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28.3 km • ~40 mins

How to Get from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to British Museum

The British Museum is about 28 km east of London Heathrow Airport, in central London's Bloomsbury district. Depending on your choice, the journey takes roughly 40 minutes by road to about 75 minutes by coach and Tube.

✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026 • 28.3 km road distance

Piccadilly Line (London Underground)

Cheapest & Direct
60 mins •Every Few Minutes (Max 10)
€7.00 / Person
Luggage: No Luggage Racks
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From Arrivals, follow signs for Underground / Piccadilly line to your terminal station.
  2. Touch in at the gate with a contactless bank card, Oyster card, or buy a single ticket from a machine.
  3. Board an eastbound Piccadilly line train towards central London; trains run every few minutes.
  4. Ride to Russell Square (about 50 minutes) and exit the station.
  5. Walk 8–10 minutes following signs to the British Museum main entrance on Great Russell Street.

Pre-Booked Private Transfer

Door-to-Door
40 mins •On Demand (Pre-Booked)
€85 - €145 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. After collecting luggage, exit into the Arrivals hall and look for your pre-booked driver holding a name board.
  2. Confirm the booking reference and destination with the driver before boarding.
  3. Driver assists with luggage and takes a direct road route to central London (about 40 minutes without heavy traffic).
  4. Ask to be dropped at the nearest set-down point to the British Museum main entrance on Great Russell Street.
Kiwitaxi
✓ Fixed Price • Meet & Greet at Exit
Book Fixed-Price Transfer

Licensed Black Cab (Taxi)

Metered
50 mins •On Demand (Official Rank)
€85 - €145 (Metered)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit the Arrivals hall following signs for the official black cab taxi rank.
  2. Join the queue and take the next available licensed black cab.
  3. Tell the driver to use the meter and take you to the British Museum, Great Russell Street.
  4. Pay by card or contactless at the end; the trip takes roughly 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road

Faster Train + Short Walk
50 mins •Every 10 Mins
€18.50 / Person
Luggage: Space for Luggage
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From Arrivals, follow signs for Elizabeth line to your terminal station (Terminals 2 & 3, 4 or 5).
  2. Touch in with contactless/Oyster or buy a single ticket at the machine.
  3. Board an eastbound Elizabeth line train; all trains from Heathrow stop at Tottenham Court Road.
  4. Alight at Tottenham Court Road (about 30–35 minutes) and take the exit towards Oxford Street / Bloomsbury.
  5. Walk about 10–12 minutes north to the British Museum main entrance.

National Express Coach to Victoria + Tube

Budget Coach
75 mins •Up to 77 Coaches / Day
From €13.00 + Tube Fare
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From Arrivals, follow coach signs to Heathrow Central Bus Station (short walk from T2/T3; coaches also call at T4 and T5).
  2. Buy a ticket at the National Express desk or show an online booking.
  3. Board a coach to London Victoria Coach Station (about 40 minutes).
  4. At Victoria, take the Underground: Victoria line to Green Park, then Piccadilly line to Russell Square.
  5. Exit Russell Square and walk 8–10 minutes to the British Museum.

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Tours & activities: British Museum

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Only use the official black cab rank outside Arrivals or a pre-booked licensed minicab; ignore touts who approach you in the terminal.
  • Black cab meters should run throughout the trip; refuse any driver who quotes a fixed fare and ask for the next licensed cab if necessary.
  • If a black cab driver says the card machine does not work, settle this before the journey starts or choose another cab; official taxis accept card.
  • When buying train tickets, use contactless/Oyster at the gates; do not buy from people offering discounted tickets in the station or terminal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the cheapest way from Heathrow to British Museum?

The Piccadilly line costs £5.90 (about €7) with contactless or Oyster and runs from all Heathrow terminals to Russell Square, an 8–10 minute walk from the British Museum.

Is there a direct train from Heathrow to British Museum?

No train stops at the British Museum. The Piccadilly line is direct to Russell Square; the Elizabeth line goes to Tottenham Court Road from where it is a 10–12 minute walk.

How long does it take to get from Heathrow to British Museum?

By road in a taxi or private transfer it is about 40–60 minutes. The Piccadilly line takes about 50 minutes plus a short walk; the Elizabeth line is about 35 minutes to Tottenham Court Road plus walking.

Are taxis from Heathrow to British Museum expensive?

A licensed black cab typically costs roughly £70–£120 (about €85–€145) on the meter depending on traffic and time. Pre-booked private transfers often quote a fixed price in advance.

What is the best transport for families with luggage from Heathrow to British Museum?

A pre-booked private transfer or licensed taxi gives door-to-door service and no transfers. The Elizabeth line has luggage space but still requires a 10–12 minute walk from Tottenham Court Road.

Do London Underground and trains accept contactless payment from Heathrow?

Yes, contactless bank cards and Oyster cards work on the Piccadilly line and Elizabeth line; just touch in and out. London buses are also contactless/Oyster only and do not accept cash.

Nearby places

More transfers from London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Covent Garden · 27.7 km Oxford Circus · 27.4 km Piccadilly Circus · 26.7 km Central London (Trafalgar Square) · 27.4 km King's Cross St Pancras · 29.2 km Waterloo · 28.7 km Westminster (Big Ben) · 27.5 km City of London (Bank) · 30.4 km London Victoria · 26.6 km Knightsbridge · 24.9 km

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