The most direct way from Heathrow to Maidenhead is the 704 bus, which runs hourly from Terminal 5 straight to Maidenhead town centre in about an hour for a £6.20 single fare. A taxi covers the same 15 to 16 miles in around 20 to 25 minutes, while the train takes roughly 40 minutes but involves a change and fares from £16.90. Checked November 2026.
How Far Is Heathrow From Maidenhead?
Maidenhead is about 15 to 16 miles from Heathrow by road, west along the M4 corridor through Slough. There's no single best option for every traveller: it depends on your luggage, your budget, and whether you want to avoid a change.
| Option | Time | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct bus (704) | About 60 minutes | £6.20 single, £7.50 return | From Heathrow Terminal 5, hourly, Mon-Sat |
| Train | About 40-65 minutes | From £16.90 | One change, frequent departures |
| Taxi or private hire | About 20-25 minutes | Roughly £50-£95 depending on operator | Fastest, door to door |
| Driving yourself | About 20-25 minutes off-peak | Fuel plus parking | 15-16 miles via the M4 |
Heathrow to Maidenhead by Bus
Thames Valley Buses runs the 704 service directly between Heathrow Terminal 5 and Maidenhead, via Slough and Langley, with no change needed. Buses run roughly hourly from early morning (around 05:10-05:35) to late evening (last departure around 21:30-22:30), Monday to Saturday. A typical journey from Maidenhead's Frascati Way to Heathrow Terminal 5 takes about 60 minutes.
The adult single fare for the full Maidenhead-to-Heathrow journey is £6.20, with a return at £7.50; shorter hops along the route cost less. Pay the driver on board, by contactless card or cash. Since the 704 starts and ends at Terminal 5, passengers flying from Terminals 2, 3 or 4 need the free inter-terminal transfer to reach it; see our guide to getting between Heathrow terminals if you're unsure of the connection.
Heathrow to Maidenhead by Train
There's no direct train between Heathrow and Maidenhead, so the journey involves one change, typically onto a connecting Great Western Railway or Elizabeth line service. Trains run frequently throughout the day, and the fastest journeys take around 36-45 minutes, though some connections run closer to an hour depending on the change. Advance single fares start from £16.90.
This route makes more sense if you're travelling light and your schedule happens to line up with a quick connection; for most other trips, the direct bus or a taxi will beat it on either time or cost. For a wider look at getting around by rail from the airport, see our comparison of the Heathrow Express vs the Elizabeth Line.
Heathrow to Maidenhead by Taxi or Private Hire
A taxi or minicab covers the roughly 15 to 16 mile route in about 20 to 25 minutes outside peak traffic, the fastest way to travel door to door. Prices vary significantly by operator and booking method: ride-hailing apps have quoted around £50 for this route, while traditional pre-booked minicab and airport transfer firms often charge more for a fixed-price, pre-arranged pickup. It's worth comparing a couple of quotes before booking, especially if you're travelling with luggage or need a specific vehicle size. For more on how black cabs and minicabs differ on price and booking, see our guide to Heathrow black cab vs minicab fares, and if there's a group of you, see splitting a taxi from Heathrow to work out the cost per person.
Driving From Heathrow to Maidenhead
If you're being collected or have your own car, the drive is straightforward: join the M4 westbound and leave at the Maidenhead junction, around 15 to 16 miles and roughly 20 to 25 minutes outside rush hour. Allow longer at peak times, particularly late afternoon on the M4 corridor. If you need to park at the airport first, see our Heathrow parking cost comparison and our overview of the parking page.
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Travelling solo or in a pair with light luggage and watching your budget: the 704 bus is the cheapest no-change option, and the single fare is a fraction of a taxi.
- Travelling with a group: a taxi often works out similar per person to the train once you split the fare, and it's far faster than the bus.
- Need to be somewhere by a fixed time: book a taxi or private hire in advance rather than relying on the hourly bus or a train connection you haven't checked.
- Happy to make one change and travel light: the train is a reasonable middle option, especially if you already hold a railcard.