Heathrow Express: quick answer
- Heathrow T2 & 3 to Paddington: about 15 minutes
- Terminal 5: about 5 minutes longer
- Frequency: every 15 minutes
- Standard single: £26
- Advance single: from £10 when booked 30+ days ahead
- Payment: Tickets, contactless or Oyster
What is the Heathrow Express?
Heathrow Express is a dedicated airport rail service connecting Heathrow Airport with London Paddington.
Unlike the Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express does not continue across Central London. Its main advantage is speed. The service runs directly between Heathrow and Paddington with no intermediate passenger stops between Heathrow Central and Paddington.
How long does Heathrow Express take?
The journey between Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 and London Paddington takes approximately 15 minutes.
Heathrow Terminal 5 takes approximately five minutes longer.
| Route | Typical journey | Change required? |
|---|---|---|
| T2 & 3 → Paddington | About 15 minutes | No |
| Terminal 5 → Paddington | About 20 minutes | No |
| Terminal 4 → Paddington | Allow additional transfer time | Yes, at T2 & 3 |
Heathrow Express ticket prices
Heathrow Express uses its own fare structure rather than the normal London Underground fare system.
A regular Standard Class single ticket currently costs £26. Passengers who book in advance can pay considerably less.
| Ticket | Standard Class | Premier+ |
|---|---|---|
| Single | £26 | £32 |
| Advance Discounted Single | From £10 | Not available |
| Same Day Return | £30 | £36 |
| Return | £42 | £46 |
The cheapest Advance Discounted Single currently costs £10 when booked at least 30 days before travel.
Can I use contactless on Heathrow Express?
Yes. You can use a contactless debit or credit card to travel on Heathrow Express without buying a separate paper ticket.
Touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at your destination using the same card or mobile device.
Pay as you go travel with a contactless card currently charges the £26 Standard Class single fare.
Can I use an Oyster card on Heathrow Express?
Yes. Oyster cards are accepted on Heathrow Express.
Touch your Oyster card on the yellow reader when entering the station and touch out when you complete the journey.
A standard Oyster pay as you go journey on Heathrow Express currently costs £26 unless an applicable Railcard discount has been added to the Oyster card.
Heathrow Express timetable and frequency
Heathrow Express normally operates every 15 minutes, providing four trains per hour between Heathrow and London Paddington.
Current Heathrow information shows the first Paddington departure at 04:34 from Monday to Saturday and 04:55 on Sunday.
The last Heathrow Express train currently leaves Terminal 5 at 23:57 each day.
Which Heathrow terminals does Heathrow Express serve?
Heathrow Express directly serves the central station for Terminals 2 & 3 and Heathrow Terminal 5.
Terminal 2
Use Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 rail station.
Terminal 3
Use Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 rail station.
Terminal 4
Change at Terminals 2 & 3 for the free transfer train.
Terminal 5
Heathrow Express directly serves Terminal 5.
Heathrow Express Terminal 5
Heathrow Express directly serves Terminal 5.
A journey between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 takes around 15 minutes, with Terminal 5 taking approximately another five minutes.
This means Terminal 5 passengers do not normally need to change trains when travelling between the airport and Paddington.
See our Heathrow Terminal 5 guide for more terminal information.
Heathrow Express Terminal 4
Heathrow Express does not directly serve Terminal 4.
Terminal 4 passengers should travel to Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 and change for the free transfer train to Terminal 4.
The transfer train normally runs every 15 minutes and takes approximately four minutes.
Allow extra time for the connection when travelling to or from Terminal 4.
Is travel between Heathrow terminals free?
Rail travel between Heathrow terminals is free.
For Heathrow Express journeys between Terminal 5 and Terminals 2 & 3, passengers can obtain a free inter-terminal transfer ticket from a station ticket machine.
Contactless and Oyster can also be used for qualifying inter-terminal journeys without being charged.
Do children travel free on Heathrow Express?
Children aged 15 and under can travel free in Standard Class when accompanied by a paying adult.
A ticket is still required for each child even when the journey is free.
In Premier+, children aged 15 and under travel free when accompanied by an adult holding a Premier+ ticket.
Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line?
Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line both connect Heathrow with Paddington, but they are useful for different journeys.
| Heathrow Express | Elizabeth Line | |
|---|---|---|
| Paddington journey | About 15 minutes from T2 & 3 | About 28 minutes |
| Frequency | Every 15 minutes | Multiple services each hour |
| Central London | Terminates at Paddington | Continues across Central London |
| Standard walk-up fare | £26 | £15.50 Heathrow to Zone 1 |
| Best for | Fastest route to Paddington | Most Central London destinations |
Heathrow Express makes the most sense when Paddington is close to your final destination and speed is the priority.
The Elizabeth line is often more convenient if you are travelling to Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street or another station farther across Central London.
Compare the Elizabeth Line from Heathrow →
Heathrow Express or London Underground?
Heathrow Express is considerably faster than the Piccadilly line to Central London, but the Underground usually costs much less.
The Piccadilly line can also be more convenient if your destination is close to stations such as South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus or King's Cross.
Read our Heathrow Underground guide →
Is Heathrow Express worth it?
Heathrow Express can be worth the additional cost when you need to reach Paddington quickly.
It is particularly attractive if you can buy a discounted advance ticket. At the lowest £10 advance price, the fare can be lower than an Elizabeth line journey to Zone 1.
The calculation changes when buying on the day. A £26 Standard Class single is considerably more expensive than the Elizabeth line or Underground.
Heathrow Express FAQ
How much does Heathrow Express cost?
A regular Standard Class single costs £26. Advance Discounted Single tickets start from £10 when booked at least 30 days ahead.
How long is Heathrow Express to Paddington?
The journey from Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 to Paddington takes approximately 15 minutes. Terminal 5 takes about five minutes longer.
How often does Heathrow Express run?
Heathrow Express normally runs every 15 minutes between Heathrow and London Paddington.
Can I use contactless on Heathrow Express?
Yes. You can touch in and out with a contactless bank card or mobile payment device. The current Standard Class pay as you go single fare is £26.
Can I use Oyster on Heathrow Express?
Yes. Oyster cards are accepted on Heathrow Express. Make sure the card has sufficient credit before travel.
Does Heathrow Express go to Terminal 5?
Yes. Heathrow Express directly serves Heathrow Terminal 5.
Does Heathrow Express go to Terminal 4?
Not directly. Change at Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 for the free transfer train to Terminal 4.
Do children travel free on Heathrow Express?
Children aged 15 and under travel free in Standard Class when accompanied by a paying adult. Each child still needs a ticket.