The Piccadilly line runs directly from all four Heathrow terminals to Arsenal station, the closest stop to the Emirates Stadium, in around an hour with no need to change trains. A taxi covers the same route in roughly 45 minutes to an hour outside peak traffic, but costs considerably more than the Tube for a journey of around 20 miles across London. Checked 2026.
Tube: direct on the Piccadilly line
Arsenal station sits a few minutes' walk from the Emirates Stadium and is served directly by the Piccadilly line, the same line that calls at all Heathrow terminals, so there's no need to change trains for most of the journey. The ride takes roughly an hour from Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3, a little longer from Terminal 4 or 5 once you add the short shuttle to the main Piccadilly line platforms.
Because the journey starts at Heathrow and passes through Zone 1, TfL charges the higher, Zones 1-6 peak-rate fare for the whole trip regardless of what time of day you travel; this is a standing TfL rule for all Heathrow Tube and Elizabeth line journeys that touch Zone 1, not something specific to this route. Fares change periodically, so check the exact current single fare on TfL's Single Fare Finder before you travel, or use contactless and let the daily cap apply automatically if you're making more than one journey that day.
Matchday station changes
On Arsenal matchdays, Arsenal station itself is typically exit-only or closed for a period around kick-off and full-time to manage crowd flow, so fans travelling to a game are directed to nearby alternatives instead. The two most commonly used are Holloway Road, one stop further up the Piccadilly line, and Drayton Park, served by London Overground's Weaver line, both a short walk from the stadium. If you're heading to a match rather than visiting on a non-matchday, check Arsenal's own matchday travel advice in the days before, since the exact station arrangements can change.
Taxi and private hire
A taxi or minicab covers the roughly 20-mile route from Heathrow to the Emirates Stadium in around 45 minutes to an hour outside peak traffic, though London's daytime traffic can add considerably more on a matchday with kick-off approaching. Fares for a trip this length run well above the airport's central London benchmark of about £75 to £130 for a metered black cab, or £45 to £75 for a pre-booked minicab, since the Emirates Stadium is further out than central London from Heathrow. Get a fixed quote from a pre-booked minicab firm before you travel if you want price certainty, particularly for a matchday when demand and traffic both spike around kick-off and final whistle.
Bus, if you have time to spare
A bus is possible but slow for this route, running via central London stops such as Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square before reaching Holloway Road, with a total journey of well over two hours according to route planners. Unless you specifically want the bus for cost reasons and have a large amount of time to spare, the Piccadilly line is a faster and more straightforward option for the same fare band.
Timing your trip around kick-off
Whichever way you travel, build in extra time for a matchday. Central London traffic and Tube crowding both increase sharply in the hour before kick-off, and postmatch crowds can mean a longer wait for a train or taxi than you'd expect on a quiet day. If you're flying in specifically for a match, allow a wider buffer than the journey times above suggest, especially if your flight lands close to kick-off time.
At a glance
| Option | Fare | Time from Heathrow | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piccadilly line to Arsenal | Zones 1-6 peak fare (check TfL's fare finder) | Around 1 hour, no change | Most travellers, matchday or not |
| Taxi or minicab | Above the £75-130 central London black cab range | 45 minutes to 1 hour outside peak traffic | Groups, luggage, tight timing |
| Bus | Standard bus fare | Well over 2 hours | Only if cost matters more than time |
For the wider central London picture this builds on, see Heathrow to central London: fastest and cheapest ways, and for taxi options generally, see the taxis page.
FAQs
What's the nearest Tube station to the Emirates Stadium from Heathrow?
Arsenal station, on the Piccadilly line, the same line that runs directly from all four Heathrow terminals with no need to change trains for most of the journey.
Does the Tube from Heathrow go straight to Arsenal station?
Yes. The Piccadilly line runs directly from Heathrow to Arsenal station in around an hour, without a change, since both are on the same line.
Is Arsenal station open on matchdays?
It's typically exit-only or closed for a period around kick-off and full-time. Fans are usually directed to Holloway Road, one stop further on the Piccadilly line, or Drayton Park on the London Overground instead.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to the Emirates Stadium?
More than the airport's central London benchmark of roughly £75 to £130 for a black cab or £45 to £75 for a pre-booked minicab, since the Emirates Stadium is further out than central London. Get a fixed quote from a minicab firm for price certainty.
How long does it take to get from Heathrow to the Emirates Stadium?
Around an hour by Piccadilly line Tube, or 45 minutes to an hour by taxi outside peak traffic, though matchday crowds and traffic can extend either option.