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National Express coachorNational Express coach to Heathrow?

The short answer

These do not go to the same place, so price is not the comparison. The National Express coach reaches Liverpool Street, on the eastern edge of the City; the National Express coach to Heathrow does not. The other airport, not the city. For a connection between the two; for the centre take the Stansted Express or a coach to London.

The National Express coach is quicker: 1 h 08 against 1 h 30. The National Express coach to Heathrow varies between 85 and 110 minutes.

National Express coach: Runs all night. National Express coach to Heathrow: 02:30–19:25.

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.
TravelersNational Express coachNational Express coach to HeathrowDifference
1from £7from £21.30up to £14.30
2from £14from £42.60up to £28.60
3from £21from £63.90up to £42.90
4from £28from £85.20up to £57.20
5from £35from £106.50up to £71.50
6from £42from £127.80up to £85.80
7from £49from £149.10up to £100.10
8from £56from £170.40up to £114.40

Side by side

Where each one leaves you
National Express · National ExpressNational Express coach
From
Coach station, a two-minute walk from the terminal
To
Liverpool Street on route A8; Stratford, Victoria and others on A6 and A9
Luggage
One suitcase up to 20 kg and one hand bag up to 10 kg per person.
Runs
All night
Journey
45–100 min

Three routes, three journeys. A9 reaches Stratford in about 45 minutes; A8 reaches Liverpool Street in about 1 h 08 and Victoria in about 1 h 40; A9 continuing to Liverpool Street takes about 95 minutes. Check which route your ticket is for.

The operator says the service runs round the clock, and its individual route timetables show first and last departures from the airport clustered around midnight — A6 00:15 to 23:55, A8 00:10 to 23:50, A9 00:05 to 23:45.

The 33 per cent group discount needs four or more people, applies to single journeys only, and cannot be combined with a Coachcard or other offer. Book it online or at the National Express desk, not by phone or on board.

The cheapest ticket type is Restricted, which cannot be changed or refunded. Change & Go costs GBP 5 each way and lets you take any coach within twelve hours either side of your booked departure — worth it if your flight might slip.

A seat is not guaranteed unless your ticket names a specific service.

National Express coach: price for every party size

Check times and fares with National Express
National Express · National ExpressNational Express coach to Heathrow
From
Coach station, bays 20 to 22, two minutes from the terminal
To
Heathrow Central Bus Station for Terminals 2 and 3, then Terminal 5
Luggage
One large suitcase or two medium cases and one soft hand bag per person.
Runs
02:30–19:25
Journey
85–110 min

Terminals 2 and 3 are the Central Bus Station, where the coach calls first. Terminal 5 is about 20 minutes further on, and no coach on this route stops at Terminal 4.

Allow for the traffic: the ride is about 90 minutes, 110 on the 06:40, and National Express advises being at the airport three hours before a flight.

Change & Go, £5 each way, lets you take any coach within twelve hours either side of the one you booked.

National Express coach to Heathrow: price for every party size

Check times and fares with National Express

This compares two of 9 options. See all of them ranked for your party size

The other comparisons at Stansted