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HEATHROW EXPRESS AND HEATHROW CONNECT

Heathrow Airport is not connected to the mainline national rail network. To make a connection to the national rail network you need to take advantage of the Railair coach services from the airport.

Services running from the airport are the London underground Tube network on the Piccadilly line, the Heathrow Express and the Heathrow Connect services into Paddington.

*Note: The Heathrow express and the Heathrow Connect route between Hayes & Harlington CANNOT be used with a travelcard. Only the tube service from Heathrow can be used with a travelcard. You cannot use an Oyster Card on the Heathrow Connect or Heathrow Express.

Since 2007 its been possible to pickup a Wi-Fi signal on Heathrow Express trains as well as buy minutes on the train. These minutes can also be used throughout Heathrow Airport and places such as Starbucks.

Heathrow Express
Owned and operated by BAA the Heathrow Express came into service in 1999 at a cost of some £450 million pounds, and has gone from strength to strength.
This is a non-stop train service between Heathrow Airport and Paddington Station. Trains operate every 15 minutes from 5.07 until 23.47.
The journey time is 15 minutes from terminals 1,2 and 3 and 23 minutes from terminal 5. (does not stop at terminal 4, for this terminal change at the central area to the Heathrow connect, no extra fare involved)
The 100 mph+ trains include baby changing facilities and handicap accessible toilets. Other facilities on the train include a TV, specially fitted electronics to allow the use of mobile phones throughout the journey, even in the tunnels and designated quiet zones. The Quiet Zones are available in Express Class and are special areas where there is no TV and mobile phone use is not permitted.
Since 2008 its been possible to have your ticket sent straight to your mobile phone and so avoid the queues when collecting the ticket from the station.
There are two class types for Express journeys, First Class and Express Class. In First Class you have a place to hang your coat, a larger than normal seat and extra leg-room compared to Express Class..
Fares:

A Carnet ticket is 12 fares in one ticket valid for one year.

A small discount is available on all fares when booked online and there is also £2 surcharge if you wait till you have actually bordered the train before buying a ticket.
enquiries: 0845 600 15 15
Heathrow Express have used since October 2006 illuminated images on the tunnel walls to give the affect of an advertising movie. The idea is that people on trains simply gaze through a window and so now it will appear you are watching a moving image. This of course is for the use of advertising and is being used in partnership with Canadian firm. This was notable as being the first such scheme in Europe.
Heathrow Express Website

Heathrow Connect
Following the success of the Express service BAA  introduced a new in June 2005 service in conjunction with First Great West Link that makes stops on route to Paddington. This is called the Heathrow Connect. The service uses brand new electric trains. The service does not run along the same high speed line as the Express but uses a slower section of the rail network.
The stations the Connect train stops at are Hayes, Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing, Ealing Broadway and finally stopping at Paddington Station.
Cost depends on which station you travel to and tickets range from £4.90 to £6.90 one way.

Please be aware that Travelcards are NOT valid on Heathrow Connect services between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport.

Heathrow to Ealing can now be travelled in less than 20 minutes using this route.
Trains run from 5.30 till half past midnight at 30 minute intervals.
The journey time between Heathrow 1,2 and 3 and Paddington is 23 minutes. The Heathrow Connect also stops at terminal 4 which takes around another 5 minutes journey time. For terminal 5 change over to the Heathrow Express at the central area (free for this connection).


Click here for the Heathrow Connect website
The Underground and Heathrow Express/Connect entrances are separate. Do not use one thinking it can also be used for the other services. From terminals 1 and 2 you will pass by the underground entrance before you come to the Heathrow Express and Connect entrance. From terminal 3 the Express/Connect entrance is before the tube entrance. When following signs at Heathrow make sure you follow the symbols for the express and Connect and not the underground symbol.

Heathrow Connect:
Heathrow Express:
Underground:         underground

HEATHROW EXPRESS/CONNECT ENTRANCE FROM TERMINALS 1,2 AND 3
Heathrow Express Entrance


On arrival at Paddington in West London you will need to make further arrangements for completing your journey. Paddington is a busy mainline station where you can make the transfer onto the National Rail network or London underground tube system. There is also a busy Taxi Rank for continuing your journey by cab.
Click here for the Heathrow Express Website