Travelling to London

From the Airport

Once you have completed your journey through immigration control and customs, you will want to make your way to the place you will be staying. Travelling in London is very easy as London has a very good bus, train and underground tube train system.

We recommend that you study the tube map carefully, working out where you are going to and then plan your route, using the information provided.

Don't worry about asking people for information or for directions - look for signs at the airport. You will probably have to take a black cab (taxi) for part of the journey.

Travelling to central London from Heathrow Airport	If you are coming in to central London from Heathrow you have the option of travelling by tube train, bus or rail links. By tub, take the Piccadilly line (blue) into central London. By bus take an Air-bus to either Victoria train station, Russell Square or Kings Cross. By rail link, you can catch the Heathrow express into Paddington train Station. The cost and ease of travel is variable but the rail link takes 15 minutes and costs about £10. The bus and tube take longer but cost less. The airport website provides lots of useful information. http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk . To get a black cab (taxi) from Heathrow to central London, takes 45 minutes-60mintes and cost around £35.
Travelling to central London from Gatwick Airport	If you are coming to central London via Gatwick airport, you can take the Gatwick Express train or the coach/bus. By train a single costs around £10 and takes 30 minutes to reach Victoria Coach Station. The airport website provides lots of useful information. http://www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk . To get a black cab (taxi) from Gatwick to central London, takes 60-75minutes and costs around £65.

Travelling to the Harrow campus from Heathrow	The quickest and easiest way to get to the Harrow campus is by black cab (described later). You can pick up a cab from the airport. To go by tube, go to the underground station catch a train on the Piccadilly line (blue) to Acton Town. At Acton Town you will need to change to another branch of the Piccadilly line to Rayners Lane. At Rayners Lane you change trains for a second time and take the Metropolitan line (maroon) to Northwick Park. The local bus 140 runs from the cenral bus station at Heathrow to Harrow on the Hill and costs £1. The journey normaly takes around one hour. From Harrow-on-the-Hill you will need to take a black cab or a tube train to Northwick Park.
Travelling to the Harrow campus from Gatwick	Despite some trains going from Gatwick to Harrow Weald it is easier for you to come into London on the Gatwick express - travel across London on the underground to either Baker Street or Kings Cross tube station, and catch a Metropolitan line tube to Northwick Park tube station. Alternatively, you could take a Thameslink train ( they leave approximately ever half an hour) to Kingscross and then catch the Metropolitan line to Northwick Park. The campus is very close to the tube station.

International Westminster gives more detailed information about travelling from the airports to individual halls of residence. There is also a Meet and Greet Service for students attending the International Student Welcome Programme and staying in Welcome Programme accommodation.