How much does it cost to go Heathrow on Elizabeth line?

Ticket and fares Travel on the Elizabeth line costs £12.80 at all times of the day, for a journey to or from Heathrow airport, where that journey starts, ends or goes through Zone 1. Single journey tickets and Zones 1-6 Travelcards can be purchased from airport station ticket machines.



In 2026, traveling to Heathrow Airport via the Elizabeth line remains one of the most cost-effective rail options in London. For a journey starting in Zone 1 (Central London), the peak and off-peak fare is approximately £13.90 when using contactless payment or an Oyster card. This is significantly cheaper than the Heathrow Express, which currently averages around £25.00 for a single ticket, though the Elizabeth line takes about 15–20 minutes longer to reach the terminals. If you are traveling between Heathrow and other stations in Zones 2–6 without passing through Zone 1, the fare is even lower, typically matching standard TfL rail rates. In 2026, there is no "airport surcharge" for the Elizabeth line like there is for the Heathrow Express; you simply pay the distance-based fare, making it the preferred choice for budget-conscious travelers and commuters who value the seamless, modern air-conditioned trains over the premium speed of the dedicated express service.

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Travel on the Elizabeth line starts from £12.80 for a journey to or from Heathrow airport, where that journey starts, ends or goes through Zone 1. Single journey tickets and Zones 1-6 Travelcards can be purchased from airport station ticket machines.

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The fares on the central section of the Elizabeth line (Paddington to Liverpool Street) are the same as the fares on London Underground in Zone 1. So travelling from Paddington to Liverpool Street would cost you £2.80 – the same as the Tube.

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The Elizabeth Line uses the same zone-based charges as Tube services, except when it comes to Heathrow Airport, which attracts a £7.20 surcharge for use of the airport's rail tunnels and infrastructure.

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Yes, Oyster cards are accepted for most journeys, except for stations west of West Drayton. Contactless payment cards are accepted at all stations on the Elizabeth line, or if you use an Oyster card, you can buy a paper ticket if you're travelling beyond West Drayton.

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The Elizabeth Line offers a reasonable, more budget-friendly option for travelling to Heathrow. It's likely to be the best train to Heathrow if you're coming from East or Central London, as it avoids the need to change at Paddington. It's also the cheapest option if you need to travel at the last-minute.

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Fares and ticketing
  1. Contactless pay as you go is accepted throughout the Elizabeth line.
  2. Oyster pay as you go and valid Travelcards are accepted but not west of West Drayton.


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Travel free on bus, tram, Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line. You can travel free on TfL services with your Older Person's Freedom Pass from 09:00 weekdays and anytime at weekends and on bank holidays.

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Elizabeth line fares are the same as the Tube on journeys within TfL's nine fare zones, which extend to Brentwood. But passengers travelling to and from Shenfield in the east, and to or from all stations beyond West Drayton in the west, are charged “special” rates equivalent to national rail fares.

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London Underground By far the easiest and most affordable way to get to and from Heathrow Airport. The Piccadilly Line runs through all Heathrow terminals as well as straight through the centre of London, offering connections with every other tube line on the London Underground network.

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Ticket and fares Travel on the Elizabeth line costs £12.80 at all times of the day, for a journey to or from Heathrow airport, where that journey starts, ends or goes through Zone 1. Single journey tickets and Zones 1-6 Travelcards can be purchased from airport station ticket machines.

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Ticket and fares Travel on the Elizabeth line costs £12.80 at all times of the day, for a journey to or from Heathrow airport, where that journey starts, ends or goes through Zone 1. Single journey tickets and Zones 1-6 Travelcards can be purchased from airport station ticket machines.

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The Elizabeth Line operates in the same way as the rest of the public transport system - fixed fares and no need for advance purchase. It is a stopping service, so takes about 10 minutes longer than the Heathrow Express, and its interior will seem a bit more utilitarian.

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Free London Underground services and shuttle trains (Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express) are available for inter-terminal transfers between Heathrow Terminals 2&3 and Heathrow Terminal 5.

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Yes, Oyster cards are accepted for most journeys, except for stations west of West Drayton. Contactless payment cards are accepted at all stations on the Elizabeth line, or if you use an Oyster card, you can buy a paper ticket if you're travelling beyond West Drayton.

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Using contactless or Oyster payment, a journey within Zones 1 and 2 costs £2.50; those buying a paper ticket would pay £6.30 (or £14.40 for a day travel card, which covers unlimited journeys between the two Zones).

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Commuters using the Elizabeth Line could save money on their journey by tapping in and out at certain stations. Anyone travelling into the city centre from the outer zones of the capital, such as Reading or Shenfield, could save money because of a ticketing loophole.

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Yes, this card for London residents over the age of 60 is valid on the Elizabeth line.

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60+ London Oyster photocard This allows you to travel for free on most public transport in London. You can apply from two weeks before your 60th birthday.

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Pay as you go You don't have to work out the cost of your journey in advance. You can pay as you go using contactless (card or device), an Oyster card or a Visitor Oyster card. It also offers great value as pay as you go is cheaper than buying single tickets and you get daily and weekly capping.

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Can a traveller use cash for either a ticket or Oyster card at Terminal 3? You can use cash to buy either, but don't buy a paper ticket. It's much more expensive than Oyster or contactless fares. Check you can get the oyster card at the station for the Elizabeth line, if not then go to the underground station.

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