London is served by six airports, each with its own distances, traffic patterns, terminal quirks and best-transfer strategy. Whether you're flying business from London City, catching a budget flight from Stansted at dawn, or landing long-haul at Heathrow after 11 hours in the air, the right transfer makes all the difference. This complete guide compares every London airport, explains fixed-price fares, and shares insider tips so your journey to or from the terminal is smooth, calm and surge-free.
No other city in the world has as many major airports as London. Knowing the distances and drive times helps you plan pickup timing and budget accurately.
| Airport | Direction | Distance from Central London | Typical Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London City (LCY) | East | ~10 miles | 30–50 min |
| Heathrow (LHR) | West | ~18 miles | 40–70 min |
| Gatwick (LGW) | South | ~28 miles | 45–90 min |
| Luton (LTN) | North | ~34 miles | 50–80 min |
| Stansted (STN) | Northeast | ~38 miles | 55–90 min |
| Southend (SEN) | East | ~42 miles | 60–90 min |
Ride-share apps and metered black cabs seem convenient until you factor in surge pricing, unpredictable meters and the stress of hailing a car at 5am with luggage. A dedicated, pre-booked airport transfer solves all of this:
The fares below are indicative for a central-London pickup. Your exact price depends on your precise postcode, but these give you a reliable benchmark across all vehicle types.
| From | Saloon | Executive | MPV | 8-Seater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London City Airport | £91 | £101 | £103 | £111 |
| Heathrow Airport | £98 | £110 | £112 | £120 |
| Gatwick Airport | £123 | £142 | £146 | £158 |
| Luton Airport | £110 | £130 | £133 | £143 |
| Stansted Airport | £113 | £133 | £136 | £146 |
| From | Saloon | Executive | MPV | 8-Seater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London City Airport | £164 | £182 | £185 | £200 |
| Heathrow Airport | £176 | £198 | £202 | £216 |
| Gatwick Airport | £222 | £256 | £262 | £284 |
| Luton Airport | £198 | £234 | £239 | £257 |
| Stansted Airport | £203 | £239 | £245 | £263 |
All fares include the applicable London zone charge, meet & greet, flight tracking and free waiting time. Saloon seats 4, Executive 3 (premium ride), MPV 6, and 8-seaters for larger groups.
Heathrow is the UK's busiest airport with five terminals spread across a large site. Getting the terminal right matters — Terminals 2 and 3 are in the central area, while Terminals 4 and 5 are separate and can be a 10–15 minute drive apart.
Transfer tip: Always tell your driver your terminal number. On arrival, 45 minutes' free waiting covers immigration and baggage reclaim, which can be slow at peak times. Heathrow is roughly 18 miles west of central London via the M4 or A4.
Gatwick has two terminals — North (British Airways, TUI, most long-haul) and South (easyJet, Vueling, Wizz Air). They're linked by a free shuttle, but being dropped at the correct one saves stress with luggage.
Transfer tip: Gatwick charges private vehicles a £6 drop-off fee, usually included in the transfer quote. The airport sits ~28 miles south via the M23, and early departures make it a prime surge-pricing trap for ride-shares.
Stansted is Ryanair's largest base, with a single terminal and a huge volume of very early European departures. Those dawn flights push app pricing sky-high.
Transfer tip: A 4am fixed-price pickup costs the same as any other time — a major advantage over surge-priced alternatives. Stansted is ~38 miles northeast via the M11.
Luton serves easyJet, Wizz Air and TUI with a compact, recently upgraded terminal. It's ~34 miles north via the M1, and the final approach can be slow due to the airport's hillside layout and one main access road.
Transfer tip: Build in a few extra minutes for the airport approach road, which can back up at peak times.
Closest to the centre at ~10 miles east, London City is compact, fast and geared to business travellers. Its single terminal means quick check-in and short walks.
Transfer tip: The Docklands location means fast access from the City and Canary Wharf, but allow for tunnel and East London traffic at peak times.
Southend is small, calm and easy, serving a handful of European routes. It's the furthest from central London at ~42 miles east, but the relaxed terminal makes for a stress-free start.
Getting pickup timing right is the single most important part of planning. Work backwards from your flight:
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon (Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5) | 4 | 2 large + hand luggage | Solo travellers, couples |
| Executive (premium saloon) | 3 | 2 large + hand luggage | Business, comfort-first trips |
| MPV (7-seater) | 6 | 5+ large cases | Families, small groups |
| 8-Seater | 7 | Group luggage | Larger groups, lots of bags |
A: Yes — Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend, plus inter-airport transfers between any of them.
A: Drivers track flights in real time and adjust pickup automatically. You won't be charged extra for a delay outside your control.
A: A saloon comfortably fits 2 large cases plus hand luggage. For more, choose an MPV (5+ cases) or 8-seater. Mention oversized items like skis or golf clubs when booking.
A: At least 24 hours, and more during peak holiday periods when demand is high. Deposits require 24 hours' notice.
A: Yes — your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name board and helps with your bags, with 45 minutes' free waiting from landing.
A: Not required — the price is fixed and all-inclusive. A 10% tip is appreciated for exceptional service or heavy luggage help.
Whichever of London's six airports you're using, a fixed-price taxi removes surge risk, tracks your flight, and gets you door-to-door without the stress of trains, changes or hailing a car with luggage. Compare your airport's fare above, choose the right vehicle for your group, and book at least 24 hours ahead for a calm, on-time journey.
Any London airport, fixed price, flight tracked — no surge, door to door.
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