With so many exciting destinations all around the world, it is no surprise that Heathrow is the UK’s busiest airport. Frequent domestic and international flights arrive and depart daily, with five large terminals at their disposal. Travelling through such a busy transport hub can be stressful, but catching a train to Heathrow Airport with CrossCountry can help to kick your holiday off in style.
How to get to Heathrow Airport by train
Making your way to Heathrow Airport needn’t be difficult, as CrossCountry is here to provide reliable and regular services to stations close by. The closest CrossCountry train station is Reading station, which is accessible on CrossCountry services from Birmingham and Bournemouth. From here, there are multiple daily RailAir bus services that’ll get you to Heathrow in around 45 minutes.
We also recommend to take advantage of our Advance Tickets in order to book your train with plenty of time to spare, giving you the chance to kick back and relax when making your way to your holiday.
Facilities in Heathrow Airport
With so many people travelling through Heathrow Airport every day, they have made sure to have the best facilities available. Heathrow prides itself on ensuring that every passenger that chooses to fly there is accommodated for. Assistance is available for anyone travelling to their flight, however letting the airline know at least 48 hours before your departure/arrival is essential to ensure that passengers get the help they require.
Beyond this, there are plenty of facilities available to make sure that every journey is comfortable and enjoyable. There are charging points to ensure all of your devices are fully charged, so you can make the most of long journeys to watch your favourite shows. There are also ten multi-faith prayer rooms across the five terminals, allowing passengers of all faiths a quiet retreat for prayer and meditation.
If you’re travelling with the family, there are a range of services to help keep everyone happy throughout the journey. There are play areas for children up to nine years old that will keep the little ones occupied while you're waiting to board your flight. Certain restaurants also let kids eat for free during the summer holidays, so no one is travelling on an empty stomach.
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Heathrow Airport Shops & Restaurants
Heathrow has countless facilities to make use of before you head to your gate. With more than sixty shops and over thirty restaurants throughout the airport, you’re bound to find whatever you’re looking for before your flight. The shopping section has a number of luxury fashion and beauty brands, such as Cartier and Chanel alongside outlets such as WHSmith’s where you can pick up some entertainment for your flight such as books and magazines. If you forgot to pack any other travel accessories, there are plenty of opportunities to pick up anything you left at home.
There’s more than just shopping facilities, with plenty of opportunities to eat and drink before you catch your flight. From luxury three-course meals to snacks on the go, you’ll be sure to find anything to satisfy your preflight cravings. In a hurry? No need to rush or miss out on your tasty order, as you can pre-order food and drink on the Heathrow app, allowing you to skip the queue.
Heathrow Airport Travel Connections
Heathrow Airport offers excellent travel connections, ensuring convenient access by various modes of transportation to surrounding towns and cities, including into central London and Windsor.
Coaches are readily available to take you to all parts of the UK, with a number of coach operators like National Express available to passengers. Whether you’re heading home from your holiday or visiting the UK and are heading to holiday hotspots such as Cornwall or the Cotswolds, you’ll find a coach that will get you to your chosen destination in comfort.
If you would to travel with privacy and quiet, booking a private hire car through approved providers from Heathrow might be the answer. You can even hail a classic London black cab to take you wherever your next destination is. Trusted minicab providers can be booked and paid for in advance, helping you switch seamlessly from your flight to your next mode of transport.
The Heathrow Express provides a non-stop service to and from London Paddington in just 15 minutes, while the Elizabeth Line offers a direct and affordable link to central London. While these services do run into the night, it's important to stay up to date with schedules because neither operate 24 hours a day. Similarly, The Piccadilly Line on the London Underground connects you to London and does not run 24/7, however Night Tubes are available on Fridays and Saturdays. We recommend checking your connecting trains in advance to avoid disappointment.
