London Heathrow — National Express + Elizabeth Line bus equivalents
London Heathrow (LHR) to London — Updated 2026
London Heathrow has three main bus options to central London. **National Express** is the dominant coach operator — £10-£15, 60-90 minutes to Victoria Coach Station (depending on traffic), with hourly daytime departures plus less frequent overnight service. **Megabus** runs a competing service for £5-£10. The **N9 night bus** is the only 24-hour TfL option — £1.75 (or free with most travelcards) to Aldwych via Hammersmith, runs every 20-30 minutes through the night. For most travellers, the **Elizabeth Line train** (£12.80, 30-40 minutes) beats bus on speed-vs-cost, but bus wins if your destination is on the Coach Station/Victoria route or for late-night arrivals after rail closes (around 00:00).
National Express + Elizabeth Line bus equivalents stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow Central Bus Station | 0 min | Between T2 + T3, signed from arrivals |
| Hatton Cross | ~5 min | N9 night bus only |
| Hammersmith | ~30-40 min | N9 only — connects to District + Piccadilly lines |
| Hyde Park Corner | ~50-65 min | National Express |
| Victoria Coach Station | 60-90 min | National Express + Megabus terminus |
| Aldwych | ~75 min | N9 night bus terminus |
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National Express + Elizabeth Line bus equivalents vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express | £10-£15 | 60-90 min | Direct to Victoria. Luggage hold. Best for VIctoria-area hotels. |
| Megabus | £5-£10 | 60-90 min | Cheapest scheduled coach. Book in advance. |
| N9 night bus | £1.75 / free with travelcard | 60-75 min | ONLY 24h option. Best for arrivals after midnight when rail is closed. |
| Elizabeth Line train | £12.80 | 30-40 min | Faster + multiple central London stops. Often the best alternative. |
| Heathrow Express train | £25 | 15 min | Fastest non-stop to Paddington. |
| Taxi (black cab) | £55-£90 | 40-90 min | Expensive but door-to-door. M4 traffic at peak. |
FAQ
Which Heathrow terminal does the bus go from?+
All National Express + Megabus services depart from the Heathrow Central Bus Station between T2 and T3 — accessible from any terminal by free terminal-shuttle bus or short walk. The N9 night bus has stops at each terminal (T2/T3 stop is at the bus station; T4 + T5 have their own stops). Allow 15-20 minutes to walk between terminals if needed.
How late do buses run from Heathrow?+
National Express coaches run roughly 04:00 to 23:00. Megabus has more limited late service. The TfL N9 night bus runs 24 hours — every 20-30 minutes through the night. After the Elizabeth Line + Heathrow Express + Piccadilly Line close (around 00:00), the N9 night bus is the only public transport option until trains restart around 05:00.
Is the N9 night bus safe from Heathrow?+
Yes — TfL night buses are well-used + monitored. The N9 is one of the busier night routes (Heathrow to central London via Hammersmith + Hyde Park Corner). It takes longer than daytime trains (75 min vs 30 min for Elizabeth Line) but is dramatically cheaper than a taxi (£1.75 vs £55-£90). Pay with contactless or Oyster card.
Bus to Heathrow from central London?+
Reverse of the above. National Express + Megabus from Victoria Coach Station, hourly. N9 from Aldwych (Trafalgar Square area) overnight. Book National Express in advance for best fares. Allow 90 min minimum for an early morning departure from central London using buses — the Elizabeth Line is usually more reliable.
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