Travellers flying from London Heathrow Airport this weekend face significant disruption due to major planned engineering works affecting key rail services. If you're heading abroad for some winter sun or an early festive break, careful planning is now essential to avoid missing your flight.
Which services are cancelled and when?
Elizabeth line services between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow, along with all Heathrow Express services, will not run on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November 2025. This planned closure means the two most direct rail routes to the airport will be completely unavailable throughout the entire weekend.
Alternative travel options to Heathrow
While the rail disruption presents a challenge, numerous alternative transport methods remain available, though passengers should expect these to be much busier than usual and build in substantial extra time for their journey to the airport.
London Underground Piccadilly line
The Piccadilly line continues to serve all Heathrow terminals, providing a direct Tube connection from central London. However, Transport for London anticipates this service will be significantly busier and journey times may be longer than scheduled due to increased passenger numbers.
National coach services
Coach operators are offering direct services to Heathrow terminals. National Express runs coaches from London Victoria Coach Station with a one-way fare of £9.30 and an approximate journey time of 35 minutes. FirstBus operates services from Charing Cross Underground station for Terminals 2 and 5, and from Leicester Square station for Terminal 4, with these routes taking roughly one hour.
Local bus routes
Multiple local bus services connect to Heathrow terminals and Heathrow Central bus station. The available routes include: 105, 111, 278, 285, 350, 423, 482, 490, A10, U3, H21, H30, SL7, SL9, and night services N9, N30, N40 and N140 between 11.40pm and 05.35am.
Taxis and private vehicles
Taxis represent the most expensive option, with fares ranging from £45 to £120 depending on your starting point in London and demand levels. All vehicles dropping off passengers at terminal drop-off zones will incur Heathrow's £6 Terminal Drop-Off Charge, which drivers must pay. Alternatively, the free Park and Ride car park allows drop-offs without charge for the first 29 minutes.
Airport parking options
For those driving themselves, short-stay parking at terminal car parks starts at £94.50 for every 24-hour period. The more economical long-stay Park and Ride option costs £40.80 for the first day and £32.90 for subsequent days (£46.80 and £37.40 on peak dates).
Essential travel advice
With key rail services suspended and alternative routes expected to experience high demand, passengers are strongly advised to leave ample additional time for their journey to Heathrow. Checking real-time travel updates before departing and considering less conventional routes could make the difference between catching your flight and missing it entirely during this weekend of significant transport disruption.
