Heathrow rail disruption: 1-9 October

Due to planned industrial action, public transport to and from Heathrow will be disrupted from 1 October - 9 October. Please plan your journey in advance and ensure you leave enough time to get to the airport as roads may be busier than normal.

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    The latest passenger updates and news from Heathrow Airport.

    Page last updated: 29 September 2022

    Due to planned industrial action, public transport to and from Heathrow will be disrupted from 1 October - 9 October.  Please plan your journey in advance and ensure you leave enough time to get to the airport as roads may be busier than normal.

    Wednesday 5 October
    London Underground
    • Normal service
    Heathrow Express
    • No service
    Elizabeth Line
    • Normal service
    TfL buses
    • Normal service
    Inter-terminal transfer
    • The London Underground will be operating between all terminals
    • Reduced train service every 30 minutes between Terminals 5 and Terminals 2 and 3
    Thursday 6 October
    London Underground
    • Normal service
    Heathrow Express
    • No service after 21:00. 
    • Last train from Paddington will be at 20:55
    • Last train from Terminal 5 will be at 20:57
    Elizabeth Line
    • Normal service
    TfL buses
    • Normal service
    Inter-terminal transfers
    • The London Underground will be operating between all terminals
    • Reduced train service after 21:00, between Terminals 5 and Terminals 2 and 3
    Friday 7 October
    London Underground
    • Normal service
    Heathrow Express
    • No service before 07:00, then normal service 
    Elizabeth Line
    • Normal service
    TfL buses
    • Normal service
    Inter-terminal transfer
    • The London Underground will be operating between all terminals
    • Reduced train service before 07:15 between Terminals 5 and Terminals 2 and 3
    Saturday 8 October
    London Underground
    • Normal service
    Heathrow Express
    • Reduced hours of operation:
    • From London Paddington: 07:30, then 07:40, then every 15 mins until 18:10.
    • From Terminal 5: 07:27 then every 15 mins until 18:12.
    Elizabeth Line
    • Reduced hours of operation:
    • All trains operate to Terminal 4
    • From London Paddington: 07:47 then every 30 mins until 17:47.
    • From Terminal 4: 07:46 then every 30 mins until 17:16, then 17:40.
    TfL buses
    • Normal service
    Inter-terminal transfer
    • The London Underground will be operating between all terminals
    • No trains before 08:00 and after 17:40.

     

    Sunday 9 October
    London Underground
    • Normal service
    Heathrow Express
    • No service before 07:30
    • First train from Paddington at 07:55
    • First train from Terminal 5 at 07:42
    Elizabeth Line
    • No service from Terminal 5 all day, services will only operate to and from Terminal 4.
    • From Paddington: 08:12, then every 30 mins.
    • From Terminal 4: 07:16, then 08:01 and then every 30 mins.
    • An earlier journey will depart Ealing Broadway at 07:50, arriving at Terminal 4 at 08:11.
    • Trains will not serve Acton Mainline, West Ealing and Hanwell due to engineering works.
    TfL buses
    • Normal service
    Inter-terminal transfers
    • The London Underground will be operating between all terminals
    • No trains before 08:15.

    Please note all times are subject to change at short notice.

    Please check the Tfl and National Rail websites for further information on the affected service. There are other options available to get to and from Heathrow including private hire and coach services, however these are expected to be extremely busy.

    At Heathrow, our guiding vision is to ‘give passengers the best airport experience’.

    We are determined to do all we can to protect passenger’s trips and our interventions are part of a suite of industry measures that will help consumers this autumn.

    However, the sector has experienced forty years’ worth of growth in four months which means the industry needs to work together to minimise disruption to passengers thisautumn.

    Heathrow has put in place all of the resources we need, but there remains a shortage of ground handlers employed by airlines. There has been no change in airline ground handler resourcing levels at Heathrow since January, despite passenger demand returning to 80-85% of pre-pandemic levels this summer. Airlines must grip this issue and recruit more ground handlers so that we can remove the constraint on airport capacity and get back to giving passengers the excellent service they expect.

    Read a message from our CEO
    Five tips to stay ahead of the game

    At peak times there will inevitably be more activity in the airport than usual. To keep your journey through Heathrow as seamless as possible, consider the following advice…

    1. Check travel and testing requirements

      Always double-check travel and testing requirements to and from your chosen destination before you leave for the airport. Heathrow offers a range of COVID-19 testing options should you need to book any tests before you travel.

    2. Download the Heathrow app

      The Heathrow app is your ideal travel companion. You can reserve parking, view maps of the terminal, pre-order food and receive live flight updates from wherever you are, all at the touch of a button.

    3. Keep all travel essentials handy

      Make sure your tickets and boarding pass, travel insurance, driving licence, currency and credit cards are safe but easily accessible. It’s also mindful to carry a charger for your smartphone and have your airline’s information at the ready.

    4. Remove liquids

      Remember, you can only take liquids in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml on the plane. Each item should be removed from hand luggage and placed in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one litre capacity per passenger.

    5. Get set for security

      Before reaching security, it’s a good idea to remove your laptop, tablet or similar electronic device from your hand luggage to be inspected separately. Coats, jackets and belts should also be removed. 

    A £5 charge applies to vehicles dropping off passengers at the designated drop-off zones, located directly outside the terminals. Discounts and exemptions apply. Free drop-off is available at our Long Stay car parks.

    Pay for your trip.

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