Elizabeth Line Heathrow: quick answer
- Heathrow to Paddington: about 28 minutes
- Heathrow to Zone 1 fare: £15.50
- Frequency at Terminals 2 & 3: 6 trains per hour
- Terminal 4: 4 trains per hour
- Terminal 5: 2 trains per hour
- Payment: Contactless, Oyster or valid tickets
Does the Elizabeth Line go to Heathrow Airport?
Yes. The Elizabeth line serves all of Heathrow's current passenger terminals.
Heathrow has three Elizabeth line rail stations: one shared station for Terminals 2 and 3, one station at Terminal 4 and one station at Terminal 5.
| Heathrow terminal | Elizabeth line station | Typical frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 | Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 | 6 trains per hour |
| Terminal 3 | Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 | 6 trains per hour |
| Terminal 4 | Heathrow Terminal 4 | 4 trains per hour |
| Terminal 5 | Heathrow Terminal 5 | 2 trains per hour |
All six Heathrow Elizabeth line trains each hour serve Terminals 2 and 3. Four continue to Terminal 4, while two serve Terminal 5.
Elizabeth Line Heathrow to London journey time
The Elizabeth line is slower than the non-stop Heathrow Express to Paddington, but it can be more convenient for many passengers because trains continue beyond Paddington into Central London.
The journey between Heathrow and Paddington takes about 28 minutes. Central London destinations farther east take longer, but many can be reached without changing trains.
Where does the Elizabeth Line go from Heathrow?
Trains from Heathrow continue through Central London, giving airport passengers direct access to several major areas without having to change at Paddington.
Popular stations from Heathrow
Paddington
Around 28 minutes from Heathrow and useful for hotels in Paddington, Bayswater and nearby areas.
Bond Street
A convenient direct station for Mayfair, Oxford Street and the West End.
Tottenham Court Road
Useful for Soho, Oxford Street, Bloomsbury and the West End.
Farringdon
Convenient for the City and connections to Thameslink services.
Liverpool Street
A useful station for the City of London and connections to East London.
Canary Wharf
The Elizabeth line provides a convenient connection between Heathrow and Canary Wharf.
How much is the Elizabeth Line from Heathrow?
From 1 March 2026, a pay as you go Elizabeth line journey between Heathrow Airport and Zone 1 costs £15.50.
Heathrow's rail stations are treated as Zone 6 for Travelcard and fare-capping purposes.
Fares for journeys that do not involve Zone 1 can be different, so passengers travelling elsewhere in London should check the TfL Single Fare Finder for the exact price.
Can I use contactless on the Elizabeth Line from Heathrow?
Yes. Contactless bank cards and mobile payment devices can be used on the Elizabeth line between Heathrow and London.
Oyster cards are also accepted. Use the same card or device to touch in at Heathrow and touch out at your destination.
Each passenger needs their own payment card or Oyster card. Two adults cannot travel using the same contactless card at the same time.
Where is the Elizabeth Line station at Heathrow?
Terminals 2 and 3
Terminals 2 and 3 share Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 Rail Station. The station is located between the two terminals and can be reached through the pedestrian subway.
Terminal 4
Heathrow Terminal 4 Rail Station is located below the Terminal 4 arrivals area.
Terminal 5
Heathrow Terminal 5 Rail Station is located in the basement of the terminal building.
Elizabeth Line Terminal 5
Terminal 5 has direct Elizabeth line services towards Central London. Two trains per hour normally serve Terminal 5, giving an approximate 30-minute interval between services.
If you have just missed a Terminal 5 Elizabeth line service, check the departure boards before deciding whether another transport option is faster for your particular journey.
Our separate Heathrow Terminal 5 guide covers transport and practical terminal information in more detail.
Elizabeth Line Terminal 4
Terminal 4 normally receives four Elizabeth line trains per hour, or approximately one service every 15 minutes.
Passengers should always check the destination shown on the departure board, particularly when travelling between Heathrow terminals or during periods of engineering work.
Elizabeth Line or Heathrow Express?
Both services use Heathrow's rail stations and travel towards London Paddington, but they serve different types of journey.
| Elizabeth Line | Heathrow Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Paddington journey | About 28 minutes | About 15 minutes from T2 & T3 |
| Central London | Continues beyond Paddington | Terminates at Paddington |
| Zone 1 fare | £15.50 | Separate Heathrow Express pricing |
| Best for | Most Central London destinations | Fastest journey to Paddington |
If your hotel is near Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon or Liverpool Street, the Elizabeth line can be particularly convenient because you do not have to change trains at Paddington.
If Paddington itself is your destination and journey time matters more than price, Heathrow Express is faster.
Read our Heathrow Express guide →
Elizabeth Line or London Underground?
The Piccadilly line is normally cheaper but slower than the Elizabeth line for journeys into Central London.
The Underground can still be the better option when your destination is close to a Piccadilly line station such as South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus or King's Cross St Pancras.
For destinations such as Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street, the Elizabeth line will often provide the more convenient route.
Read our Heathrow Underground guide →
Is the Elizabeth Line the best way from Heathrow to London?
For many visitors, yes. It combines a relatively quick airport journey with direct connections to several important areas of Central London.
Heathrow Express remains faster to Paddington, while the Piccadilly line can cost less. The best choice therefore depends on the location of your hotel rather than simply choosing the fastest train.
Elizabeth Line Heathrow FAQ
Does the Elizabeth line go directly to Heathrow?
Yes. Elizabeth line trains serve Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
How much is the Elizabeth line from Heathrow to London?
From 1 March 2026, a pay as you go journey between Heathrow and Zone 1 costs £15.50.
How long does the Elizabeth line take from Heathrow to Paddington?
The journey between Heathrow and Paddington takes approximately 28 minutes.
How often is the Elizabeth line from Heathrow?
Six trains per hour serve Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3. Four trains per hour serve Terminal 4 and two trains per hour serve Terminal 5.
Can I use Oyster from Heathrow on the Elizabeth line?
Yes. Oyster and contactless payment can both be used for Elizabeth line journeys from Heathrow.
Does the Elizabeth line run from Heathrow Terminal 5?
Yes. Terminal 5 is normally served by two Elizabeth line trains per hour.
Does the Elizabeth line run from Heathrow Terminal 4?
Yes. Terminal 4 is normally served by four Elizabeth line trains per hour.