Getting Around Harrow: A Visitor's Guide
Harrow is a town in the London Borough of Harrow, in Greater London, England. For a visitor, the good news is that Harrow sits within London's integrated transport network, so the same tickets and travel habits that work elsewhere in the capital apply here. This guide covers the practical options: rail and metro, buses, taxis, walking, and how to arrive from the airport.
Rail, Metro and Trams
Harrow's rail and metro connections are anchored by Harrow-on-the-Hill station, which serves both rail and London Underground services. The Underground line calling here is the Metropolitan line, which links the area toward Chesham in Buckinghamshire and Watford in Hertfordshire to the north-west, and toward Uxbridge to the west and Aldgate to the east. That gives a visitor a direct Underground route into central London and out toward the western suburbs and beyond.
Because Harrow is a London town, the Underground is the backbone of longer journeys. If you are staying near the town centre, Harrow-on-the-Hill is the station you will most likely use.
Note that Harrow itself is not served by trams; London's tram network operates elsewhere in the city, so for practical purposes you should plan around the Underground, National Rail and buses.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Harrow Bus Station is the main bus hub for the town. It is owned and maintained by Transport for London and sits on College Road, near the St Anns Shopping Centre. It is only a short walk from Harrow-on-the-Hill rail and tube station, which makes switching between bus and train straightforward.
From the bus station, routes link Harrow to both Central and West London, so buses are a useful option for shorter hops around the borough and for reaching places the Underground does not serve directly.
Two Superloop routes serve the station. The SL9 runs to Heathrow Airport Central, and the SL10 runs to North Finchley. Superloop is a limited-stop express bus network, so these routes are worth remembering if you want a direct bus link to the airport or across north London.
There are also local routes with an "H" prefix that serve the Harrow area, plus numbered routes and night services. As with all London buses, you pay with a contactless card, phone or an Oyster card rather than cash, and you can also use London Travelcards and bus passes. Fares and caps are set by Transport for London, so check the current arrangements before you travel.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Harrow, being part of Greater London, is covered by the capital's taxi and private-hire arrangements. Black cabs can be hailed in the street or found at ranks, and private-hire services can be booked in advance, typically through an app. Ride-hailing apps work normally here. Taxis are most useful for short trips, late-night journeys, or when you have luggage and your destination is not close to a station or bus stop.
Walkability
The centre of Harrow is compact enough to explore on foot. Harrow Bus Station, the St Anns Shopping Centre and Harrow-on-the-Hill station are all within a short walk of one another, so you can combine shopping, buses and trains without needing a car. Beyond the town centre, the borough spreads out into residential and suburban areas, where walking is pleasant but distances grow and buses or the Underground become more practical.
Getting from the Airport into Harrow
If you are arriving by air, Heathrow is the most directly connected airport for Harrow. The Superloop route SL9 runs from Harrow Bus Station to Heathrow Airport Central, giving you a single-bus option between the airport and the town. Alternatively, you can use the Underground and rail network: Heathrow is served by the Underground, and you can connect through central London to reach Harrow-on-the-Hill on the Metropolitan line. The bus is the simpler choice if you are heading straight to Harrow, while the train may suit you if you are also visiting central London.
For other London airports, the usual approach is to take the airport's rail or Underground link into central London and then continue to Harrow-on-the-Hill. Allow extra time for the interchange, and buy your ticket or use contactless payment for the whole journey.
Practical Tips
- Use contactless payment or an Oyster card for the Underground and buses; cash is not accepted on London buses.
- Harrow-on-the-Hill is your key station for the Metropolitan line into central London and toward Chesham, Watford, Uxbridge and Aldgate.
- Harrow Bus Station on College Road is the main bus interchange and is a short walk from the station and St Anns Shopping Centre.
- Look for Superloop routes SL9 (to Heathrow Airport Central) and SL10 (to North Finchley) for faster, limited-stop bus journeys.
- Local "H" routes and night buses serve the surrounding area; check timetables for evening travel.
- Taxis and ride-hailing are available for short trips, late nights or luggage-heavy journeys.