttle (running 4:00-24:00) or taxi: a few minutes to the terminals.
Best for: Those with an early-morning flight who want to spend less than at the hotels linked to the terminals.
- A row of large chain hotels, from budget to upscale
- Hotel Hoppa stops outside the hotels and serves all terminals
- Some rooms look directly onto the runway
- Hotel Hoppa is paid and does not run between midnight and 4
- Busy road with no real neighbourhood around
- To get to London you must first reach a terminal
Recommended hotels
- Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel Overlooking the runway with soundproofed windows and rooms with views of the planes; round-the-clock room service and day rooms for long layovers. View availability
- Premier Inn London Heathrow Airport T2 & T3 - Bath Road Budget range less than ten minutes' drive from Terminals 2 and 3, with regular buses to the terminals and an on-site restaurant. View availability
Paddington station
Heathrow Express non-stop in 15 minutes, every 15 minutes; Elizabeth Line in 30-35 minutes.
Best for: Those visiting London for a few days who want the fastest link to the airport on departure day.
- Two direct trains to Heathrow: one fast, one cheaper
- Four Underground lines for getting around the city
- Hyde Park a few minutes' walk away
- Many small, dated hotels around the station: choose carefully
- Praed Street is busy and unattractive in the evening
Recommended hotels
- Hilton London Paddington The Victorian station building itself, connected to the platforms by a walkway: from the Heathrow Express you reach your room without going outside. View availability
- Novotel London Paddington Near the station and the Elizabeth Line, with a heated indoor pool: useful for loosening up after a long flight. View availability
- Point A Hotel London Paddington Budget range on Praed Street, five minutes' walk from the station: small rooms, but enough for those leaving early. View availability
South Kensington and Earl's Court
Direct Piccadilly Line to the terminals, no changes; the National Express coach also stops at Earl's Court.
Best for: Those who want the museums and Hyde Park on foot and a train to Heathrow with no changes.
- Natural History Museum, V&A and Science Museum a few steps away
- Direct Piccadilly Line: no changes with luggage
- Residential neighbourhood, quiet in the evening
- The Piccadilly Line is slow and very crowded at rush hour
- Upscale hotels predominate in South Kensington
Recommended hotels
- The Ampersand Hotel Boutique hotel one minute from South Kensington station, decorated on the theme of the nearby museums. View availability
- The Resident Kensington Formerly the Nadler, seven minutes from Gloucester Road (Piccadilly Line); every room has a small kitchenette with fridge and microwave. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
- lounges
- 33
- with Priority Pass
- 9
- paid entry
- from £38
- earliest opening
- 04:45
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The four operational terminals (T2, T3, T4, T5 — Terminal 1 was closed in 2015 and subsequently demolished) handle the UK's most intense international traffic.
The recommended safety margin for international flights is 3 hours.
Map of London Heathrow Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line: which is better?
The Elizabeth Line is faster (30-35 minutes), but since March 2026 it has a single flat fare of 15.50 GBP all day (the off-peak discount has been scrapped); the Piccadilly Line is slower (around 50 minutes) but cheaper, from 5.90 GBP with a contactless card.
Q. How much does a black cab cost from Heathrow to the centre?
Roughly 75-130 GBP on the meter; a minicab booked in advance usually costs less (45-75 GBP).
Q. Do I need an ETA to enter the United Kingdom?
Yes, since 25 February 2026 it has been mandatory for most visitors (excluding British and Irish citizens), costs 20 GBP, and is valid for 2 years for multiple entries.
Q. Is Heathrow the base of British Airways?
Yes, it is the main hub of the British flag carrier, with connections to virtually every continent.
Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?
9 lounges, including No1 Lounge (T2), Plaza Premium Lounge (T2), Clubrooms by No1 (T3), My Lounge (T3), No1 Lounge (T3) and Blush by Plaza Premium (T4).
Q. How much does lounge access cost without a business class ticket?
The lowest entry price is £38, at My Lounge (T3).
Q. What time does the first lounge open?
At 04:45: Plaza Premium Lounge (T5).
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
