Posted by This article provides an overview of England’s largest airport and tips on getting from the airport to central London quickly and cheaply.
How big is the airport?
Heathrow Airport is by far the largest airport in the UK and competes with Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris for the title of the largest airport in Europe. It is one of the TOP 10 largest airports in the world. About 75 million passengers take off and load every year at Heathrow Airport (status 2020). That’s an average of over 200,000 every day. On peak days, of course, there are considerably more. By way of comparison, Paris Airport has around 68 million passengers. The very large airports in Europe also include Frankfurt and Istanbul (each with about 61 to 62 million passengers).
Our recommendation: Buy bus tickets from Heathrow to London in advance on the Internet.
Overview London Heathrow
Heathrow Airport has only 2 runways and 4 huge terminals. Heathrow Airport is about 20-25 km as the crow flies west of central London. The two runways are no longer sufficient. The construction of a third runway at Heathrow has been planned several times, but is very controversial. Under the current plan, an entire village would have to be resettled. Without the third runway, London Heathrow can no longer grow significantly and will soon lose the title of Europe’s largest airport. It is only one of six airports around London.
———————>> Related Gatwick Airport Info Page
Heathrow Airport is very large. Most of the terminals are within walking distance of each other. The four terminals are 1, 3, 4 and 5. Terminal 1 is not currently in operation (as of 2020). It will be rebuilt and then integrated into Terminal 2. The distances between the terminals are long. There are buses and trains, you can hardly walk. The buses run about every 20 minutes, the trains about twice an hour. The use of these public means of transport is usually free of charge (better to ask).
>>>> Our page on all trains and buses to all major London airports.
From Heathrow Airport to London
The Heathrow Express 2024 train between Heathrow Airport and London
Fast and convenient 15 minutes to London: The Heathrow Express is a fast train that connects Heathrow Airport with downtown London directly and without a stopover. The journey takes just 15 minutes. However, the journey costs up to 29 pounds one way or 40 pounds round trip (as of early 2024). Some passengers are said to have paid more for the Heathrow Express than for their flight ticket. In London, the express train stops at Paddington Station. This station is about 3 kilometres west of the centre of London (Soho). The Heathrow Express runs every 15 minutes in both directions from about 5 am to 11:30 pm.
Our recommendation: Buy bus tickets from Heathrow to London in advance on the Internet.
Those with a London Oyster Card even pay only about £5 to or from Heathrow Airport during peak hours (Mon to Fri 6:30 to 9:30), otherwise only £3.10. The Travel Card (day pass) costs £12.10 for all zones from Heathrow Airport to the city centre (zones 1 to 6) (peak time) or £12.10 in the so-called off-peak (all prices from January 2020).
Apart from the longer journey time, the disadvantage of the normal underground is that the underground trains are often overcrowded. A one-hour tube journey with luggage can then not be a good start to a journey.
The fare is slightly lower outside rush hours (£22). The full price of £25 is paid Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Peak Time, Rush Hour, infos from 2022).
Buy a ticket: It is much easier to buy a ticket for the Heathrow Express on a website on the Internet than on site. On this link you get the tickets for the Heathrow Express.
Tower of London: It’s better to buy tickets in advance on the internet.I can’t say this often enough: the waiting time at the ticket office in front of the entrance to the Tower of London is often hours. On this website you can buy tickets for Tower London online. Cancellations up to one day before the visit are free of charge with this provider. Tickets for the Tower of London are available here » » » |
The normal metro between Heathrow Airport and London
Inexpensive, but slow and uncomfortable: The journey with the normal subway is much cheaper, but also much longer. The Piccadilly Line, one of the 11 big underground lines of London, runs at least every 10 minutes in both directions. This subway runs daily between 5 and 23:30. If the subway does not run, there is a night bus (number N9). An advantage is, of course, that this underground stops frequently in London (e.g. very centrally at Piccadilly Circus). A single trip costs (beginning of 2017) 6 pounds. You can also buy a Travelcard (day ticket) at the airport or on the internet, if you plan to take the underground more often on the same day. As far as we know, all stations around the airport are located in zone 6 of the London public transport system.
If you have a London Oyster Card you pay only 5.10 pounds from or to Heathrow Airport at rush hour (Mon to Fri 6:30 to 9:30), otherwise only 3.10 pounds. The Travel Card costs £12.10 (peak peak time) or £12.10 in off-peak (all prices 2020) for all zones from Heathrow Airport in the centre (zones 1 to 6).
London Eye Wheel: Buy your ticket beforehandThe average number of passengers in the London Eye is about 10,000 per day, in high season and at weekends it is much higher. Thus, there is often a big crowd. The queues at the cash desks of the London Eyes are often long. Hours of waiting time are frequent. Therefore, it makes sense to buy the ticket in advance on the internet. |
The disadvantage of the normal subway is not only the longer journey time, but also the fact that the underground trains are often overcrowded. A one-hour subway ride with luggage can ve a bad start of a holiday.
Tip: Harry Potter excursion (Warner Brothers Studio Tour)
One of the popular excursions in London is to the film studios where the Harry Potter films were shot. The Warner Brothers studios are located about 30 kilometres north of London near the town of Watford. The tour includes a bus transfer from central London and has very good reviews. A “must” for every Harry Potter fan on holiday in London. The trip by bus and the visit to the film studios takes about 7 hours. You should book early,the popular Harry Potter excursion from London is often sold out.The alternative journey by public transport is not that easy.The excursion to Warner Brothers Studios is the highlight of the trip for manyLondon holidaymakers. You can find more info and book the tour on this page. |
By bus to and from Heathrow Airport 2024
In about 60 minutes from about 5-6 pounds: The company National Express offers many buses from Heathrow Airport to London and many other cities in Great Britain. National Express also offers direct buses to all other airports around London – some several times per hour. Most buses to London go to the large bus station behind Victoria Station in the centre of the metropolis. But there are also buses that take passengers directly to the desired hotel in London. All in all the bus transport to and from Heathrow airport is well organised, there are many buses and the fare is cheap, to London one way about 5 to 6 pounds.
Our recommendation: Buy bus tickets from Heathrow to London in advance on the Internet.
By taxi to Heathrow Airport
If you would like to take a taxi to or from Heathrow Airport despite the many offers by public transport (see above), you can of course do so. A trip to London takes a good hour and costs about 50 to 70 pounds. The typical English taxis are usually available in sufficient numbers at Heathrow. So-called minicabs are a few pounds cheaper. In many cases it is faster (and cheaper) to take the train Heathrow Express to London (Paddington station) and from there continue by taxi.
Limousine Service Heathrow: If you want to spend even more money, a personal chauffeur can pick you up in style directly at the exit.
>>>> Our page on all trains and buses to all major London airports.
How much does parking at Heathrow Airport cost?
Long-term parking: There are several multi-storey car parks that offer long-term parking at the airport. Long-term parking costs about 20 to 25 pounds a day. If you stay longer, you get a discount from the 4th day on. Between the multi-storey car parks and the terminals there is a free bus that runs frequently.
Short-term parking: The parking spaces at Heathrow Airport are not the cheapest of all: two hours, for example, will cost about 11 pounds in 2022.
There are also business parking spaces, which are more expensive, but very close to the terminals (long-term and short-term).
Is it possible to cycle to Heathrow Airport?
You can also cycle to Heathrow Airport. Some do this to save parking fees for cars. Bicycle paths lead to the airport. There are places where you can park bikes for free. In other places the parking of bicycles is forbidden.
Interesting Information Video Heathrow Airport (6 min)
More info Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, with millions of passengers passing through its gates every year. Located in west London, it is a major hub for British Airways and an important gateway to the UK and Europe. This article explores the history of Heathrow Airport, its facilities and services, and gives tips on how to make the most of your stay at Heathrow.
History
Heathrow Airport opened in 1929 as a small military and civil airfield. During the Second World War it was used by the Royal Air Force as a bomber base. After the war, the airport returned to civilian use and quickly began to develop, adding new terminals and runways over the years.
In the 21st century, Heathrow became one of the busiest and largest airports in the world, handling more than 80 million passengers a year. It also became a pioneer of sustainable aviation by focusing on reducing its carbon footprint and promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Our recommendation: Buy bus tickets from Heathrow to London in advance on the Internet.
Facilities and services
Heathrow Airport is a huge complex with four terminals, each with its own facilities and services. Here are some of the main amenities you can expect at the airport.
Shopping – Heathrow has a wide range of shops, from high-end boutiques to discount chains. You’ll find everything from designer fashion to souvenirs and duty-free items for international travellers.
Dining – Heathrow is home to dozens of restaurants and cafés serving dishes from around the world. Whether you want a quick snack or a full meal, you have a wide range of options.
Lounges – If you’re looking for a more comfortable and exclusive airport experience, Heathrow has several lounges with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, refreshments and comfortable seating.
Transport – Heathrow is well connected to London and the surrounding areas, with options for taxis, buses, trains and car hire. The airport also has its own shuttle service, the Heathrow Express, which offers a quick and convenient way to get into central London.
Other services – Heathrow offers a range of other services, including a bureau de change, luggage room, medical clinics and prayer rooms.
Tips for travellers
If you’re planning to travel through Heathrow Airport, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your experience.
Allow yourself plenty of time – Heathrow Airport can be very busy, so it’s important that you allow enough time for security, check-in and other formalities. Try to arrive at least two hours before your flight, and consider allowing more time during peak hours.
Check your terminals – Heathrow has four terminals, so check which terminal your flight departs from before you arrive at the airport. You can find this information on the airline’s website or the airport’s website.
Pack sensibly – Pack liquids, gels and sprays in clear plastic bags that comply with TSA regulations. Also make sure all electronic devices are fully charged and easily accessible as they may be requested by security.
Download the Heathrow app – The Heathrow app is a useful tool for navigating the airport, tracking flight information and accessing special offers and discounts.
In summary, Heathrow Airport is a huge, bustling complex with a wide range of facilities and services for travellers. Whether you are arriving in London for the first time or embarking on a new adventure, Heathrow has everything you need to make your journey as comfortable and convenient as possible.
Our recommendation: Buy bus tickets from Heathrow to London in advance on the Internet.
Airlines and destinations from Heathrow Airport
The following list of airlines and destinations from London Heathrow is by no means exhaustive. The list is slightly older (2015). These are only examples of flights from Heathrow:
BMI (e.g. Aberdeen, Dublin, Hannover, Vienna and many other destinations)
British Airways (considerably more than 100 destinations all over the world, in German-speaking countries, for example: Basel, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Luxembourg, Munich, Stuttgart, Zurich)
Bulgaria Air (Sofia, Bulgaria)
Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)
China Eastern Airlines (Shanghai, China)
China Southern Airlines (Canton,, China)
Croatia Airlines (Zagreb, Croatia)
Cyprus Airways (Cyprus)
Delta (USA like New York, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Detroit)
EgyptAir (Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt)
Finnair (Helsinki, Finland)
Germanwings (Cologne, Stuttgart)
Icelandair (Reykjavik, Iceland)
Japan Airlines (Tokyo, Japan)
KLM (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Korean Air (Seoul)
Kuwait Airways (Kuwait, New York)
LOT (Warsaw)
Lufthansa (Berlin, Munich, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne)
Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia )
Oman Air (Muscat, Oman)
Qantas (via Singapore and Hong Kong to Australia like Melbourne, Sydney)
Scandinavian Airlines (Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Gothenburg)
Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
South African Airways (Cape Town, Johannesburg in South Africa)
Swiss International (Zurich, Geneva in Switzerland)
TAM Airlines (Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo)
TAP (Portugal)
Thai Airways (Bangkok, Thailand)
Turkish Airlines (Istanbul, Turkey)
United Airlines (Chicago, Houston, LA, San Francisco, Washington)
US Airways (Philadelphia, USA)
Virgin Atlantic Airways (many intercontinental flights, for example to the USA, Africa and Asia)
The IATA code for Heathrow Airport is LHR, the less common ICAO code EGLL.
Our recommendation: Buy bus tickets from Heathrow to London in advance on the Internet.
>>>> Our page on all trains and buses to all major London airports.
Other airport information pages: Munich Airport and Dublin Airport
All data on this side, like on all other sides of this Website, naturally without guarantee. Many data are from the year 2018 or from 2024, some are older.