Public transport

Many public buses and a number of dedicated employee buses are operated around the Heathrow campus, giving you free travel between employment sites and public transport interchanges. Typically, these services are short and speedy, taking around 10 minutes or less to get between sites.

Please note that from 1st January 2021, bus routes 4, 7, 8, 442, X442 and 555 are no longer part of the Heathrow Free Travel Zone. Later in the year the remaining buses will no longer be free. This is expected to be at the end of Spring.

You can currently access the following locations for free:

• The main employment sites and stops in between (Central Terminal Area, Terminal 5, Terminal 4, Cargo, World Business Centre, Compass Centre, Maintenance/Hatton Cross)
• London Underground Piccadilly Line trains (between Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 5)
• TfL Rail services (from Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 4)
• Heathrow Express departures (from Terminals 2 & 3, and Terminal 5)
• The Central Bus Station for local bus and coach services

Click here to view our handy Free Travel Zone map

We have taken the difficult decision to suspend the Heathrow Free Travel Zone (FTZ) and end some other local transport subsidies, effective from 1st January 2021. Please view our frequently asked questions.

Heathrow Travelcards are no longer available to purchase. Existing Heathrow Travelcard holders will be contacted directly with further details.

Heathrow's Travelcard terms and conditions.

There are regular and fast trains from central London which serve Heathrow daily from Paddington Station, located centrally and easily accessible via the District, Circle, Bakerloo and Hammersmith & City Underground lines.

Heathrow Express

The Heathrow Express (HEX) is the fastest way to travel between Paddington and Heathrow Terminals. 15 minutes to Terminals 2 and 3, and to Terminal 5 in just 6 minutes more, the HEX is fast and reliable. Team Heathrow colleagues, with a valid airport ID, are able to take advantage of a 75% discount on single, period return and carnet tickets for the Heathrow Express until further notice. These discounted tickets are available to purchase either via the Heathrow Express App, from the Service Support Assistants (SSAs) at Heathrow stations or from the GWR ticket office at Paddington Station. You will need to have your airport ID with you when purchasing and using these tickets.

Heathrow Airport Limited employees can also travel on Heathrow Express for free until 30 June 2021. Colleagues must present their valid Heathrow ID (displaying the Heathrow logo) at the ticket gates at Paddington and Heathrow stations to be given free entry and exit to the platform- no ticket is required. This free offer is also available for colleagues when travelling with up to three friends and family members, after 18:00 on weekdays or anytime at weekends.

Click here to view the Heathrow Express timetable
Book one off tickets (Make sure you select HAL employee discount in the railcard dropdown)

For more information visit https://www.heathrowexpress.com/ or call 0345 600 1515.

TfL Rail

Transport for London provides a stopping service between Paddington Station and Heathrow. The service runs twice an hour, calling at local stations in west London. From 22 February the service will only serve Terminal 5 during the evenings, at weekends and on public holidays. Please change at Terminal 2 for the free Heathrow Express train service to Terminal 5. The TfL Rail timetable can be viewed at TfL Rail timetables - Transport for London.

London Underground links to Heathrow

The Piccadilly line provides a vital link between central London and Heathrow. A frequent service means you won't be waiting long, and the journey from central London to the airport takes less than an hour. Heathrow has three London Underground stations with access to the Piccadilly line – one between Terminals 2 and 3, and one each at Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. The Station at Terminal 4 is currently closed, due to the temporary relocation of airlines to Terminals 2 and 5..

For information on TfL Rail and London Underground travel times and fares, check the TfL website https://tfl.gov.uk/ or call TfL customer service on 0343 222 1234.

GWR from Reading to Heathrow

You can access Heathrow via rail services from Reading and the west with a change at West Drayton or Hayes and Harlington.

For more information on routes and timetables, check the GWR website https://www.gwr.com/ or call GWR customer service on 0345 7000 125.

Heathrow is well served by local buses and national coaches, giving you the option to travel easily and sustainably to and from work. Some services operate very early in the morning and late at night. Several also operate through the night. Click here to download the latest local bus and coach map. You can also download our Heathrow area map which shows more detail around the airport (including bus stops) by clicking here.

Services are provided by the following operators:

Arriva (route 724)
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Regular travellers can purchase a season ticket by Direct Debit.
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Carlone (route 442)
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First (routes 4, 7 and 8/8A)
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First (RailAir RA1 and RA2)
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Hallmark (route 555)
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Megabus (various routes)
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National Express (various)
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Oxford Bus Company (The Airline)
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TfL (routes 81, 90, 105, 111, 222, 278, 285, 350, 423, 482, 490, N9, N140, U3, X26, X140).
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Thames Valley Buses (routes 10/10A and 459)
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Reading Buses (route 703)
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Bus and coach services link Heathrow with National Rail Stations at Feltham, Guildford, Reading, Watford Junction and Woking.

Details can also be found on the Heathrow rail-air bus links page