Best way to get from London Heathrow to City Center?

I would take the Underground from LHR to Kings Cross (direct no changes ) then it's a 5-minute walk to the British Library.

Seconding rambin' on's suggestion. That's the Picadilly line. (The only one I know without looking it up; our hotel is very near King's Cross and Russell Square.)

The Piccadilly line is the least expensive. A taxi will be the most expensive.

Uber is available but they can only pick up from certain areas at Heathrow.

A car service will meet you as you exit customs and drive you to your destination. Less expensive than a taxi but must be pre-booked.

Depending exactly where your destination is Russell Square might be nearer - it's also on the Piccadilly line, the stop before King's Cross.

For the British Museum - thanks for the clarification - the fastest and cheapest is the Piccadilly tube Line to Russell Square - almost directly across the street, very convenient. Direct, no changes. Just a bit of patience. About 55 minutes, very frequent.

Thanks, all for your comments. I'm set now!

You don’t say what date you are arriving, but make sure to check the planned works calendar to make sure there are no disruptions on your route.
https://content.tfl.gov.uk/planned-track-closures.pdf

In particular, there are some disruptions between Sept 15 -17 and Sept 29 to Oct 1

Private car pickup is very convenient but probably can't use taxi lanes

We are leaning toward Uber at the moment (August 26 arrival, first time in London) but a trip on the Tube is still a possibility.

Depending on the time of your arrival, Uber or taxi or private driver can take a l-o-n-g time. Rush hour and all that.

My company used to provide a private pick-up. When arriving without much "gear", I often preferred Tube to meeting the car and sitting in traffic. My most recent experience with that was pre-Covid. Rush hour and traffic patterns could have changed, but I had no trouble with Tube to King's Cross a few months ago.

I also like the Heathrow Express if wanting to get to Paddington Station. Tickets purchased in advance are much less than last minute. Very comfortable.

Thank you for that Laura. Works on the Sept 30 Piccadilly Line will force me to take the more expensive Elizabeth Line.

It need not 'force' you to use the Elizabeth Line. A special express bus service will run to Hammersmith station every from Heathrow Central Bus Station every 10 minutes taking just 20 minutes, so it will not add significantly to your journey time- https://bustimes.org/services/pl-3-hammersmith-heathrow-central

There is also an all stations bus running to Acton Town (number PL1) but that is to be avoided by through passengers as it takes one hour to go round all the stations.-
https://bustimes.org/services/pl-1-acton-town-heathrow-airport

ORDtraveler, you say that purchasing the Heathrow Express is much less cost if you purchase tickets ahead of time. How much less? I just went on the website and it would cost 25 per person if I purchase in advance. How much would it cost if I purchase the tickets when I am there at the airport? It looks like I can purchase a ticket for a specific day and don't have to pick a time to use it. It sounds like I can use it anytime that day? Does that sound correct? Thanks.

Patti, the Heathrow Express website states states that advance purchase single ticket (limited availability) is GBP5.50 (non-refundable).

https://www.heathrowexpress.com/tickets-and-offers/tickets-offers#/

If you can get it the £5.50 advance ticket (or any other higher cost advance ticket between that and £25 full fare) is valid on any train for the day it is issued for. Buying on arrival will always be £25.

But if your flight is cancelled or heavily delayed so you arrive next day you have lost the HEX advance fare ticket.

Often all tranches of advance tickets will be sold out when the on line fare defaults to the full fare of £25. Advance fares are quota controlled so that can happen at any time.

Is there anywhere else, besides the official website, that you can buy the advance ticket for the Heathrow Express? It says 25 per person right now, but if I just keep checking the website, could the price change to the 5.50 price or are they just sold out. I am wanting tickets for Sept 6th.

for a ride just a week out those £5.50 have been history for quite a while. They only go up, they never go down.

So, if they are 25 euros ahead of time and also 25 euros at the time you are taking the train, I might as well wait until I get there, right? Thanks for all of your help everyone.

There are also deals for people travelled in pairs - the duo saver return which takes off 25% for advance booking at any time. Not available on the day.

£25 rather than 25 Euros, but yes there is now no point in booking ahead, which also covers you for the kinds of flight delays and cancellations we saw yesterday after the ATC computer issues

Sorry. Yes, English Pound, not Euro.

How would I learn about work being done on a specific tube line. We’re arriving LHR on 10/4 at 9am heading to Tower . I understand Piccadilly to Hammersmith the transfer to District toward Barking to Tower.

Patti,
You may have missed it up thread but you can also take the Elizabeth line to Paddington or onto other stations in London. About £13 any time fare.

How would I learn about work being done on a specific tube line. We’re arriving LHR on 10/4 at 9am heading to Tower . I understand Piccadilly to Hammersmith the transfer to District toward Barking to Tower.

This is the TfL engineering works schedule- being a weekday there is nothing that affects your journey- https://content.tfl.gov.uk/planned-track-closures.pdf

I would highly recommend people take the Elizabeth line from LHR to central London. MUCH faster than the underground, slightly slower (by like 5 mins) than Heathrow express because it makes 3 short stops along the way to Paddington, but keeps heading into London when the Heathrow Express stops at Paddington. I think fares are like $12.

Cheaper than Heathrow Express, but almost as fast, way faster than the underground (and more comfortable ride for sure).

I don't believe Uber is operating in London but other rideshares are, they would be very expensive from Heathrow into London and slower than the trains because of traffic. Will take you directly to Tottenham Court Road right to the steps of the British Museum.

I don't believe Uber is operating in London

That bit of the previous post is simply not true. Uber does operate in London.

The Elizabeth line fare is £13.30, so somewhat more than $12. Whilst it is quicker than the tube it does very much depend on where you are going as to whether it’s the best route. For example it would be plain daft to take it to get to Earl’s Court or South Kensington for example.

Thank you, all and esp. Bret.Bryce--the newer Elizabeth line from LHR to Tottenham Court stop, then a quick 5 min walk to our hotel.
I think we can consider this one done--appreciate all the feedback.

Rocket,

Thanks for that info on the taking the Elizabeth line to Paddington and beyond. I am actually staying near Victoria Station, so need to go there. I assume that I can take the Elizabeth line to Paddington and jump on the tube (Circle line) to Victoria Station? Does that sound right?

you could ... ... ... but why would you? Pay extra for using the Elizabeth Line, then have to pay a tube fare anyway for the slow and less than completely reliable Circle Line, and not save any significant time when waiting and walking taken into account?

Easiest for Victoria if you don't use the coach is Piccadilly Line to Hammersmith or Barons Court for a cross platform simple change onto the District Line, takes you right there - simples. Bob's your uncle.

Patti.....Nigel is on target. Piccadilly to District. Easy.

Nigel,

Thanks for that. That makes more sense. Yes, Bob is my uncle. Haha!

Nigel and Frank II,

I have an old tube map in Rick Steves book and it doesn't go all the way out to the airport. I just looked up the updated map online and I see where the airport is included with the Piccadilly line included. Thanks again.