London Heathrow Airport (LHR) transfers

Heathrow to Central London: black cab £45–£85, minicab about £60–£85, Heathrow Express in 15 minutes, Elizabeth line, Tube and the £7 drop-off charge.

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Getting around London Heathrow Airport (LHR): travel guides

Heathrow to Central London: Train, Tube, Taxi & Transfer Prices 2026 How to get from Heathrow to central London in 2026: Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line, coach, black… Read the guide

Heathrow to Central London transfers

London Heathrow (LHR) is 14 miles (23 km) west of Central London. It has four terminals, 2 to 5, and handled a record 83.9 million passengers in 2024, so taxi ranks and pick-up areas are busy all day.

Heathrow to Central London taxi prices

  • Black cab: typically £45–£85 on the meter, 30–60 minutes, plus a £2.80 rank surcharge
  • Pre-booked minicab: about £60–£85, fixed when you book
  • Chauffeur Mercedes E-Class: one firm lists about £89.50 plus VAT
  • Minibus for 5–8 people: from about £195

Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line and Tube

The Heathrow Express reaches Paddington in 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3, every 15 minutes. A standard single is about £26, or from about £10 if you book 30 days ahead. The Elizabeth line takes about 30 minutes, from about £13.90. The Piccadilly line is cheapest, about £5.80, but takes 50–60 minutes.

Heathrow drop-off charge and onward trips

Dropping off outside any terminal costs £7 per entry, 24/7, with no waiting. Pay by midnight the next day or face an £80 penalty, so ask if your fare includes it. Blue Badge holders can get a full discount, but electric cars get none. Southampton cruise port is about 68 miles away, around 1 hour 15 minutes, and Gatwick is a common airport-to-airport transfer.

Transfers in London Heathrow Airport (LHR): FAQs

How much is a taxi from Heathrow to Central London?

A black cab typically costs £45–£85, and a pre-booked minicab about £60–£85.

Is Heathrow Express faster than the Elizabeth line?

Yes, Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes to Paddington against about 30 minutes on the Elizabeth line.

How much is the Heathrow drop-off charge?

It costs £7 per entry at every terminal, paid by midnight the next day.