London is served by five 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 taxi 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 five 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 |
Distance isn’t everything — traffic on the final approach into central London often matters more than the motorway miles.
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.
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 taxi 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 taxi 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 taxi (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 own drivers, not forwarded elsewhere.