RACE to Heathrow Airport | Is the ELIZABETH LINE faster than Heathrow Express and taxi?

We hopped on board London's new Elizabeth Line Crossrail to put its speed to the test!
TPG UK raced from central London to Heathrow Airport on the Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express and via taxi in order to see what mode of transport came out on top in terms of speed, comfort and cost.
Nicky had the pleasure of taking the new Elizabeth Line, Liam travelled on the Heathrow Express and Ben went by taxi.
Follow @Ben___Smithson - / ben___smithson
Follow @NickyKelvin - / nickykelvin
Follow @Liam_Spencer - / liam_spencer
NEWSLETTER: thepointsguy.co.uk/mailing-list/
INSTAGRAM: / thepointsguyuk
TWITTER: / thepointsguyuk
FACEBOOK: / thepointsguyuk
TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@thepointsguy?...

[@david_rocky_road]

You need to do this again later this year, when the Elizabeth line runs straight through to Heathrow T2 from Tottenham Court Road. That way, you’d avoid having to change at Paddington and might actually beat someone on the Bakerloo line and Heathrow Express!

[@vikramtandon8675]

And they need someone to do the Piccadilly Line as well

[@josefk2132]

👍🏻 This comment. Exactly. And it's the cheapest.

[@MikeWillSee]

The Heathrow Express, whilst nice, is pretty pointless for such a short journey, and will become even more pointless once through running starts on Crossrail. Perhaps at some point in the future we'll see the services merging, and the Elizabeth line running some trains non-stop from Paddington to Heathrow. It would be a good way to make use of the extra capacity as currently a lot of the core services are scheduled to terminate at Paddington without heading any further west.

[@Mgameing123]

@@vikramtandon8675 yes

[@feiryfella]

@@vikramtandon8675 I know how long that takes lol.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Omg we have an Elizabeth Line video now! I thought only Geoff Marshall and his fandom (including me) were interested.

[@icecranberry2148]

Oh hello, another Geoff Marshall subscriber! I am pretty sure he is the reason why this channel was reccomended to me

[@jameswilson1984]

I wonder if once the Elizabeth line is fully integrated up and you don’t have to stop and change at Paddington, whether that will make the Elizabeth line the fastest.

[@joshholloway4799]

By late 2022 Elizabeth line services will run direct from Abbey wood to heathrow and reading via Paddington. In 2023 I think spring time direct services will run from Shenfield and abbey wood direct via central London to Reading and heathrow. So yes! It will make it alot faster. However the Elizabeth line as it makes more stops between Paddington and heathrow approx 6 whilst express is direct so it might make no difference

[@ashleyw1393]

It would come close as the main reason the two rail options there came second and third was the change over at Paddington which all depends on how long you need to wait for the next service.

[@steveharvey2001]

@@ashleyw1393 and the Taxi would be slowest in the peaks

[@christopherflynn4094]

No the Elizabeth line won't be faster as it stops at every station. The Heathrow express doesn't.

[@christopherflynn4094]

@@joshholloway4799 no it won't. It stops at every station. Heathrow express doesn't stop

[@noahbowie5985]

This will be a much fairer race when the Elizabeth line opens in full and the whole service becomes integrated

[@rachelryan5805]

Heathrow Express is £5.50 if you get your ticket 3mths or more in advance. I discovered this by accident in early may thank goodness so saved a heap for my Aug trip.

[@SimonEllwood]

The Heathrow express goes from Paddington if that works for you then it is a good option. When the Elizabeth line fully opens that option will be way better for most people where getting to Paddington is not easy.

[@rob171081]

Does it have to be a nominated time ? Or is it flexible?

[@rachelryan5805]

@Chris N you scan at gate as you go through.

[@RalphHammett]

Petition for a RACE TO NEWQUAY, Cornwall (start near Buckingham Palace) 1 person take the GWR Train And 1 person takes a train to Gatwick and then flies to Newquay with Eastern Airways!

[@itzpuffyfunkyyt3587]

That’s a good idea

[@EssexWolf1993]

I’m all for that!

[@Mgameing123]

don't forget SWR

[@RalphHammett]

@@Mgameing123 that would take a really long time, it’s quite a slow train to Exeter and then have to change. GWR is better to get to Newquay

[@Mgameing123]

@@RalphHammett true but IET's are just the worst acording to alot of peeps

[@pstevenson]

So what was the actual time difference between the options, particularly the heathrow express vs elizabeth line!! Cant believe this wasnt detailed here or on TPG website!

[@tomthornton6259]

Seems odd. Maybe there were only a few mins between them all, which isn't quite so exciting a video! But would be nice to know, as the express might be worth it if there's an obvious advantage, or maybe not if it's only a few mins quicker, for example.

[@fplsupport1251]

Need Geoff Marshall to do it

[@shaunganley]

@@fplsupport1251 Seriously. I'm sure it's on his list, though he may not wanna pony up for Heathrow Expre$$

[@t.p.mckenna]

Kind of negates the purpose of the whole video not to give a timeline, and yes, deffo, Geoff Marshall would have had full chapter and verse on the timings. Also, the cost of the Paddington journey didn't include the ticket for the underground.

[@mikeecottle]

Your point is well taken. But having taking all three of these options myself (including recently the Elizabeth line) the journey time will vary greatly based on where you leave from in London as well as the time of day. The taxi won because it was going against traffic in the morning rush hour. Don’t attempt that from 16.00-19.00. If you were departing from south of the Thames, getting to Paddington would take a lot of time versus say Marble Arch.

[@walkermangum56]

Got to try it again when the Elizabeth line fully opens and you don't have to change at Paddington

[@joshholloway4799]

I don't think it will make much of a difference. TfL can only offer cheap prices as Elizabeth line is a stopping service it makes 6 stops from Paddington to heathrow whilst heathrow express makes no stops. Additionally liam could have been faster if he walked TCR and got the Elizabeth line to Paddington and got on the heathrow express from there

[@l3v1ckUK]

I'm looking forward to trying the Elizabeth Line when I land at Heathrow in a few weeks. The Heathrow express has always been too expensive, and the Piccadilly line has always been annoyingly slow. Hopefully the Elizabeth Line will be a happy medium.

[@tiborfaiss1626]

The stations look extremely modern and great.

[@davidlazarus67]

Book the Paddington Express in advance and it’s only £5.50 for a fixed day single standard, and only £3.65 with a discount card.

[@l3v1ckUK]

Thanks for the tip

[@ANDY1985UK2011]

@@davidlazarus67 where? it's £16.50 on their website

[@ANDY1985UK2011]

@@davidlazarus67 90 days in advance for that price

[@fist003]

although arriving last, still worth to get on the Elizabeth Line especially you're in a group. Heathrow Express is ok if you're a couple and do plan ahead. Getting into the black cab would be the last option or if you're a family with small children. the traffic would affect your travel time and cost. the point that wasnt highlighted in the end was the frequency/availability of those transport. Elizabeth has the most frequency than others and the cab is heavily depend on luck

[@PeterCooperUK]

Good video, I hear that a fourth person who took the Piccadilly Line is still en route.

[@oscyk]

The way Liam said at 3:08 "I believe there is a train in just under 15 minutes," means he just missed one as they are every 15 min.

[@funny2thag]

I’ve taken Heathrow Express nearly every time I visit London, but I’m leaning towards trying the Elizabeth Line in June. If I’m with 3 or more, it’s definitely an Uber or black cab.

[@lamitron]

This is a decent video, but really you should do the video again when the Elizabeth line links up without a change at Paddington later this year.

[@ViljoWilding]

The thing to remember about getting to T2 in particular is the long journey through the underground tunnels that go on for ages! With T5 it's much easier from either train.

[@feiryfella]

Not great if you're disabled, though they were amazingly helpful.

[@robh8814]

Running Times from Pad-Heathrow are Crossrail 22 mins / Heathrow Express 15 mins. Crossrail runs up the Local/Slow Line & HEX up the Fast/Main. They both use the same track from Heathrow Junction to Heathrow. If ur on Crossrail leaving & there is a 15 min wait for HEX then Crossrail will win. If HEX is under 10 then HEX will win as the "main" always gets priority.

[@sommeliermicheleorbolato9896]

Nice video guys thanks for the review! Keep doing this in autumn when the Elizabeth Line will be fully operative!

[@RalphHammett]

Another great video like usual, I like this regular upload schedule! Keep it up!

[@victoriapaton6719]

Also to consider... black cab had no traffic. This past Monday, I took a cab from central London to Terminal 2 and it took 2.5 hours bkz of underground strike AND Monday after Jubilee holiday weekend. Strike aside, traffic to/from LHR, on the roads nearest the airport, lately can be at a standstill bkz so many people are traveling these days.

[@theushistorian]

This was fun to watch. With Heathrow Express taking only 15 minutes to get into Central London, on a few occasions I've stayed at Heathrow hotels directly connected via walkway to the airport. I've booked my Heathrow express tickets months in advance (at a total cost of 11 pounds return ticket) and I've saved loads of money. Some of the Heathrow hotels like Sofitel and the Hilton are very nice and remarkably less expensive than booking a central London hotel of substantially lesser quality.

[@176MarkW]

A shame nobody did the Pic Line!

[@bensmithson1773]

They'd still be on it now...

[@adamwest4981]

There should be proper timing information. How long did the connections take? How long do you have to walk? How long does the journey planner say vs how long did it actually take? How fast would it be if you weren't running? Pretty disappointing that none of this was included. A couple of tweaks and it would have been a great video!

[@DougieMontana]

You can kind of work that out, train journey is around 15-20 minutes, so connections and running was 20-25 minutes, add a few minutes for walking.

[@adamwest4981]

@@DougieMontana And what about the others? The whole point of the video is to compare the options and they didn't compare the options.

[@DougieMontana]

@@adamwest4981 the point was what was quickest. Black cab won.

[@jason38800]

I agree this information was needed. If the three options are only five minutes apart then £75 and £12.50 is a huge difference. Plus taking into account of the unpredicatable traffic in London I wouldn't be so certain the cab is the fastest option every time.

[@DougieMontana]

@@jason38800 I think the moral of the story is that they are all quite similar. From central London 40-50 minutes (if your willing to run and sweat)

[@ce1834]

The Heathrow Express is pretty poor value for money for the amount of time saved and the much lower frequencies - though the tube's pretty good if you're not in a rush

[@anneneville6255]

It is only worth it if you have a plane to catch at 6am, otherwise the tube is sufficient

[@MursGaming2]

This trio is amazing! Keep it up guys! Love the vid.

[@johnrafferty8087]

Really need to do this in October when the Elizabeth line is connected up and running through

[@bensmithson1773]

I just made my flight even with these two waffling on...

[@ThePointsGuyDepartures]

😂😂

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Nicky and Liam, one of my favourite Dynamic Duos are back. ♥️ P.S. WE LOVE A GOOD RACE VIDEO!

[@GregCurtin45]

#ThePointsGuysUK is always the best part of any day. Awesome video challenge as always. Thanks to the #TPGuk for fhe fun. Congrats Ben!

[@Manthanjha]

Nicky and co. I love your content. Keep up the amazing work. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@scotgranger7205]

I can't wait to try the Elizabeth Line to Heathrow. I've taken a cab and the Heathrow Express and I was pleased that my conclusion was the same as yours. Spoiled in the Cab (and much lighter in the pocketbook) and the Heathrow Express (used their app and discount by purchasing ahead - the app stunk back in 2019) We stayed at the Hilton at Paddington and found it was a great experience and location. If we go back there again, it's great to have 2 convenient ways to get to Heathrow. Great Video! Thank you!

[@madmemes1532]

I love watching you guys Keep up the great work

[@tonguepiercing]

To be complete you need a 4th person travelling via the Piccadilly line

[@faaris9180]

Wanna try Elizabeth line when I go to London! I can’t wait for more videos! The race videos are the best!

[@Christophertkf]

You guys are the best to watch on KZbin.

[@johnh2601]

Great Video, Keep them coming..

[@devshah5570]

These are fun to watch!

[@A.Kins1990]

Thanks for this! Going on my first solo trip to London in October. I now how a clear choice on to what tot ale to and from the airport ☺️

[@irishinusa1615]

Great idea👍 Hi Nicky 👋 Thanks for doing and sharing. Very helpful 👍👊

[@AndrewG1989]

The Elizabeth Line is now in service as everyone is so excited. And how successful it has become. I am going to ride on the Elizabeth Line sometime in late June or July.

[@strafrag1]

Great video, Guys. Loved it.

[@lunallenagr]

I really needed this i was looking for the fastest way to go to T2 Thank youuu🙏❤

[@dcaley1991]

I always forget how big the trek from the HX/Elizabeth Line platform to Terminal 2 is 💀

[@SuperLQQK]

You guys look like you are having so much fun making your videos. I hope you really are having fun.

[@neiltongee255]

Nicky just keeps getting fitter! Love your videos guys 👏🏻

[@alexandergoodrich2027]

I went on the Elizabeth line the other day Great fun!

[@in-flightreport]

It's like a TPGUK night out lol 7:23 Nicky - "Hello lads, How's it going?" Liam - "It's going very well here, I'm steaming..."

[@joq702]

Definitely helpful. And fun. But what was the time for the Elizabeth Line? If I share the cab with wife is it the same 75L or is it more for two passengers?

[@ricardosam8050]

Thanks lads for information great 👍

[@MrCraftyLee]

The Heathrow Express seems a tourist trap and a bit of a dinosaur now, very expensive considering it's 2x the cost of Elizabeth line and not much faster

[@SouthlondonAl]

Compounded by the predatory tickets sellers at Paddington and Heathrow

[@rob171081]

£25 is a piss take. But the Barrier gates at each end are the slow closing luggage/disabled type so quite easy to nip in behind someone else. 😉

[@AysahSpades]

Great video. If I am in a rush, I'd take a cab and if I know I'm going, I'm taking the Elizabeth line. The Elizabeth line is just too convenient and at a good rate. It's an hour but I'd just be reading and listening to music for the duration of it anyway.

[@Determination212]

At least you have a reliable transit system. Transit in the U.S. for the most part sucks so you typically drive or fly. We do have Amtrak train but it mostly travels to major cities and it can be slow at times.

[@sodorflubbs5000]

I think it depends where your coming in. Why would I not take the Express if I’m coming straight in to a station if leaves from?

[@grassytramtracks]

​@@sodorflubbs5000because it's expensive. Through services on the Elizabeth line also make it much less time competitive if you're going into central London, the time difference is pretty minimal

[@sodorflubbs5000]

@@grassytramtracks Fir me, expense isn’t quite so much a thing as ease of use. I’m disabled and use crutches. Far easier to drag stuff to the Express that’s to the Elizabeth line. If I was more mobile I think that would be more of a thing for me.

[@corleth2868]

No way I'd chose the black cab. I've lived in London for 22 years and I've been in a black cab once. For this trip 100% I'd use the Elizabeth line, price and speed it's a winner, whether it wins or not ;o)

[@FatUglySadMan]

Errr sure Black cabs miss you.

[@vladkv4620]

@@FatUglySadMan for emergency lol

[@bobdillon2426]

get 6 plple in cab, so cheaper if therrs more then 3 pple

[@joebonthuys]

Your loss! Best cabs in the world bar none!

[@lewisbarnett9236]

@@joebonthuys If you have a spare £75 for a 15 mile journey

[@francoisgagne2651]

Heading to UK in May....You guys helped a lot in making me take the right decision on our return from London to Heathrow....It's going to be The Elizabeth Line...

[@johannago8960]

Hi! traveling to London this summer . Will be staying around St Pancras station . How much you think total cost of cab from st pancras station to heathrow . Thanks

[@robertofraser101]

Enjoyed lads and I just subbed

[@jeffreydesmond5082]

Hi Guys Really like your videos and comparisons like this. I live in Australia but have visited London many times and consider London the best big city in the World. I see that a lot is being built in regards to new transport links which I'm sure will be a tremendous boost, I do have a question. Would it be a good idea to have a direct link from Heathrow terminals to Victoria and St. Pancras? There is already a direct link to Gatwick from Victoria station and that would complete the link with Heathrow and St. Pancras. It appears that on top of the Heathrow express there is a new link on the Elizabeth line which seems to be doubling up? Just a thought from the other side of the World. Thanks

[@juliomarcus]

Hahahaha I love you guys! Cheers from Rio xx

[@oOaphroditeOo]

really fun video!!!

[@abmindprof]

How about the same thing from Times Square or Grand Central to JFK. Four ways, so you'd have to bring someone else along: A train to Howard Beach, then AirTrain vs E train to Jamaica Center then AirTrain vs LIRR to Jamaica Station and then AirTrain, and yellow cab.

[@artel6225]

Great Video. I often travel via Heathrow from London/Essex border. Fastest route for me is District/Jubilee lines then Heathrow express. I only missed my flight once in 45+ flights. A fully integrated Elizabeth Line should make this a winning cost effective journey

[@TheRip72]

It would already be improved with the Elizabeth Line calling at Whitechapel.

[@carolinekelly3415]

Thanks for sharing! The London Underground is the most practical I think! I do not know which line to use yet???😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

[@tripstracka1643]

Good stuff lads.

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Oh race day. Exciting.

[@timgarcera2857]

Will try the Heathrow express since my departure flight would be in the morning but I will try Elizabeth line when I arrive in London. Thanks for the tips Lads!

[@richierich2283]

Great video, what was the time taken for each journey? Elizabethan Line look so good.

[@johnculpon7256]

I do enjoy the overt display of the AMEX GOLD wherever possible 🤣

[@fergusmckie4336]

love these ideas!

[@rayfih]

You made the Daily Mail too!

[@jakegrace79]

All about convenience , family of 4 living in say battersea would have to get to Paddington first to get either Elizabeth line or Heathrow express . Pay for that plus time (30 minutes minimum ) then tickets x4 . Or pre book a black cab on the app , or most likely arrange a trip with a cabby beforehand . Straight door to door service , will still be roughly £70

[@paulyiustravelogue]

Great video as always guys, but many of us start our journey elsewhere instead of starting from central London. How about doing a video from Brighton?

[@philwoodward5069]

Gosh, it's the new Clarkson, Hammond and May! Call me a tight-arse, but having arrived at Paddington, unless I thought the Elizabeth Line wasn't going to get me to the airport in time for my flight, there's no way I'd pay the pirate fare on the Heathrow Express. You're paying extra to wait longer at the airport, at the end of the day. If you've been delayed on your way to Paddington and you're in danger of missing your flight, fair enough, it might be worth paying that ridiculous fare to make sure you don't. Not otherwise, though. It really makes no sense to get a cab. You have to factor in extra time in case there's traffic, then if it turns out there isn't any traffic you've gained nothing as it just means you wait longer at the airport. Poor value, too, as well as being a big "F-You!" to everyone else, putting an extra car on the road and causing extra emissions when there's perfectly good public transport available.

[@reercabdicasiis6076]

...but the Taxi he used was electric. 0 emissions.

[@philwoodward5069]

@@reercabdicasiis6076 Zero tailpipe emissions. EV taxis still emit brake dust and they contribute to congestion which worsens the fuel efficiency of the vehicles around them. If you take a taxi it uses energy that wouldn't otherwise be used. If you get on a train that would run anyway, the marginal extra energy use as a result of you being on the train is so small it can't be measured.

[@HassanAli-sc4tn]

Could you guys do this again when the Elizabeth line is fully connected…. Thats when it will be interesting as you’ll have bond street and Tottenham court road stations and going by the times it could be 30 min journey with no changes :)

[@cmw611]

Wow...I need a rest after watching this!

[@tss271]

I love the channel. Which camera equipment do you use?

[@joecrammond6221]

just found this channel, enjoying watching the race segments, my money was on the heathrow express

[@btnbiker]

Remember if you are in South London or coming up from somewhere like Brighton you get the train to Feltham and then then the bus from outside that serves the terminals

[@fredrikgustafson3135]

As others already have said it would be nice to know the time differences, especially *without* any running, since that's the way most of us want to go.

[@TheRip72]

Especially as most of us would take luggage to Heathrow. That would make running difficult.

[@vikramtandon8675]

Petition for a race to Gatwick - Gatwick Express vs Thameslink vs Southern vs Taxi

[@wenslyoscario9503]

Great video😎

[@eannamcnamara9338]

You guys are gonna need to do this again when the Elizabeth line is fully connected.

[@Arghans]

I’d assumed the express would go after Crossrail but the workers at the airport pay £9.25 return. Means many are now taking Crossrail and changing at Paddington. Crossrail is also slower, more expensive and prone to delays after Paddington. Most annoyingly the central section doesn’t start early enough and so many workers still getting night buses to get the express from Paddington. Crossrail needs earlier services and a faster service to Heathrow.

[@samOTH001]

Took the Elizabeth line last week from Heathrow to paddington and it’s so nice! And cheaper than express I believe

[@victoriapaton6719]

Super valuable and fun info! BUT would be interesting if u each had identical size/weight luggage. Guys on Paddington Express or Elizabeth Line would have encountered stairs or lifts. Ok lads...I say try it again please with same luggage and maybe add 2 friends to do Picadilly Line and Uber. (I was also on Elizabeth Line same 1st day morning just a bit earlier than you...agree it was an amazing experience, but what you couldn't convey by video was that it smelled so clean and was very quiet).

[@jtinsfo]

I'm a simple man. I see Nicky, I click. Fun video : )

[@mattc9998]

TFL needs to watch this. The guidance from Elizabeth Line exit at Paddington to surface platforms is terrible. Obviously once it's entirely joined up this won't be a problem (and they would have been able to go from Bond Street, when opened, straight to Heathrow), but I cannot imagine being someone with a limit grasp of both English and London and changing over between Elizabeth Line services at the moment. On the comment of luggage, the Elizabeth line stations have amazing lifts. The comfort comment about the Elizabeth Line is absolutely spot on. It is a genuine reason to switch your commute to this modality even if it's not as close to your workplace. The contrast in comfort between the tube and Elizabeth Line is staggering.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Interesting point to note, TfL charge £12.50 if you go into LHR on Crossrail but not back out the same day. If you are say, seeing off a family member, and you leave again on Crossrail you will only be charged a normal Oyster fare. The £12.50 applies even if you boarded the train at Hayes & Harlington, one stop from LHR! The cheapest option is the Piccadilly Line which there are no premium fares charged, just normal fares to Zone 6.......

[@Rebecca21710]

I just tried the Elizabeth line today it was great

[@Bobrogers99]

A valid (variables considered) and helpful comparison!

[@beachguy2901]

love all the purple 💜 nice vlog

[@shawndawes3487]

Maybe I missed it. What equipment did you film with? Camera & Audio ?

[@thesmithersy]

I'm glad you got a proper cab and not those unlicenced ubers.

[@haxbax7288]

I love the Elizabeth line when I was an exchange student in England I lived right across from the west ealing stop it made 45 min of tube to 8 min of Elizabeth line

[@opensesame525]

Bloomin' music...drives yer mad!!!!

[@yeah9377]

tbh i think heathrow could really benefit with a long distrance train station considering on how its the busiest airport in the uk

[@tariqsiddique4561]

Nice video 👍 brother Iam from London

[@stefg.1618]

Haha found the video while driving in Elizabeth Line to Heathrow 😅🤙🏼

[@slaphead55]

Another thing to bear in mind is that, for us oldies with 'freedom' or 'over 60' passes, the Elizabeth line costs zero, and when it's fully connected through Paddington later this year it makes all other options unfavourable. That is apart from the creaky old Picadilly Line (new trains on order I understand) or a bus if you're not in a hurry.

[@michaelscriver5395]

That was pretty neat

[@gobbledygook5786]

I am in greater London, and I’ll be taking a 2hr trek to Heathrow to try out the Elizabeth line all the way. Planning to take national rail to London Bridge, then London Bridge to Liverpool Street or Farringdon, and then that to Heathrow.

[@VulcanTrekkie45]

You should do this again when the Elizabeth Line trains no longer terminate at Paddington but run straight through. That would probably make a big difference.

[@jakehowie442]

That’s a great advert for the London taxi and not transport, namely the new £20 billion Elizabeth line😂😂