Local Route Guide
Slough to Heathrow Airport
Choose the bus by terminal, not just its route number. Route 7 serves Terminal 5; 7X serves Heathrow Central for Terminals 2 and 3.
Driving? A GBP 7 per entry drop-off charge applies at the Heathrow terminal, paid online after your visit. See the rules and free alternatives.
Cost comparison
Cheapest way from Slough to Heathrow
Quick answer
Check the live bus fare first. From Wellington Street, use 7 for Terminal 5 or 7X for Heathrow Central. Do not treat their combined frequency as a Terminal 5 service. Compare the A4 for Central and Route 8 via Windsor and Staines for T5.
| Option | Journey time | Typical cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 7 / 7X | Check live timetable | Check live First Bus fare | 7: Terminal 5. 7X: Heathrow Central, not T5. Check the dated departure. |
| Bus 8 | Check live timetable | Check live First Bus fare | Board at Queensmere stop G for Terminal 5. This route travels via Windsor and Staines, so compare its live journey time. |
| Bus A4 | Check live timetable | Check live First Bus fare | Serves Heathrow Central Bus Station, the useful airport stop for Terminals 2 and 3. Confirm the nearest Slough stop before travel. |
| Local Taxi | 15–25 min | Check live local fare | Fastest option via the A4 or M4, though metered fares can rise in traffic. |
| Train (Elizabeth line) | Check live journey | Check live TfL fare | Travel east and change at Hayes & Harlington for the correct Heathrow branch. There is no direct Slough-to-Heathrow train. |
| Fixed-fare transfer | 15–25 min off-peak | Live quote | Useful for an address away from the bus stops or travel outside the useful timetable. Check whether the £7 airport charge is included. |
Distance: about 8 miles. Use the airport stop for your actual terminal. Terminal 4 needs an onward airport connection; check its operating hours before choosing a bus.
Return journey: Board 7 at T5 or 7X at Heathrow Central. The return timetable lists Slough Brunel Way, not Wellington Street. Check the dated service and final departure.
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For a door-to-door journey from Slough to Heathrow Airport, compare a complete vehicle quote with the public-transport options above. The operator quotes for your date, vehicle and passenger count.
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Route intelligence
What matters on this journey
The specific costs, transport links and timing that affect a Slough to Heathrow Airport journey.
Traffic and timing
Allow roughly 8 miles from central Slough, with the distance depending on your address and terminal. A clear A4 or M4 journey may take 15 to 25 minutes. Check live traffic and leave a delay margin for Bath Road and the airport approaches.
Train, coach and interchange friction
Choose 7 for T5 or 7X for Central. The Elizabeth line requires a change at Hayes & Harlington. Compare the whole journey, including any terminal transfer, rather than treating every Heathrow service as interchangeable.
Door-to-door fit
A written door-to-terminal quote avoids the bus stop and rail interchange, but the direct bus is usually the first price to check. A car becomes more useful for a Slough address well away from Wellington Street or Queensmere, several large cases, or travel outside the useful timetable.
Final checks
Heathrow normally charges £7 per terminal drop-off entry; exemptions and discounts apply to eligible vehicles. The forecourt is for set-down only, with no waiting or pickups; confirm your terminal and that the £7 charge is included in any quoted fare.
Booking checklist
Make the route decision properly
How far is Slough from Heathrow Airport?
Central Slough is about 8 miles from Heathrow. A clear road journey via the A4 or M4 can take 15 to 25 minutes, but Bath Road and the airport approaches slow down during weekday peaks.
What is the cheapest way to get from Slough to Heathrow?
Compare the bus fare for your terminal with the indirect Elizabeth line journey. An old headline price or the next departure is not necessarily the right choice.
Is there a direct train from Slough to Heathrow?
No, there are no direct trains from Slough to Heathrow. Even though the Elizabeth Line serves both Slough and Heathrow, they are on different branches. You must travel to Hayes & Harlington and change trains.
Does the Elizabeth Line go from Slough to Heathrow?
Yes, but not directly. You must board an eastbound Elizabeth line train at Slough, get off at Hayes & Harlington, and board a westbound Elizabeth line train heading into the Heathrow tunnels.
How much is a taxi from Slough to Heathrow?
The short A4 or M4 journey still varies by Slough pickup, terminal and traffic. Check a live fare and make sure Heathrow's drop-off charge is shown as included or additional before accepting the booking.
Where do I catch the bus to Heathrow in Slough?
7 and 7X depart Wellington Street but have different airport destinations. Check your stop and terminal against the timetable before boarding.
How early should I leave Slough for a Heathrow flight?
Work backwards from your airline's check-in or bag-drop deadline. Add the live bus or road journey, any terminal transfer and a delay margin for Bath Road traffic. A short distance does not protect you from a missed connection or an airport queue.
Which Slough bus serves Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3?
The A4 serves Heathrow Central Bus Station, which is the airport stop for Terminals 2 and 3. First Bus also lists 7X to Heathrow Central, so compare it with the A4; routes 7 and 8 serve Terminal 5. Check the live route and your airline terminal before boarding.
How long does the bus take from Slough to Heathrow?
Use the timetable for your departure and destination. Allow additional time for traffic and any terminal connection. Route 8 takes a different route via Windsor and Staines.
What is the fastest way from Slough to Heathrow?
Driving or taking a local taxi/minicab is the fastest way, taking about 15 to 25 minutes outside of peak rush hour.
Can I walk or cycle from Slough to Heathrow?
The towns are close on a map, but the airport perimeter, fast roads and terminal approaches make this a poor luggage journey on foot or by bicycle. Check a proper route planner and airport access restrictions rather than following the shortest driving line.
Do Slough taxis charge the Heathrow drop-off fee?
Heathrow normally charges £7 for terminal drop-off, including local minicabs; eligible vehicles can receive an exemption or discount. Always ask if the quoted fare includes this fee.
Which buses run from Heathrow Airport to Slough?
7 leaves T5; 7X leaves Heathrow Central. Check the return stop in Slough rather than assuming it matches the outward stop.
Can I take luggage on buses 7 or 7X from Slough?
They are local buses rather than airport coaches, so there is no under-floor luggage hold. A normal suitcase is possible when space allows, but several large cases can block the aisle or be difficult at busy times.