The fastest way from Heathrow to ExCeL London is the Elizabeth line direct to Custom House station, about 50 minutes for a £15.50 single fare. ExCeL is the exhibition and conference centre in the Royal Docks, East London, and Custom House is the stop TfL itself signs as "Custom House (for ExCeL)" because it sits right at the venue entrance. Most trains from Terminals 2, 3 and 4 run straight through with no change needed. A taxi or pre-booked transfer takes longer and typically costs more than the roughly £75-£130 benchmark for a central London run, since ExCeL sits further east. Checked 2026.
Elizabeth line: the direct route
Custom House sits on the Abbey Wood branch of the Elizabeth line, and Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 run four trains an hour through to Abbey Wood via Canary Wharf, passing straight through Custom House with no change needed. Terminal 4 also has four direct trains an hour on the same Abbey Wood branch. This makes the Elizabeth line the simplest way to reach ExCeL for most Heathrow arrivals, since Custom House station is signed by TfL itself as the ExCeL stop and sits right next to the venue entrance.
A single fare from Heathrow to Custom House is £15.50 with contactless or Oyster, the same flat rate TfL charges between Heathrow and any Zone 1 station (Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street), following the Elizabeth line fare changes that took effect on 1 March 2026. The one exception is Paddington, which is priced slightly lower at £14.60, not relevant for a direct ExCeL trip, but worth knowing if your itinerary also involves a stop there. You can pay with contactless, an Oyster card, or buy a single ticket or Travelcard from the station machines at any of Heathrow's three rail stations.
From Terminal 5
Terminal 5's direct Elizabeth line service runs to Shenfield via Stratford rather than to Abbey Wood, so some journeys from T5 to Custom House need a change, typically at Paddington or another central London stop, onto an Abbey Wood-bound train. Check the live departure boards at T5 or a journey planner before you travel, since Elizabeth line service patterns are adjusted periodically and a same-platform connection is sometimes available depending on the time of day.
First and last Elizabeth line trains to ExCeL
The Elizabeth line doesn't run quite as early or late as the Piccadilly line. From Terminals 2 & 3, the first weekday train towards Custom House leaves Heathrow at about 05:21 (05:54 on Sundays), and the last leaves at around 00:12. From Terminal 5 the first train is around 05:15 and the last around 00:07; from Terminal 4 the first is around 05:30 and the last around 23:47. If your flight lands very early or very late, check live departures before relying on the last train, and see our first and last trains from Heathrow guide for the full timetable and the Piccadilly line alternative.
Taxi and private hire
A taxi or pre-booked private hire car from Heathrow to ExCeL covers a longer cross-London route than the central-London-focused fares elsewhere on this site, so budget more than the roughly £75 to £130 typical of a central London black cab trip. At least one private transfer operator advertises a fixed price of around £65 for this specific route, which is a useful benchmark for what a pre-booked fixed-price transfer might cost, though you should get a current quote before booking rather than assuming that exact figure still applies. A metered black cab is likely to cost more than a pre-booked fixed-price transfer for a route this length, so comparing both before you travel is worth the few minutes it takes.
Why people search for this route
ExCeL London is one of the UK's largest exhibition and conference venues, hosting everything from major trade shows and comic conventions to boat shows and international conferences throughout the year. Because it sits in the Royal Docks area of East London, well away from the West End and the City, it's a genuinely different journey from the airport's usual central London routes, and business travellers flying into Heathrow specifically for an ExCeL event benefit from knowing the direct Elizabeth line option exists rather than defaulting to a taxi across the whole of London.
DLR and other nearby stations
ExCeL is a long venue, and the DLR also serves it at three separate stations along its length: Custom House, Prince Regent and Royal Victoria, so which one is closest depends on which hall or entrance you need. If you're travelling on from Heathrow via the Elizabeth line to Custom House, you can also switch to the DLR there if your meeting or stand is at the far end of the venue nearer Prince Regent or Royal Victoria. It's also worth knowing that London City Airport sits a few DLR stops further along the same line, so if your trip involves flying out of London City rather than back through Heathrow, the two airports are unusually well connected for a same-trip itinerary.
Returning from ExCeL to Heathrow
The journey back works the same way in reverse: board the Elizabeth line at Custom House, westbound toward Heathrow, for the same £15.50 single fare and roughly 50-minute journey to Terminals 2 and 3 (Terminal 4 is also a direct stop; a T5 arrival may need a change, as above). If you're travelling with heavy exhibition stand materials or display stock rather than normal luggage, a pre-booked taxi collecting directly from ExCeL avoids the stairs, lifts and platform walk that come with a rail journey, which is worth weighing against the fare difference if you're carrying more than a standard suitcase.
At a glance
| Option | Fare | Time from Heathrow | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth line (T2, T3, T4) | £15.50 | About 50 minutes, usually no change | Most travellers, business trips with luggage |
| Elizabeth line (T5) | £15.50 | Similar, but may need a change | T5 arrivals; check live departures |
| Taxi or private hire | More than the ~£75-130 central London range; fixed transfers advertised from around £65 | Depends on traffic; longer than central London | Groups, tight timing, heavy exhibition materials |
For the wider rail picture from Heathrow, see Heathrow to central London: fastest and cheapest ways, and for taxi booking generally, see the taxis page. For getting from your terminal to the Elizabeth line platform itself, see the public transport page.
FAQs
How do I get from Heathrow Airport to ExCeL London?
Take the Elizabeth line directly to Custom House station, signed by TfL as "Custom House (for ExCeL)". From Terminals 2, 3 and 4 this is usually a direct train with no change, taking about 50 minutes for a £15.50 single fare. From Terminal 5, some journeys need a change onto an Abbey Wood-bound service.
Is there a direct train from Heathrow Airport to ExCeL London?
Yes, for most journeys. Elizabeth line trains from Heathrow Airport Terminals 2, 3 and 4 run through to Custom House, the station TfL signs as "Custom House (for ExCeL)", on the Abbey Wood branch, with no change needed for most services.
How much does the Elizabeth line cost from Heathrow to ExCeL?
A single fare is £15.50 with contactless or Oyster, the flat rate for Elizabeth line journeys between Heathrow and Zone 1 stations including Custom House, following the fare changes on 1 March 2026. Paddington is the one exception, priced at £14.60.
Do I need to change trains from Terminal 5 to reach ExCeL?
Sometimes. Terminal 5's direct Elizabeth line service runs to Shenfield via Stratford rather than Abbey Wood, so some journeys need a change onto an Abbey Wood-bound train, typically at a central London stop.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to ExCeL London?
More than the airport's central London benchmark of roughly £75 to £130 for a black cab, since ExCeL is further east than central London. At least one operator advertises a fixed transfer price of around £65, useful as a benchmark before you get a current quote.
Which station do I need for ExCeL London?
Custom House, officially signed by TfL as "Custom House (for ExCeL)", which sits directly next to the venue and is served by the Elizabeth line as well as the DLR.
Is ExCeL London the same as the O2 Arena or Olympia?
No. ExCeL is a separate exhibition centre in the Royal Docks, East London, served by Custom House station. The O2 Arena is in Greenwich (nearest station North Greenwich, on the Jubilee line) and Olympia is in West London (Kensington Olympia station), so it's worth double-checking which venue your event is actually at before you plan the journey.