- How much do Heathrow Express tickets cost?
- How much are Oyster Card or contactless payment fares on the Heathrow Express?
- How to save on Heathrow Express costs
- Why travel with Heathrow Express?
Navigating your way to and from Heathrow Airport doesn’t need to be frantic. Up to 150 non-stop Heathrow Express trains run between the airport and central London daily, meaning you can skip the traffic jams and hefty cab fares. Journeys take just 15 minutes to travel from London Paddington to Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3; you’ll need only six more minutes to get to Terminal 5. There are also two seating classes as well as a range of ticket types available.
Wondering about Heathrow Express prices and which ticket is right for you? Look no further. Read on for a breakdown of the typical cost of the Heathrow Express - including Oyster Card and contactless payment fares - and see how you can save even more for your pre- and post-flight trips.
Photo by Michael Garnett
How much do Heathrow Express tickets cost?
Many fares for the Heathrow Express are on offer, and there are a few different routes to consider, as trains run between three stations: London Paddington, Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, and Heathrow Terminal 5. Some tickets do not have a fixed price, and the amendment and refund policies vary depending on the ticket type.
Prices also differ depending on which class you want to travel in. You can choose from Standard Class or Business First Class, which offer more spacious carriages and seating, as well as entry to the airport’s Fast Track Security service for flights departing the same day.
Generally, the further in advance you make your purchase, the cheaper your fare. Heathrow Airport can also be accessed via the cheaper London Underground or the recently opened Elizabeth line, which serves intermediary stations and takes longer.
See the typical Heathrow Express price for single and return journeys below, as well as more details on special fares, including discounts for children and bulk tickets.
London Paddington to/from Heathrow Airport
| Ticket type | Purchased online via Trip.com | Link to purchase |
| Standard Class - One-Way | From £18.50 | Buy now > |
| Standard Class - Return | From £30.00 | Buy now > |
| Business First Class - One-Way | From £32.00 | Buy now > |
| Business First Class - Return | From £36.00 | Buy now > |
Note: Prices and discounts are subject to change. Always check the latest fares before booking.
Single Heathrow Express fares
A Single ticket for the Heathrow Express is approximately £25.00 for Standard Class and £32.00 for Business First Class. The fare allows you to travel one way on a fixed day and is amendable and refundable before your date of travel.
Advance Heathrow Express tickets
Typically, the cheapest way to travel by train, Advance tickets on the Heathrow Express are available as an “Advance Discounted Single”. This special offer is available for Standard Class seats only, with fares starting from £10.00 (when booked at least 45 days in advance). Tickets are non-refundable and non-amendable, and travel is only valid on a fixed date.
Return Heathrow Express fares
There are two types of return fares for the Heathrow Express, depending on when you wish to make your journey back. Same Day Return tickets start from £30.00 for Standard Class and £36.00 for Business First Class. If you’re not coming back on the same day, the cost of Heathrow Express Return tickets is around £40.00 (Standard Class) or £46.00 (Business First Class). You can make your outbound journey within five days and return within 30 days. All return fares are amendable and refundable before you travel.
Heathrow Express prices for children
Kids aged 15 and under can travel in Standard Class or Business First Class for free when accompanied by a paying adult with the appropriate fare. Unaccompanied under-16s can only travel in Standard Class if they bring proof of travel at Heathrow Airport, such as a boarding pass or flight booking. 16–17-year-olds can get 50% off most fares with a 16–17 Saver railcard.
How much are Oyster Card or contactless payment fares on the Heathrow Express?
Oyster Cards and contactless cards or devices are a convenient way to pay as you go for easy travel in London. You can also use it on Heathrow Express services to get to and from Heathrow Airport - just touch in and then out.
The Heathrow Express cost for a single journey is typically £25.00 (the same price as a Standard Class Single ticket). Upgrades to Business First Class can be purchased from the onboard team.
While payments with Oyster Cards, bank cards and mobile devices remove the need to pre-purchase fares and download or print tickets, they are more expensive. There are no savings on single fares (like Advanced tickets) or discounts for return trips. Typically, Heathrow Express fares are cheaper the earlier you book.
Photo by David McKelvey
How to save on Heathrow Express costs
The Heathrow Express is the fastest and most expensive rail service between central London and Heathrow Airport. Fortunately, there are many ways you can make your journeys cheaper.
Get Heathrow Express tickets in advance
Did you know you can save up to £15.00 on a Single fare by booking earlier? Tickets for the Heathrow Express can usually be booked up to a year in advance. Advance Discounted Single tickets start from £10.00. Buy when you book your flights for a better chance of grabbing a bargain.
Buy your advance Heathrow Express tickets here
Purchase a Return Heathrow Express fare
Rather than buying two Single tickets to and from Heathrow Airport separately or using an Oyster Card or a form of contactless payment, you can save huge amounts by booking Return tickets for the Heathrow Express. The cheapest Return fares are usually only £5.00 more than a typical Single fare (£25.00) in Standard Class when returning the same day (£30.00) or an additional £15.00 on average if you return within 30 days (£40.00).
Buy your Return Heathrow Express tickets here
Use your Railcard for cheaper Heathrow Express prices
A number of railcards are accepted on the Heathrow Express for tickets purchased in advance online or at London Paddington or the Heathrow stations. You’ll need to show your railcard with your ticket. Here are some of the discounts offered:
- 16–17 Saver Railcard: 50% off most fares
- 16–25 Railcard: 1/3 off most fares
- Two Together Railcard: 1/3 off tickets
- Senior Railcard: 1/3 off full-fare Standard or Business First tickets
- Disabled Persons Railcard: 1/3 off full-price Standard or Business First fares
Find out more about Railcards, including working out the best one for you, here
Book free kids’ fares for affordable family travel
Free travel on the Heathrow Express is available for children aged 15 and under. You’ll still need to book a ticket, but kids will be able to travel in the same class you paid for free of charge. Those 16 and above need to buy an adult ticket if they don’t have a railcard.
Buy in bulk: Heathrow Express Carnet tickets
A block of tickets, or a “Carnet”, offers six or 12 Heathrow Express tickets at a discounted price. When you buy a Carnet of 6, the sixth fare is free, and with a Carnet of 12, you pay for just nine tickets. Carnets are available for both Standard Class and Business First Class.
Why travel with Heathrow Express?
The Heathrow Express provides a comfortable and convenient experience between the airport and the city. Plenty of perks can be enjoyed as you watch the city landscape zoom by.
A speedy, frequent service
You can get from the heart of the city to the airport in less than 22 minutes. Trains run four times an hour, ensuring seamless travel. The first Heathrow Express service arrives at the airport at 05:06 Monday to Saturday, with trains running late into the night and arriving at Heathrow around 23:40.
Flexible travel
As well as being the fastest and only non-stop route from central London to Heathrow Airport, Heathrow Express fares are also very flexible. Tickets are not booked for a specific date and time, like most Advanced rail tickets. With frequent services, there’s no need to rush. Hop on any train on your date of travel.
Great amenities
There are several benefits with your Heathrow Express ticket, no matter which class you choose. Enjoy free onboard WiFi and entertainment, comfortable seating, plenty of luggage space and power sockets. Business First Class ticket holders can present their tickets at security for departing flights to use the Fast Track Security service.
Discounts on fares
Save money on your fare and make the Heathrow Express more affordable, from cheap Advance Discounted Single tickets to free travel for under-16s. Most Railcard discounts are also accepted, with railcard holders saving around 33–50% off the cost of Heathrow Express tickets.