Free Bus Transportation From London LHR to Bath Road within Heathrow Freeflow Zone
Updated: Jun 28
**** See bottom of review for an update
The Heathrow Freeflow Zone is an area within the immediate LHR airport area that provides free bus service. I am writing this as much as a reminder to myself as information that many may find very useful. As every time I am staying at a hotel near Heathrow I forget where I put this information. I have been taking advantage of this program for the last 15 years or so.
If you are staying in a hotel along Bath Road (Ibis, Holiday Inn Heathrow, Renaissance Heathrow, Radisson Edwardian, Sheraton Skyline, or Marriott Heathrow), you can take the following buses from the Central Bus Station at LHR Terminal 1,2,3 ; 105, 111, N140, 278,
285, 423 & N9 to these hotels. As long as you are only traveling within the Freeflow zone (see links below for exact area) there is no charge for these local buses. As a warning, they do not drop you off at the hotels, but at bus stops along Bath Rd. (Sipson Rd. stop is walking distance to several hotels) Some stops are a few yards from the hotel while others may be a few hundred yards. So if you have a lot of
luggage, there's bad weather or want door to door service, then it may be better paying the 6 Pounds one way or 11 return for the Hotel Hoppa (bus service from each terminal at LHR to area hotels). But if you have a small amount of luggage or do not mind a short walk, then this service can save you 11 Pounds per person (they have family rates and children under 15 are free). Or if you are staying in one of these hotels and want to take The Tube into London this is also a great use for this service (you can access
285, 423 & N9 to these hotels. As long as you are only traveling within the Freeflow zone (see links below for exact area) there is no charge for these local buses. As a warning, they do not drop you off at the hotels, but at bus stops along Bath Rd. (Sipson Rd. stop is walking distance to several hotels) Some stops are a few yards from the hotel while others may be a few hundred yards. So, if you have a lot of hrow Express (free service) to Terminals 1 & 3. Follow the signs to The Central Bus Station and look for one of the buses I mentioned above. Just let the driver know you are going to Bath Rd. I will say that there are many more bus routes to the east of the airport entrance on Bath Rd. than to the west.
There is additional Free Bus service to other hotels in the area (consult link below) and from Terminals 4 & 5 (it may be possible to take a bus directly from Terminal 4 or 5 to Bath Rd. and not have to take the Heathrow Express to Terminal 1, 2 & 3). I have also used this service to travel from Terminal 4 to the Central Bus Station because I had a very early morning flight out of Terminal 1 and the Heathrow Express did not start service early enough. I know there are buses that go the other direction on Bath Rd. that have stops near the Hyatt Place, Thistle Heathrow, and the Sheraton Heathrow.
Below are 2 links with more information on The Heathrow Freeflow Zone.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/heathrowterminals123-13970.pdf
*** Well, I seem to have the power of change with my reviews. I publish this on May 31st and just found out (June 1st) that the Heathrow free travel zone ends June 11,2021 (not sure why, but these days probably due to safety ;-))
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/bus-changes#on-this-page-6
Similarly, I wanted to write a review in August 2020 on https://www.patstravelreviews.com/post/what-is-it-like-flying-during-the-covid-19-pandemic but hoped that the pandemic would end and travel would return to a more "normal" service. Finally last month I thought; I should write the review because the airlines won't change their service for a while. A few days later a few US airlines announced some return to normal service : {
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