London Paddington to Slough Trains From £11.80*

The journey from London Paddington to Slough is around 18 miles and sits on one of the UK’s busiest commuter corridors. Over 120 direct trains run on a typical weekday, giving you frequent turn-up-and-go flexibility throughout the day. Journey times vary significantly depending on operator, with some services completing the trip in just over 10 minutes while others prioritise cross-London connectivity.

This table compares Great Western Railway and Elizabeth line, helping you choose based on speed, comfort, and journey style.

• Speed vs frequency: GWR is fastest; Elizabeth line is more frequent and metro-like.
• Station layout: GWR uses mainline platforms; Elizabeth line uses underground platforms.
• Travel style: GWR suits commuters; Elizabeth line suits multi-stop or cross-city journeys.

Travelling between Paddington and Slough is a short, high-frequency rail journey that forms part of the Great Western Main Line.

Departure from London Paddington

Specific transport links

• Bakerloo line: Direct Underground connection from south and central London to Paddington’s main concourse.
• Circle, District & Hammersmith & City lines: Provide orbital links across central and west London.
• Bus routes 7, 23, 27: Serve local corridors including Notting Hill, Westminster, and Hyde Park.
• Elizabeth line access: Direct east-west connection from Canary Wharf, Liverpool Street, and Heathrow.

Station layout

• Mainline concourse: Platforms 1–14 serve GWR services, fast trains to Slough depart from platforms 8-12.
• Underground levels: Elizabeth line platforms are located beneath the main station, clearly signed in purple.

Pre-departure essentials

Coffee options such as Gail’s Bakery are popular for quick takeaway drinks, while M&S Simply Food and Sainsbury’s Local offer ready-made meal deals ideal for short journeys. Seating areas are spread across the concourse, but platforms can become busy during peak commuting hours, so it is advisable to arrive a few minutes early and check live departure boards for last-minute platform changes.

Onboard trains from London Paddington to Slough

Trains on this route run at speeds of between 90 mph and 125mph as they leave London’s suburban sprawl and enter the Thames Valley corridor. Despite the short duration, seating comfort and views vary depending on where you sit.

The scenic side

• Sit on the right-hand side for views of Old Oak Common redevelopment and major rail infrastructure works.
• Sit on the left-hand side for glimpses of industrial West London and the approach towards Slough’s business district.

Key landmarks

• Wharncliffe Viaduct: A historic Brunel-designed brick viaduct crossing the Brent Valley shortly after Hanwell.
• Old Oak Common site: One of the UK’s largest rail infrastructure projects, a future HS2 interchange hub.
• Slough Trading Estate: Visible on approach, one of Europe’s largest privately owned business parks.
• Windsor Castle view: On clear days, the turrets of the castle can be seen from the left-hand side near arrival.

Arriving at Slough or Langley (Berks)

Trains from London Paddington arrive frequently at both Slough and Langley, with journey times ranging from 12 to 30 minutes. Slough offers a busy, well-connected hub ideal for town centre and business travel, while Langley provides a quieter, more residential arrival point with straightforward onward connections.

Arriving at Slough

Slough station is a key Thames Valley interchange handling over 5 million passengers annually. The station connects London commuters with major business districts and provides one of the quickest rail links to Windsor.

• South exit: Leads to Slough High Street and the main retail and taxi areas, including the Observatory Shopping Centre.
• North exit: Best for Slough Trading Estate and nearby corporate offices along the railway corridor.
• Taxi rank access: Located immediately outside the South exit for quick onward travel.
• Station concourse exit: Central point connecting both sides with clear pedestrian signage.

• Windsor connection: Shuttle services from Slough to Windsor & Eton Central take around 6 minutes.
• Bus station access: Located a short 5-minute walk from the South exit, serving routes to Heathrow, Maidenhead, and Langley.
• Rail interchange: GWR services continue west towards Reading, Maidenhead, and Bristol.

Slough town centre is highly walkable from the station, with most major retail and business destinations within a 10-minute radius. Pedestrian routes are well-signposted and generally flat, making walking the most efficient option for central meetings or shopping trips. The station’s proximity to the High Street means most visitors do not require additional transport unless travelling to surrounding residential or industrial zones.

Arriving at Langley (Berks) station

Langley is a smaller station in Berkshire, situated around 2.5 miles east of Slough and serving roughly 1.1 million passengers annually. It sits on the Elizabeth line and offers a quieter, more residential arrival point.

• Main station exit: Langley has a single primary exit on the south side along Station Road, making navigation simple compared to larger stations.
• Platform access: If you arrive on the opposite platform, use the footbridge with lifts to cross safely to the main exit.

• Local buses: Bus stops are located directly outside on Station Road, with routes such as the 7 providing links to Slough town centre and Heathrow Terminal 5.
• Rideshare and taxis: There is no permanent taxi rank, so using a rideshare app or pre-booked minicab is the most reliable option.
• Local access: Short-stay parking and drop-off points near the entrance make pick-ups easy for onward journeys.

Langley is primarily residential, so while the immediate area is walkable, key amenities are slightly farther apart. A 10-minute walk south leads to the local high street and everyday services. For business parks or longer distances, a short bus or taxi journey is usually more practical.