St Pancras to Heathrow: the best way to Heathrow Airport for four people

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.