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.
