The fastest way from Paddington to Heathrow is the Heathrow Express, which takes 15 minutes to Terminals 2 and 3. The Elizabeth Line takes about 30 minutes, stops at more places and serves every terminal directly. A pre-booked taxi or private car wins when you have heavy luggage, children, a group or an early flight. This guide compares all three so you can choose by price, speed and effort, and it covers the return journey from Heathrow to Paddington.
Paddington is the one London station where both trains start, which makes the choice easy to get wrong. The two services leave from different platforms, run to different terminals and have different fares, so a few minutes of planning can save you money and stress.
Our flight was at 7am and we had a pushchair, so we skipped the platforms and booked a car. It was calm, on time and no stairs.
Paddington to Heathrow at a glance
Fares and times below are typical for October 2026. Check each operator before you travel, because the figures in competitor guides do not always agree.
|
Option |
Journey time |
Fare (single) |
Frequency |
Best for |
|
Heathrow Express |
15 minutes to Terminals 2 and 3; about 21 to Terminal 5 |
About £10 (advance) to £26 |
Every 15 minutes |
Speed, tight schedules |
|
Elizabeth Line |
About 30 minutes to Terminals 2 and 3 |
About £13 to £16 |
Every 10 to 15 minutes at Terminals 2 and 3 |
Lower walk-up cost, Terminal 4, boarding elsewhere |
|
Black cab |
40 to 60 minutes |
Often £50 to £100 |
On demand |
Door to door, no changes |
|
Pre-booked private transfer |
40 to 60 minutes |
Fixed price at booking |
Pre-booked |
Luggage, groups, early flights |
In short: the Express is fastest, the Elizabeth Line is more flexible, and a car is easiest with bags.
The three questions that decide it
First, which terminal are you flying from? Terminal 4 is served by the Elizabeth Line but not the Express, while Terminal 5 is served by both, though the Express is more frequent there. Second, how much luggage do you have? Both trains have step-free access, but a car removes every step. Third, how tight is your timing? If you must be at the airport within the hour, the Express is the most predictable rail option, and a car is the most predictable of all.
Heathrow Express from Paddington
The Heathrow Express is a dedicated non-stop service that runs only between Paddington and Heathrow. It is the quickest way to reach the airport and, because it does not stop, there is no time lost.
Where to find the train in Paddington
Heathrow Express trains leave from dedicated platforms at the main-line station. Look for the Heathrow Express signs and the ticket machines near the entrance to the platforms. Trains run every 15 minutes through the day and reach Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 in 15 minutes. The service continues to Terminal 5 in about six minutes more. For Terminal 4 you change at Terminals 2 and 3 to a separate shuttle train.
The Express runs from early morning until late evening, but not through the night. Check the last departure before you plan a late return, because the Elizabeth Line generally runs later.
Fares, advance tickets and carnets
The Express has the widest range of fares of any option. A walk-up single can reach about £26, while an advance ticket bought online can cost as little as £10, so booking ahead is worth the trouble. Children travel free or at a reduced fare on many tickets, and bundles of tickets can cut the price per journey if you travel often. Check the current fares on the Heathrow Express website before you buy.
The Express is comfortable, has luggage racks and Wi-Fi, and you can usually find a seat even at busy times. Its weak point is the price when you buy on the day.
Is the Express worth it?
The Express saves about 12 to 15 minutes over the Elizabeth Line, so the question is what that time is worth to you. For a connection you cannot miss, or a trip when you are already late, it is. For a relaxed morning trip with hours to spare, the saving may not justify the walk-up fare.
Elizabeth Line from Paddington
The Elizabeth Line is the cross-city railway that opened in 2022, and it runs from Paddington to Heathrow with no change. The journey takes about 30 minutes to Terminals 2 and 3, and a few minutes more to Terminal 4 or Terminal 5. You can pay with a contactless card or phone, or use an Oyster card, and the fare is the Transport for London rate plus an airport supplement.
The Elizabeth Line has more stops than the Express, so it suits you if your hotel is near Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road or Farringdon: you can board there without going to Paddington first. It also runs later into the night than the Express, which matters if you land after a long flight.
Which terminals it serves
Elizabeth Line trains serve Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 (the most frequent service), Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. The Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 branches are less frequent than the central stop, so check the destination on the train before you board and be prepared to wait slightly longer at quiet times.
Fares and contactless
The airport fare is higher than a normal Tube journey, but it is capped, and your daily total will not exceed the zone cap. Tap in and out with the same card or device. If you hold a Travelcard that covers zones 1 to 6, it is valid on this route, which can make the journey cheaper.
Paddington station tips
Paddington is large and can be confusing. The Heathrow Express uses the main-line platforms, while the Elizabeth Line station is a separate underground box beneath and beside the station. Allow five to ten extra minutes to find your platform, particularly with heavy bags.
If you arrive from elsewhere by Tube, the walk from the Bakerloo, Circle, District or Hammersmith & City platforms to either train involves lifts and escalators. Follow the airport signs and use the lifts if you have a suitcase, because stairs with a heavy case are slow.
Taxi and private transfer from Paddington
A black cab from Paddington to Heathrow takes 40 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic on the Westway and the M4. Fares often fall between £50 and £100. Ride-hailing apps are similar but swing with demand, so the price you see at the moment of booking may not be the price at the end of a slow journey.
Fixed price and meet and greet: when a car beats the train
A private transfer gives you a price agreed in advance, a driver tracking your flight, and an optional meet and greet at the station. It makes most sense in four cases:
-
You have heavy or awkward luggage, such as two large cases, a pram or sports equipment.
-
You are travelling with children or an older relative who finds platforms and stairs hard.
-
You are a group of three or more who can split the cost of one vehicle.
-
Your flight is very early or very late, when trains are less frequent or have stopped.
For a group of four, a car often costs about the same per person as the Express. To compare against a longer list of options, see our Heathrow airport transfer page.
Early flights and late arrivals
If your flight leaves before 7am, check whether the first train will get you to the terminal in time. A 6am departure usually needs you at the airport by 3:30am or 4am, which may be before the first Express leaves Paddington. A car does not depend on the first train, and a driver can collect you from a hotel at the right hour.
Late-night arrivals work the other way. If you land after the last train, a car is not just easier but the only sensible option, apart from a night bus or a taxi queue after a long flight.
Heathrow to Paddington (the return journey)
The return trip is the mirror image. The Express leaves from a platform inside each terminal station and takes 15 minutes to Paddington from Terminals 2 and 3, with trains every 15 minutes. The Elizabeth Line takes about 30 minutes to Paddington and continues through central London, so you can stay on it for Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and beyond.
If you land late at night, check the last train times, because the Express stops earlier than the Elizabeth Line. A pre-booked car meets you at arrivals and does not depend on timetables. For a broader look at the trip into town, our guide to Heathrow to central London compares more routes.
One practical tip: if your hotel is not near Paddington, check the Elizabeth Line map before you buy an Express ticket. Going straight through to your stop can save you a change and a Tube ride.
Heathrow Express vs Elizabeth Line: which should you take
Choose the Express if speed matters more than cost, if you fly from Terminal 5 and want the fastest route, or if you have an advance ticket at a low price. Choose the Elizabeth Line if you are going to Terminal 4, if you are boarding at a station other than Paddington, if you prefer to tap in with a contactless card, or if you are travelling late.
The difference in time is about 12 to 15 minutes. Use that as the decision: is it worth the Express fare to save a quarter of an hour? For most leisure travellers with time to spare, the Elizabeth Line is good enough. For business travellers on a tight timetable, the Express is the safer bet.
Accessibility and luggage tips
Both trains have step-free access from the street to the platform at Paddington and at Heathrow. The Elizabeth Line has level boarding in the central section and is the easier choice for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The Express has wide doors and large luggage racks.
If you are travelling with several bags, allow a few extra minutes at Paddington, because the walk from the Tube to the train platforms can be long. If you want help with luggage from door to door, a pre-booked car is the simplest solution. If you are heading in from another London station, our guide to Kings Cross to Heathrow shows another route.
When trains are disrupted
Strikes, engineering works and signal failures happen on both lines, and the Paddington area is no exception. Check the Heathrow Express and TfL status pages on the morning of travel, and keep a backup plan ready.
If one service is suspended, the other usually still runs, though it will be busier. If both are affected, a taxi or pre-booked car is the dependable fallback, and booking ahead is much cheaper than hailing a car in a crisis. Leave at least an hour of extra margin if your flight is long-haul.
FAQs
How long does it take to get from Paddington to Heathrow?
The Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes to Terminals 2 and 3. The Elizabeth Line takes about 30 minutes. A taxi or private car takes 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
How much is the Heathrow Express from Paddington?
Prices range from about £10 for an advance ticket to about £26 for a single bought on the day. Check the latest fare before you travel.
How much is the Elizabeth Line from Paddington to Heathrow?
Expect roughly £13 to £16 for a single, depending on the current fare and the time of day. You can pay by contactless card or Oyster, and the fare is capped.
Which terminals does each train serve?
The Heathrow Express serves Terminals 2 and 3 and Terminal 5. The Elizabeth Line serves Terminals 2 and 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. For Terminal 4 from the Express, change at Terminals 2 and 3.
What is the last train from Paddington to Heathrow?
The last Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line times vary by day, so check the operator's timetable before you travel. Late at night the Elizabeth Line usually runs later than the Express.
Is the Heathrow Express worth the extra cost?
It saves about 12 to 15 minutes over the Elizabeth Line. It is worth it for a tight connection or when you can buy a cheap advance ticket.
Can I take luggage on the Elizabeth Line?
Yes. The trains have space for cases, though they are busier than the Express at peak times. If you have large bags, allow extra time to board.
Is a taxi from Paddington to Heathrow worth it?
It is worth it when you have heavy bags, children, a group or an early flight. For one traveller with one case and plenty of time, a train is cheaper and often as quick.
Which Paddington to Heathrow Option Is Best?
If you want speed and have booked ahead, take the Heathrow Express. If you want value and flexibility, take the Elizabeth Line. If you are travelling with a lot of luggage, a group, small children or an early flight, book a car. Whichever you choose, check fares and train times on the day. Anyone planning other rail journeys will find more in our guide to the train to Heathrow.
If you would rather skip the platforms completely, Transpovia can arrange a fixed-price car from Paddington or anywhere in London to your Heathrow terminal.
