A taxi from Heathrow to Windsor Castle takes about 20-30 minutes and costs £40-£70. The cheapest option is the Flightline 703 bus, a flat £3 single fare from Heathrow Terminal 5 direct to Windsor. The train works too: Elizabeth line to Slough (£12.80) then a short GWR hop to Windsor & Eton Central (£3.50), a couple of minutes' walk from the Castle gates. Adult admission to the Castle itself is £32 booked in advance, £36 on the day. Checked October 2026.
How far is Windsor Castle from Heathrow?
Windsor Castle sits in the centre of Windsor, Berkshire, about 7 miles from Heathrow as the crow flies, though the actual road and rail routes run a little further round. It's one of the closest major royal and historic attractions to the airport, which is why it's such a common half-day or full-day trip for travellers with a long layover or an evening flight.
Getting there by taxi
A metered taxi or pre-booked transfer from Heathrow to Windsor Castle takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes door to door and typically costs £40 to £70 depending on the operator, time of day and traffic on the M4/A332 approach. This is the fastest option and the one that drops you closest to the Castle's visitor entrance, useful if you're short on time between flights or travelling with luggage you don't want to carry through the town.
Getting there by bus: Flightline 703
The Flightline 703 (also branded Windsor Express 703), run by Reading Buses, travels between Heathrow Terminal 5 and Bracknell, calling at Slough and Windsor town centre along the way, before continuing on to Legoland. For a Windsor Castle visit, you get off at the Windsor stop rather than riding on to Legoland, so it's a shorter trip than the equivalent Legoland journey.
- Where to catch it: Heathrow Terminal 5 bus station (connect from other terminals via the Heathrow Central Bus Station first)
- Fare: £3 single, £6 return, capped regardless of distance under the government's bus fare cap scheme
- Tickets: pay on board by cash or contactless, or buy ahead through the Windsor Express app
- Frequency: up to every 60 minutes between Bracknell and Windsor; check the live timetable on reading-buses.co.uk before you travel
Getting there by train
If you're already planning to use the railway, the route is a short hop with one change:
- Elizabeth line from Heathrow Terminal 2&3 or Terminal 5 to Slough, a flat airport-zone fare currently around £12.80.
- GWR local train from Slough to Windsor & Eton Central, a journey of a few minutes, for around £3.50.
- Walk from Windsor & Eton Central to the Castle gates, just a couple of minutes, since the station sits right at the foot of the Castle.
That's a same-day estimate of around £16.30 total for the rail legs, built from each operator's own published component fares rather than a single through-ticket, since no one ticket currently covers Heathrow to Windsor in a single purchase.
Windsor Castle admission prices
Tickets are cheaper booked in advance than bought on the day, and the Royal Collection Trust's own booking page lists the following current rates:
| Ticket type | Advance | On the day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £32.00 | £36.00 |
| Young person (18-24) | £21.00 | £24.00 |
| Child (5-17) | £16.00 | £18.00 |
| Disabled person | £16.00 | £18.00 |
| Access companion | Free | Free |
| Under 5 | Free | Free |
A £1 ticket is available for visitors on Universal Credit and certain other named benefits, and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Advantage Card holders get 50% off. Every ticket includes a multimedia guide, and you can convert it to a 1-Year Pass for unlimited standard re-admission, with a £2 transaction fee if you pre-book a return visit later. Note that St George's Chapel, one of the Castle's highlights, is closed to visitors on Sundays, when it's reserved for worship.
Quick comparison
| Option | Time | Cost (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 20-30 min | £40-£70 | Short layovers, luggage, groups |
| Flightline 703 bus | Roughly 45-65 min | £3 (fare-capped) | Budget trips, no luggage hassle |
| Elizabeth line + GWR train | Around 45-55 min | About £16.30 | Travellers already planning to use the railway |
Planning your visit
Windsor Castle is a working royal residence as well as a visitor attraction, so opening hours, the Changing the Guard schedule and which rooms are open can all change at short notice when the Castle is in official use. Check the Royal Collection Trust's website for the current day's opening status before you travel, particularly if you only have a few hours between flights and can't afford a wasted trip. Booking your ticket online in advance both saves £4 per adult and guarantees entry, which matters if you're working to a tight connection window.
Practical tips
- Book your Castle ticket online in advance, both for the cheaper price and to guarantee a timed entry slot.
- If you're travelling with luggage, a direct taxi avoids the walk from the station or bus stop that the train and bus options involve.
- Allow extra time either side of your visit for airport security and check-in; the Castle itself typically takes two to three hours to see properly.
- Combine with Legoland Windsor if you have a full day free; both are reached on the same Flightline 703 route, just a short ride apart.