How to Get from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Piccadilly Circus

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) lies 26.7 km west of Piccadilly Circus in central London. Depending on your choice, the trip takes about 36 minutes by private transfer to around 65 minutes by coach and Tube.

✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026 • 26.7 km road distance

Private Airport Transfer

Door-to-Door

36 mins •On Request (24/7)

€84 - €143 (Per Vehicle)

Luggage: 2 Pieces Free

How to take it step-by-step:

Meet your driver in Arrivals holding a name board after you exit baggage reclaim.
Follow signs to the pre-booked minicab/private-hire meeting point in the arrivals hall.
Confirm your booking and vehicle registration before boarding.
The driver takes the most direct route into central London, typically 36–45 minutes without heavy traffic.
Ask to be dropped at Piccadilly Circus, on the Shaftesbury Avenue side or near the fountain.

Kiwitaxi

✓ Fixed Price • Meet & Greet at Exit

Book Fixed-Price Transfer

London Black Cab

Official Rank

45 mins •Available 24/7

€84 - €143 (Metered)

Luggage: Wheelchair Accessible; Card Accepted

How to take it step-by-step:

Follow signs to the official black cab rank outside your terminal's Arrivals.
Queue at the rank; do not accept rides offered by anyone inside the terminal.
Tell the driver Piccadilly Circus.
The meter runs distance and time; card payment is accepted.
Ask to be dropped at Piccadilly Circus, on the Shaftesbury Avenue side or near the fountain.

Piccadilly Line (Tube)

Cheapest

50 mins •Every few minutes (never more than 10)

€7.00 / Person

Luggage: No racks; crowded at rush hour

How to take it step-by-step:

From Arrivals follow signs to the Underground and walk to the Piccadilly line platform.
Touch in with a contactless bank card or Oyster at the ticket gates.
Take any eastbound Piccadilly line train (no changes).
Remain on the train for about 50 minutes; get off at Piccadilly Circus.
Exit the station directly onto Piccadilly Circus.

Heathrow Express + Bakerloo Line

Fastest Train

40 mins •Every 15 minutes; runs early morning to late evening

€31.00 + TfL Tube Fare

Luggage: Space for luggage; children 15 and under free

How to take it step-by-step:

Follow signs to Heathrow Express station at Heathrow Central (T2&3) or Terminal 5; T4 passengers should go to Central on free transfer.
Buy a ticket at the station or use contactless/Oyster at the gates.
Take the non-stop train to London Paddington (about 15–21 minutes).
At Paddington follow signs to the Bakerloo line and take a southbound train to Piccadilly Circus.
Exit at Piccadilly Circus.

National Express Coach + Tube

Low-Cost Coach

65 mins •Up to 77 coaches a day; first ~01:00, last ~23:59 (not 24h)

From €13.00 + TfL Tube Fare

Luggage: Stored in coach hold

How to take it step-by-step:

From T2/T3 walk to Heathrow Central Bus Station; from T4/T5 use the coach stop outside Arrivals.
Buy a ticket to London Victoria Coach Station (book online or at the coach station).
Take a National Express coach to Victoria (about 40 minutes).
At Victoria station follow signs to the Tube and take the Victoria line to Green Park.
Change at Green Park to the Piccadilly line one stop to Piccadilly Circus.

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Tours & activities: Piccadilly Circus

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

Never accept unbooked minicab or taxi offers from people inside Arrivals; use official black cab ranks or pre-booked licensed minicabs only.
Black cab meters at Heathrow always include distance, time and a rank surcharge; no fixed fare — expect roughly €84–€143 to Piccadilly Circus.
London buses and Tube do not accept cash; have a contactless bank card or Oyster before boarding.
Check your terminal before choosing Heathrow Express: it does not serve Terminal 4 and only goes to Paddington, not Piccadilly Circus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way from Heathrow to Piccadilly Circus?

The Piccadilly line Tube costs £5.90 with contactless/Oyster (about €7.00) and takes about 50 minutes direct from any Heathrow terminal station to Piccadilly Circus.

How long does a taxi take from Heathrow to Piccadilly Circus?

A licensed black cab typically takes 45–60 minutes or more, depending on traffic, and the metered fare is roughly €84–€143. Card payment is accepted.

Is there a direct train from Heathrow to Piccadilly Circus?

No direct train stops at Piccadilly Circus. The Piccadilly line Tube is direct, while Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line require a change or a short walk.

Can I pay for public transport with cash?

No. London Underground and buses are cashless; use a contactless bank card or Oyster. Heathrow Express and National Express accept card payment, and tickets can be bought online or at machines.

What is the fastest public transport option?

Heathrow Express to Paddington then Bakerloo line to Piccadilly Circus takes around 40–50 minutes in total, which is the quickest train combination, but the Piccadilly line is the most direct.

Is the Tube from Heathrow safe late at night?

The Piccadilly line runs until about 23:30 and the Night Tube operates on Friday and Saturday nights from Terminals 2&3 and 5, not Terminal 4. Outside those hours, book a licensed taxi or private transfer.

Nearby places

More transfers from London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Central London (Trafalgar Square) · 27.4 km Covent Garden · 27.7 km Oxford Circus · 27.4 km British Museum · 28.3 km Westminster (Big Ben) · 27.5 km Waterloo · 28.7 km London Victoria · 26.6 km Knightsbridge · 24.9 km King's Cross St Pancras · 29.2 km Paddington · 25.6 km