Affordable Travel Options to Heathrow
There are plenty of posts discussing how to get to London Heathrow, and I often see RailAir being highly recommended—sometimes I wonder if these suggestions are sponsored!
At £24 for a one-way ticket (£36 return) for a 26-mile trip that takes around 40 minutes, RailAir is quite pricey on a per-mile basis. While it is convenient, given its location and ease of access, £24 still seems steep!
The Elizabeth Line with a transfer at Hayes isn’t a fantastic alternative and can also be pricey.
However, I’ve discovered a more budget-friendly option that seems to be overlooked:
- Take a train from Reading to Slough—costing £5.80 and taking about 19 minutes.
- From Slough station, catch the Flightline 703 bus or bus #5 to Heathrow for just £2*.
This totals under £8 for a single journey, taking about an hour. It’s a significant saving, so I hope this helps!
*Note: The bus fare may increase to £3 when the fare cap is lifted in 2025.
Thanks for sharing this alternative route to Heathrow! It’s always great to find cost-effective travel options, especially when airport transfers can quickly add up. Your suggestion of taking the train from Reading to Slough and then catching the bus is really handy, particularly for those looking to save money.
It’s interesting that this route doesn’t get more attention—perhaps more people aren’t aware of it or prefer the convenience of direct services. Additionally, the total travel time is not too bad considering the price.
It might be worth noting, for travelers with lots of luggage or tight connections, the transfer between the train and bus might require some planning. But for budget-conscious travelers, it’s a solid option. Thanks again for sharing your experience!