With flights to over 200 destinations from over 80 airlines, Heathrow is London’s and the UK’s largest and busiest airport. It is also well-served from the SWR network, with coach and bus links from a number of different interchange stations.
Read on for more information about getting to Heathrow Airport with South Western Railway.
Where is Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport is located in the London Borough of Hillingdon, close to Staines and around 15 miles west of central London.
Heathrow is a well-connected destination. It can be reached from several SWR stations via frequent bus and coach services including from:
1. Feltham Station for travellers from Twickenham, Richmond, South London (via Clapham Junction).
2. Staines Station for travellers from Ascot, Bracknell, Chertsey.
3. Woking Station for travellers from Southampton, Salisbury, Portsmouth.
4. Guildford Station for travellers from Dorking, Clandon, Ash.
5. Basingstoke Station for travellers from Winchester, Andover, Southampton and stations to the south and south-west
Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5) via Staines
To get to Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5) from Ascot, Bracknell, Chertsey or other stations in the area, take a South Western Railway train to Staines.
From Staines station, take the X442 express bus route from bus stop S in the station forecourt outside platform 1. The bus stop is approximately 15m from the station exit via 5 steps or 30m via step-free ramp.
Buses operate every 30 minutes for much of the day, taking around 13 minutes to Terminal 5, with transfers available from Terminal 5 to other terminals. Click here for more information about route X442.
Heathrow Airport (Terminals 5, 2 & 3) via Woking Station
To get to Heathrow Airport from Southampton, Salisbury, Portsmouth and stations to the south and south-west, take a South Western Railway train to Woking.
From Woking station, take the RA2 express coach from the south side station forecourt, outside platform 5. The coach stop is approximately 25m from the station exit, step-free and with minimal gradient.
Coaches operate every 30 minutes for much of the day, taking between 25 and 40 minutes (dependent on time of day) to Terminal 5, and 40-55 minutes to Terminals 2 and 3. Click here for more information about route RA2, including timetables and live tracking.
Heathrow Airport (Terminals 5, 2 & 3) via Guildford
To get to Heathrow Airport from Dorking, Clandon, Ash or other stations in the area, take a train to Guildford.
From Guildford station, take the RA2 express coach from stop G in the forecourt outside the main station exit from platform 2. The coach stop is approximately 30m from the station exit, step-free with a slight downward gradient.
Coaches operate approximately hourly for much of the day, taking between 50 minutes and 1hr 10 (dependent on time of day) to Terminal 5, and between 1hr 05 and 1hr 30 to Terminals 2 & 3. Click here for more information about route RA2, including timetables and live tracking.
Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5) via Basingstoke
To get to Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5) from Winchester, Andover, Salisbury and stations to the south and south-west via Basingstoke, take a South Western Railway train to Basingstoke.
From Basingstoke station, take the 731 express coach service from bus stop Z, outside the main station exit. The bus stop is located on the opposite side of the road (Alençon Link) at a lower level from the station, approximately 90m from the station exit via steps or 150m via step-free ramps.
Coaches operate approximately every 1-2 hours and take around 1hr 15 to Terminal 5, depending on traffic conditions. Click here for more information about route 731, including timetables and live tracking. (Note that bus route 731 changes number to route 730 at Frimley, with the same coach running through and no need to change vehicle.
Other ways to get to Heathrow Airport with SWR
As well as the routes described above, you can also reach Heathrow Airport by bus / coach from several other stations served by South Western Railway, for example:
Helpful Information for Your Heathrow Journey
When should I arrive at Heathrow Airport?
To ensure a smooth departure, it’s recommended you arrive at Heathrow Airport:
- 3 hours before long-haul (international) flights
- 2 hours before European flights
- 90 minutes before domestic flights (within the UK)
Be sure to check with your airline for any specific check-in deadlines or advice for your route.
What’s the Difference Between Terminals at Heathrow?
Heathrow has four passenger terminals in operation: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Each serves different airlines and has varying facilities. Here’s a quick overview:
- Terminal 2 – The Queen’s Terminal
Home to Star Alliance airlines (e.g., Lufthansa, United, Singapore Airlines). Features modern architecture, an expansive departure lounge, and premium dining.
- Terminal 3
Serves Oneworld airlines (e.g., American Airlines, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic). Known for excellent shopping and VIP lounges.
- Terminal 4
Handles SkyTeam carriers (e.g., Air France, KLM) and some long-haul flights. Slightly quieter, with improved walking distances.
- Terminal 5
Dedicated primarily to British Airways and Iberia. Offers streamlined check-in, quick security processing, and some of Heathrow’s best lounges and dining options.
If you’re unsure which terminal your airline uses, check your flight confirmation or visit the official Heathrow terminal guide.
Getting Between Terminals
Heathrow provides free transport between terminals using a combination of trains and buses:
Heathrow Express (Free within Heathrow)
- Between Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 5 (every 15 minutes)
- Follow signs to “Trains
Elizabeth Line (Free within Heathrow)
- Between Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 5 (every 30 minutes)
- Between Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 4 (every 15 minutes)
- Follow signs to “Trains”
London Underground Piccadilly Line (Free within Heathrow / Hatton Cross)
- Between Hatton Cross, Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 5
- Between Hatton Cross, Terminal 4 and Terminals 2 & 3 (one direction only)
- Follow signs to “Underground”
Free shuttle buses
- Route H30 between Terminals 4 and 5 (every 20 minutes). Also serves Hatton Cross and Central Bus Station early in the morning.
- Allow up to 20 minutes for inter-terminal travel
Be sure to allow time when connecting between terminals, especially if you’re catching a connecting flight or using bus services to reach your final terminal.
Other Airport Links with SWR
SWR also provide links to several other major airports in the South West of England including:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I buy a combined train and bus ticket to Heathrow Airport?
Yes. In many cases, you can purchase a through-ticket that includes both your South Western Railway train journey and the connecting bus or coach to Heathrow. See the “Planning your journey and buying tickets” section above for more information.
2. How do I know which terminal to go to at Heathrow?
Your airline or booking confirmation should indicate which terminal you're flying from. You can also use the Heathrow Airport terminal finder by entering your flight number.
3. Is there step-free access between SWR stations and Heathrow buses /coaches?
Most major SWR interchange stations (such as Woking, Reading, and Feltham) offer step-free access between train platforms and bus or coach stops, although in some cases these do involve sloped ramps. More information about the accessibility of key interchanges is given in the sections above.
If you require assistance, we recommend pre-booking passenger assistance through SWR or National Rail at least 24 hours in advance.
3. Can I take luggage on the buses to Heathrow?
Luggage is permitted on both coach and bus services linking to Heathrow. Coach services (e.g. RA2, 730/731) have dedicated luggage compartments, while buses (e.g. 285, 490) typically allow standard suitcases as long as they don't obstruct aisles or exits. Please check the policy of the bus operator you intend to use.
4. How long does the journey to Heathrow Airport take?
That depends on your starting station, the route you take and the terminal you are travelling to. Here are some rough estimates:
- From Feltham via bus: 20 - 35 minutes
- From Staines via bus: 13 minutes
- From Woking via coach: 25-55 minutes
- From Guildford via coach: 50–90 minutes
- From Basingstoke via coach: 75 minutes
Always check live travel times and allow additional time during peak hours.
5. Are there toilets and Wi-Fi on buses and coaches to Heathrow?
This varies between routes. Coaches on routes RA1, RA2 and 730/731 typically offer onboard Wi-Fi, USB charging points and air conditioning, while those on route 730/731 also offer toilet facilities. Local buses may offer Wi-Fi and USB charging points, but do not usually have air conditioning or toilets.
6. What if I miss my connecting bus or coach?
If you miss your connecting service, don’t worry. Most bus and coach routes to Heathrow run frequently throughout the day. Simply take the next available service. We recommend allowing at least 10 minutes between your train arrival and your bus / coach departure to avoid missed connections, and to plan to arrive at Heathrow in plenty of time for your flight, as recommended by your airline.
