Trains from London Kings Cross to Heathrow Terminal 5 (Rail Station Only) from £15.80

Are you due to fly out of London Heathrow Airport and wondering how best to get there by train from Kings Cross station? Whether you’re jetting off for a relaxing holiday or taking a quick business trip, our guide has all the information you’ll need for your upcoming journey from Kings Cross to Heathrow Terminal 5.

Departing London Kings Cross

One of the city’s most famous stations, in part due to its iconic appearance in the Harry Potter books and films, London Kings Cross station is the terminus for numerous routes, including trains coming from Edinburgh and Newcastle as well as local commuter and regional services. Meanwhile, international services from mainland Europe arrive at neighbouring St Pancras International station, which is accessible on foot from Kings Cross.

The station isn’t just well-connected to mainline services but is also served by the following six London Underground lines:

• Circle
• Hammersmith & City
• Metropolitan
• Northern
• Piccadilly
• Victoria

Prefer to catch the bus to London Kings Cross? No problem, local bus services stop at Euston Road, Good Way and York Way. Meanwhile, for cyclists, you’ll find bicycle storage at platforms 1, 8 and 9.

Once you’ve arrived at the station, there’s a wide range of facilities available for passenger use, such as showers, water fountains, baby changing facilities, accessible toilets, left luggage facilities, ATMs, public Wi-Fi and seating areas. There’s also a selection of lounges for different circumstances, with a family lounge for those travelling with younger passengers, an assisted travel lounge, and a First Class lounge if you arrived at Kings Cross on an LNER First Class ticket.

If you’ve got some time before you need to get on your way to Heathrow Terminal 5, you’ll be able to make the most of Kings Cross’s variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. Perhaps you’ll grab a coffee from Costa or Starbucks, or pick up supplies at Little Waitrose or M&S Simply Food. One shop you won’t find anywhere else is the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾. This popular spot with Harry Potter fans offers visitors the chance to pick up souvenirs or pose for a photo at the famous mystical platform. For more sightseeing options, you’ll also find Regent’s Canal and the British Library nearby.

Is there a direct train from Kings Cross to Heathrow Airport?

There are two main options for travelling from London Kings Cross to Heathrow Terminal 5 by train:

• London Underground to London Paddington, then Heathrow Express services to Heathrow Terminal 5
• Direct from Kings Cross to Heathrow via Piccadilly Line underground services

Taking the Heathrow Express is generally the faster option, while going only by tube will usually be the cheapest option. You can also take the Elizabeth Line from London Paddington to Heathrow, although it’s generally a slower route than catching the Heathrow Express.

London Kings Cross to Heathrow Airport via Heathrow Express

To catch the Heathrow Express to Heathrow Terminal 5, you’ll need to make your way to Paddington station by taking a Circle or Hammersmith & City line service from Kings Cross St Pancras International underground station.

At London Paddington, you’ll find Heathrow Express trains departing around every 15 minutes. Departures are generally from platforms 6 and 7, although check information boards or with station staff before you board. The Heathrow Express journey from Paddington to Heathrow Terminal 5 takes just 21 minutes, with a stop en route at the station for Terminals 2 and 3. Need to get to Heathrow Terminal 4? There’s a free shuttle bus from the Terminal 2 and 3 station.

This route is usually the fastest way to get from London Kings Cross to Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 railway station, with journey times of around 56 minutes. The Heathrow Express also boasts plenty of room for luggage as well as free Wi-Fi, ideal for a stress-free arrival at the airport. Fancy an upgrade? A Business First Class ticket on the Heathrow Express means power sockets at all seats, extra legroom, larger seats, and Fast Track Airport Security on arrival at Heathrow Terminal 5.

London Kings Cross to Heathrow Airport via London Underground

Direct services are available between London Kings Cross and Heathrow Airport by catching a Piccadilly Line train straight from Kings Cross St Pancras International underground station. As these carriages aren’t specifically designed with airport goers in mind, there tends to be less space for luggage, however, it’s generally a cheaper alternative to taking the Heathrow Express.

Be sure to check the destination of your Piccadilly line service when you board at Kings Cross as you’ll want a service headed for Heathrow Airport (not Rayners Lane or Uxbridge). All Piccadilly Line services travelling to Heathrow will stop at the station for Terminals 2 and 3, but check information boards for whether your tube is due to go to Terminal 4 or Terminal 5 as well.

The direct service from Kings Cross to Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 railway station via the Piccadilly line generally takes around 1h 10m.

How much is the train from Kings Cross to Heathrow?

Tickets for travelling from Kings Cross to Heathrow Terminal 5 via underground can cost as little as £15.80, while other route options start from £15.80. Routes including the Heathrow Express tend to offer a faster, more spacious journey, while travelling via the Piccadilly line tends to be the slowest but cheapest way to get from Kings Cross to Heathrow. Be sure to head over to our journey planner to compare advanced fares available for your journey.

Can you use Oyster or contactless pay-as-you-go to travel from London Kings Cross to Heathrow Airport?

Yes, you can use Oyster cards or contactless pay-as-you-go options to travel between London Kings Cross and Heathrow Airport, whether you take the Piccadilly line the whole way or opt to catch the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line.

Do remember, though, that it can be more cost-effective to book tickets in advance than to pay on the day with Oyster or contactless, particularly if you’re planning to take the Heathrow Express. Check out our journey planner to compare prices and book tickets.

Arriving at Heathrow Airport

Once you’ve arrived at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 rail station, you’re just a stroll away from the terminal building and your upcoming holiday or business trip. If you’re due to fly from Terminals 2, 3 or 4, there are dedicated stations for these too, and there’s no need to worry if you’ve got confused about your terminal number as there’s free travel between terminals.

There are plenty of facilities to choose from once you’ve arrived. Whether you’ve got ample time to enjoy a long lunch, need to grab a quick coffee or want to check out the latest products from top brands such as Chanel, Dior or Rolex, you’ll find numerous shops, cafes and restaurants in the departure lounges. Need to stay overnight before your flight? Check out our list of hotels near Heathrow Airport and find up-to-date availability and prices.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.