The quickest way from Heathrow to Southall is the Elizabeth line, a direct train from Terminals 2 & 3 taking around 9 to 15 minutes, with advance train tickets from £9.60. A direct TfL bus (route 105 or 482) takes 33 to 59 minutes depending on which terminal you start from, and costs a flat £1.75 with contactless or Oyster. A taxi covers the roughly 6.6 miles in about 12 minutes, indicatively from around £25 to £45 depending on the operator and vehicle size. Checked 2026.
Elizabeth line: Heathrow to Southall by train
The Elizabeth line runs direct from Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 to Southall station, with no change needed. The journey is short, typically quoted at around 9 to 15 minutes depending on the specific service, and trains run roughly every 20 minutes through most of the day, with the first train around 04:15 and the last around 23:18. Advance train tickets start from £9.60 one-way. If you're paying with contactless or an Oyster card instead of a pre-booked ticket, use TfL's own Single Fare Finder before you travel to confirm the exact pay-as-you-go fare for your specific journey time, since Southall sits outside Zone 1 and fares for stations further out vary by time of day.
If you're travelling from Terminal 4 or Terminal 5, you'll need to use the Heathrow Express/Elizabeth line connection between terminals first, since the Elizabeth line's direct Southall-bound service runs from the Terminal 2 & 3 station.
Bus: Heathrow to Southall
Two direct TfL bus routes connect Heathrow and Southall:
- Route 105: runs from Heathrow Central Bus Station (a short walk from Terminals 2 and 3) to Southall Station, taking around 33 to 40 minutes.
- Route 482: runs from Heathrow Terminal 5 (also calling at Terminal 4) to Southall Broadway, a longer journey of around 59 minutes end to end, useful if you're starting from one of those terminals rather than the central area.
Both routes charge the standard TfL adult bus fare of £1.75 with contactless or Oyster, and the Hopper fare means you can change onto another bus or tram within an hour of touching in for no extra charge. You need a contactless card, Oyster card or Day Travelcard to board; TfL buses do not accept cash.
Taxi: Heathrow to Southall
A taxi or private hire car covers the roughly 6.6-mile journey in about 12 minutes outside peak traffic. Published fares from private-hire operators serving the route indicatively start from around £25 to £30 for a standard saloon car, rising for larger vehicles such as an MPV or minibus. These are operator-quoted fixed fares rather than an official through-fare, so compare a couple of operators or check the live price in a ride-hailing app before you book, particularly at busy times when fares can run higher.
Heathrow to Southall at a glance
| Option | Price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth line | From £9.60 (advance) | 9-15 min | Fastest option, direct from T2&3 |
| Bus (105 or 482) | £1.75 flat | 33-59 min | Lowest cost, direct from any terminal |
| Taxi | From around £25-45 (indicative) | ~12 min | Door to door, luggage, groups |
Why fly into Heathrow for Southall?
Southall, in the London Borough of Ealing, is one of the closest parts of west London to Heathrow, which is part of why the journey is so quick compared with other parts of the city. It's known for its large South Asian community and Broadway market, and sits on the Elizabeth line a few stops out from the airport, making it a realistic option even for a short layover visit if your flight schedule allows it, as well as a straightforward commute for anyone living locally and flying from Heathrow regularly.
Related reading
For the wider comparison of trains into central London, see our Heathrow Express vs Elizabeth line guide. For taxi options generally, see our Heathrow taxis page, and for other nearby west London destinations, see our Heathrow to Hounslow guide.
FAQs
What is the fastest way from Heathrow to Southall?
The Elizabeth line, direct from Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, taking around 9 to 15 minutes.
What is the cheapest way from Heathrow to Southall?
The TfL bus, either route 105 or 482, at a flat £1.75 with contactless or Oyster, though it takes longer than the train at 33 to 59 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Heathrow to Southall?
Yes. The Elizabeth line runs direct from Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 to Southall, with no change, roughly every 20 minutes.
How far is Southall from Heathrow?
About 6.6 miles (roughly 10.5km), around a 12-minute drive outside peak traffic.
How much does a taxi from Heathrow to Southall cost?
Indicatively from around £25 to £45 depending on the operator and vehicle size, for a journey of about 12 minutes. Confirm the fare with your chosen operator when booking.
Can I take a bus to Southall from every Heathrow terminal?
Yes, but the route differs: route 105 runs from the Central Bus Station near Terminals 2 and 3, while route 482 runs from Terminal 5 via Terminal 4.