The Elizabeth line costs £15.50 one-way to central London and takes about 27 to 32 minutes to Paddington from Terminals 2 and 3. The Heathrow Express costs £26 for a walk-up single, or from £10 if booked at least 30 days ahead, and reaches Paddington non-stop in 15 minutes. For most travellers the Elizabeth line is the better-value choice; the Heathrow Express earns its price when you book ahead, need the fastest possible transfer, or are connecting onward from Paddington. Checked 2026.
Fares compared (2026)
| Heathrow Express | Elizabeth line | |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-up single fare | £26 Standard | £15.50 (contactless/Oyster) |
| Advance fare | From £10 (30+ days ahead) | No advance fares, pay as you go |
| Journey time to Paddington | 15 min (T2/3), ~21 min (T5) | 27-32 min (T2/3), longer from T4/T5 |
| Terminals served | T2/3 and T5 only | T2, T3, T4 and T5 |
| Frequency | Every 15 minutes | Every 10 min (T2/3), every 30 min (T4/T5) |
| Counts toward TfL daily cap | No | Yes |
| Children | Under 15 travel free with a fare-paying adult | Standard TfL child fares apply |
These figures are checked against Heathrow Express and Transport for London information and match the fares on our own public transport page, where you will also find the cheaper Piccadilly line Underground option (from about £5.60, roughly 50 minutes, no dedicated luggage space).
Journey times by terminal
From Terminals 2 and 3, both services leave from the shared Heathrow Central station and the difference is mostly about stops: the Express runs non-stop to Paddington, while the Elizabeth line calls at several central London stations en route including Ealing Broadway, Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf.
From Terminal 5, both trains take a little longer than from T2/3, since T5 is the end of the branch. From Terminal 4, only the Elizabeth line calls directly; Heathrow Express passengers travelling from T4 need to change at Heathrow Central, adding to the overall time, so factor that in if you are departing from or arriving into T4.
When the Heathrow Express is worth the extra cost
The Express makes the most sense in three situations. First, if you book at least 30 days ahead, fares start from £10, which closes much of the gap with the Elizabeth line while keeping the 15-minute journey time. Second, if your onward travel is a mainline train from Paddington itself, for example a Great Western Railway service to Bristol, Bath, Cardiff or Oxford, arriving at the same station the Express uses saves a change. Third, if you are simply pressed for time between landing and a meeting or event in west London, the non-stop run is the fastest rail option from the airport.
When the Elizabeth line is the better choice
For most leisure and many business travellers, the Elizabeth line wins on value. It is roughly £10 cheaper each way than the Express walk-up fare with no need to book ahead, it serves all four terminals, and unlike the Express it stops at multiple central London and east London stations directly, useful if you are staying near the West End, the City, or heading to Canary Wharf without a change (see our guide to Heathrow to Canary Wharf for that specific route). It also counts toward the TfL daily and weekly fare cap if you are using the same contactless card or Oyster elsewhere in London that day, which the Heathrow Express fare does not.
Tickets, Oyster and contactless
Both services accept contactless bank cards and Oyster pay as you go at the standard fares above; you do not need to buy a separate paper ticket for either unless you want the Heathrow Express's advance-purchase discount, which is usually cheapest booked online or through the Heathrow Express app before you travel. Elizabeth line fares are the same whether you tap in with contactless, Oyster or use a paper single, aside from a small discount for paper tickets noted on some fare tables.
Luggage space and accessibility
Both trains have dedicated luggage racks and step-free access, since all Elizabeth line stations are step-free from street to platform, and the stations at Heathrow specifically have level access from platform to train under Transport for London's accessibility standards. Heathrow Express also publishes an accessible travel policy covering assisted boarding and ramps. If accessibility is a priority for your journey, see our full guide to wheelchair accessible transport at Heathrow for more detail across all transport modes.
Which should you take? A quick decision
- Staying in the West End, City or Canary Wharf, or on a budget: Elizabeth line.
- Booked more than 30 days ahead, or connecting to a GWR mainline train at Paddington: Heathrow Express.
- Landing very late at night or need the fastest possible transfer, cost aside: Heathrow Express, subject to last-train times.
- Absolute cheapest option, travelling light: the Piccadilly line, covered on our public transport page.
For a full breakdown of every route including taxis and coaches, see our Heathrow public transport guide and taxi fares from Heathrow.
FAQs
Which is cheaper, Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line?
The Elizabeth line, at £15.50 one-way versus £26 for a Heathrow Express walk-up single. The Express only closes the gap if you book at least 30 days in advance, when fares start from £10.
Which is faster?
The Heathrow Express, taking about 15 minutes non-stop to Paddington from Terminals 2 and 3, compared with 27 to 32 minutes on the Elizabeth line, which makes more stops.
Does the Elizabeth line stop at all four Heathrow terminals?
Yes. The Heathrow Express only serves Terminals 2/3 and Terminal 5; if you are travelling from Terminal 4, the Elizabeth line is the direct option.
Can I use contactless or Oyster on both?
Yes, both accept contactless bank cards and Oyster pay as you go at their standard fares.
Do children travel free?
On the Heathrow Express, under 15s travel free with a fare-paying adult. On the Elizabeth line, standard TfL child fares apply, so check current TfL child fare rules before you travel.
Is either one step-free?
Yes. All Elizabeth line stations are step-free from street to platform, and Heathrow's stations have level access from platform to train. The Heathrow Express also has an accessible travel policy with assisted boarding.