The easiest way to get from Reading to Heathrow is the RailAir RA1 coach, which runs direct from Reading station and takes about 40 minutes. It is the default choice for most travellers, but a private transfer can be better for groups, early flights and late arrivals. This guide covers Reading to Heathrow in full, then the other M4 corridor towns that people search for alongside it: Slough, Woking and Guildford.
The M4 is the main road between these towns and the airport, and it decides how reliable each option is. A coach and a car both use it, so a crash or roadworks can delay either. A train via Hayes and Harlington avoids the road, but it takes longer and means a change with your bags.
The RailAir coach is fine when I travel alone, but with my parents and their luggage we booked a car from the door. No waiting, no changes.
Reading, Slough and the M4 corridor to Heathrow at a glance
Times and fares are typical for October 2026 and vary by operator. Check before you travel.
|
Town |
Best public option |
Public transport time |
Typical fare |
Private transfer time |
|
Reading |
RailAir RA1 coach |
About 40 minutes |
About £11 each way, £22 return (check) |
35 to 50 minutes |
|
Slough |
Train via Hayes and Harlington, or local bus |
28 to 45 minutes |
Local fares |
15 to 25 minutes |
|
Woking |
RailAir RA2 coach |
About 50 minutes |
Varies |
25 to 40 minutes |
|
Guildford |
RailAir RA2 coach |
About 60 to 70 minutes |
Varies |
35 to 50 minutes |
If you are travelling with heavy bags or you have a fixed check-in time, a private car is the lowest-stress option for every town in the table.
How to read the table
Public transport times are from the station or coach stop to the airport, so add your own journey to the station. Private transfer times are from your door and assume normal traffic. In the morning rush, expect the private figures to stretch toward the top of the range, and keep in mind that RailAir coaches share the same road.
Reading to Heathrow
Reading is the biggest town on the corridor and has the best direct link to the airport. Most people who search for this journey end up choosing between the RailAir coach and a pre-booked car, with the train as the backup.
RailAir RA1: stops, terminals and last coach
The RailAir RA1 is a coach that leaves from the bus stands outside Reading railway station and runs direct to Heathrow. There can be up to around 50 departures a day, roughly every 20 to 30 minutes through the day, with early and late services. The timetable varies by day, so check the first and last coach for your date. The journey takes about 40 minutes.
The coach stops at Heathrow Terminal 5 and at Heathrow Central bus station by Terminals 2 and 3. For Terminal 4, take the free rail link from Terminals 2 and 3. RailAir coaches have luggage space under the floor, so you can bring a normal suitcase without blocking the aisle.
National Express and First Bus both sell RailAir tickets, and fares can differ by seller and how early you buy. Online fares are often lower than on-the-day fares. Child fares, railcard discounts and return tickets can cut the price. Make sure you book the RailAir coach, which goes direct to the airport, and not a National Express service that stops somewhere else.
Tips for using RailAir
Arrive at the coach stand at least ten minutes before departure, especially in the morning peak when queues build. Keep your ticket on your phone or printed, and put heavy bags in the hold, not in the aisle. If you have a flight before 8am, check the first coach carefully, because the earliest departures may be too late for a long-haul check-in.
Leave extra time in the afternoon and early evening. The M4 around Slough and Heathrow slows at those hours, and a 40-minute scheduled journey can stretch.
Train plus bus via Hayes and Harlington
A train from Reading goes to Hayes and Harlington, where you change for the Elizabeth Line service to Heathrow. This can be cheaper than RailAir for people with a railcard, but it takes longer and involves a change with luggage. The route is useful if the M4 is blocked, because it avoids the road entirely.
Use it as a backup if the coach is full or cancelled. For a first choice with bags, the coach or a car is easier.
Private transfer from Reading
A pre-booked car collects you from your address in Reading and drives direct to your terminal. The journey takes 35 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic on the M4. Taxi quotes for Reading to Heathrow are around £60 to £70, and pre-booked prices depend on the vehicle. For groups of three or four, the price per person is close to RailAir. See our Heathrow airport transfer page for how to book.
The main advantage is the start and end of the trip. You leave from your door, not from a bus stand, and the driver drops you at the correct terminal rather than at Central bus station. For an early flight, you also skip the question of whether the first coach will get you there in time.
Slough to Heathrow
Slough is the closest town on the corridor, only about 15 to 20 minutes by road. Local buses run from Slough bus station to Heathrow Central bus station (routes such as the 7, the 8 and the 703 have served this corridor, so check which stops are near you and the current timetable). The ride takes around 30 to 45 minutes.
By train, take the service from Slough to Hayes and Harlington and change for the Elizabeth Line, which takes about 28 minutes in total. A taxi or private car is a short 15-minute drive, and for early flights it is usually the easiest option because buses run less often before dawn.
Woking and Guildford to Heathrow
Further south-west, RailAir RA2 runs from Guildford and Woking. The coach takes about 50 minutes from Woking and about an hour from Guildford, and it is the easiest public option with luggage. By public transport otherwise you may need a train to Waterloo and then the Tube or a rail link, which can take around an hour and a half and involves several changes.
A private car from Woking takes 25 to 40 minutes, and from Guildford 35 to 50 minutes. Both routes use the M25 and the A3 or M3, which can add delays at peak times. If you are leaving at a busy hour, ask for a pickup time that includes a safety margin, not the quickest possible journey.
Which is better from Woking or Guildford
If you are travelling alone with a single bag, RA2 is straightforward and good value. If you have more than two bags, an early flight or a family, a car is simpler and often close in cost per person. A car also handles the awkward bit at the airport: the RailAir coach stops at the bus station or Terminal 5, while a car drops you at the right terminal door.
Heathrow to Reading (the return journey)
Coming back from the airport, the RailAir coach leaves from Terminal 5 and Heathrow Central bus station. If you arrive at Terminal 4, take the free rail link to Terminals 2 and 3 first, then walk to the bus station. Allow 20 minutes extra for that change when you plan your connection.
Late at night, coaches become less frequent, so check the last RailAir departure before you book your flight. A private car meets you at arrivals and is the safest option for late landings. If you are heading further north or west, our guide to Oxford to Heathrow covers the next town along the corridor.
If you land after a long flight and are tired, think about how much you want to carry, queue and navigate. A driver with your name on a sign, and a car that goes straight to your front door, is a very different end to a trip than a wait at a bus stand.
RailAir vs private transfer
The table below shows an example of cost per person, assuming a RailAir return of £22 and a private car at £65 each way. These are examples, so substitute current fares.
|
Passengers |
RailAir (return per person) |
Private car (one way, per person) |
|
1 |
£22 |
£65 |
|
2 |
£22 |
£32.50 |
|
4 |
£22 |
£16.25 |
For one person, RailAir is cheaper. At four people, a car costs less per head one way and saves you the walk to the coach stop. A private car also avoids waiting for the next coach if one is full, and it picks you up from your door.
If you are also comparing other ways to Heathrow, see our guide to the coach to Heathrow.
Other things to weigh
Price is only part of the picture. A coach ticket is for a specific departure, a car is for your schedule. A coach stops at set places, a car goes where you need. And when something goes wrong, such as a flight delay or a late bag, a driver can adapt, while a coach will not wait.
M4 delays and how much time to allow
The M4 slows around Slough and Heathrow at peak times, and a crash can add an hour or more. For a morning flight, leave early enough to absorb a 30-minute delay. As a guide, plan to reach Heathrow two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight.
A train via Hayes and Harlington is not affected by M4 traffic, which makes it a useful backup. If you are booked on a coach or in a car and hear of a major delay, check the rail route before it is too late to change plan. For a bigger picture of the journey to the royal town nearby, see our guide to Heathrow to Windsor.
If you are coming from further west, such as Bristol, read our guide to Bristol to Heathrow.
FAQs
How long does it take to get from Reading to Heathrow?
The RailAir RA1 coach takes about 40 minutes. A private car takes 35 to 50 minutes depending on M4 traffic.
How often does the RailAir run from Reading?
There are up to around 50 departures a day, roughly every 20 to 30 minutes at busy times. Check the timetable for the first and last coach on your date.
How much is RailAir from Reading to Heathrow?
Fares change, and sellers differ. A return of around £22 has been quoted, with lower online fares and discounts for children and railcard holders. Check the current price before you travel.
Does RailAir go to Terminal 4?
No. It stops at Terminal 5 and at Heathrow Central bus station. For Terminal 4, take the free rail link from Terminals 2 and 3.
Is there a train from Reading to Heathrow?
Yes, but you change at Hayes and Harlington. The RailAir coach is quicker and has no change, so most travellers prefer it.
Can I get from Slough to Heathrow by bus?
Yes. Local bus services run from Slough to Heathrow Central bus station, taking about 30 to 45 minutes. A train via Hayes and Harlington takes about 28 minutes.
Is there a bus from Woking or Guildford to Heathrow?
Yes. The RailAir RA2 coach runs from Guildford and Woking to Heathrow. It takes about 50 minutes from Woking and about an hour from Guildford.
Is a taxi from Reading to Heathrow expensive?
A metered taxi can cost around £60 to £70. A pre-booked private car gives you a fixed price in advance, which is often better value for two or more people.
Getting From Reading and the M4 Corridor to Heathrow
Use RailAir if you are travelling alone from Reading, Woking or Guildford and have time. Use a train if you are in Slough and want to avoid the road. Book a private car if you are in a group, have heavy luggage, or have an early or late flight.
Transpovia can arrange a fixed-price transfer from your door in Reading, Slough, Woking or Guildford to the right Heathrow terminal.
