The Franklin, part of Starhotels' Collezione, occupies a row of Victorian townhouses on Egerton Gardens, overlooking one of Knightsbridge's prettiest private garden squares. With around 35 richly designed rooms and suites by Anouska Hempel, an acclaimed Italian restaurant and bar, and a calm, residential feel, it is one of London's most refined small luxury hotels. This guide covers exactly how to reach it.
01 / LOCATIONWhere exactly is The Franklin?
The hotel is at 24 Egerton Gardens, Knightsbridge, SW3 2DB, on a quiet garden-square terrace between Brompton Road and the museums. It sits in the Congestion Charge zone and the ULEZ, on a narrow residential street — so for arrivals, a clean drop where the doorman can meet you is the sensible approach.
02 / THE SETTINGAn Anglo-Italian Knightsbridge townhouse
The Franklin blends dramatic Anouska Hempel interiors with a warm Italian soul, its restaurant and bar known for refined seasonal cooking and an elegant aperitivo. Guests can use the leafy private garden square opposite, and the mood throughout is intimate and residential rather than grand. Whichever brings you here, the point for arrival is the same: it's a hotel of real refinement, so the journey to its door deserves the same composure.
03 / STATIONSNearest stations and getting around
The hotel is well connected in Knightsbridge:
- South Kensington (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines) is about a six-minute walk and is closest, by the museums.
- Knightsbridge (Piccadilly line, direct from Heathrow) is a similar distance, by Harrods.
- Sloane Square and the King's Road buses are within easy reach.
The links are good, though the hotel sits on quiet streets a few minutes from each station. It's easy travelling light; far harder with luggage, after a flight, with a change and a walk at the end.
04 / AIRPORTSAirport transfer times to The Franklin
The Franklin draws guests from around the world. The board below gives realistic door-to-door driving times for a pre-booked private hire car. Treat them as a planning guide; central traffic has its own ideas.
From Heathrow
London City is the closest airport, to the east. From Heathrow in the west, the Piccadilly line runs direct to Knightsbridge or South Kensington nearby — convenient, but a long ride with luggage and a walk. A direct Heathrow airport transfer by car removes that, with the driver meeting you in arrivals and bringing you straight to Egerton Gardens.
From the other airports
London City is closest of all; Gatwick connects by the Gatwick Express to Victoria, while Luton and Stansted sit further out. From each, the rail route ends in a Tube ride and a walk; for a group, or anyone with luggage, one car and one fixed price is the gentler option.
An Anglo-Italian townhouse — the arrival should feel just as composed.
05 / THE EASY WAYArriving in style — train, Tube or private hire?
There's no single right answer. Coming light from elsewhere in town? The Tube to South Kensington works well. A pre-booked private hire transfer tends to win when arrival matters most:
- You're arriving with luggage after a flight and would rather be met and driven to the door than change trains.
- You're travelling as a couple or group and would value a saloon, executive car, MPV or larger vehicle together.
- You want a fixed fare known before you travel — no surge, no meter ticking in central traffic.
- Your flight time is uncertain — a tracked driver simply adjusts and waits.
Why this helps at The Franklin: the hotel sits on a quiet garden-square terrace a few minutes from the nearest station, with no car park and the Congestion Charge in force. A local driver knows the cleanest set-down on Egerton Gardens where the doorman can meet you.
06 / NEARBYWhat's around The Franklin
The Franklin sits among Knightsbridge's finest:
- Harrods & Harvey Nichols — the famous stores a short walk north.
- The V&A & the museums — the great museums a short walk south.
- Hyde Park — the royal park a few minutes north.
- Sloane Street & Chelsea — the designer boutiques and the King's Road nearby.
07 / FAQFrequently asked questions
Where is The Franklin?
The Franklin is at 24 Egerton Gardens, Knightsbridge, SW3 2DB, overlooking a private garden square near Harrods. The nearest Tube is South Kensington, about a six-minute walk.
What's the nearest station to The Franklin?
South Kensington (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines) is about a six-minute walk and is closest, with Knightsbridge a similar distance by Harrods.
How do I get from Heathrow to The Franklin?
Heathrow is around 14 miles away, roughly 40 to 80 minutes by car depending on traffic. The Piccadilly line runs direct to Knightsbridge, but it's a long ride with luggage and a walk; a pre-booked car runs door to door with the fare fixed in advance.
Is there parking or drop-off at The Franklin?
There is no hotel car park, and the hotel is in the Congestion Charge and ULEZ zones on a quiet garden-square terrace. There is a set-down point on Egerton Gardens where the doorman can meet you; most guests arrive by car or Tube.
Is a pre-booked car worth it for arriving at the hotel?
Yes. After a long flight or for a refined city break, a pre-booked car with a fixed fare, a driver who knows the Egerton Gardens set-down and no surge pricing makes arriving calm and easy.
Can I book a fixed-price transfer to The Franklin in advance?
Yes. With Rushxo you can book online or by WhatsApp at any hour, with the fare confirmed before you ride, no surge pricing and 24/7 human support.
Time Matters
Arrive at The Franklin the easy way
Fixed-fare private hire to and from The Franklin, Knightsbridge SW3. Local drivers, flight tracking, no surge — confirmed before you ride.