The Piccadilly Line is the cheapest direct Underground option from Heathrow Airport to central London. It serves Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, and the journey to central London usually takes around 45 to 60 minutes.
Quick answer: should you use the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow?
- Best for budget travelers: Piccadilly Line
- Fastest option: Heathrow Express
- Best overall: depends on your budget, luggage and destination
- Travel time to central London: around 50 minutes
- Heathrow terminals served: 2 & 3, 4 and 5
👉 Compare all Heathrow and London airport transfer options here
Piccadilly Line map
Piccadilly Line overview
The Piccadilly Line is one of the most useful London Underground lines for tourists because it connects Heathrow Airport with central London and passes through important stations such as King’s Cross St Pancras, Russell Square, Holborn, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Green Park and South Kensington.
For many visitors, it is the first Tube line they use after landing in London. It is slower than Heathrow Express, but much cheaper and often more practical if your final destination is not near Paddington.
- Airport served: Heathrow Airport
- Heathrow terminals served: Terminals 2 & 3, 4 and 5
- Approximate journey time to central London: 45–60 minutes
- Best for: budget-conscious visitors
- Night Tube: available on Friday and Saturday nights
Piccadilly Line vs other Heathrow options
| Option | Approx. time | Best for | Main strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piccadilly Line | 45–60 min | Budget travelers | Cheapest Tube option |
| Elizabeth line | ~30 min to central London | Balanced price/speed | Best value for many tourists |
| Heathrow Express | 15 min to Paddington | Speed | Fastest option |
| Taxi / private transfer | Traffic dependent | Heavy luggage / groups | Door-to-door comfort |
If you want the full comparison of airport options, see:
London Airport to City Center guide
If you are not sure which fare to use on the Underground, check:
London Tube Tickets: Oyster, Contactless & Travel Cards
Using the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow: what to know
The Piccadilly Line is simple to use, but there are a few practical things tourists should know before choosing it.
- It is much cheaper than Heathrow Express, but slower.
- It is usually the easiest low-cost option from Heathrow.
- If you travel with large luggage, it can feel less comfortable than Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line.
- If you use contactless or Oyster, always touch in and touch out with the same card or device.
Service status
For disruptions, engineering works and planned closures, always check live service status before you travel. The Piccadilly Line also runs Night Tube services on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tourist attractions on the Piccadilly Line
- King’s Cross St Pancras – major rail hub and international connections
- Russell Square – near the British Museum
- Covent Garden – one of the best central areas for visitors
- Leicester Square – cinema district and central connection point
- Piccadilly Circus – iconic central London square
- Green Park – useful for Buckingham Palace area
- South Kensington – museums and cultural attractions
- Heathrow Airport – all main terminals on the line
Important transport links on the Piccadilly Line
- King’s Cross St Pancras – access to national rail and Eurostar
- Heathrow Airport – direct airport access
- Holborn – interchange in central London
- Green Park – useful for central transfers
Piccadilly Line stops
The line serves stations such as Cockfosters, Finsbury Park, King’s Cross St Pancras, Russell Square, Holborn, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Green Park, South Kensington, Earl’s Court, Hammersmith, Acton Town, Hounslow West, Hatton Cross, Heathrow Terminal 4, Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Heathrow Terminal 5, and the Uxbridge branch through stations such as Rayners Lane, Eastcote, Ruislip Manor, Ruislip and Uxbridge.
If you want to keep your original full stop-by-stop station list, you can keep it below this section. The blocks above are the important monetization + decision-making improvements.
Ticket price
Piccadilly Line fares vary depending on the ticket type, payment method and route. For most tourists, contactless or Oyster is the easiest and cheapest way to travel.
👉 See our London Tube Tickets guide
Piccadilly Line first and last train times
The table below shows example first and last train times for major stations including Heathrow Airport.
| Departure Station | First Train | Last Train |
|---|---|---|
| Cockfosters | 05:09 (Mon–Sat) / 07:00 (Sun) | 23:54 (Mon–Sat) / 23:00 (Sun) |
| Heathrow Terminal 5 | 05:23 (Mon–Sat) / 06:07 (Sun) | 23:42 (Mon–Sat) / 23:25 (Sun) |
| Heathrow Terminal 4 | 05:02 (Mon–Sat) / 05:46 (Sun) | 23:35 (Mon–Sat) / 22:37 (Sun) |
| Uxbridge | 06:20 (Mon–Fri) / 08:43 (Sat–Sun) | 23:04 (Mon–Sat) / 22:04 (Sun) |
You can also check the official TfL website for live timetable details.
FAQ – Piccadilly Line
Does the Piccadilly Line go to Heathrow Airport?
Yes. It serves Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
How long from Heathrow to central London?
Usually between 45 and 60 minutes depending on your destination.
Is the Piccadilly Line cheaper than Heathrow Express?
Yes, it is much cheaper, but slower.
Can I use contactless or Oyster?
Yes. For most tourists, contactless or Oyster is the easiest option.
Does the Piccadilly Line run at night?
Yes, Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights.