X26
London Bus · Airport route

Route X26: West Croydon → Heathrow Central

London bus route X26 runs from West Croydon to Heathrow Central via Sutton, Kingston, Hatton Cross. Operated by London United across Zones 3-6, the route has ~14 stops and takes about 90 minutes end to end.

Journey time

~90 min

Stops

14

Frequency

Every 30 min

Step-free

Yes

Overview

London Bus Route X26 is a daytime service operated by London United, linking West Croydon with Heathrow Central via Sutton, Kingston, Hatton Cross. The route covers London fare Zones 3-6 and serves approximately 14 stops along its corridor.

Buses run every 30 minutes during the daytime peak. The first bus from West Croydon departs at 05:30, and the last service is at 22:30. All vehicles on this route are low-floor, wheelchair-accessible double-deck or single-deck buses with audio-visual next-stop announcements (iBus).

Fares: a single bus or tram journey is £1.75 with contactless or Oyster, and the Hopper fare lets you transfer for free within one hour. There is a daily cap of £5.25 for unlimited buses and trams. Cash is not accepted on TfL buses.

This page is part of Triplo's London transport directory and is updated regularly. For real-time arrivals consult the TfL Go app or station QR codes.

Timetable

First bus

05:30

Last bus

22:30

Service

Daytime

Frequencies are higher during the morning (07:00–09:30) and evening (16:30–19:00) peak. For real-time departures, use the TfL Go app or scan the QR code at any bus stop.

Popular stops on Route X26

1West Croydon
2Sutton
3Kingston
4Heathrow Airport

Fare information

Single fare

£1.75

contactless or Oyster

Hopper fare

Free

within 60 minutes

Daily cap

£5.25

unlimited bus & tram

Cash is not accepted on TfL buses. Tap your contactless card, phone or Oyster on the yellow reader as you board. Children under 11 travel free with an adult; 11–15 year olds need a Zip Oyster card.

Accessibility

All buses on route X26 are low-floor, wheelchair-accessible, with a dedicated wheelchair bay, retractable ramp and audio-visual next-stop announcements (iBus). Assistance dogs are welcome on all London buses.

Frequently asked questions

What time does the X26 bus start running?

The first X26 bus departs West Croydon at around 05:30 on weekdays. Weekend and bank holiday timings may vary slightly.

What time is the last X26 bus?

The last X26 bus from West Croydon typically leaves at 22:30. After this, the nearest night bus or N-prefixed equivalent takes over.

How long does the X26 route take end to end?

A full journey from West Croydon to Heathrow Central takes about 90 minutes depending on traffic. The route serves approximately 14 stops.

How much does the X26 bus cost?

A single bus journey in London is £1.75 with contactless, Oyster, or a valid bus pass (Hopper fare allows unlimited buses within 1 hour for the same fare). Cash is not accepted on TfL buses.

Is the X26 bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes — all buses on route X26 are low-floor, wheelchair accessible, and have a dedicated wheelchair bay.

Does the X26 bus run on Sundays and bank holidays?

Yes, route X26 operates 7 days a week including bank holidays, though Sunday frequencies are slightly reduced.