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25.6 km • ~34 mins

How to Get from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Paddington

Heathrow Airport is 25.6 km west of Paddington station. Transfer times range from about 15 minutes by express train to over an hour by Tube, with road options taking around 34–60 minutes.

✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026 • 25.6 km road distance

Private Transfer

Door-to-Door
34 mins •Pre-booked / On Demand
€84 - €143 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: Luggage Assistance Included
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. After collecting your luggage, pass through customs and enter the public arrivals hall.
  2. Look for your pre-booked driver holding a name sign in the arrivals area or at the designated meet-and-greet point.
  3. Confirm your name and destination, then follow the driver to the waiting vehicle.
  4. Travel directly to Paddington; the journey normally takes about 34 minutes without heavy traffic.
Kiwitaxi
✓ Fixed Price • Meet & Greet at Exit
Book Fixed-Price Transfer

London Black Cab

Metered Taxi
45 mins •On Demand at Official Ranks
€84 - €143 (Metered)
Luggage: Luggage Inside Cab
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Collect your luggage and follow the signs for 'Taxi' or 'Black Cabs' to the official taxi rank outside Arrivals.
  2. Join the queue at the licensed black cab rank; do not accept offers from people inside the terminal.
  3. Tell the driver you are going to Paddington and ensure the meter is running.
  4. Pay by card or contactless at the end; the ride takes roughly 45-60+ minutes depending on traffic.

Heathrow Express

Fastest
15 mins •Every 15 Mins
€31 / Person (€12+ Advance)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs for 'Heathrow Express' to Heathrow Central (Terminals 2 & 3) or Terminal 5 station; Terminal 4 passengers should take the free Elizabeth line or Piccadilly line to Heathrow Central first.
  2. Buy a ticket at the machine, online, or tap in with contactless/Oyster at the gates.
  3. Board the next Heathrow Express train to London Paddington; trains run every 15 minutes from early morning to late evening, check heathrowexpress.com.
  4. Stay on the train until the final stop, London Paddington, about 15 minutes from Heathrow Central and about 21 minutes from Terminal 5.

Elizabeth Line

Direct Train
25 mins •About 6 Trains per Hour
€18.50 / Person
Luggage: Luggage Space Available
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs for 'Elizabeth line' to the station serving your terminal (Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4, or Terminal 5).
  2. Tap in with contactless/Oyster or buy a single to Zone 1 at a ticket machine.
  3. Board an Elizabeth line train towards Abbey Wood or Shenfield; all Heathrow Elizabeth line trains call at Paddington.
  4. Get off at London Paddington after about 25-30 minutes from Terminals 2 & 3.

Piccadilly Line + Bakerloo

Cheapest
60 mins •Every Few Mins (Never more than 10)
€7.00 / Person
Luggage: No Luggage Racks; Avoid Rush Hour
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs for the London Underground and go to the Piccadilly line platform at your terminal station (T2&3, T4, or T5).
  2. Tap in with contactless/Oyster or buy a ticket; the fare to Zone 1 is £5.90 (about €7.00).
  3. Take a Piccadilly line train towards central London and get off at Green Park.
  4. Change at Green Park to the Bakerloo line heading northbound towards Queen's Park or Harrow & Wealdstone.
  5. Get off at Paddington after one stop; the whole trip takes about an hour.

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Use only licensed black cabs from the official rank or pre-booked licensed minicabs; never accept offers from touts inside the arrivals hall.
  • Check the taxi meter is running and ask for a receipt; black cab fares from Heathrow are metered, not fixed, and can rise in heavy traffic.
  • Heathrow Express ticket gates accept contactless/Oyster, but the standard single is £26; a cheaper advance ticket requires booking 30+ days ahead and is non-refundable.
  • Do not pay cash to people selling 'taxi' or 'transfer' inside the terminal; licensed drivers meet at official ranks or by pre-arrangement with a name sign.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way from Heathrow to Paddington?

The Heathrow Express is the fastest, taking about 15 minutes from Heathrow Central (Terminals 2 & 3) and about 21 minutes from Terminal 5. Trains run every 15 minutes.

What is the cheapest way from Heathrow to Paddington?

The Piccadilly line to Green Park then Bakerloo line to Paddington costs about €7.00 with contactless/Oyster and takes around an hour.

Is there a direct train from Heathrow to Paddington?

Yes, both Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line call at Paddington. The Elizabeth line is cheaper at about €18.50 per person compared to €31 on Heathrow Express.

Can I use contactless or Oyster to pay for the trains?

Yes, contactless bank cards and Oyster are accepted at the gates for Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line, and Piccadilly line journeys. Touch in and out with the same card or device.

Are taxis available at all Heathrow terminals?

Yes, licensed black cab ranks are outside each terminal's Arrivals. A typical metered fare to Paddington is roughly €84-€143 and takes about 45-60+ minutes depending on traffic.

Which option is best for families with luggage?

A pre-booked private transfer or licensed black cab offers door-to-door space for luggage. Heathrow Express has luggage space and children aged 15 and under travel free.

Nearby places

More transfers from London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Knightsbridge · 24.9 km Oxford Circus · 27.4 km South Kensington · 23.7 km Piccadilly Circus · 26.7 km London Victoria · 26.6 km Central London (Trafalgar Square) · 27.4 km British Museum · 28.3 km Covent Garden · 27.7 km Westminster (Big Ben) · 27.5 km King's Cross St Pancras · 29.2 km

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