How to get from London Heathrow to Central London
High confidenceChecked May 2026
Take the Elizabeth line — £12.80 to central London, half the price of the Heathrow Express and only ~15 min slower.
Best options
Best overall
Elizabeth line to Paddington / Bond Street / Liverpool Street.
Cheapest safe
Piccadilly line — £5.60 off-peak with contactless. ~55 min to Leicester Square.
Best at night
Night Tube on Fridays/Saturdays, otherwise Uber or black cab (~£70–£100).
With luggage / kids
Elizabeth line has wide aisles and step-free access at every station.
Taxi fare
Black cab £70–£100 metered
Ride-hailing
Uber and Bolt both work. Pickup is a short shuttle from Terminals 2/3, designated zone at T5.
available
Public transport
Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line, Heathrow Express, and National Express coach.
After landing — step by step
- 1Follow 'Underground / Trains' signs from arrivals
- 2Tap in with contactless card — no Oyster needed
- 3Elizabeth line for fastest to central London, Piccadilly for cheapest
- 4For Uber: follow signs to the designated pickup zone (varies by terminal)
Scam warnings
Minicab touts in arrivals quoting £120+ flat
Confusion between Heathrow Express (£25) and Elizabeth line (£12.80)
Avoid this
- • Minicab touts inside arrivals
- • Heathrow Express if you're not in a rush — Elizabeth line is half the price
SOURCES