London Airport Transfers
Six airports, very different journeys. This page helps you work out which one you are dealing with and what the drive actually involves.
London does not have one main airport. It has six, spread around the M25 in every direction, and the trip to each is a different exercise. Heathrow is close but sits on one of the busiest stretches of road in the country. Stansted and Southend are further out but often flow better. London City is a few miles from the Square Mile but can be slow through east London traffic.
Below is a quick comparison, followed by a short note on each airport. Click through to the airport page for terminal details, meeting points and the questions we get asked most.
| Airport | Terminals | Drop-off charge (2026) | From central London |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow (LHR) | T2, T3, T4, T5 | £7 | 45–75 min |
| Gatwick (LGW) | North, South | £10 | 70–100 min |
| Stansted (STN) | One terminal | £7 | 65–95 min |
| Luton (LTN) | One terminal | £7 | 60–90 min |
| London City (LCY) | One terminal | £8 | 30–50 min |
| Southend (SEN) | One terminal | £8 | 75–105 min |
Picking the right airport pickup time
For departures, we work back from your check-in or bag-drop deadline, not your flight time. As a rule of thumb we add at least 30 minutes of slack on top of the normal drive for Heathrow and Gatwick, because one incident on the M25 or M23 can cost that much on its own. For very early flights the roads are clear, so the buffer can be smaller.
For arrivals, give us the flight number and we take it from there. We do not need you to guess the landing time.
The airports at a glance
Heathrow
The UK’s busiest airport, west of London near the M4 and M25. Four active terminals, with Terminal 5 set apart from the central cluster of 2 and 3. Terminal 4 is on the southern side and needs its own approach road.
Gatwick
South of London on the Surrey and West Sussex border. Two terminals linked by a free shuttle train. Handy for south London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
Stansted
North-east of London in Essex, a base for many European short-haul flights. Good access from north and east London, Hertfordshire, Cambridge and Essex.
Luton
North of London beside the M1, popular for holiday and low-cost flights. Close to St Albans, Harpenden, Milton Keynes and north-west London.
London City
In the Royal Docks, aimed at business travellers. The nearest airport to Canary Wharf and the City of London.
Southend
A smaller airport in south-east Essex. Quick to get through security, and a sensible choice for east London and Essex passengers.
Which airport should you fly from?
If you have a choice of airports, the drive can matter as much as the fare. As a rough guide:
| If you live in… | Usually quickest airports |
|---|---|
| West London, Berkshire, Bucks | Heathrow |
| South London, Surrey, Sussex | Gatwick |
| North and north-west London, Herts, Beds | Luton, Stansted |
| East London, Essex | London City, Stansted, Southend |
| The City, Canary Wharf | London City |
| Kent | Gatwick, London City |
What every airport transfer includes
- Fixed fare agreed before you travel
- Flight tracking on every collection
- Driver waiting in arrivals with a name board
- Airport drop-off and parking charges included
- Vehicle sized to your passengers and luggage
- Child seats on request
Airport questions
Do you cover airports outside London?
Our main work is the six London airports, but we take longer trips too. Ask for a quote with your pickup and airport.
Can one booking cover two airports?
Yes. Airport-to-airport transfers are booked as a single journey with both flight numbers.
Is it cheaper to book a return?
Booking both legs together means both are confirmed at once. Ask for a return quote and we will show you both prices.
Heathrow or Gatwick? How to choose
If you can fly from either, the drive is often the deciding factor. Heathrow is closer to central and west London, but the M4 and M25 around it are some of the busiest roads in the country. Gatwick is further out, yet passengers in south London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent often reach it faster than they would reach Heathrow. Look at your door-to-terminal time, not just the miles.
| Starting from | Usually quicker to reach |
|---|---|
| Kensington, Chelsea, Hammersmith | Heathrow |
| Croydon, Sutton, Bromley | Gatwick |
| Wimbledon, Kingston | Either, depending on traffic |
| Guildford, Woking | Heathrow or Gatwick, similar times |
| Brighton, Crawley, Horsham | Gatwick |
Stansted or Luton?
The two northern airports serve a lot of the same European routes. As a rough guide, Luton suits north-west London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, while Stansted suits north-east London, Essex and Cambridgeshire. From central London the two are similar distances, so traffic on the M1 or M11 on the day can decide which is quicker.
Booking a London airport transfer, step by step
- Send your journey details through the quote form or WhatsApp: pickup, airport, date, time, passengers and cases.
- Receive a fixed price that already includes the airport drop-off or parking charge.
- Confirm the booking and add any extras such as child seats or a second pickup.
- Get your driver details before the journey, including the vehicle and registration.
- Travel. For airport collections, your driver tracks the flight and meets you in arrivals.
Airport transfers for every kind of traveller
Meet and greet
Driver waiting inside arrivals with a name board.
Executive cars
Business-class saloons for corporate travel.
Minibus hire
Up to eight passengers and their luggage.
Airport to airport
Heathrow to Gatwick and every other connection.
Cruise ports
Southampton, Dover, Tilbury, Portsmouth and Harwich.
Areas we cover
Every London borough and the home counties.
What it costs to use each airport
Beyond your flight, every airport has its own costs for the journey there. All six London airports charge vehicles to drop off at the terminal, from £7 at Heathrow, Stansted and Luton to £10 at Gatwick. Parking for a pickup adds more. Our fixed fares include these charges, so the price you are quoted is the full cost of the journey. See our drop-off charges guide for details.
Busy periods to plan around
- School holiday weekends: Gatwick, Stansted and Luton are at their busiest; allow extra time at the terminal.
- Friday afternoons: the M25 and routes out of London slow down early.
- Early mornings: roads are clear, but the first wave of flights means queues at security.
- Bank holidays: book well ahead; cars and drivers get booked up first.
Booking for an international visitor
If someone is flying in to visit you, book their airport collection with their flight number and a phone number that will work in the UK, plus your own number. The driver meets them in arrivals with a name board and takes them to your door. We will let you know once they have been collected.
Airport transfer questions
How far in advance should I book a London airport transfer?
As soon as your flight is confirmed. For early departures, school holidays and bank holidays, a few days to a week ahead is sensible.
Can I change airports after booking?
Yes. Message us with the new details and we will confirm the updated price before anything changes.
Do you cover airports outside London?
Yes, on request. Send us the route for a fixed quote.
However you travel, the same principles apply: check your terminal, give us your flight number and allow a sensible buffer for traffic.
Ready for a fixed price?
Send us your journey and we reply with one price that includes airport charges. No meter, no surge.