Fare increases have made journeys to Heathrow via the Tube or Elizabeth Line more expensive (unless you use a blogger's trick). Here, we explain the most cost-and-time-effective routes to reach five major UK airports
Holidaymakers looking to save money on their journey to Heathrow Airport have been spoiled with the opening of the Elizabeth Line. Cost-conscious travellers had previously opted for the Piccadilly Line. They put up with the nearly one-hour journey from King Cross St Pancras Underground station to Terminal 5 of the UK’s biggest airport, and the crowded carriages, in order to shave up to £21.50 off each way of their holiday commute.
Time is, of course, precious too and Express Services from Central London to London Airports are upping their offerings. On Heathrow Express, for example, passengers who opt for a Business First ticket are given fast-track airport security. Additionally, all users will soon be able to book their Heathrow Express Tickets through the Uber app.or Elizabeth Lines, a London-based blogger has suggested a way in which to avoid the price hike.
The same approach can be taken on the Elizabeth Line – get off, tap out and tap back in again at Hayes and Harlington the last station before Heathrow, before continuing to the airport. This will make the journey £3 cheaper than travelling non-stop from Heathrow, the blogger says. The cost-of-living crisis will encourage travellers to track their holiday budget more closely than ever, so we have tracked the costs for travel to five major UK airports. We have picked journeys from the nearest major city to each airport for more straightforward comparisons.All costs are based on buying a ticket on the day of travel, rather than in advance, including sample taxi costs for a daytime trip . We’ve stuck with traditional taxi services, rather than on demand apps.
Our list of ways to reach each airport is not exhaustive but offers an overview. To offer a guide for those travellers who tend to be taken to the airport by a friend or family members, we have given details of each airport’s car drop-off fees for a wait of up to 10 minutes.