Where to Stay and Hotel Transfers

     There are 17 international hotels at or near Heathrow, convenient if you are arriving or leaving at a peculiarly early or late hour. To reach them from Heathrow you can take the Heathrow Hotel Hoppa bus, operated by National Express. The service runs every 10-15 minutes daily for Terminals 1-3 and every 30 minutes for Terminal 4 between 0600 and 2300. Tickets are very reasonably priced at £3 one way. Tel: +44 (0)870 574 7777.

Travelling by Train

     The Heathrow Express is the quickest way into central London. Trains leave Heathrow airport from approximately 0515 until 2323. Standard fares are £14 for a single ticket. Journey time is 15-20 minutes and the service is non-stop to Paddington station. The Heathrow Express calls the two stations serving the airport, one for Terminal 1-3 and the other for Terminal 4. Reduced fares are available if you book ahead. Travelcards are not valid on the Heathrow Express. For info and tickets phone +44 (0)845 600 1515.

Going by Tube

     The Piccadilly line connects Heathrow airport to central London and the rest of the Tube system. It is the cheapest way to travel but it takes a lot longer and is less comfortable than the Heathrow Express. There are trains every few minutes from approximately 0500 (0550 Sundays) to 2345 (2250 Sundays). A single ticket into central London (Zone 1) costs £3.80. Journey time to Piccadilly Circus is about 50 minutes. There are two Underground stations at Heathrow Airport, serving Terminals 1-3 and Terminal 4.
     London Underground's Heathrow Terminal 4 station is to closed until September 2006 to allow for construction of the Piccadilly line extension to the new Terminal 5.
     Customers for Heathrow Terminal 4 will need to change at Hatton Cross Underground station to a dedicated bus shuttle, extending journey times by15 minutes. Any passengers who may have difficulty using the stairs at Hatton Cross should travel to Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 & 3 and use the free Heathrow Express Service to reach Terminal 4, allowing an extra 30 minutes for this journey.
     Over the weekend of 8-9 January 2005 no Tube services will be operated beyond Hatton Cross to any Heathrow Terminals. A replacement coach service will run.
     For more information visit the Transport for London website or call +44 (0)20 7222 1234.

Coach Services

     National Express runs frequent coach services between Heathrow’s central bus station and Victoria Coach Station. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes. Some services stop en route in Hammersmith or Earl's Court. Standard tickets cost £10 single or £15 return. Services from Heathrow commence around 0530 and run until 2130. Coaches from Victoria leave from around 0715 until 2330. When travelling by coach it is advisable to check details of the service and consider booking in advance, particularly at weekends or peak times. Also, allow plenty of time in case of road delays. For more information visit go online or telephone +44 (0)87 0580 8080.

Bus Services

     Between 00.00 and 05.30, the N9 runs every 30 minutes to central London (Trafalgar Square). Journey time is approximately 65 minutes. For details, visit the Transport for London website or call +44 (0)20 7222 1234.

By Taxi

     There are usually black cabs queuing for customers at Heathrow airport. The cost of the cab is metered and displayed inside the cab. Extra charges, such as evening and weekend journeys are also shown here. A journey into central London will cost in the region of £40. Tipping, about 10% of the fare, is optional.
     Drivers are not obliged to accept a hiring of over six miles or 20 miles for a journey from Heathrow airport, but if they do, and the journey is wholly within the London area, the fare payable is as shown on the meter. If a driver accepts a hiring to a destination outside the Greater London area, the fare becomes negotiable and should be agreed beforehand. Only use a reputable mini-cab and never use unauthorised drivers who offer their services at airports or stations.
     Each of Heathrow's terminals has an approved taxi desk.
          Terminal 1: + 44 (0)20 8745 7487
          Terminal 2: + 44 (0)20 8745 5408
          Terminal 3: + 44 (0)20 8745 4655
          Terminal 4: + 44 (0)20 8745 7302.

Disabled Travellers

     The Heathrow Express has a range of features to make travelling easy for everyone. Trains have dedicated areas for passengers using wheelchairs and free service by Skycaps provides assistance to passengers with special needs at Heathrow airport. Exiting at Paddington is also straightforward.
     All National Express passengers who qualify as disabled are automatically entitled to receive a discount of up to 50%. The company also has a Code of Practice and a disabled persons’ travel helpline: +44 ( 0)12 1423 8479.
     Disabled travellers should be aware that a significant number of Tube stations are not equipped with lifts. Similarly, there is considerable variation with bus services; only the newer additions to the fleet are equipped for wheelchairs. You should plan your journey in advance. Go to the Transport for London website or call the information line on +44 (0)20 7222 1234.