London Heathrow to Central London (the cheap way!)
The good ol question one asks nearly every vacation: How can I get from the airport to my accommodation? If you're like me, you want the quick, convenient and cheap way.
As far as I know, there's three methods of public transportation (aside from the bus) you can take from London Heathrow Airport: Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect, or the London Underground (the tube). Do know the signs for public transit at the airport are HUGE and CLEAR. It is very easy to navigate your way!
Heathrow Express is a train and the fastest way to travel (approximately 15 minutes) into Central London. Adult fare for a single ticket is £20 online/machine/ticket office and £25 purchased on-board. I didn't take the Heathrow Express so I can't offer much more information. Apparently, Heathrow Express is among the most expensive trains in the world for its journey but I bet it's worthwhile if time is a factor for you.
Heathrow Connect is a train which goes from Heathrow Airport to Paddington Station. It costs £9.90 for a journey to London Paddington. I'm not at all familiar with the Connect so I can't offer any more opinion here but worth checking out if you're around that station or ones on-route.
London Underground (tube) is London's public metro (subway) system. The Piccadilly Line connects directly from London Heathrow via three stations: Terminals 1-3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. The cost is £5.50 for a single ticket into Central London (zone 1). It's a bit less with an Oyster Card. In terms of travel time, it varies depending on which station you are going to, but it's approximately an hour to the central stations. (I was heading to Russel Square station and it took about 55 minutes for my journey).
For me personally, the Tube was fantastic and I'd definitely use it again as my transportation from London Heathrow. It worked for me for many reasons:
I didn't have much luggage (only a roller-on carry-bag and a purse).
As the Terminals are the first stops, it's not difficult to find a seat and comfortable spot for your luggage.
My destination (Russel Square) was on the Piccadilly Line so I did not have to worry about switching lines.
I was purchasing an Oyster Card anyways.
I was flexible with time. My flight landed at 8:30am and I was in no rush to get to my hotel.
In terms of which one to use...it's really up to you. Time and/or money may be a factor for you. (Heck, I bet 15 minutes versus an hour may help you make up your mind). Also think about how much luggage you have. Although I've only taken the Tube, I'd assume the other two trains are more comfortable and luggage-friendly. You may also want to consider what time of you are arriving (be sure to check all the public transit open and close times before your journey!). Safe travels!
