AIRPORT EXIT

How to get from London Heathrow to Paddington

High confidenceChecked May 2026

Elizabeth line direct to Paddington — £12.80, ~30 min. Heathrow Express is £25 and saves 15 min — only worth it if you're rushing.

Best options

Best overall
Elizabeth line from any terminal — £12.80 contactless, ~30 min, every 5–10 min.
Cheapest safe
Piccadilly line — £5.60 off-peak, ~55 min. Cheapest by far if you don't need speed.
Best at night
Night Tube on Piccadilly runs Fri/Sat. Black cab £75–£90 otherwise.
With luggage / kids
Elizabeth line — step-free at both ends, wide doors, big luggage racks. Worth the £12.80 over the Piccadilly.
Taxi fare
£70–£95 metered black cab
Ride-hailing
Uber and Bolt — pickup at the marked rideshare zone, not the taxi rank.
available
Public transport
Elizabeth line (£12.80, ~30 min) or Heathrow Express (£25, ~15 min) direct to Paddington. Piccadilly line is cheaper but doesn't stop there — change at Acton Town.

After landing — step by step

  1. 1Follow Underground / National Rail signs from your terminal
  2. 2Tap contactless on the Elizabeth line (purple) — direct to Paddington
  3. 3Heathrow Express is the same platform at T2/T3 — only board if you need the 15-min speed
  4. 4For Piccadilly line + Paddington: change at Acton Town for District line
  5. 5For black cab: official rank only, insist on meter

Scam warnings

Heathrow Express ticket touts pitching it as 'the only fast option' (the Elizabeth line is nearly as quick)

Black cab drivers refusing the meter for a flat £130

Unlicensed mini-cabs at arrivals

Avoid this

  • • Buying a paper ticket — contactless is cheaper and caps daily
  • • Heathrow Express if you've got 30 min to spare (Elizabeth line is £12 cheaper)
  • • Curbside mini-cab offers
SOURCES
Full LHR airport guide