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The fastest way from Euston to Heathrow by rail is the Circle line to Paddington, then the Heathrow Express: around 45 minutes in total. There's no direct train, so every rail route needs one change in central London. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on your route, your terminal and the time of day.
Euston to Heathrow: the quick answer
- Fastest by rail: walk to Euston Square, Circle line to Paddington, then the Heathrow Express. Around 45 minutes.
- One easy change: Northern line to Tottenham Court Road, then the Elizabeth line. Around 50 minutes.
- Cheapest: the Tube, changing to the Piccadilly line. Around an hour.
- Easiest with luggage: a taxi straight to your terminal. About 30 minutes to an hour by road.
Euston to Heathrow: Every Option Compared
Each route suits a different traveller. Here's how they compare at a glance.
| Option | Typical time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Circle line + Heathrow Express (change at Paddington) | Around 45 min | Speed |
| Northern line + Elizabeth line (change at Tottenham Court Road) | Around 50 min | A comfortable ride to every terminal |
| Tube + Piccadilly line (change at Green Park or Leicester Square) | Around 1 hour | The lowest fare |
| Victoria line + coach (change at Victoria) | A little over 1 hour | Budget travel |
| Taxi or pre-booked transfer (no change) | 30 min to 1 hour | Luggage, families and groups |
Times are typical figures published by Heathrow. They vary with the time of day, traffic and engineering works.
Heathrow Express via Paddington: The Fastest Route
This is the quickest rail journey from Euston, taking around 45 minutes in total. It's also usually the most expensive. Heathrow Express trains leave Paddington every 15 minutes and run non-stop to Heathrow.
Step by step
- Walk to Euston Square: it's about 10 minutes from the main Euston station.
- Take the Circle or Hammersmith & City line westbound: it's three stops to Paddington.
- Board the Heathrow Express: follow the signs inside Paddington station and check the departure boards for your platform.
- Get off at your terminal: Terminals 2 & 3 are 15 minutes away and Terminal 5 is about 21 minutes away.
Another way to reach Paddington is the Victoria line to Oxford Circus, then the Bakerloo line.
Elizabeth Line via Tottenham Court Road
Take the Northern line from Euston to Tottenham Court Road, then change to an Elizabeth line train to Heathrow. The journey takes around 50 minutes on average. The trains are spacious, with room for suitcases. The Elizabeth line is the only rail service that serves all of Heathrow's terminals: Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
Check the destination on the front of the train before you board. After Terminals 2 & 3, some trains continue to Terminal 4 and others to Terminal 5.
Piccadilly Line: The Cheapest Route
Take the Victoria line to Green Park, or the Northern line to Leicester Square, then change to a westbound Piccadilly line train to Heathrow. It takes around an hour and is usually the cheapest rail option.
The Piccadilly line calls at Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. Trains can be crowded at peak times, with little space for large cases, so it suits travellers with light luggage best.
Coach via Victoria
Take the Victoria line from Euston to Victoria, then walk to Victoria Coach Station for a National Express or Megabus coach to Heathrow. Allow a little over an hour in total, plus extra time for road traffic. Coaches have plenty of luggage space, but you'll need to book a seat.
Euston to Each Heathrow Terminal
Heathrow has three rail stations: one shared by Terminals 2 and 3, one at Terminal 4 and one at Terminal 5. Check your terminal before you leave Euston, because not every service stops at every station.
| Terminal | Fastest rail route | Also served by |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 & Terminal 3 | Heathrow Express from Paddington (15 min) | Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line |
| Terminal 4 | Elizabeth line, direct from Tottenham Court Road | Piccadilly line |
| Terminal 5 | Heathrow Express from Paddington (about 21 min) | Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line |
Euston to Heathrow Terminal 2 and Terminal 3
Both terminals share one station, Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3. The Heathrow Express route via Paddington is the fastest way there. From the station, follow the signs to your terminal. For pick-ups and drop-offs, see our Terminal 2 guide and Terminal 3 guide.
Euston to Heathrow Terminal 4
The Heathrow Express doesn't stop at Terminal 4. The simplest route is the Northern line to Tottenham Court Road, then an Elizabeth line train that goes to Terminal 4. If you take the Heathrow Express, change at Terminals 2 & 3. Our Terminal 4 guide explains the drop-off and pick-up points.
Euston to Heathrow Terminal 5
Terminal 5 is the last stop on the Heathrow Express, about 21 minutes from Paddington. The Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line also run there, so check your train's destination before boarding.
Tickets and Fares
- Contactless and Oyster: both work on the Underground, the Elizabeth line and the Heathrow Express, so you can tap in at Euston and tap out at Heathrow.
- Piccadilly line: usually the lowest fare of the rail options, and cheaper off-peak.
- Elizabeth line: costs more than the Piccadilly line but less than the Heathrow Express.
- Heathrow Express: the most expensive rail option. Booking ahead online can cost less than buying on the day.
- Coach: fares vary by time and how early you book.
Fares change each year, so check the current price on TfL or the operator's website before you travel.
Late-Night and Early-Morning Journeys
On Friday and Saturday nights, the Night Tube runs on the Piccadilly line between central London and Heathrow, but it doesn't serve Terminal 4. On other nights, check the first and last train times on TfL and the Heathrow Express website before you travel.
If your train arrives at Euston late in the evening, or your flight leaves early in the morning, a pre-booked car can collect you at any hour and take you straight to your terminal.
How Early Should You Leave Euston?
Heathrow advises arriving two hours before UK and European flights and three hours before long-haul flights. Add your journey time from Euston, then a buffer for delays.
- Example: for a 10:00 long-haul flight, aim to reach Heathrow by 07:00. With around 45 minutes on the Heathrow Express route plus a buffer, leave Euston by about 06:00.
- Connecting from a train: if you're arriving at Euston from Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool or Glasgow and flying the same day, leave extra time in case your train is delayed.
Taxi from Euston to Heathrow
By road, the journey from Euston to Heathrow usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, the time of day and your terminal. Heathrow is about 14 miles west of central London. A taxi takes you from the station to your terminal door, with no stairs, changes or carrying bags between platforms.
A black cab from the rank is metered. Heathrow quotes a typical black cab fare between central London and Heathrow of £56 to £105, depending on traffic. A pre-booked transfer gives you a fixed fare before you book. Heathrow also charges £7 for every vehicle using a terminal drop-off zone, including taxis; see our London airport drop-off charges guide.
A taxi is usually the easiest choice when you:
- have heavy luggage after a long train journey
- are travelling as a family or group
- arrive at Euston late at night or need to leave early in the morning
- want to go straight to Terminal 4, which the Heathrow Express doesn't serve
Book your Euston to Heathrow transfer
Banana Cars runs train station transfers from Euston to every Heathrow terminal, 24/7, with fixed fares and TfL-licensed drivers. Travelling as a group? See group transfers or compare vehicles in our fleet. Get an instant fare quote, or see all Heathrow airport transfers.
Starting from King's Cross or St Pancras instead? Read King's Cross to Heathrow. Not sure which airport suits your trip? Compare Heathrow vs Gatwick.
Euston to Heathrow FAQs
By rail, walk to Euston Square, take the Circle or Hammersmith & City line to Paddington, then the Heathrow Express. The journey takes around 45 minutes in total.
No. Every rail route needs one change. The simplest is the Northern line to Tottenham Court Road, then the Elizabeth line direct to Heathrow, around 50 minutes in total.
The Tube: take the Victoria line to Green Park or the Northern line to Leicester Square, then the Piccadilly line to Heathrow. It takes around an hour. Check the current fare on TfL.
Take the Circle or Hammersmith & City line from Euston Square to Paddington, then the Heathrow Express, which reaches Terminal 5 in about 21 minutes. The Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line also go to Terminal 5.
Take the Northern line to Tottenham Court Road, then an Elizabeth line train to Terminal 4. The Heathrow Express doesn't stop at Terminal 4, so if you use it, change at Terminals 2 & 3.
Usually 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, the time of day and your terminal. A pre-booked transfer gives you a fixed fare before you book.
Yes. Contactless cards, mobile payments and Oyster work on the Underground, the Elizabeth line and the Heathrow Express.
Yes, on Friday and Saturday nights the Piccadilly line runs all night, but it doesn't serve Terminal 4. On other nights, check the first and last trains before you travel.
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