First coach to Victoria often leaves Heathrow T2 around 04:20
National Express runs direct coaches from all Heathrow terminals (T2, T3, T4, T5) to London Victoria Coach Station and other UK cities, so you can skip the train if you’ve got heavy bags. Services to central London typically start around 04:00–05:00 and run into late evening; exact times shift by day, so check the specific departure from your terminal before you land.
Every Heathrow terminal has a National Express pickup point: T2 and T3 use the Central Bus Station above the Underground platforms, while T4 and T5 have signed coach bays just outside arrivals. That Central Bus Station is about a 5–8 minute walk from T2/T3 baggage claim, with lifts and escalators the whole way, which helps if you’re dragging a 23 kg checked bag and a carry-on.
Tickets bought in advance online are usually cheaper than buying on the day at the airport ticket desk, and advance fares to Victoria often undercut the Heathrow Express by more than 50%. You can sometimes pay a few extra pounds to pick a specific seat, which is worth it if you want front-row views or to sit together as a group of 3–4 people.
Coaches are air-conditioned and have Wi‑Fi and power outlets at most seats, and underfloor luggage holds that take large 20–23 kg suitcases without extra hassle. Seat pitch is closer to short-haul economy than a city bus, so a 40–60 minute Heathrow–Victoria run feels fine even after a 7–hour transatlantic flight into T3.
For departures, coaches to Heathrow are timetabled to serve specific terminals in a set order, and you’ll see T2, T3, T4, or T5 printed on your ticket. If you’re flying from T5 and boarding at Victoria Coach Station, factor in 50–70 minutes coach time plus a 10–15 minute check-in buffer before your airline’s own cutoff.
Tip: Book the coach that arrives at Heathrow at least 2 hours before a short-haul departure and 3 hours before a long-haul from T2–T5; traffic on the M4 can easily add 20–30 minutes during the weekday 16:00–19:00 rush.