For some passengers travelling to Heathrow by car isn’t an option so they look for an alternative such as a bus or train. Today we will look at the bus companies that run from all over the UK to Heathrow Airport.
National Express Bus
The most common way of getting to Heathrow Airport via bus is through the national express bus service. The National Express have a network of busses throughout the UK which can get you to Heathrow Airport without too much bother at all.
The national express bus service is very affordable and with multiple departures a day it’s usually one of the best options to get to Heathrow Airport Via a bus.
At Airport Transfers UK we provide taxis to Heathrow airport, but we recognised that not everyone can afford or want to pay as much for a private transfer. Therefore if you click on the make a booking button at the top of this page you are now able to check out how much a bus would cost from your location too.
If you do travel via the national express we recommend getting to the airport at least 3 hours before your flight departs as you will need that extra time to get through security and the covid checks. Being early also cuts down on the stress if there were to be more traffic on the roads than usual too.
Megabus to Heathrow
The Megabus is also another great option if you are travelling via bus to Heathrow Airport. Depending on your location, you will more than likely have multiple departures a day and once again the Megabus is affordable.
In our experience, the national express is usually cheaper than the Megabus so we would recommend comparing both before booking a bus to Heathrow. With that said, Megabus usually have more comfortable busses than National Express. If you want more comfort it could be worth the extra few pounds especially if you are on the bus for a few hours.
The Megabus can take you to terminals 2 and 3 and from there you can access terminals 4 and 5 via shuttle. If you would like to learn more about getting to each of the Heathrow terminals check out our Heathrow Airport guide.
Airline Bus Oxford to Heathrow Airport
Unlike the National Express and Megabus, Airline bus doesn’t have a vast network all around the UK. If you do live in Oxford though they offer a convenient and affordable bus service to Heathrow Airport.
Airline bus isn’t as affordable as the other two bus services either, however, tickets start at £23 for adults so they aren’t too expensive.
With multiple departures a day around the clock, this could be a good choice for someone who lives in Oxford. From Oxford to Heathrow you can expect a journey time of 80 minutes.
Tips for travelling via bus
Travelling by bus to any airport can be a stressful time for most so here are a few tips on how to improve your journey.
Our first tip would be to make sure you have plenty of time, booking earlier may mean that you spend longer in the airport but at least you will be there on time. Missing a flight can be expensive and can ruin a holiday so getting to the airport early is a must. We recommend getting to Heathrow Airport at least 3 hours early.
There are plenty of things to do at Heathrow so don’t worry about being bored or having to sit around for 3 hours as the time will fly by.
Our next tip for travelling via bus to Heathrow would be to make sure you have multiple copies of your tickets. If you lose or damage one you wouldn’t want to miss your bus journey. Most of the time the driver can cross-reference your name but it’s just not worth the hassle. If you use a digital ticket on your phone then take a paper copy too. I’ve seen many people damage their phones when travelling so having a paper copy will help if that happens.
Bus journeys are boring, none of us like them and the constant starting and stopping can make the journey feel longer than it should do. If you are travelling with small children they will notice this too. Our advice would be to take an iPad or some of their favourite movies or cartoons to keep them occupied on a long journey.
If you are travelling with children it may also make sense to travel after their bedtimes, this way they can sleep through the bus and potentially your flight too. If you can’t do this then make sure to take plenty of toys to keep them active and involved. Travelling can be boring for us so for children it can be amplified, but keeping them busy can make the journey more enjoyable for all.
The last tip we can give you is to try not to worry. Especially if you are travelling with small children or babies. If your baby cries on the plane, don’t worry we have all been there and no one really cares if your baby cries. keep calm and your flight will go quickly.
Getting to Heathrow Airport via other means
A bus to Heathrow is going to be one of the most affordable ways of getting there, however, sometimes a flight may run late or there isn’t availability for the time you need to travel. In this instance, you may want to consider a private taxi to Heathrow or even the tube or train if you can get to London city centre.
If you would like to get a quote on a private transfer, use the button at the top of this page to make a booking. By clicking that button you will be able to see all of the private transfers in your area along with the costs of taking you to Heathrow. It is more affordable than you may think so before you go booking a bus please check it out.