How much is a taxi from LHR to central London?

Taxi fares: about £60–£100 by black cab. The ride takes 45–75 min depending on traffic.

Which airlines fly from LHR?

Airlines at LHR include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Finnair, Lufthansa, SWISS, KLM, Air France, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Japan Airlines, Qantas, Air India, El Al and Air Canada. It's not a complete list: smaller and seasonal airlines come and go, so check the airport's flight board for your route.

Can I leave LHR on a layover?

Yes, if you have at least 4 h: that covers getting out of the airport, the round trip to central London, an hour there and getting back through security. U.S. citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online before travel, to leave the airport.

Are there lounges at LHR?

British Airways Galleries lounges (Terminals 5 and 3); Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Terminal 3); Star Alliance lounges (Terminal 2); Plaza Premium lounges.

Is there a hotel at LHR?

Sofitel London Heathrow, connected to Terminal 5.

How long do I need to connect at LHR?

We recommend at least 1 h 15 min for a connection in the same terminal, and more for a terminal change or after an international arrival. Our LHR connection guide breaks it down step by step.

London · airport guide

Heathrow Airport guide

London Heathrow Airport has Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. The quickest way from LHR to central London is the Heathrow Express (about 15 minutes, from about £10 booked ahead, £25 on the day).

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Transit to central London

15 min

Heathrow Express, from about £10 booked ahead, £25 on the day

Taxi

45–75 min

about £60–£100 by black cab

Connecting here

1 h 15 min

Same terminal, no passport control

Leave on a layover

4 h+

Layover you need to visit the city

Quick answer

The quickest way from LHR to central London is the Heathrow Express (about 15 minutes, from about £10 booked ahead, £25 on the day). Connecting here, allow at least 1 h 15 min for a connection in the same terminal. Airlines here include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American, Delta and United.

Terminals: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5
Taxi: 45–75 min, about £60–£100 by black cab
Connecting: At least 1 h 15 min for a connection in the same terminal
Lounges: British Airways Galleries lounges (Terminals 5 and 3); Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Terminal 3) and more
Hotel: Sofitel London Heathrow, connected to Terminal 5

Getting from LHR to central London

Fares are one way and approximate; check the operator before you travel.

Heathrow Expressto Paddingtonabout 15 minfrom about £10 booked ahead, £25 on the day
Elizabeth lineto Paddington and Bond Streetabout 35 minabout £13
Piccadilly line (Underground)to central Londonabout 50 minabout £6
Taxi or rideshare45–75 minabout £60–£100 by black cab

Inside LHR

Terminals and connections

Connecting on one ticket, follow the purple Flight Connections signs. Free airside buses link the terminals, and a train serves Terminal 5's satellite gates. Every connecting passenger goes through security again at the departure terminal.

How long a layover you need at LHR

Lounges

•British Airways Galleries lounges (Terminals 5 and 3)
•Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Terminal 3)
•Star Alliance lounges (Terminal 2)
•Plaza Premium lounges

Sleep, showers and hotels

•Sofitel London Heathrow, connected to Terminal 5

Plugs and power

Outlets in the United Kingdom are Types G, D, M at 230 V. Which adapter to pack

LHR tips

•British Airways uses Terminals 5 and 3; Virgin Atlantic uses Terminal 3.

Can you leave LHR on a layover?

With at least 4 h between flights, yes. Here's where the time goes.

Off the plane, through passport control and out45 min
To central London and back, the fastest way30 min
Time in town worth the trip1 h
Back through security and passport control to your gate1 h 30 min
Layover you need4 h

U.S. citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online before travel, to leave the airport.

Keep your bags checked through and carry your boarding pass for the next flight. On a long layover, a hotel day room or lounge can be a better use of the time than a rushed trip into town.

Airlines at LHR

Major airlines that fly from LHR (not a complete list). Check the bag rules before you pack.

British Airways Carry-on 56 × 45 × 25 cm Bag fees
Virgin Atlantic Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm Bag fees
American Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
Delta Air Lines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
United Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
Aer Lingus Carry-on 55 × 40 × 24 cm Bag fees
Iberia Carry-on 56 × 40 × 25 cm Bag fees
Finnair Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Lufthansa Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
SWISS Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
KLM Carry-on 55 × 35 × 25 cm Bag fees
Air France Carry-on 55 × 35 × 25 cm Bag fees
Turkish Airlines Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
Emirates Carry-on 55 × 38 × 20 cm Bag fees
Qatar Airways Carry-on 50 × 37 × 25 cm Bag fees
Etihad Airways Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm Bag fees
Singapore Airlines Carry-on 115 cm total Bag fees
Cathay Pacific Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm Bag fees
ANA (All Nippon Airways) Carry-on 55 × 40 × 25 cm Bag fees
Japan Airlines Carry-on 55 × 40 × 25 cm Bag fees
Qantas Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm Bag fees
Air India Carry-on 55 × 40 × 20 cm
El Al Carry-on 56 × 45 × 25 cm
Air Canada Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees

LHR airport FAQ

The quickest option is the Heathrow Express to Paddington: about 15 minutes for from about £10 booked ahead, £25 on the day. You can also take the Elizabeth line to Paddington and Bond Street, about 35 minutes for about £13; or the Piccadilly line (Underground) to central London, about 50 minutes for about £6. A taxi takes 45–75 min (about £60–£100 by black cab).

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Fares, lounges, airlines and parking change; check with the operator or airport before you travel.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

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