Affordable Travel Options to Heathrow
I’ve seen several posts discussing how to get to London Heathrow, with RailAir often highlighted as a top choice. It almost makes me wonder if these recommendations are sponsored!
At £24 for a single trip (£36 return) over 26 miles in 40 minutes, RailAir is actually quite pricey on a per-mile basis. While it is convenient in terms of location and ease of access, twenty-four quid seems steep!
The Elizabeth line with a change at Hayes isn’t really a great alternative either, and it can be costly.
However, I recently tried out another option (during off-peak hours) that isn’t mentioned often but could save you money:
Take the train from Reading to Slough for £5.80, which takes about 19 minutes. Then, from outside Slough station, catch the Flightline 703 bus or bus #5 to Heathrow for just £2*.
All in all, that’s under £8 for a single trip and takes around an hour. A significant saving! I hope this helps!
*Note: The bus fare may increase to £3 once the fare cap is lifted in 2025.
Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s great to see more budget-friendly options being highlighted for getting to Heathrow. RailAir can definitely feel pricey for such a short distance, so your suggestion of the Reading to Slough route is really helpful.
For travelers looking to save money, your breakdown shows how effective it can be to explore different combinations of train and bus services. Plus, you still get to enjoy a straightforward journey. It’s worth noting that the buses from Slough are generally reliable, so the added time isn’t too much of a hassle.
I also appreciate the heads-up about the potential fare increase in 2025. It’s always good to plan ahead for any changes in transport costs. Thanks again for sharing your tip—I’ll definitely recommend it to others looking for alternatives!