Windsor Castle from Heathrow (25 minutes) and central London: fixed-fare cars, tickets and the layover day
- ✓ TfL-licensed operator · licence 11588
- ✓ Fixed price, confirmed before you pay
- ✓ Flights tracked · 60 min free waiting
- ✓ Meet & greet in arrivals
- ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours
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Windsor Castle is the nearest world-class sight to Heathrow — eight miles, twenty-five minutes — which makes it the best use of a long layover in London and an easy half-day from a central hotel. The train involves a change at Slough; the car takes you to the top of Castle Hill and waits. Tickets, timings and fixed fares below.
Tickets and opening in 2026
Advance adult tickets are about £32 (around £36 on the day), 18–24s about £21, children 5–17 about £16.50, under-5s free; tickets bought direct from the Royal Collection Trust can be converted to a free annual pass. The castle is normally closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and on certain state occasions, and St George's Chapel closes to visitors on Sundays. Changing the Guard takes place inside the castle at 11:00 on set days (usually Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; check the schedule). Verify all of this on rct.uk before booking a transfer.
Getting there
| From | Option | Time | Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | Fixed-fare car | 20–30 min | saloon from £85, MPV from £110 |
| Heathrow | Elizabeth line to Slough + GWR shuttle to Windsor & Eton Central | 35–50 min | £13–£20 per person |
| Heathrow | Bus 703 (Thames Valley Buses) | 50–65 min | check operator; not fare-capped |
| Central London | Fixed-fare car | 60–80 min | saloon from £75, MPV from £110 |
| Central London | Train Waterloo → Windsor & Eton Riverside (direct, ~55 min) or Paddington → Slough → Windsor | 55–75 min | £15–£25 per person |
| Gatwick | Fixed-fare car | 60–75 min | saloon from £106, MPV from £121 |
Car fares illustrative, fixed at booking. Drop-off at the top of Castle Hill / High Street; pickup agreed at booking.
The Heathrow layover version
With six hours or more between flights: driver meets you in arrivals with a name board, bags stay in the car, 25 minutes to Windsor, two hours in the castle, lunch in the town or a walk over the bridge to Eton, back to the terminal three hours before departure. Fixed price for the whole loop including waiting, from about £150 in a saloon. Full guide: Heathrow layover tours.
Add Legoland, Eton or Runnymede
Legoland is two miles away (Legoland Windsor by taxi); Eton College is across the river; Runnymede and the Magna Carta memorial ten minutes south. A half-day car with waiting covers any two.
- Quote and book online at any hour — the fare is fixed at the moment you confirm.
- Driver details (name, vehicle, registration, direct mobile) arrive the day before.
- Flight tracking on every airport pickup: if your flight is early or late, the pickup moves with it at no charge, with 60 minutes' free waiting after landing.
- Pay by card when you book. No cash, no meter, no surge.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- How much is a taxi from Heathrow to Windsor Castle?
- Our fixed fare is from £85 in a saloon (from £100 MPV), 20–30 minutes. A round trip with two hours' waiting is from about £150.
- Is Windsor Castle open every day?
- No — it is usually closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and for state events. Check rct.uk for the date you plan to visit.
- Can I do Windsor Castle on a Heathrow layover?
- Yes, comfortably with six hours between flights: 25 minutes each way by car, two hours inside, and the driver waits.
Essentials for international visitors
Flying in from abroad? The six things that catch people out, in one place. Full detail, with official links, in our UK visitor essentials guide.
Entry
Most visitors from Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia need a UK ETA (£20, apply in the UK ETA app, valid two years) — airlines have enforced it since 25 February 2026. eGates from age 8 for EU, US, Canadian, Australian and most other visa-free passports. More ›
Money
Pounds sterling; cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, contactless taps up to £100. Choose to pay in pounds when a terminal offers your home currency. Prices include VAT and there is no tourist tax refund. More ›
Phone
Free Wi-Fi at all London airports; UK SIMs and eSIMs from £75 in every arrivals hall; EU roaming depends on your operator. WhatsApp +44 20 8888 9988 works from any country. More ›
Getting around
Tap in and out with any contactless card or phone on the Tube, buses and the Elizabeth line — no ticket needed, fares capped daily. A fixed-fare car wins for families, groups, late arrivals and days out the train does not reach. More ›
Children & luggage
Child seats on request when you book. In a licensed private hire car children may travel without one if none is available (under-3s on the rear seat). Tell us the bag count and the right size of car turns up. More ›
Emergencies
999 or 112 for police, fire or ambulance; NHS 111 for urgent advice; A&E is free at the point of use, but bring travel insurance. Plugs are Type G, 230 V; traffic drives on the left — look right. More ›
Book your fixed-fare car
Price confirmed at booking, driver details the day before, flight tracked where relevant. Pay by card online — nothing to settle in the car.
