St Pancras to Heathrow: Tube, Elizabeth line, taxi
There is no direct train from St Pancras to Heathrow, so the choice is between a slow direct Tube, a quicker rail trip with one change, or a car. The Piccadilly line needs no change and costs 5.90 pounds, but it takes over an hour and has stairs and a crowded commuter feel. The Elizabeth line via Farringdon is the best all-rounder, and a black cab or pre-booked car makes sense with a group or heavy cases.
- Cheapest
- £5.90Piccadilly line direct · 75 min
- Fastest
- 60 minThameslink to Farringdon, then Elizabeth line · £15.50
- Taxi
- £56–£105Black cab · 60 min

Thameslink to Farringdon, then Elizabeth line: £31 for the group, about 60 min. No booking needed.
Train
Thameslink to Farringdon, then Elizabeth line
60 min
For the group£31
Thameslink to Farringdon, then Elizabeth line
TfL · one change at Farringdon
- Per person
- £15.50
- Door to door
- 60 min
- Runs
- 05:30–23:02
- Frequency
- about every 15 min
- Board at
- Thameslink platforms at St Pancras, near the Midland Road entrance
- Suitcases
- Fine
Metro
Piccadilly line direct
75 min
For the group£11.80
Piccadilly line direct
TfL · no change from King's Cross St Pancras
- Per person
- £5.90
- Door to door
- 75 min
- Runs
- 05:39–00:24
- Frequency
- about every 6 min
- Board at
- King's Cross St Pancras Underground, westbound Piccadilly platform
- Suitcases
- Awkward
Train
Tube to Paddington, then Heathrow Express
60 min
For the group£58
Tube to Paddington, then Heathrow Express
TfL and Heathrow Express · fastest from Paddington
- Per person
- £29
- Door to door
- 60 min
- Runs
- 05:02–22:56
- Frequency
- about every 15 min
- Board at
- King's Cross St Pancras Underground, Circle or Hammersmith and City line
- Suitcases
- Awkward
Taxi
Black cab
60 min
For the group£56–£105estimate
Black cab
Licensed London taxi, metered
- Per person
- £56–£105 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 60 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Rank at the station
- Board at
- Taxi rank on Midland Road, to the left as you leave the station
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Private car
Pre-booked private car
60 min
For the group£87estimateCheck price
Pre-booked private car
Fixed price, driver meets you at the station
- Per person
- £87 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 60 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Pre-booked
- Board at
- Meeting point set when you book
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Every option in detail
MetroPiccadilly line direct
- £5.90
- 75 min
- 05:39–00:24
- → Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3, Terminal 4 or Terminal 5
Follow the Underground signs from the station and take any Piccadilly line train marked Heathrow. Tap in and out with a contactless card or phone. The fare to Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 is 5.90 pounds at any time. The ride takes about 57 minutes, so allow about 75 minutes door to door from the Eurostar exit. First weekday train is around 05:39 and the last around 00:24, with trains through the night on Fridays and Saturdays according to TfL's timetable. Check that the train goes to Heathrow, as some run to Uxbridge instead. It is crowded around the morning peak, with stairs and escalators at King's Cross.
TrainThameslink to Farringdon, then Elizabeth line
- £15.50
- 60 min
- 05:30–23:02
- → Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3
Take Thameslink one stop south to Farringdon, then change to the Elizabeth line towards Heathrow. The Elizabeth line is wide, step-free at Farringdon and has space for cases. TfL prices the journey at 15.50 pounds with contactless or Oyster. TfL's journey planner shows about 47 to 52 minutes train to train, so allow about 60 minutes door to door. The first connection from St Pancras is about 05:30 and the last about 23:02. Not every Elizabeth line train goes to Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, so check the board at Farringdon. You can also take the Circle or Hammersmith and City line to Paddington and change there, which takes about the same time.
TrainTube to Paddington, then Heathrow Express
- £29
- 60 min
- 05:02–22:56
- → Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 or Terminal 5
Take the Circle or Hammersmith and City line to Paddington, which costs 3.00 off-peak and 3.10 at peak, then walk to the Heathrow Express platforms. The Heathrow Express walk-up single is 26 pounds, so the total is about 29 pounds. The train is 15 minutes to Terminals 2 and 3 and about 20 to Terminal 5. The whole trip is around 45 to 53 minutes in TfL's planner, about 60 minutes door to door. You change trains with cases, and it saves little time on the Elizabeth line while costing nearly twice as much. It suits you if you already have an advance Heathrow Express ticket. The last connection from St Pancras is around 22:56.
TaxiBlack cab
- £56–£105 per vehicle (estimate)
- 60 min
- 24 hours
- → Your Heathrow terminal departures door
Heathrow's own page puts a black cab from St Pancras at 56 to 105 pounds depending on traffic, the time of day and the terminal. Cabs are metered under TfL's tariff, with a Heathrow terminal charge. Allow 45 to 60 minutes, and more at rush hour on the M4 and A4. A cab takes four people with cases and pays by card. It is good value for three or four sharing.
Private carPre-booked private car
- £87 per vehicle (estimate)
- 60 min
- 24 hours
- → Your Heathrow terminal departures door
A standard saloon for up to four passengers with two suitcases starts at about 87 pounds on the listing we checked. The price is fixed when you book, so traffic does not change it. Allow about an hour, and longer in the peaks. Book at least a day ahead and tell the driver your terminal.
The same trip in a different situation
Arriving late at night
The Piccadilly line is the long-hours option. It leaves King's Cross until about 00:24 on weekdays and runs through the night on Fridays and Saturdays. The last Elizabeth line connection via Farringdon is about 23:02 and the last Heathrow Express connection about 22:56. For an early flight, Piccadilly trains start around 05:39 and the first Elizabeth line connection is about 05:30. After those times a black cab or pre-booked car is the option, and both run all night. For a 06:00 flight, go by car, as the first trains reach Heathrow too late.
See the comparison →4 people, 4 suitcasesTravelling as a group of four
Four people on the Piccadilly line pay 23.60 pounds, on the Elizabeth line 62, and on Heathrow Express about 116. A black cab at 56 to 105 pounds is 14 to 26 pounds each and takes you to the terminal door. A pre-booked car at about 87 pounds for up to four is 22 pounds each. For three or four people with large cases, the car or cab beats the Elizabeth line on price and avoids a change. For one or two people, the Elizabeth line is the better balance.
See the comparison →Practical tips
- Leave St Pancras about four hours before a long-haul flight and three before a short-haul one. The journey takes 60 to 75 minutes and Heathrow check-in closes well before departure.
- Check the Piccadilly line board for Heathrow. Some trains run to Uxbridge, and only the Heathrow branch goes to the terminals.
- Terminal 5 is the end of the Piccadilly line, about 62 minutes from King's Cross. Terminals 2 and 3 are on the way, and Terminal 4 is on a separate branch, so check where the train is going.
- Heathrow Express is not covered by Oyster caps or Travelcards, but the Tube and Elizabeth line are.
- The black cab rank is on Midland Road, to the left of the station. Do not accept rides from people on the concourse.
- Tap in and out on the Tube and Elizabeth line with the same card or phone to avoid a maximum fare.
Questions travellers ask
How do I get from St Pancras to Heathrow?
The Piccadilly line runs direct from King's Cross St Pancras to Heathrow for 5.90 pounds, about 57 minutes on the train. The Elizabeth line via Farringdon costs 15.50 and is a little quicker.
How long does St Pancras to Heathrow take?
About 60 to 75 minutes door to door by Tube or Elizabeth line. A black cab takes 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
Is Heathrow Express worth it from St Pancras?
Usually not. You change at Paddington and pay about 29 pounds in total, against 15.50 on the Elizabeth line, for a similar total time.
How much is a black cab from St Pancras to Heathrow?
Heathrow's own page gives 56 to 105 pounds depending on terminal, traffic and time of day. The taxi rank is on Midland Road.
What is the last train from St Pancras to Heathrow?
The Piccadilly line leaves King's Cross until about 00:24 on weekdays. The last Elizabeth line connection is about 23:02 and the last Heathrow Express connection about 22:56.
Other arrival points in London
AirportLondonGatwick (LGW)from £6 · 50 min
AirportLondonStansted (STN)from £6.99 · 60 min
Cruise portLondonSouthampton portfrom £6.40 · 2 h
Cruise portLondonDover portfrom £8 · 1 h 40 min
ConnectionLondonHeathrow to Gatwickfrom £14.90 · 65 min
ConnectionLondonHeathrow to Southamptonfrom £17.40 · 1 h 45 min

