Heathrow (LHR): getting to central London after midnight
The Elizabeth line leaves T2 and T3 until 00:12 on weekdays and Heathrow Express until about 00:04, so an arrival around 00:30 has missed both. The Piccadilly line stops around 23:45, with a Night Tube on Fridays and Saturdays according to Heathrow. National Express coaches run through the night, with services from 01:00. Black cabs and pre-booked cars run all night and are the dependable choice if you land after midnight on a weekday. Check the Elizabeth line board before assuming a late train, as Sunday service starts later in the morning.
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Book a private car ahead: £54 for the group, about 60 min. The driver meets you at arrivals and waits if you are delayed. Not running at this hour: Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line (Tube), Heathrow Express.
Private car
Pre-booked private car
60 min
For the group£54estimateCheck price
Pre-booked private car
Fixed price, driver meets you in arrivals
- Per person
- £54 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 60 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Pre-booked
- Board at
- Meeting point in the arrivals hall
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Taxi
Black cab
60 min
For the group£70–£120estimate
Black cab
Licensed London taxi, metered
- Per person
- £70–£120 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 60 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Rank outside arrivals
- Board at
- Black cab rank outside each terminal
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Train
Elizabeth line
Not running at this hour
For the group-
Elizabeth line
TfL · direct to Paddington and the West End
- Per person
- £14.60
- Door to door
- 45 min
- Runs
- Not running at this hour (05:21–00:12)
- Frequency
- up to 6 an hour from T2 and T3
- Board at
- Heathrow T2 and T3 station (T4 and T5 have their own stops)
- Suitcases
- Fine
Metro
Piccadilly line (Tube)
Not running at this hour
For the group-
Piccadilly line (Tube)
TfL · slow but the cheapest rail option
- Per person
- £5.90
- Door to door
- 75 min
- Runs
- Not running at this hour (05:12–23:45)
- Frequency
- every 5 to 10 min
- Board at
- Underground stations at T2 and T3, T4 and T5
- Suitcases
- Awkward
Train
Heathrow Express
Not running at this hour
For the group-
Heathrow Express
Heathrow Express · non-stop to Paddington
- Per person
- £26
- Door to door
- 35 min
- Runs
- Not running at this hour (05:17–00:04)
- Frequency
- every 15 min
- Board at
- Heathrow T2 and T3 station, or T5 station
- Suitcases
- Fine
Bus
National Express coach
Not running at this hour
For the group-
National Express coach
National Express · to Victoria Coach Station
- Per person
- £11.20
- Door to door
- 80 min
- Runs
- Not running at this hour (01:00–23:59)
- Frequency
- about every 20 min
- Board at
- Heathrow Central Bus Station, and some services at T4 and T5
- Suitcases
- Fine
Every option in detail
TrainElizabeth line
- £14.60
- 45 min
- 05:21–00:12
- → London Paddington
Tap in and out with a contactless card or Oyster. Heathrow to Paddington is 14.60 pounds, and most other central stations such as Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road are 15.50. There is no off-peak discount on this route. First train from T2 and T3 is 05:21 and the last is 00:12 on weekdays, with Sunday starting around 05:50. Terminal 4 has fewer trains, so check the board if you land there. Trains are wide with space for suitcases and no stairs at the airport end.
MetroPiccadilly line (Tube)
- £5.90
- 75 min
- 05:12–23:45
- → Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, King's Cross
The Tube costs 5.90 pounds to central London with contactless or Oyster, charged at the same rate all day. It takes around 50 minutes to Piccadilly Circus. The Piccadilly line does not stop at Paddington, so for that station you change at Hammersmith or Earl's Court, which makes the journey nearer 75 minutes. Trains are often crowded in the morning peak and there are stairs at several changes. First train is about 05:12 and the last about 23:45. Heathrow's site says a Night Tube runs on Fridays and Saturdays from Terminals 2, 3 and 5.
TrainHeathrow Express
- £26
- 35 min
- 05:17–00:04
- → London Paddington
The train takes 15 minutes from T2 and T3 and about 20 from T5. The on-the-day Standard single is 26 pounds. Advance fares start at 10 pounds if you book 30 days or more ahead, and under-16s travel free with a paying adult. From Terminal 4 you change at T2 and T3 onto a free shuttle train. Heathrow Express is not covered by Oyster caps. First train from Heathrow is around 05:17 and the last about 00:04.
BusNational Express coach
- £11.20
- 80 min
- 01:00–23:59
- → London Victoria Coach Station
Fares start from 11.20 pounds one way, booked online, and change by date and time. The fastest coaches take around 40 minutes to Victoria, but traffic on the M4 can double that. There is a 1.50 pound booking fee unless you are logged in. Allow one large suitcase and one hand bag. It suits anyone going to Victoria or Earl's Court who has no wish to change trains.
TaxiBlack cab
- £70–£120 per vehicle (estimate)
- 60 min
- 24 hours
- → Door to door, anywhere in central London
Cabs are metered and TfL sets the tariff. Expect 70 to 120 pounds to central London depending on traffic, time of day and the final address, plus a Heathrow terminal charge. Take the cab from the official rank only. Most cabs carry five passengers but four with luggage is more realistic. You can pay by card in the cab. Allow 45 to 60 minutes.
Private carPre-booked private car
- £54 per vehicle (estimate)
- 60 min
- 24 hours
- → Door to door in central London
A standard saloon for up to three passengers starts from 54 pounds, and a larger car for five starts from about 65 pounds on the platform we checked. The price is fixed when you book, so traffic does not change it. Your driver tracks the flight and waits if it lands late. Book at least a day ahead. Anything beyond three people or three large bags needs the bigger car.
Practical tips
- Use the same contactless card or phone for tapping in and out on the Elizabeth line and Tube, or the system will charge a maximum fare.
- The Elizabeth line fare to Paddington (14.60 pounds) is lower than to other central stations (15.50), so check the end point before you tap out.
- Terminal 4 has its own Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line stations, with fewer Elizabeth line trains than T2 and T3. Check the departure board before you commit.
- Heathrow Express is not included in Oyster caps or Travelcards, but the Elizabeth line and Tube are.
- Book Heathrow Express at least 30 days ahead for the 10 pound fare. Walk-up is 26 pounds.
- Use only black cabs from the rank or a pre-booked car. Do not accept offers from people in the arrivals hall.
Questions travellers ask
Heathrow (LHR) at 00:30: what still runs?
At 00:30 these options run: Pre-booked private car (£54 per vehicle, 60 min); Black cab (£70–£120 per vehicle, 60 min). Fares are per person unless marked per vehicle. Not running at that hour: Elizabeth line (05:21–00:12); Piccadilly line (Tube) (05:12–23:45); Heathrow Express (05:17–00:04); National Express coach (01:00–23:59).
Heathrow (LHR): what is the cheapest way after midnight?
The cheapest option running at 00:30 is Pre-booked private car: £54 per vehicle, about 60 min door to door.
Heathrow (LHR): how much is a taxi at night?
Black cab: £70–£120 per vehicle, counted for up to 4 people, about 60 min door to door. The price is an estimate. Pre-booked private car: £54 per vehicle.
Heathrow (LHR): when do trains and buses run?
Scheduled services: Elizabeth line 05:21–00:12; Piccadilly line (Tube) 05:12–23:45; Heathrow Express 05:17–00:04; National Express coach 01:00–23:59. Times can change, so check with the operator before you travel.
Heathrow (LHR): what is the best option for two people with two bags at 00:30?
Book a private car ahead: £54 for the group, about 60 min. The driver meets you at arrivals and waits if you are delayed.
Heathrow (LHR): where do these prices and times come from?
Prices and times were checked on October 4, 2026 against Transport for London, Heathrow Express, National Express, Welcome Pickups, linked in the list of options on this page.
