United Kingdom. Getting to London Heathrow Airport

London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, with its imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey welcomes you through Heathrow Airport. You'll find a number of options to make your way to the city with buses from $2, Express buses from $15, metro from $8, express trains from $32, private drivers from $59, taxis from $60, and rideshare services from $79.

London Heathrow Airport IATA Code: LHR

What are my transportation options?

Getting to London Heathrow Airport

There are several options when it comes to transport from Heathrow Airport.

By Train

Heathrow's central station links the airport with almost all of London's train stations. Heathrow Express is the most used line and tickets start at $32 (£24) per passenger for a one-way journey to central London. Tickets can be purchased directly from Mozio.

Another option is to take the London Underground line, but unlike the Heathrow Express, it stops at every station along the way making the journey longer. Tickets start at $8 (£6) per ticket for a one-way journey to central London and can be purchased at ticket machines located at the station.

Both lines are available from 5 am until 11pm.

By Taxi

Taxis can be hailed at the designated taxi ranks outside the terminals. A trip to central London can cost somewhere between $60 to $123 (£45 to £92) depending on the exact location. Taxis are available the 24 hours of the day the 7 days of the week.

Approximate taxi prices to popular areas of London:

• LHR to Kensington, £78 ($104)
• LHR to Westminster, £88 ($117)
• LHR to Pimlico, £91 ($121)
• LHR to Mayfair, £83 ($111)
• LHR to Klerkenwell, £94 ($125)
• LHR to Lime Street, £98 ($131)

By Public Bus

There is a bus station at Heathrow Airport where public transport buses are available.

Local buses are run by Transport for London, the local government's transport authority. From Heathrow's central station, buses depart to different stations all day long. Cash payment is not accepted in public buses, so you will need to acquire and Oyster card beforehand.

Oyster cards are available at the station's office and can be topped up to be used with all of Transport for London's services during your trip (trains, buses, metro).

A single one-way adult fare costs £1.50 ($2) to central London.

By Express Bus

Private companies offer services from LHR. The best-known ones are:

• National Express is a great option that allows direct travel from the airport's bus station to different stations in London. A one-way ticket to central London starts at £11 ($15) and can be purchased through Mozio. Buses depart from 6am until 10pm.

• Megabus is another provider between the airport and stations in London. A one-way ticket to central London starts at £12 ($16) and can be purchased through Mozio. Buses depart from 9am until 5pm.

By Private Transfer

For a seamless and comfortable journey, a private transfer is the best option. A driver meets you at arrivals with a sign with your name and takes you to your private ride.

Mozio has several options, tailored to different needs. For example, for rides to central London, our local partner MyTransfers offers a Sedan for 3 passengers and 3 large bags for £44 ($59).

An SUV for 5 passengers and 3 large bags is a better option for larger parties or for added comfort. Smartzi's SUV option starts at £62 ($83).

At the same time, they also offer a private van for 6 passengers and 6 large bags for £76 ($102).

For large groups, our partner Kiwitaxi offers a private bus for 16 passengers and 16 bags at £213 ($285).

All of the above options include Meet and Greet service plus the driver monitors your flight in case it's delayed and adjusts the pick up accordingly. The above services can be booked through Mozio (https://www.mozio.com/en-us/).

Rideshare Apps

These companies offer ridesharing services from Heathrow airport which can be accessed through their respective apps. They operate 24/7.

• Uber: An Uber Exec sedan for 4 passengers and 2 large bags starts at £59 ($79) to central London.
• Ola: A sedan for 4 passengers with 2 large bags starts at £55 ($74) to central London.
• Free Now: A sedan for 4 passengers and 2 large bags starts at £44 ($59) to central London.
• Bolt: Rides start with a £2.50 base fee, plus £1.25 per mile and £0.15 per minute.
• Wheely: A Mercedes E-class sedan, costs £6 + £0.50/min + £1.60/mile with a minimum of £12 while a Mercedes V-class van costs £8 + £0.75/min + £2.40/mi with a minimum £16

The Comfort Option, a Prebooked Professional Driver

The most comfortable option when it comes to transport out of the airport are private transfers. With a private transfer, you have privacy, ease of access and speed of service.

Mozio, through its local partners, offers several options. For example, for rides to central London, our local partner MyTransfers offers a Sedan for 3 passengers and 3 large bags for £44 ($59).

An SUV for 5 passengers and 3 large bags is a better option for larger parties or for added comfort. Smartzi's SUV option starts at £62 ($83).

At the same time, they also offer a private van for 6 passengers and 6 large bags for £76 ($102).

For large groups, our partner Kiwitaxi offers a private bus for 16 passengers and 16 bags at £213 ($285).

All of the above options include Meet and Greet service plus the driver monitors your flight in case it's delayed and adjusts the pick up accordingly. They can be booked through Mozio.

The Speedy Option, the Railway Network

The fastest way to leave the airport is by train. Once you reach the station, trains leave for all areas of London almost every 5 minutes. You can be in central London in less than an hour this way.

Heathrow Express tickets start at £24 ($32) for a one-way journey to central London.

The London Underground line offers one-way tickets at £6 ($8) to central London.

Trains will not be your best choice if you have large amounts of luggage or if you want a door to door service because you will be dropped off at the train station and will need to walk or take a taxi from there to your final destination.

The Frugal Option, Express Buses

The cheapest transport out of the airport are express buses which can be found at the airport bus station.

• National Express offers one way tickets to central London for £11 ($15) and can be purchased through Mozio. Buses depart from 6am to 10pm.

• Megabus offers one-way tickets to central London for £12 ($16) and can be purchased through Mozio. Buses depart from around 9am to 5pm.

Some of the most popular destinations serviced:

• Cambridge from £29 ($39).
• Oxford from £24 ($32).
• Luton from £20 ($32)
• Stansted from £21 ($32).

The downside is that this service is not door to door so passengers will need to either walk or take another transport to their final destination.

Common Destinations From London Heathrow Airport (and how to get there...)

Watford

Watford is a town northwest of London best known for being the location where the Harry Potter movies were filmed. Since their completion, the studio became a museum and gathering place for fans, featuring complete sets to tour, costumes and shopping at the famous Diagon Alley from the books.

From Heathrow Central Bus Station, take a bus to Harrow & Wealdstone Station, once there, take a Southern Railway train to Watford junction.

Prebooked with Mozio, you can have your own private driver who will take you straight to your accommodation. Options include a Sedan for 3 passengers, starting at £52 ($69), an SUV for 5 passengers from £80 ($106) and a private van for 6 passengers at £95 ($126).

Oxford

Located in central southern England, the city of Oxford is best known for its renowned university and medieval city center.

From Heathrow Airport, walk 3 minutes to Hatton Cross Station where you will board the Metro line to Heathrow Terminal 5. From there take the Oxford City Centre line to St Aldates.

Prebooked through Mozio, the National Express bus service offers rides to Oxford Gloucester Green Bus Station for £24 ($32) per person. Otherwise, a private sedan for up to four passengers from £81 ($89) a private van for up to eight passengers for $£113 ($150) or a private bus for sixteen passengers from £347 ($465).

Luton

Luton is a large town, in the area of Bedfordshire, situated in the south of England. It is best known for its airport London Luton Airport which serves mostly domestic airlines and private flights.

From Heathrow Airport, walk 3 minutes to Hatton Cross Station where you will board the [Underground] (https://tfl.gov.uk/) Piccadilly line to Green Park Station. From there take the [Underground] (https://tfl.gov.uk/) Jubilee line to Finchley Road Station where you will board a [Green Line} (https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/greenline) bus to Luton Airport.

Prebooked through Mozio, the National Express bus service offers rides to Luton airport for £20 ($27) per person. Otherwise, a private sedan for up to four passengers from £95 ($127) a private van for up to eight passengers for £114 ($156) or a private bus for sixteen passengers from £385 ($513).

Cambridge

Cambridge is located on the River Cam in eastern England, famous for being home to the University of Cambridge, since 1209. Its gothic chapels and medieval architecture make it a must-see for history fanatics.

Prebooked through Mozio, the National Express bus service offers rides to Cambridge for £29 ($39) per person. Otherwise, a private sedan for up to four passengers from £131 ($175) a private van for up to eight passengers for £160 ($213) or a private bus for sixteen passengers from £330 ($440).

Brighton

Another city by the sea, its piers and pebble beaches are its most beautiful attraction. There are many festivals and fairs year-round. It is also home to the Brighton Sea Life Centre which is the world's oldest aquarium, dating back to 1872.

Prebooked through Mozio, the National Express bus service offers rides to Cambridge for £24 ($32) per person. Otherwise, a private sedan for up to four passengers from £100 ($133) a private van for up to eight passengers for £161 ($215) or a private bus for sixteen passengers from £295 ($393).

Are Rideshare & TaxiApps Readily Available at LHR?

Rideshare and Taxi Pickup Instructions

Rideshare users who request rides will need to go to the Short Term Car Park located next to their terminal.

• Terminal 2: Head to Level 4, Row H (Short Stay Car Park 2)
• Terminal 3: Head to Level 3, Row A (Short Stay Car Park 3)
• Terminal 4: Head to Level 1, Private Hire Pickup
• Terminal 5: Head to Level 1, Row R (Short Stay Car Park 5)

Taxi ranks are located right outside each terminal and can be found by following the signs.

London Heathrow Airport Details

London Heathrow Airport is located 15 miles west of London in the Hillington area. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are located in the middle of the airport complex. On the other hand, terminal 4 is located in the south of the airport, while terminal 5 is located on the west side.

In 1930, construction began of the Great West Aerodrome. Years later, expansion began and the aerodrome would later become London Airport at the end of WWII in 1946. It was destined to become a hub for military aircraft but the war ended before it was completed. The first flight to depart the airport was a converted bomber with Buenos Aires as destination.

Today, Heathrow is one of the busiest international airports in the world with more than 67 million passengers traveling annually through the airport on flights offered by over 90 airlines that travel to more than 180 destinations in more than 90 countries.

London Heathrow Airport Key Information

London Heathrow Airport Website

Complete Physical Address:

• Longford TW6, United Kingdom

Contact Details:

• Phone: +44 844 335 1801

Working Hours:

• Open 24 hours.

London Heathrow Airport Terminals & Airlines

London Heathrow Airport Terminal Maps

Terminals & Airlines @ Each Terminal:

Heathrow Airport has 5 terminals, although only 4 are currently in operation. Terminal 1 was permanently closed in 2015 to give way to the expansion of Terminal 2 and it has not reopened since.

How to travel between terminals:

• From Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 and vice versa: You can walk between Terminals 2 and 3 via the pedestrian underpass following the signs. The walk takes about 10 minutes.

• From Terminal 2 to Terminal 4 or Terminal 5 and vice versa: You can take a free shuttle train that runs between Heathrow Central station and Terminal 4 or Terminal 5. Trains run four times per hour and take about 20 minutes from one terminal to the other.

• From Terminal 4 to Terminal 5: Go to Bus Stop 7 and take bus number 482 or 490 (destination Heathrow Terminal 5).

• From Terminal 5 to Terminal 4: Go to Bus Stop 7 and take bus number 482 (destination Southall Town Hall) or 490 (destination Pools on the Park).

Transfers between terminals are free either by bus or train. You will need to allow at least 20 minutes to travel between each terminal. If you are changing terminals, you have to pass through security again.

London Heathrow Airport Services

Baggage Storage

Baggage storage is available at Heathrow airport for short and long term periods. Operated by Excess Baggage Company the service is available from Monday to Sunday from 8am to 11pm. With a weight limit of 70 lbs., prices are as follow:

• £7.50 ($10) up to 3 hours.
• £12.50 ($17) up to 24 hours.
• £20 ($27) up to 48 hours.
• £27.50 ($37) up to 72 hours.
• Extra £5 ($7) for every 24 hours exceeding 72 hours.

To book in advance you can call +44 20 8759 3344 or online directly with Excess Baggage Company.

Stores and Restaurants

Heathrow Airport has a wide assortment of shops for the traveler. From souvenir, newspapers, and magazine stores (WH Smith, Glorious Britain, The Harry Potter shop), to designer fashion and jewelry (Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Burberry, Cartier, Tiffany & Co.), as well as duty-free stores (World Duty-Free, Macallan).

There is also a personal shopper service and a reserve-and-collect option to make your shopping experience easier, especially if you don't have much time to browse and shop. These services can be booked through Heathrow Boutique.

When it comes to food, Heathrow, being an international hub by excellence, offers different options for travelers from different backgrounds who may have dietary restrictions or simply looking for something special. Their On-the-go restaurants include popular names such as Starbucks and Costa. If you want to dine in style, there's Gordon Ramsey's Plane Food, Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar and London's Pride by Fuller's. For those budget foodies, Prét a Manger and Café Nero are great options.

There is also the option to pre-order your food by downloading Heathrow Airport's mobile app, this allows you to place an order with selected restaurants and collect, saving travelers valuable time before a flight. Another interesting feature offered is the In-Flight Picnic packages offered by selected restaurants. These meals are pre-packaged and ready to go with you on the plane. Just look for the 'Take Onboard' sign or visit the In-Flight Picnic site for an updated list of participating restaurants.

Car Parking

Heathrow Airport offers a few options when it comes to parking.

Official Airport Parking Options:

• Short Stay: Ideal for those picking up or dropping off travelers and need to park their car for a short period. These lots are located close to the terminals, usually a 1 to 2 minute walk. Starts at £4.90 ($6.50) per hour.

• Valet Parking: An attendant meets you at a designated curbside area and brings the vehicles to you when you are ready to leave. Starts at £27 ($36) per hour.

• Meet & Greet: Similar to Valet parking but you park your car in a designated lot and leave the keys with an attendant to take your car to another area. These lots are close to the terminals, usually a 5-minute walk. Starts at £23 ($31) per hour.

• Long Stay: Cheapest option with the parking lot located far from the terminals and requires that you take a free shuttle to and from. Starts at £22 ($29) per day.

• Business: Similar to Long Stay, offers a faster transfer rate and the transfer vehicles are upgraded. Starts at £25 ($33) per day.

All of these options are available 24/7 and can be pre-booked at the Heathrow Airport's Parking.

Private Parking Services:

Prebooked through Mozio, local parking partner Parking Force Park & Go offers parking starting at £29 ($39) per day with a free shuttle to and from the airport open from Monday to Sunday from 7am to 8:30pm.

Prebooked through Mozio, Terminals Parking Meet & Greet offers parking starting at £39 ($52) per day including Meet and Greet at the terminal. An attendant will meet you to retrieve and return your keys. Available from Monday to Sunday from 4:30am to 11:30pm.

The benefit of prebooking your parking stay is that these companies offer a variety of prices as well as 24/7 surveillance, gated lots, meet and greet service, free shuttle to and from the airport.

Lounges

There are three different lounges available at LHR all bookable in advance from Heathrow Airport's Lounges.

• Aspire Lounge: Located at Terminal 5 right after security, open daily from 5am to 8pm. Guests can enjoy a complimentary British-inspired seasonal menu and showers. Wifi, TVs, newspapers and other amenities available. Daily access costs £34.99 ($47) per person.

• No1 Lounge: Located in Terminal 5 after security, opens daily from 4:30am to 10:30pm. Guests hace access to a fully tended bar, cinema, restaurant, guest showers for an additional £10 ($13) and Sports lounge. Daily access costs £29.50 ($40) online, £40 ($54) at the door.

• Plaza Premium Lounge: Offering six locations at LHR in terminals 2, 3, 4 both at arrivals and departures after security plus one location at terminal 5 in departures after security. They open daily from 5am to 9pm. Their services include a fully tended bar, restaurant and guest showers. A 2-hour pass costs £25 ($33).