Last Checked: 10 July 2026
The SL7 bus route is a Superloop service running from West Croydon Bus Station to Heathrow Central Bus Station, serving key stops including East Croydon, Wallington, Carshalton, Sutton, Cheam, Worcester Park, New Malden, Kingston, Teddington, Hatton Cross and Heathrow Central. It is useful for passengers travelling across south and south-west London, especially those looking for a direct bus link towards Heathrow.
Key takeaways:
- The SL7 runs between West Croydon Bus Station and Heathrow Central Bus Station.
- It is part of London’s Superloop network.
- The route serves major town centres and transport interchanges across outer London.
- Main stops include East Croydon, Sutton, Kingston, Hatton Cross and Heathrow Central.
- From West Croydon, the first listed buses are 04:15, 04:30 and 04:45.
- From West Croydon, the last listed buses are 22:45, 23:00 and 23:15.
- The same first and last listed times apply Monday to Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the provided timetable details.
- Passengers should always check live arrivals before travelling, especially when heading to Heathrow.
SL7 Bus Route Overview
The SL7 bus route is an important London Superloop express bus service operated as part of Transport for London’s wider bus network.
It provides a direct connection between West Croydon Bus Station and Heathrow Central Bus Station, serving major South and South West London areas such as East Croydon, Wallington, Carshalton, Sutton, Cheam, Worcester Park, New Malden, Kingston, Teddington and Hatton Cross.
This route is useful for daily commuters, airport passengers, local residents, students, workers, shoppers and visitors who need a direct bus link between Croydon, Sutton, Kingston and Heathrow without travelling through Central London.
Key Details of the SL7 Bus Route
| Detail | Information |
| Starting Point | West Croydon Bus Station |
| Ending Point | Heathrow Central Bus Station |
| Total Stops | 14 main stops towards Heathrow Central |
| Major Locations Covered | West Croydon, East Croydon, Wallington, Carshalton, Sutton, Cheam, Worcester Park, New Malden, Kingston, Teddington, Hatton Cross and Heathrow |
| Total Distance | Approximately 23.75 miles (38.2 km) |
| Total Journey Time | Around 90 to 120 minutes end to end, depending on traffic, roadworks, diversions and time of day |
| Operating Days | Runs daily, including weekends |
| First Trip from West Croydon Bus Station | 04:15 AM from Monday to Saturday / 04:15 AM on Sunday |
| Last Trip from West Croydon Bus Station | 23:15 PM daily, based on the provided timetable details |
| First Trip from Heathrow Central Bus Station | Check the reverse-direction timetable before travelling |
| Last Trip from Heathrow Central Bus Station | Check the reverse-direction timetable before travelling |
| Fare | Standard London bus fare, payable by Oyster card, contactless card, mobile payment or eligible travel pass |
The SL7 bus route provides a direct Superloop connection between Croydon, Sutton, Kingston, Hatton Cross and Heathrow. It covers about 23.75 miles (38.2 km), with an average journey time of 90 to 120 minutes depending on traffic and disruption.
Passengers should check live arrivals before travelling, especially when heading to Heathrow.
What is the Full List of SL7 Bus Stops From West Croydon to Heathrow?
The SL7 stops list below is based on the manually supplied route information for the direction from West Croydon Bus Station to Heathrow Central Bus Station.
SL7 Stops From West Croydon to Heathrow Central
| Order | Stop name | Stop code/stand | Connections |
| 1 | West Croydon Bus Station | B3 | National Rail, Tram, London Overground |
| 2 | Dingwall Road / East Croydon Station | E8 | East Croydon area connections |
| 3 | Wallington Green / Croydon Road | GW | Local bus connections |
| 4 | Carshalton High Street | E | Local bus connections |
| 5 | Sutton / Grove Road | S | Sutton town centre access |
| 6 | Cheam Broadway | D | Local bus connections |
| 7 | North Cheam / London Road | G | Local bus connections |
| 8 | Worcester Park Station | C | Rail station access |
| 9 | New Malden / Fountain Roundabout | K | Local bus connections |
| 10 | Kingston Station | T | Rail station access |
| 11 | Kingston / Wood Street | P1 | Kingston town centre access |
| 12 | Broad Street / Teddington | F | Local bus connections |
| 13 | Hatton Cross Station | E | Piccadilly line access |
| 14 | Heathrow Central Bus Station | ->S | Piccadilly line, Elizabeth line, National Rail, airport |
This stop pattern shows why the SL7 is classed as a strategic cross-London route rather than a short local bus service. It links several busy outer London locations in one direct journey.
What is the SL7 Timetable from West Croydon to Heathrow?
The manually supplied timetable information shows the first and last listed SL7 departures from West Croydon Bus Station towards Heathrow Central Bus Station.
Monday to Friday Timetable From West Croydon
| Service type | Listed times |
| First buses | 04:15, 04:30, 04:45 |
| Last buses | 22:45, 23:00, 23:15 |
Saturday Timetable From West Croydon
| Service type | Listed times |
| First buses | 04:15, 04:30, 04:45 |
| Last buses | 22:45, 23:00, 23:15 |
Sunday Timetable From West Croydon
| Service type | Listed times |
| First buses | 04:15, 04:30, 04:45 |
| Last buses | 22:45, 23:00, 23:15 |
The provided information shows the same first and last listed departure times across Monday to Friday, Saturday and Sunday. However, passengers should still check live information before travelling, because real-time arrivals, traffic, roadworks, diversions and operational changes can affect the journey.
What is the Sl7 Timetable From Heathrow to West Croydon?
The supplied manual information confirms that Heathrow Central Bus Station is the last stop on the route for the West Croydon to Heathrow direction. It does not include the complete reverse-direction timetable from Heathrow Central to West Croydon.
For that reason, this article should not invent a reverse timetable. Passengers travelling from Heathrow towards Croydon should use the route direction switch or live journey planner to check the latest times before setting off.
What Information is Available for Heathrow Central?
The supplied Heathrow Central Bus Station panel shows live arrivals at the time checked and states that Heathrow Central Bus Station is the last stop on route SL7 in the selected direction.
That means the visible information is for the route ending at Heathrow, not a full timetable for buses leaving Heathrow towards West Croydon.
Why Should Passengers Check the Reverse Direction?
Passengers travelling away from Heathrow need the opposite direction of the route. Timetables can vary by direction, day of the week, service changes and operational conditions. Airport passengers should avoid relying on screenshots or incomplete panels, especially when planning a journey with a flight connection.
How Often Does the SL7 Bus Run?
The supplied first and last bus details show multiple early and late listed departures from West Croydon. For the most accurate frequency, passengers should use live arrivals and timetable tools close to their travel time.
The Superloop network is intended to improve orbital travel between outer London town centres and transport hubs. The wider Superloop information describes it as a network of express bus routes serving key locations rather than every stop they pass.
Why Does Frequency Matter?
Frequency matters because the SL7 is often used for longer journeys. A missed bus on a local route may cause only a short delay, but a missed longer-distance airport bus can affect onward plans.
Passengers travelling to Heathrow should build in extra time for waiting, road traffic and walking between airport transport points.
How Much Does the SL7 Bus Route Cost?
The SL7 uses the standard London bus fare system. Adults can use contactless, Oyster or other accepted payment options for pay-as-you-go travel.
Transport for London’s bus and tram fares page states that the adult pay-as-you-go bus fare is £1.75 and that the Hopper fare allows unlimited bus and tram journeys made within one hour of touching in, when the same card or device is used.
Can Passengers Use Oyster or Contactless on the Sl7?
Yes, passengers can use Oyster or contactless payment on London buses, including the SL7. The same card or device should be used throughout a Hopper fare journey to avoid being charged incorrectly.
Does the Hopper Fare Apply to the Sl7?
The Hopper fare can apply to bus and tram journeys made within the eligible time window when the same payment method is used. This can be useful for passengers connecting from another bus before boarding the SL7.
Passengers should remember that Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, cable car or River Bus travel in between bus journeys may affect the fare charged.
Is the SL7 Bus Route Good for Heathrow Airport Travel?
The SL7 can be a good Heathrow option for passengers who are near the route and prefer a direct bus towards the airport. It may be especially helpful for travellers from Croydon, Sutton, Worcester Park, Kingston, Teddington or Hatton Cross.
However, it may not be the best option for every passenger. Those travelling with heavy luggage, tight flight times or long onward journeys may prefer a faster rail or Tube connection, depending on where they are starting.
When is the SL7 Useful for Airport Travel?
The route can be useful when the passenger:
- Starts near one of the listed SL7 stops.
- Wants to avoid travelling through central London.
- Has enough time before a flight.
- Wants a single direct bus route towards Heathrow.
- Is travelling with manageable luggage.
- Is comfortable with possible traffic delays.
When Might Passengers Choose Another Route?
Another route may be better when the passenger:
- Needs a faster or more predictable journey.
- Is travelling at a heavily congested time.
- Has several large bags.
- Needs direct access to a specific Heathrow terminal.
- Is connecting from a rail or Tube station with a faster route available.
What Live Updates Should Passengers Check Before Using the SL7?
Passengers should check live arrivals, service status and any route changes before travelling. This is especially important because the SL7 is a long route that can be affected by traffic and road conditions in several boroughs.
What Should Be Checked Before Departure?
Before leaving, passengers should check:
- The correct direction of travel.
- The nearest stop and stop code.
- Live arrival times.
- Any diversions or closed stops.
- Heathrow travel alerts if heading to the airport.
- Any planned roadworks or local disruption.
Live information is more reliable than saved screenshots, especially for a route that may be used for airport travel.
What Should Passengers Do Before Travelling on the SL7?
Passengers should plan the journey in three simple steps: confirm the direction, check the live arrival and allow enough time.
Step 1: Confirm the Correct Direction
A passenger travelling to Heathrow should look for the SL7 towards Heathrow Central. A passenger travelling from Heathrow towards Croydon should check the reverse direction.
Step 2: Check the Stop Code
Stop codes help avoid confusion in busy areas such as Croydon, Kingston and Heathrow. For example, West Croydon Bus Station is listed as stop B3 for the Heathrow direction.
Step 3: Allow Extra Time
The SL7 covers a long route and can be affected by traffic. Passengers heading to Heathrow should allow more time than they think they need, especially when travelling before a flight.
What Are the Key Takeaways About the SL7 Bus Route?
The SL7 bus route is an important Superloop connection between West Croydon and Heathrow Central. It serves a chain of outer London town centres and transport interchanges, making it useful for local travel, cross-London journeys and airport access.
The supplied timetable details show early morning and late evening services from West Croydon across Monday to Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The full stop list also confirms major stops such as East Croydon, Sutton, Worcester Park, Kingston, Teddington, Hatton Cross and Heathrow Central.
The main travel advice is simple: check the direction, check live arrivals and leave extra time if travelling to Heathrow.
FAQs
Does the SL7 bus go to Heathrow?
Yes, the SL7 goes to Heathrow Central Bus Station when travelling from West Croydon. Heathrow Central is the final stop in the direction covered by the supplied stop list.
Where does the SL7 bus start?
In the Heathrow direction, the SL7 starts at West Croydon Bus Station, stop B3.
Where does the SL7 bus end?
In the West Croydon to Heathrow direction, the SL7 ends at Heathrow Central Bus Station.
Does the SL7 stop at East Croydon?
Yes, the SL7 serves Dingwall Road / East Croydon Station, stop E8, after leaving West Croydon.
Does the SL7 stop at Kingston?
Yes, the SL7 serves Kingston Station and Kingston / Wood Street.
Can passengers use Oyster on the SL7?
Yes, passengers can use Oyster on London buses, including the SL7. Contactless payment is also accepted.
What time is the first SL7 from West Croydon?
The supplied timetable lists the first West Croydon departures as 04:15, 04:30 and 04:45.
Editorial Note:
This article outlines the SL7 bus route, key stops, West Croydon departures and travel tips. It is for guidance only and not a live timetable, as services may change.
Passengers, especially those heading to Heathrow, should check live travel updates before travelling.
How We Checked?
The route details were checked using the supplied SL7 stops and timetable information, then cross-checked with official transport sources where relevant. The article uses official route, fare and Superloop information and avoids estimating any missing reverse-direction timetable details.
