How to travel to Heathrow
Heathrow Airport is London’s main international airport, located approximately 12 miles west of central London. It is one of the busiest airports in the world in terms of passenger numbers and has four terminals. Heathrow is well connected to the rest of the UK by road, but, as there is no mainline train station, travel by train requires a journey via central London with connections to either the underground or the fast Heathrow Express train link from Paddington. The easiest way to travel to Heathrow will depend on your starting point.
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Instructions
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Travel options to Heathrow
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Decide on the best method of transport. Heathrow is accessible by bus, coach and train services and has good road links for driving. Taxis provide the most comfortable and convenient route, but are the most expensive method, whether using licensed cabs or a private minicab service. Take the Piccadilly Line on London Underground for the most cost-effective link from central London. There are three underground stations at the airport, one serving terminals 1 and 3 and one each at terminals 4 and 5. Tickets can be purchased at either the ticket office or electronic machines in any London Underground station. The machines accept cash and most major credit and UK debit cards. You can also use a pre-paid Oyster card.
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Book your ticket in advance for a guaranteed seat and/or the best price on coach and rail services. National Express is the UK’s largest coach operator and operates hundreds of daily routes from destinations throughout the UK and links between Heathrow and Stansted, Luton and Gatwick airports. Thandi Coaches run an express service from destinations in the Midlands, The Airline connects Oxford with Heathrow 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and Railair connects Heathrow to Reading, Watford and Woking. The central bus station is located outside terminals 1 and 3 with free transfers to terminals 4 and 5.
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Take the Heathrow Express from Paddington for the fastest link from central London. As of 2010 trains run approximately every thirty minutes from 5.10am until 11.25pm and take about 15 minutes non-stop. The Heathrow Express serves terminals 1 and 3 and terminal 5 direct. For terminal 4 change for a connecting train at terminals 1 and 3. Tickets can be bought in advance on the internet, at either the ticket office or machines on platforms 6 and 7 at Paddington Station, or on board the train.
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Reserve your taxi in advance if taking a cab. Taxis stop conveniently outside each terminal in designated drop-off points. Licensed black cabs operate on a meter system and can be hailed on the street, but are best booked in advance via computercab.co.uk. Addison Lee is London’s largest licensed minicab service. Vehicles must be booked in advance, either by phone or on the internet, and are charged at a fixed fare..
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Check and print off route maps at google maps if driving. Heathrow is accessible by car via both the M4 and M25 motorways. For terminals 1 and 3 exit the M4 at junction 4 and the M25 at junction 15. For terminals 4 and 5 exit the M4 at junction 4b and the M25 at junction 14. The M4 provides a fast road link to Heathrow from Wales and the west of England, whilst the circular M25 connects to the M3 for the southwest and the M1 and M11 for the north of England and Scotland. There are long and short term car parks located at each terminal..
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Tips & Warnings
Check for discounts for group bookings on the Heathrow Express and coach and rail services.
Heathrow Connect is a cheaper, but slower, alternative to Heathow Express. It stops several times between Paddington and Heathow.
If driving, check for cheaper park and ride parking options outside the airport boundary, such as those offered by easyparking.co.uk and parktoflight.co.uk
Tickets for the Heathrow Express are more expensive if you buy on board. Return tickets are cheaper than buying a single ticket each way, and are valid for one month.
If you buy a travel card or have an Oyster card make sure it covers zone 6 on the underground or you may be fined. You can top up Oyster cards at London Underground stations.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit avion attérissage à l’aéroport de Heathrow à Londres image by piccaya from Fotolia.com
