Know Before You Go

Visa / ETA

You need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you land. Use the gov.uk ETA app to apply. It costs £20 and the official guidance says to allow 3 days to process, but in practice it can come through much faster. It is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires.

Getting to and from Heathrow

Personal commentary

People say not to take the Heathrow Express because it's kind of overpriced, but honestly it's so convenient that it can still be worth it. It is also cheaper if you book in advance. I am about 50/50 on whether I take it myself; I mostly take it on the way to the airport when I am running late.

If you decide not to take it, the Elizabeth line is the best fallback for most people. You can get into somewhere central like Paddington, Bond Street, or Tottenham Court Road and then take a black cab or Uber if you have a lot of luggage.

The cheapest option is the Piccadilly line, but it is noticeably slower and more of a slog after a long flight.

Ranked fastest to slowest

1. Heathrow Express

• Best central London stop: Paddington
• Time: about 15 minutes from Heathrow Terminals 2/3 to Paddington
• Time from Terminal 5: about 21 minutes
• Price: typically £26 one-way standard
• Advance price: from £10 one-way if booked ahead
• Frequency: every 15 minutes

When it makes sense

• Best if speed matters most
• Good with luggage
• Best value only if booked in advance

2. Elizabeth line

• Best central London stop: Paddington
• Time: about 30 minutes
• Price: about £12.80 one-way
• Frequency: about every 20 minutes

When it makes sense

• Best overall balance of cost and speed
• Usually the default recommendation for most first-time visitors

3. Piccadilly line

• Best central London stop: King's Cross St Pancras for comparison purposes
• Time: about 50 minutes
• Price: about £5.80 one-way
• Frequency: about every 5 minutes

When it makes sense

• Cheapest option
• Fine if budget matters more than speed
• Less comfortable after a long flight, especially with luggage

Quick take

• Fastest: Heathrow Express
• Best balance: Elizabeth line
• Cheapest: Piccadilly line

Notes

• These times are for reaching central London, not your final hotel
• If staying near Paddington, the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line become more attractive
• If staying on the Piccadilly line, the Tube can make more sense despite the longer travel time

Getting around

Use the same card on Apple Pay or whatever contactless method you choose for every trip. Tap in and out on Tube and Overground. Tap in only on buses and trams. You get charged more when you cross zones, but for most first-time trips you should mostly be in Zone 1.

Try to know your walking route beforehand if you are in a busy area because there are phone snatchers and you do not want to be standing on the street staring at your phone.

Reservations

Book the Sunday roast, the play, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, museums with special exhibitions, and cocktail bars if they take reservations.