For the London Heathrow Airport to London journey, you can take a train, the Underground or a road transfer toward Paddington and continue to Pavilion Hotel. Heathrow is about a 49-minute drive from Pavilion Hotel; the rail options connect the airport with Paddington and other central London stations.
- Fast Paddington connection: Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3.
- Other rail options: The Elizabeth line serves Paddington, while the Piccadilly line connects Heathrow with central London.
- Road transfers: Black cabs wait at ranks outside each terminal, and minicabs can be pre-booked.
Choose a Route from Heathrow
The best route depends on whether you want a direct Paddington connection, a lower fare or a vehicle transfer. Compare the rail services that serve Paddington first, then weigh their journey patterns, ticket costs and onward connections.
Heathrow Express
Heathrow Express runs non-stop between Heathrow and London Paddington every 15 minutes, with a 15-minute journey from Terminals 2 and 3. It also stops at Terminal 5. If you arrive at Terminal 4, take the free transfer train from Terminals 2 and 3 to connect with the service.
Standard Class fares are £26 for a single, £30 for a same-day return and £42 for a return. Advance Discounted Single tickets start at £10 when booked at least 30 days ahead, subject to limited availability.
Elizabeth line
The Elizabeth line connects Heathrow with Paddington and central London stations including Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street. Heathrow describes journeys to central London as taking under 40 minutes; the fare from Heathrow to Zone 1 is £13.90, with trains every 30 minutes.
Piccadilly line
The Piccadilly line serves Heathrow’s Terminals 2 and 3, 4 and 5 stations. Heathrow says the journey to central London takes under an hour. Off-peak fares to Zone 1 start at £5.90, and Oyster and contactless payment are accepted.
Fares, service patterns and schedules can change, so check the official site before you go. For train and Underground details, consult Heathrow Express, Heathrow and Transport for London (TfL) as relevant to your route.
Train and Underground Connections
Heathrow’s rail and Underground services connect the airport with Paddington or other central London stations, but their station access and operating patterns differ. Check which terminal you arrive at and the route you plan to take before choosing a service.
Heathrow Express serves Terminals 2 and 3, Terminal 5 and Paddington; Terminal 4 passengers can use the free transfer train from Terminals 2 and 3. The Elizabeth line also reaches Paddington, as well as several other central London stations. The Piccadilly line serves stations at Terminals 2 and 3, 4 and 5.
At Terminals 2 and 3, the Underground station is below the central bus station. Heathrow gives walking times of 5–10 minutes from Terminal 2 and 10–15 minutes from Terminal 3 to that station.
Heathrow’s Underground stations have step-free access to their platforms. The airport says Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line stations have unaided wheelchair access through station concourses, accessible barriers and level train doors. For onward connections, check the accessibility of other stations on your chosen route with TfL, or use this guide to London public transport to understand the wider network.
Taxi and Road Transfers
Black cabs and pre-booked minicabs offer road transfers from Heathrow, while journey times depend on your destination and the time of day. Heathrow advises allowing at least an hour to reach central London by car.
Licensed black cabs have ranks outside each Heathrow terminal; they are wheelchair-accessible, and you do not need to book ahead to use a rank. If you prefer a minicab, Heathrow advises pre-booking. It identifies WeKnow as an airport transfer service with desks in terminal Arrivals halls and fixed rates.
Road travel can make sense if you need a vehicle transfer, but allow for variable journey times. Heathrow notes that the duration depends on both the destination and time of day.
Arriving Near Paddington
Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line both serve Paddington, making it a useful arrival point for continuing your journey. From there, use the onward connection that suits your plans.
Paddington’s connections with the rest of London make it useful for onward travel, as explained in how Paddington connects with the rest of London.
The first Heathrow Express departure for Paddington is at 04:34 Monday to Saturday and 04:55 on Sundays. Its last train from Heathrow Terminal 5 leaves at 23:57 daily. Heathrow Express advises checking its live timetable for late trains, Sundays, bank holidays and engineering works.
FAQs
Which train goes directly from Heathrow to Paddington?
Heathrow Express runs non-stop between Heathrow and London Paddington. The Elizabeth line also serves Paddington, with connections to other central London stations along its route.
Can you take the Underground from Heathrow?
Yes. The Piccadilly line serves stations at Terminals 2 and 3, 4 and 5 and runs between about 05:00 and 23:30. Night Tube runs all night on Friday and Saturday, but does not serve Terminal 4.
Are there taxis at Heathrow?
Yes. Black-cab ranks are outside each terminal, and no advance booking is needed to use them. Heathrow also advises pre-booking minicabs.