London Heathrow Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Heathrow is about 23 km from central London and the train connects it well, but the choice depends above all on the terminal: the four terminals are far apart and a hotel that is convenient for T5 is not for T4. With a flight before 7 it pays to sleep right by your own terminal or on the Bath Road; for a single transit night, going into the city is rarely worth the trip. Those with a few days in London, on the other hand, do better to sleep along the line that leads to the airport, so that on departure day a direct train is enough, with no changes while carrying luggage.

At the airport (walking distance from the terminals)

At the airport · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.
Hilton London Heathrow Airport: The only hotel linked to Terminal 4 by a covered walkway, about seven minutes on foot; gym open 24 hours.

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Bath Road (airport area)

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.

Pros

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

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.

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Paddington station

Near the airport link · 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.

Pros

Two direct trains to Heathrow: one fast, one cheaper
Four Underground lines for getting around the city
Hyde Park a few minutes' walk away

Cons

Many small, dated hotels around the station: choose carefully
Praed Street is busy and unattractive in the evening

Recommended hotels in this area

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.
Novotel London Paddington: Near the station and the Elizabeth Line, with a heated indoor pool: useful for loosening up after a long flight.
Point A Hotel London Paddington: Budget range on Praed Street, five minutes' walk from the station: small rooms, but enough for those leaving early.

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South Kensington and Earl's Court

Neighbourhood · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

The Piccadilly Line is slow and very crowded at rush hour
Upscale hotels predominate in South Kensington

Recommended hotels in this area

The Ampersand Hotel: Boutique hotel one minute from South Kensington station, decorated on the theme of the nearby museums.
The Resident Kensington: Formerly the Nadler, seven minutes from Gloucester Road (Piccadilly Line); every room has a small kitchenette with fridge and microwave.

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