National Express, the largest coach operator in the UK, has a frequent coach service between Heathrow and central London.
The National Express coach takes 40–65 minutes and is an easy and cheap way of travelling to central London if you want to avoid the underground or train.
It’s also easier than the underground if you have a lot of luggage; they allow one large suitcase per person (or two medium-sized suitcases) plus hand baggage.
National Express coach ticket prices
Single tickets cost £5.20–£10. The cheaper tickets are available if you book online in advance.
Oyster cards are not valid on National Express coaches.
National Express coach stops at Heathrow airport
All coaches leave from the Central Bus Station.
The central bus station is above ground in the centre of Heathrow airport. You do not have to leave the airport complex to walk to the Central Bus Station.
How to travel to the Central Bus Station from Terminal 2
From arrivals:
- Follow the sign for ‘buses’. Turn right when you walk into the arrivals terminal
- Walk out of the building and either take the lifts or the 2 escalators down.
- Continue along the moving walkway and at the end you will see the underground station. The central bus station is directly above the underground station.
- Take the lift on the left or turn right and take the escalator up.
It’s a 5-minute walk from Terminal 2
How to travel to the Central Bus Station from Terminal 3
From arrivals:
- Walk straight ahead and down the ramp. It’s signposted ‘Central Bus Station’
- Follow signs for buses and take the two travelators until you reach the underground station
- Take the lift on the right, or turn left and take the up escalator
It’s an 8-minute walk from Terminal 3.
How to travel to the Central Bus Station from Terminal 4
National Express are not departing from Terminal 4. Take the free train transfer to Heathrow 2 & 3 station and walk to the Central Bus Station.
From arrivals:
- Follow the ‘trains’ sign
- Collect a ticket from the special free train transfer ticket machine. You can also use an Oyster card or contactless payment to open the barrriers. You will not be charged. Travel on the underground/trains is free within the airport.
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Take train to Terminal 2&3. On arrival, walk from train station to the Central Bus Station via the moving walkway.
- At the end of the moving walkway, take the lift on the right, or turn left to take the up-escalator.
How to travel to the Central Bus Station from Terminal 5
There are a limited number of coaches a day from Terminal 5 to central London, so it’s best to make your own way to the Central Bus Station.
From arrivals:
- Follow the ‘trains’ sign and collect a free train transfer ticket from the train ticket machines machine in the terminal building.
- Take lift or escalator down to the trains
- Take train to Terminal 2&3. On arrival, walk from train station to the Central Bus Station via the moving walkway.
- At the end of the moving walkway, take the lift on the right, or turn left to take the up-escalator
Trains leave approximately every 15-minutes. Allow a 20 minute journey time.
National Express timetable & journey time
View the online journey planner for coach times from all Heathrow terminals.
Where to buy National Express tickets
There is a ticket office in the Central Bus Station (open: 06:00-23:00 daily) and ticket machines. The machines take cards only, not cash.
If you only have cash, the ‘WeknowLondon’ desks in the terminals and Central Bus Station can book tickets for you, although they do charge an extra booking fee.
Book online
Buy tickets from the National Express website. Tickets are emailed and you can either print it or show it to the driver on your phone or device.
Arrival in central London
Coaches arrive at Victoria Coach Station, Buckingham Palace Rd, SW1, an 8-minute walk to Victoria train and tube station. Taxis are available outside the station.
Use the online TfL Journey planner or TfL Go app to plan your trip from Victoria coach station.
Related pages
Last updated: 28 January 2024