Transfers in London

About London

London is the capital of the United Kingdom and the financial, cultural and political centre of the country, with around 9 million people in the metropolitan area. Travellers come for the museums, theatres and historic sites, from the British Museum and the Tower of London to Westminster, Camden and the South Bank. The city is laid out across 32 boroughs along the Thames, so addresses can sit anywhere from Heathrow in the west to Docklands in the east. Six international airports serve the region, which is why pre-booking a fixed-price transfer matters: the right pickup choice changes by district. A private car drops you at the door of your hotel, flat or office without juggling tube changes or luggage on escalators.

Getting around

The Underground, Overground, Elizabeth line and buses cover most of central London, and contactless payment works on every line. For airport runs at antisocial hours, with several suitcases, or with children, a pre-booked private transfer is usually the calmest option. Black cabs can be hailed on the street but meters run higher in traffic. Ride-hail apps are widely available. For airport pickups specifically, a booked car with a known fixed price avoids the unpredictability of central London congestion charges and last-minute pricing.

Best time to visit

May to September brings the longest days and the warmest weather, with average highs of 18 to 23 degrees and outdoor events across the city. July and August are busiest and most expensive. April and October are quieter, with milder weather and lower hotel rates. December has Christmas markets and lights along Regent Street and Oxford Street. January and February are the cheapest months to fly into Heathrow or Gatwick.

Transferring from London’s airports

London is served by Heathrow (LHR) in the west, Gatwick (LGW) to the south, Stansted (STN) and Luton (LTN) to the north, City (LCY) in the Docklands and Southend (SEN) on the Essex coast. Heathrow is the largest and closest of the big four to the centre, while City is the quickest hop for the financial district. Stansted, Luton and Southend mainly serve low-cost carriers and sit between 50 and 60 km out, so transfer times vary widely with traffic. A pre-booked car with flight tracking and a meet-and-greet in arrivals removes the guesswork from each of them, whatever your terminal.

Common transfer routes

• Heathrow (LHR) to central London: 23 km, 45 to 75 minutes
• Gatwick (LGW) to central London: 48 km, 60 to 100 minutes
• Stansted (STN) to central London: 50 km, 70 to 110 minutes
• Luton (LTN) to central London: 55 km, 60 to 100 minutes
• City Airport (LCY) to central London: 10 km, 25 to 45 minutes
• Southend (SEN) to central London: 58 km, 80 to 110 minutes
• Heathrow (LHR) to Canary Wharf: 35 km, 60 to 90 minutes
• St Pancras to Heathrow (LHR): 30 km, 55 to 80 minutes

Booking your London transfer

Enter your pickup airport or station, your London address and your flight number. You will see a fixed price for a licensed, insured vehicle, with flight tracking, 60 minutes of free wait time and free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. Pay in your preferred currency using Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Alipay or iDEAL or Wero. Taxi2Airport will email your confirmation with the driver’s details before arrival.