Travelling with a Bike or Scooter

Travelling on the Heathrow Express with bikes and scooters

Whether you're commuting, connecting to cycle routes or taking your bike abroad for a cycling holiday, you may need to bring a bike on board the Heathrow Express.

Here we'll run through our bike policy, looking at different types of bicycles, as well as e-scooters. We'll focus on storage options at both Paddington and Heathrow, and bike parking facilities.

Folding Bikes

Folding bikes are permitted on all Heathrow Express trains at any time. They must be:

Folded and stored as luggage in designated luggage areas
Kept out of the way of other passengers

Non-Folding Bikes

You’re welcome on board with your bike and you don’t need to reserve a cycle space. You can bring your bike free of charge.

However, due to busy services we can’t allow non-folding bikes on the following services:

Trains leaving Heathrow Central between 06:30 and 10:00 (weekday mornings)
Trains leaving London Paddington between 16:30 and 19:00 (weekday evenings)

These time restrictions don’t apply at the weekend or on public holidays.

Electric Bicycles (E-bikes)

Electric bicycles are permitted on Heathrow Express trains, but are subject to the same restrictions as non-folding bikes. They also must not be charged on board the train.

E-Scooters on Heathrow Express

E-scooters and similar devices are not allowed on Heathrow Express trains at any time. This is due to fire safety concerns associated with their lithium-ion batteries. This includes:

E-scooters
E-unicycles
Hoverboards
E-skateboards

E-bikes are allowed on board our trains, but they can’t be charged on board.

Cycle Storage at Paddington Station

If you’re planning to cycle to Paddington station and leave your bike there before you hop on the Heathrow Express, there are plenty of options for cycle storage at the station.

You’ll find cycle storage on Platforms 8, 9, and 10 at Paddington, while Platforms 8 and 9 have unrestricted access for all station users. There are 682 available storage spaces in total, but it’s always recommended to book in advance to secure a spot.

The storage is conveniently located near the main entrance, and it’s well signposted and easy to find. You’ll find cycle stands to slot your bike into, covered storage to protect it from the elements, and CCTV security to ensure it’s safe.

You can choose between short-term and long-term parking at the following costs:

Short-Term Bike Parking at Paddington

Duration	Cost
Up to 1 hour	£1.00
1 to 3 hours	£2.50
3 to 6 hours	£5.00

Long-Term Bike Parking at Paddington

Duration	Cost
Weekly	£15.00
Monthly	£50.00
Annual	£500.00

Cycle Parking at Heathrow Airport

At Heathrow Airport there is free outdoor parking for short-term stays, and paid for left luggage storage options for a secure option for the longer term. Both are good choices, depending on your needs and how long you’re planning on leaving your bike at the airport. Find out where each terminals free bike park is below:

Terminals 2 and 3

For Terminals 2 and 3, you’ll find free cycle parking at the Cycle Hub at Heathrow Academy: Newall Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 2AP.

It's important to note that there’s currently no direct cycle route to Terminals 2 and 3 due to construction work on the main road tunnel. You should park your bike at the Heathrow Cycle Hub and use free local bus transport to reach the terminals.

Terminal 4

If you’re flying from Terminal 4, you can leave your bike in the free cycle parking located directly opposite the arrivals forecourt.

Terminal 5

When leaving your bike at Terminal 5, you’ll find free cycle parking at either end of the terminal building. It’s easy to access from both sides of the terminal.

Important Security Notice: If you don’t park your bike in the designated parking areas, it will be removed for security reasons. Make sure you always use the official cycle parking locations.

Left Baggage Storage at Heathrow

If you’re flying from Heathrow and want to store your bike for longer, or you prefer indoor storage, you can leave it in the left luggage facilities.

For each terminal, this is located in Arrivals, specifically:

Terminals 2, 3, 4, 5: Ground floor Arrivals
Terminal 4: Also on mezzanine level at the west end of Arrivals hall
Terminal 5: UK Arrivals end of terminal

Most locations are open from 6:00am to 10:00pm daily, and you can store your bike for a few hours, days, or up to 90 days. You can drop off on the day or pre-book online for priority service.

The current pricing is as follows:

Duration	Price per item
Up to 3 hours	£10.00
Up to 24 hours	£15.00
Up to 48 hours	£27.50
Up to 72 hours	£40.00
After 72 hours	£12.50 per day (added to £40)
After 7 days	£10.00 per day (added to £90 for the first week)

_{Note: Prices apply per item and per full or partial time period.}

Planning Your Journey with a Bike

When travelling to Heathrow with a bike, it’s essential to plan your journey thoroughly.

Before You Travel

Check the times you're travelling and if there are any peak restrictions that apply (weekday 06:30-10:00 from Heathrow, 16:30-19:00 from Paddington)
Ensure folding bikes are fully folded before boarding and have a bag or a cover
Decide whether to take your bike on the train or use storage at either Paddington or Heathrow
Check opening hours for left baggage storage at Heathrow
Pre-book for spot for Paddington or left baggage storage at Heathrow to guarantee a space

At Paddington Station

If you’re travelling with a non-folding bike, make sure you travel outside peak times and use designated bike storage areas on the train. For folding bikes, always store them in luggage racks or keep them close to you. Keep folding bikes out of walkways.

Whichever type of bike you have with you, always be considerate to other passengers, especially those with luggage or accessibility needs. If possible, position yourself near the doors if you’re carrying a non-folding bike, so it’s easier for boarding or alighting.

Travelling on Connecting Transport

If you’re travelling to Paddington on the tube or train, or continuing your journey beyond Paddington, always check Transport for London’s cycle policies. Other rail operators have different bicycle policies, so check well in advance of the day you travel.

A group of people buying tickets at a ticket machine

Book your tickets for the Heathrow Express

Whether you’re travelling with your bike or not, book your Heathrow Express tickets today for great savings. Hop on the Heathrow Express for the quickest journey from Central London to Heathrow, and stress-free travel.