London Airports

Landing at one of London's major airport terminals can be daunting. Some are quite a
trek into the centre and require significant travel planning. Luckily the capital is well
serviced in terms of links with its various flight centres - buses, trains, Tubes, taxis and
private transfer companies are in abundance. The key is finding the right option for you.

Below is our guide to travelling to and from each of London's airports. Find your airport
and then select from the associated list of travel options.

PLEASE NOTE: The times and prices given in this article are approximate and you are
advised to check transport details, particularly around public holidays.

London Gatwick Airport

General Airport Information

Airport Code: LGW
Distance from central London: 28 miles (45km)
Contact: For flight and travel information call: +44 (0)870 000 24 68.
London Gatwick Airport
The times and prices given in this article are approximate and you are advised
to check transport details, particularly around public holidays.

By Private Transfer
For a personal and hassle-free introduction to London, it makes sense to use
of one of the many private transfer providers servicing Gatwick Airport. The
service is often cheaper than the equivalent taxi fare and definitely much less
trouble.
Private transfers allow you to avoid queuing or searching for transport - your
driver meets you with a personalised sign in the airport Arrivals Hall, assists
you with your luggage, escorts you to your vehicle and transfers you straight to
your hotel.

We've hand-picked a selection of what we think are the best transfer

companies in the industry.
Special Offers and Bookings.

By Train
The Gatwick Express is the fastest train service running from Gatwick Airport
into central London.
Frequency:
It operates seven days a week and runs directly into London Victoria train and
Tube station.
Trains are non-stop.
Trains from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria start at 4.35am and 5.20am
and then run every 15 minutes from 5.50am to 12.35am with the last trains
leaving at 12.50am and 1.35am.
Trains from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport start at 3.30am and 4.30am
and then run every 15 minutes from 5am to 11.45pm, with the last trains
leaving at 12.01am and 12.30am.
Duration:
The journey takes 30 minutes (35 minutes on a Sunday).
Tickets:
First Class: £20 (Single), £38 (Return)
Express Class: £16 (Single), £28 (Return)
Tickets can be purchased on the train.
Other Services:
Connex South Central and Thameslink also run services to and from Gatwick,
with a slightly longer journey time of 35 minutes. There are four/five trains
per hour, Monday to Friday, with an hourly service overnight.
Contact:
For information on all these services call the National Rail Enquiry service on:
08457 48 49 50.

By Taxi
Checker Cars is Gatwick Airport's official concessionaire. Taxis can be pre-
booked with fares paid in advance by cash or credit card, or at the end of the
journey. Cars with swivel seats are available for disabled travellers. A Black
Cab taxi holding up to 5 people can also be picked up from outside the airport.
A Black Cab taxi holds up to 5 people and can be picked up from outside the
airport. To avoid the inevitable queues for taxis, you can book in advance
through London Black Cabs. 48-hours notice is required for airport
transfers. Flights arrival times are monitored by reservation staff so you do
not need to worry about delays to your flight. You will be met outside the
customs area by your driver who will assist you in carrying your luggage to the
vehicle. London Black Cabs can also arrange your return journey at the time of
booking.
Duration:
Journey time by private taxi or Black Cab into central London is 60 - 70
minutes.
Price:
Average cost from the airport into central London ranges from £78 - £98.
Credit cards are accepted, although there is a 10% handling charge.A 'meeting
fee' of approximately £7 is often required for journeys from the airport, to
cover parking and waiting times.
Contact:
To book through London Black Cabs or for more information call: 07957
696673.
For Checker Cars North Terminal office call: +44 (0)1293 501377.
For Checker Cars South Terminal office call: +44 (0)1293 502808.

By Car
Gatwick Airport is 28 miles (45 kms) south of London.
Route:
On leaving the airport, join the M23 motorway at Junction 9 and follow the
M23 and A23 to London.
Duration:
Journey time to central London is approximately 60 - 75 minutes.
General:
An £8 Congestion Charge applies to all cars entering central London from
Monday to Friday 7am-6.30pm.
More information.

London Heathrow Airport

General Airport Information

Airport Code: LHR
Distance from central London: 15 miles (24km)
Contact: For flight and travel information call: +44 (0)870 000 0123

By Private Transfer
For a personal and hassle-free introduction to London, it makes sense to use
of one of the many private transfer providers servicing Heathrow Airport. The
service is often cheaper than the equivalent taxi fare and definitely much less
trouble.
Private transfers allow you to avoid queuing or searching for transport - your
driver meets you with a personalised sign in the airport Arrivals Hall, assists
you with your luggage, escorts you to your vehicle and transfers you straight to
your hotel.
We've hand-picked a selection of what we think are the best transfer
companies in the industry.
Special Offers and Bookings

By London Underground
Heathrow Airport has three underground stations - one shared by Terminals
1, 2 and 3, one at Terminal 4 and a third at Terminal 5. All provide regular
stopping train services on London Underground's Piccadilly Line into central
London.
Frequency:
Trains run every 4 to 9 minutes between the hours of 5.13am
(5.57am Sundays) and 12.22am (11.55pm Sundays).
Duration:
The average journey time is 45 to 65 minutes depending on destination.
Tickets:
A single ticket from Heathrow Airport (Zone 6) into central London (Zone 1) is
£4.00.
If you are travelling after 9.30am a One-Day Travelcard between Zones 1 and
6 costs £6.30 and gives unlimited travel on London Underground trains, the
DLR and buses.
Ticket machines at the stations accept UK coins and most give change. Some
accept UK notes (bills) and credit cards.
Contact:
For further information about London Underground services call London
Transport on: 020 7222 1234.

By Train
The Heathrow Express is the fastest train service running from Heathrow
Airport into central London.
Frequency:

It operates seven days a week and runs directly into London Paddington train
and Tube station.
Trains are non-stop.
Trains from Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 to London Paddington start
at 5.07am (5.03am Sundays) and then run every 15 minutes, with the last
train leaving at 11.42pm (11.48pm Sundays).
Trains from Heathrow Airport Terminals 1-3 to London Paddington start at
5.12am (5.08am Sundays) and then run every 15 minutes, with the last train
leaving at 11.48pm (11.40pm Sundays).
For Terminal 4, depart at the station for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and take the free
and frequent transfer to Terminal 4.
Trains from London Paddington to Heathrow Airport start at 5.10am and run
every 15 minutes to 11.25pm, when the last train leaves.
Duration:

15 minutes for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 | 27 to 32 minutes for Terminal 4 | 21

minutes for Terminal 5.
Tickets:

First Class: £26 (Single), £50 (Return)

Express Class: £16.50 (Single), £32 (Return)
Tickets must be purchased before boarding. There is a £3 surcharge for
Express Class tickets if bought onboard.
Other Services:

Heathrow Express offers a free transfer for customers travelling between

Heathrow Central (T1, 2 & 3) and Terminal 4.
Contact:

For information on all these services call the National Rail Enquiry service on:
08457 48 49 50.

By Taxi
A Black Cab taxi holds up to 5 people and can be picked up from outside the
airport. There is no need to pre-book a taxi, simply go to the taxi rank on each
of the terminal forecourts. However, to avoid the inevitable queues for taxis,
you can book in advance through London Black Cabs. 48-hours notice is
required for airport transfers. Flights arrival times are monitored by
reservation staff so you do not need to worry about delays to your flight. You
will be met outside the customs area by your driver who will assist you in
carrying your luggage to the vehicle. London Black Cabs can also arrange your
return journey at the time of booking.
Duration:

Journey time by private taxi or Black Cab into central London is 50 - 75

minutes.
Price:

Average cost from the airport into central London ranges from £40 - £60.
Credit cards are accepted, although there is a 10% handling charge.
A 'meeting fee' of approximately £7 is often required for journeys from the
airport, to cover parking and waiting times.
Contact:

To book a London Black Cab or for more information call: 07957 696673.
To contact the individual taxi desks at Heathrow call:
Terminal 1 Arrivals : + 44 (0)208 745 7487
Terminal 2 Arrivals : + 44 (0)208 745 5408
Terminal 3 Arrivals : + 44 (0)208 745 4655
Terminal 4 Arrivals : + 44 (0)208 745 7302.

By Car
Heathrow Airport is 15 miles (23km) west of London.
Route:
On leaving the airport, follow signs for M4 motorway and central London.
Duration:

Journey time to central London is approximately 50 to 75 minutes.

General:

An £8 Congestion Charge applies to all cars entering central London from

Monday to Friday 7am-6.30pm.
More information.

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