London is served by six airports, and the “best” transfer depends entirely on which one you’re using and where in the city you’re headed. This guide compares them for minicab travellers, with realistic timings and the terminal quirks that catch people out.
All timings and prices are estimates that vary with traffic; we confirm the fare.
The six airports at a glance
| Airport | Direction | Approx distance to central London | Main road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | West | ~16 miles | M4 / A4 |
| Gatwick | South | ~28 miles | M23 / M25 |
| Luton | North | ~34 miles | M1 |
| Stansted | North-east | ~40 miles | M11 |
| London City | East | ~10 miles | A13 |
| Southend | East | ~40 miles | A127 / A13 |
Distance isn’t everything — traffic on the final approach into central London often matters more than the motorway miles. From south London and Surrey the two northern airports are the awkward ones: our guide to Luton and Stansted from south London compares them with the train.
Flying from one airport and out of another? See our airport-to-airport transfer guide. For Southend specifically, our Southend Airport minicab guide covers the new express drop-off zone.
From south-east London the picture is different again, because London City is genuinely the nearest airport for a large part of it — Greenwich, Charlton and Woolwich are all closer to the Royal Docks than to anywhere else. See our guide to which airport to use from Greenwich and the Woolwich, Thamesmead and Abbey Wood guide, which also covers the Elizabeth line link to Heathrow.
Choosing by where you’re staying
- West London → Heathrow is the obvious, shortest run (Heathrow to central London).
- South London / Surrey → Gatwick is closer than the mileage suggests once you avoid crossing the city (London to Gatwick).
- North London → Luton via the M1 is often the most sensible, particularly for late-night arrivals.
- East London / the City → Stansted (M11) or London City are usually quickest.
- South-east London → London City is nearest for the riverside areas; Gatwick is the shortest of the big four from the Crystal Palace and Norwood side, straight down the A23.
If you are starting in south-west or central London, the fixed-price area pages for Westminster & Victoria, South Kensington & Earls Court, Chelsea, Fulham, Battersea, Vauxhall, Clapham, Balham, Tooting, Morden & Mitcham and Molesey & Hampton Court show the price by vehicle and direction for each airport.
Terminal tips that save time
- Heathrow has four separate terminals — Terminal 4 (south) and Terminal 5 (west) are their own sites, so always give your terminal. The Heathrow minicab guide maps the pickup point for each one.
- Gatwick has North and South terminals linked by a shuttle; the wrong one means a transit with your bags — the Gatwick minicab guide explains how to tell them apart.
- Stansted, Luton and City are single-terminal, which keeps pickups simple. London City is the closest of the five to the Square Mile and Canary Wharf.
Practical booking advice
- Add your flight number so we can track delays.
- Allow generous time for outbound trips — escaping central London is the unpredictable part.
- For connections between airports, a single pre-booked car (like Heathrow to Gatwick) beats dragging luggage across public transport.
- Compare an estimate for your exact route before booking.
Longer term, both Heathrow and Gatwick have expansion schemes in progress — neither changes anything for a trip you are booking now, and our guide to airport expansion and what it means for transfers explains why.
Ready to plan? Compare estimated London airport transfer fares. Your booking is fulfilled directly by our drivers.