RailAir RA1orPre-booked private transfer?

The short answer

These do not go to the same place, so price is not the comparison. The Pre-booked private transfer reaches Paddington, and the whole of Zone 1 beyond it; the RailAir RA1 does not. Reading is a separate town on the main line west, not part of central London.

The RailAir RA1 is quicker: 40 min against 1 h 37. The Pre-booked private transfer varies between 45 and 97 minutes.

RailAir RA1: 04:10–00:15. Pre-booked private transfer: Runs all night.

Priced against each other

Whole-party totals · adult fares

What each costs for the whole party, in GBP. The cheaper of the two is marked on every row.
Travelers	RailAir RA1	Pre-booked private transfer	Difference
1	£24	£82	£58
2	£48	£82	£34
3	£72	£82	£10
4	£96	£132	£36
5	£120	£132	£12
6	£144	£264	£120
7	£168	£264	£96
8	£192	£264	£72

Side by side

Where each one leaves you

RA1 · RailAirRailAir RA1

From: Terminal 3 (Stands 7/8), Terminal 2 (Stands 11/12) and Terminal 5
To: Reading railway station, calling at Winnersh Triangle
Luggage: 2 bags up to 30 kg each plus hand luggage per person, included; extra bags £5.00 each.
Runs: 04:10–00:15
Journey: 24–45 min

Reading to Heathrow is billed "in 40 minutes" on RailAir's own site and "under 45 minutes" to Terminal 5 specifically — book the extra few minutes for T5.

It does not run around the clock: the last coach from Terminal 3 is 00:15 and the first is 04:10, a gap of almost four hours.

RailAir RA1: price for every party size

Check times and fares with RailAir

transfer · Welcome PickupsPre-booked private transfer

From: Driver meets you in arrivals with a name board
To: Any address
Luggage: Stated when booking; choose the vehicle by luggage as well as seats.
Runs: All night
Journey: 45–97 min

This price is indicative: the operator sets it, and it moves with vehicle size, luggage and the exact address. Confirm the total at the time you book.

Pre-booked private transfer: price for every party size

Book transfer through Welcome Pickups

Partner link

This compares two of 12 options. See all of them ranked for your party size

RailAir RA1orPre-booked private transfer?

Priced against each other

Side by side

The other comparisons at Heathrow