How to get to Heathrow Airport when all trains are cancelled

Britain’s busiest airport, London Heathrow, is disconnected from the national rail network.

Passengers travelling on the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line have been forced to change their plans after the tunnel linking the airport to the Great Western Railway main line was closed “for safety reasons”.

According to National Rail, “there is a problem with the ventilation system in the Heathrow tunnels which means trains cannot run on this line until engineers have resolved the issue.”

Passengers are being asked to “seek alternative transport” to and from Heathrow.

London Underground Piccadilly Line

For most travellers between central London and the airport, the tube is the best option. The London Underground is slower but cheaper than the train. The journey from Piccadilly Circus to Heathrow takes around 50 minutes.

The main problem is an often erratic service, and the curious one-way circular connection to Terminal 4. You may have to change at Hatton Cross, where travel dreams sometimes die due to gaps between services.

Other options depend on which terminal you want to reach. You can reach Terminals 4 and 5 by bike, but bikes are not allowed to use the tunnel to Terminals 2 and 3.

Terminal 2/3

This pair of terminals occupies the central area, where the bus station is located. The quickest alternative to travel from central London is on the Elizabeth line to Hayes & Harlington, although these services are also disrupted by the tunnel closure. Right next to Hayes & Harlington station is the stop for the fast and frequent SL9 bus, which takes 22 minutes to reach the central bus station.

National Express coaches run between Victoria Coach Station and Heathrow Central Bus Station.

From Croydon and many locations in south-west London, the SL7 is an excellent link to Heathrow Central Bus Station, with a flat fare of £1.75.

Terminal 4

If you have some time to spare and limited luggage, you can enjoy a short nature walk by taking a fast (or almost) train from London Waterloo to Feltham and walking from there; at a brisk pace, it takes half an hour. If you’re in a hurry, take a taxi or Uber for the last leg.

Terminal 5

West Drayton is the Elizabeth Line station to go to. Follow signs for the 423 bus, which takes about 20 minutes to reach Terminal 5. Again, time is against you, so take a taxi or Uber.

From London Waterloo you can take a train to Staines and a taxi from there.

National Express coaches run between Victoria Coach Station and Heathrow Terminal 5.