Crystal Palace sits on one of the highest points in London, and everything about airport travel from here follows from that. Every approach is a climb. The views are excellent and the gradients are not, and in a cold snap that is the difference between leaving on time and not leaving at all.
The compensation is that you are also closer to Gatwick than almost anywhere else in London. The A23 runs south from here through Croydon and onto the M23 with nothing in the way.
This guide covers Crystal Palace, Upper Norwood, Anerley, Penge, South Norwood and Selhurst, across SE19, SE20 and SE25. Fares on our site are estimates confirmed when we accept your booking.
Five boroughs meet here, and addresses get confused
Crystal Palace is famously split between Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham — the boundaries converge near the top of the hill. The postcodes interleave accordingly: SE19, SE20, SE25 and BR3 all appear within a short distance, and neighbouring streets can sit in different boroughs.
What that means for a booking is simple but important: give the full postcode. A street name alone is more ambiguous here than in most of London, and "Crystal Palace" as a pickup area covers ground in several different local authorities.
Penge East and Penge West are two stations
Another local trap. Penge East is on the Southeastern line towards Victoria; Penge West is on the Overground and Southern towards London Bridge. They are a few hundred metres apart and neither is "Penge station".
As everywhere in this guide: give a street address and postcode, and the problem does not arise.
The hills
- Anerley Hill, Westow Hill, Church Road and Crystal Palace Parade are all steep. In ice or snow, they are among the first roads in London to become difficult and among the last to clear.
- If you are flying in December, January or February, build in a buffer and read our winter weather airport transfers guide. A pickup that would normally be fifteen minutes early can be fifteen minutes late if the hill is treacherous.
- The Crystal Palace triangle — Westow Hill, Church Road and Westow Street — is narrow, busy with shops and restaurants, and awkward for stopping. A side road is better.
Selhurst Park matchdays
Crystal Palace FC play at Selhurst Park in SE25, and on a matchday the roads around Park Road, Whitehorse Lane, Clifton Road and Selhurst Road are subject to closures and heavy congestion for several hours before and after kick-off. Norwood Junction and Selhurst stations are packed.
If your flight is on a matchday, tell us when you book and allow extra time. Our stadium and event transfer guide explains how we plan around fixture-day road closures.
Airport by airport
Gatwick — around 22 miles, straight down the A23 through Croydon and Purley onto the M23. This is among the shortest Gatwick runs from anywhere in Greater London, and it is the reason airport transfers from SE19 and SE25 tend to be good value.
Heathrow — around 21 miles west, usually via Streatham and the A3 to the M4, or round the M25 outside peak.
London City — around 12 miles north-east through Lewisham and the tunnels.
Luton — around 38 miles north through the centre or round the M25.
Stansted — around 42 miles north-east.
Southend — around 47 miles east, and the longest of the six from here.
Our neighbouring Croydon and Streatham transfer pages cover the areas further down the same A23 corridor.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How far is Crystal Palace from Gatwick? A: Around 22 miles, straight down the A23 through Croydon and Purley onto the M23. It is one of the shortest Gatwick runs from anywhere in Greater London.
Q: Why should I give a full postcode for a Crystal Palace pickup? A: Because five London boroughs meet near the top of the hill — Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham — and SE19, SE20, SE25 and BR3 postcodes interleave. A street name alone is more ambiguous here than almost anywhere else in London.
Q: Is Penge East the same station as Penge West? A: No. Penge East is on the Southeastern line to Victoria and Penge West is on the Overground and Southern towards London Bridge. They are a few hundred metres apart, so give a street address when booking rather than "Penge station".
Q: Do the hills around Crystal Palace affect airport pickups? A: In winter, yes. Anerley Hill, Westow Hill, Church Road and Crystal Palace Parade are steep, among the first roads in London to become difficult in ice and among the last to clear. Build in a buffer for a December to February departure.
Q: Does a Crystal Palace FC match affect my transfer from South Norwood? A: Yes. Matchdays at Selhurst Park bring road closures and heavy congestion around Park Road, Whitehorse Lane and Selhurst Road for several hours either side of kick-off. Mention it when you book and allow extra time.
Q: Which airport is nearest to Penge and Anerley? A: Gatwick is the most practical at around 22 miles down the A23. London City is nearer in raw distance at about 12 miles, but the journey involves crossing Lewisham and a river tunnel.
Q: Can a driver stop in the Crystal Palace triangle? A: It is awkward. Westow Hill, Church Road and Westow Street are narrow and busy with shops and restaurants. A quieter side road just off the triangle is the practical meeting point.
Get an estimated fare for your transfer from Crystal Palace, Upper Norwood, Anerley, Penge, South Norwood or Selhurst.