Destination London Heathrow
London Heathrow (LHR) is situated to the west of London and is the hub of Oneworld member British Airways. It is served by numerous Oneworld and Star Alliance member airlines.
Hot Tip! The UK has some of the most expensive airport departure taxes in the world and these increase by the distance of your flight departing from London. If possible it is wise to construct your Round The World trip with the shortest possible flight from London.
Airport Code – LHR
Distance to Central London – 14 Miles
London Population – 8,950,000
Language – English
Currency – Pounds Sterling (GBP)
Voltage – 230v
Plug – Type G
Credit Cards – Widely Accepted
LGBTQ Friendly – Yes
Heathrow Airport to City Transport Options
Train
The Heathrow Express links Heathrow Airport with London Paddington. This is the fastest but most expensive option.
Book online more than 45 days in advance for the cheapest fares. Booking at the airport is easy with ticket sales in all Arrivals areas.
The Elizabeth Line stopping service links Heathrow Airport with London Paddington with services contuining through the East End and into Essex. This is the medium time/medium price option.
Pay by Contactless or Oyster Card.
Taxi
There are London Taxi (Black Cab) ranks at all London Heathrow terminals. Taxis are metered and London cabbies pride themselves on “The Knowledge” almost as much as we do. You can be assued of getting to your destination via the quickest route.
It is an expensive option but of course the more of you there are in your party the cheaper it becomes per head.
Pay by cash or all major credit/debit cards in the cab.
Car & Pick Up
Tube
The Piccadilly Line is part of the London Underground (Tube) network and links Heathrow Airport with Central London and the wider tube network.
Services operate from 0500-2330 Sundays to Thursdays and 24 hours Fridays and Saturdays.
Pay by Contactless or Oyster Card.
This is the cheapest and slowest rail option and the tube network can be awkward if carrying heavy bags.
Coach
National Express and Flixbus operate coach services from London Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station in Central London. Journey time can be 60-90 minutes.
Book in advance for the best fares.
London Red Buses only operate to London Heathrow on Sundays to Tuesdays after the Piccadilly Line tube has closed at night. The N9 night bus operates to and from Trafalgar Square.
Pay by Contactless or Oyster Card.
Welcome To London
London is the ultimate combination of historic and hip. Of course you want to see the classics: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Cruise along the Thames for the best skyline views, or for a birds eye moment take a trip on the London Eye or book a free trip to the viewing platform at Horizon 22.
For culture buffs, London is paradise. The British Museum is packed with treasures (and it’s free!), while the National Gallery and Tate Modern are must-sees for art lovers. If you’d rather shop than stare at paintings, head to Covent Garden for quirky finds, Camden Market for street food and vintage vibes or the famous Harrods in Knightsbridge.
Need a break? Grab a coffee and chill in Hyde Park or take a stroll through Regent’s Park. London’s green spaces are perfect for people-watching or catching your breath between adventures.
Foodies, get ready. Whether it’s traditional fish and chips, a spicy curry on Brick Lane, or a fancy Michelin-starred restaurant, London’s food scene is second to none.
When night falls, the West End lights up with musicals and plays, or get off the beaten track for a traditional pub buzzing with locals. London is a city that never runs out of surprises—come ready to explore!
Brighton, Harry Potter World, Legoland Windsor, Oxford, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Thorpe Park and Windsor Castle are all reachable as easy day-trips from London.
Getting Around London
London has one of the world’s most extensive (and expensive!) public transport networks.
The system is cashless. Pay using an Oyster Card, a smart card which can be bought and topped up with credit at local shops or use a contactless bank card or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay etc). There are daily and weekly fare caps or you can buy a seven day Travelcard.
Mind The Gap! and get about on the London Underground – also known as The Tube. There are 11 different colour coded lines. Trains run from around 5am-midnight with night tubes on some lines on Saturdays and Sundays. Tap in and tap out when you enter and leave the system. Fares are calculated according to Travel Zones.
The Overground is an network of six train lines operating in the suburbs but mostly avoiding Central London. Tap in and Tap out as you would on The Tube,
London’s famous Red Buses operate on numerous routes. Enter the bus at the front door and tap in with your Oyster or contactless card. There is no need to tap out. You can change buses as many times as you like within a one hour time limit for a flat fare, but you must tap in every time you board a bus. If your bus is a double-decker use the upper deck for a best views. Get a seat at the front and you are a winner!
The Docklands Light Railway or DLR is an automated light railway system operating in East London and the Docklands area. Tap in and tap out with your Oyster or Contactless card.
Thames Clippers operate fast catamaran services along the Thames. These have separate fares but Oyster Card holders do get a discount.
Santander Cycles have numerous cycle stations across London. Download the app to book.
You can hail a Black Cab anywhere when it has the yellow “For Hire” sign illuminated. Raise your arm to hail the driver from a space where it is safe for the cab to stop. Whilst it is fun to shout “Taxi!” it is actually illegal.
Or you could always walk.
London Weather
Flight Delay Compensation
UK regulation UK261 gives compensation to passengers when their flight from the UK is delayed and arrives at its destination more than 3 hours behind schedule and the airline is at fault. You will not be entitled to compensation if the delay is due to “extraordinary circumstances” such as weather, strikes or security issues.