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Enjoy a stress free journey to Heathrow on the Heathrow Express

Avoid the tube and arrive at Heathrow in 15 minutes

If you’re looking for the best route to get from Central London to Heathrow Airport, the Heathrow Express is the most efficient way to travel.

The London Underground’s Piccadilly line serves all four Heathrow terminals, but the journey takes longer, and trains are often very busy. For a comfortable and smooth alternative to the tube, the Heathrow Express offers the fastest route to Heathrow.

On this page, we’ll compare the speed, cost, comfort, convenience, and overall experience of travelling to Heathrow on the Heathrow Express vs the tube. So you can make an informed decision on the best way to travel.

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The Heathrow Express runs non-stop from London Paddington to Heathrow, and takes just 15 minutes to arrive at Heathrow Central with an extra six minutes to reach Terminal 5 station.

The Piccadilly Line to Heathrow runs from Cockfosters to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 crossing central London in the process with stations including Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Covent Garden. The average journey time on the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow from Central London is around 52 minutes. The Piccadilly Line also doesn’t run to Terminal 5, Heathrow’s busiest terminal.

Travel need to knows

Heathrow Express

Piccadilly Line

Journey Time

15 minutes

49 minutes

Train Frequency

Every 15 minutes

Every 5-10 minutes off peak

Number of Stops

0 stops from Paddington

15 stops from Kensington

Cost

£20 return with 2 advanced discount tickets

£11.60 when you purchase 2 singles

Heathrow-Express

Why the Heathrow Express beats the tube

Whether you’re travelling for business or jetting off on a family vacation, it’s faster and more convenient to take the Heathrow Express to the airport than it is to travel by tube.

With trains leaving Paddington every 15 minutes, here’s why travelling on the Heathrow Express is more efficient than taking the Piccadilly line.

  • Journey time is just 15 minutes, compared to 49 minutes on the Piccadilly line
  • The journey is direct with no stops along the way
  • Children aged 15 and under travel for free
  • Business First-Class tickets include free fast-track security at the airport
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Arriving at Heathrow on the Heathrow Express

Heathrow Express trains take just 15 minutes to travel non-stop from London Paddington to Heathrow Central. It’s then an extra six minutes to arrive at Terminal 5 station. If you’re flying from Terminal 2 or 3, it’s only a short walk from Heathrow Central. For flights from Terminal 4, you’ll need to leave the train at Heathrow Central and take a shuttle bus to your terminal.

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