The Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express are the premium rail options for London’s three biggest airports. They’re fast and comfortable — and they all share the same limitation. Here’s how they compare, and when they’re worth it.
Key takeaways
- Heathrow Express → Paddington. Fastest, and priciest per person.
- Gatwick Express → Victoria. Thameslink and Southern are often better value.
- Stansted Express → Liverpool Street.
- All three end at a terminus, not your door — add onward travel.
- All three stop overnight — and are priced per person.
01 / THREEThe three services
Heathrow Express runs to Paddington and is the fastest way into London by rail — and the most expensive per head. Gatwick Express runs to Victoria; note that Thameslink and Southern also serve Gatwick and are frequently better value, reaching more destinations. Stansted Express runs to Liverpool Street.
02 / TIMESFirst and last trains
Each service runs from early morning to late evening, but we’re not printing first and last times — they change with timetable revisions and engineering works, and a wrong figure could cost you a flight. Check the operator’s own website or National Rail on the day you travel.
03 / LIMITThe shared limitation
All three deliver you to a London terminus — not your destination. From Paddington, Victoria or Liverpool Street you still need a Tube or a taxi, with your luggage, which erodes both the time saving and the price advantage.
And all three are priced per person. For a family of four, four Heathrow Express tickets comfortably exceed the cost of a single fixed-fare car that goes to your actual door.
04 / WORTHWhen they’re genuinely worth it
They’re excellent if you are travelling alone or as a pair, light on luggage, heading near the terminus, and travelling during service hours. That’s a real use case and we won’t pretend otherwise — if that’s you, take the train.
05 / RUSHXOWhen a car wins
A car wins when you are a group or family, have real luggage, are heading somewhere away from the terminus, or are travelling outside train hours. Rushxo goes door to door, 24/7, at a fixed fare with no per-person multiplier.
FAQFrequently asked questions
Where does the Heathrow Express go?
To London Paddington. It’s the fastest rail link from Heathrow, but the most expensive per person, and Paddington may not be your final destination — factor in onward travel.
What are the first and last Heathrow Express trains?
Times change with timetable revisions and engineering works, so check the operator’s own website or National Rail on the day you travel rather than relying on a published table.
Is the Gatwick Express the best option from Gatwick?
Not always — Thameslink and Southern also serve Gatwick, often at better value and reaching more destinations than Victoria. Compare before you default to the Express.
Where does the Stansted Express go?
To London Liverpool Street. As with the other airport expresses, it delivers you to a terminus rather than your final destination.
Are the airport expresses good value?
For one or two people travelling light and heading near the terminus, yes. For a family or group they’re priced per person, so a single fixed-fare car to your actual door is often cheaper.
Do the airport expresses run overnight?
No — they all stop overnight, which is exactly when early departures and late arrivals happen. For those hours a 24/7 car is the reliable option.
Time Matters
Door to door instead — get a fixed fare
Fixed fares confirmed before you ride. Local licensed drivers, flight tracking, 24/7 human support — and no surge, ever.