Heathrow Airport is a major hub and the cheapest tickets often involve an overnight change, during which it's not worth going into central London, but on the other hand they are long enough that it doesn't make sense to spend the night in the terminal.
There are dozens of hotels close to the airport, which also offer much better prices than in central London.
Hotels right next to the terminals
If you're not so much about price but more about convenience, stay in hotels that are within a 10-minute walk of the terminal. You can also take the free train or metro to the other terminals quickly and easily.
- Hotels near Terminals 2 and 3 (prices from 147 eur per night): Hilton Garden Inn, Aerotel London Heathrow
- Hotels near Terminal 5 (prices from 202 eur per night): Sofitel London Heathrow
- Hotels near Terminal 4 (prices from 103 eur per night): Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4, Hilton London Heathrow Airport
Hotels nearby
Many other hotels are located close to the airport, with the advantage of lower prices starting from around 55 eur.
The transport options from the terminals to the hotels are basically two: cheaper regular bus services (cost 1,75 gbp per ticket, pay by card at the driver) or the special Hoppa Bus, which runs from all terminals to nearby hotels at 6,80 gbp one-way / 12 gbp return prices. Family tickets are discounted. Tickets and timetables can be found at hotelhoppa.co.uk.
Below we select the hotels with the best value for money:
- ibis Budget London Heathrow (near Terminal 5): prices from 50 gbp, I only run the Hoopa Bus, line H5D
- Thistle London Heathrow (between terminals 2/3 and 5): prices from 75 gbp, there is a 423 bus to terminal 5 every 10 minutes for 1,75 gbp, Hoppa Bus to other terminals (lines H5B, H5C, H2B)
- ibis Styles London Heatrow (at terminals 2/3): prices from 75 gbp, to terminals 2/3, lines 105, 111, 285 run every few minutes behind 1,75 gbp, to terminal 5, line 423, stop is Nene Road. There are also special Hoppa Buses, but due to the price and frequencies they are not worth it