Make an informed choice with your airport and cruise transfers to and from London
London currently has five major airports that support regular commercial flights: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and London City Airport.
Even the smallest, London City Airport, has over 3 million passengers passing through each year.
All five airports form a ring around London, each between 5 and 40 miles outside from the centre.
London is home to two primary cruise ports: Southampton and Dover, both located about a two-hour drive from hotels in central London.
Smaller cruise ships occasionally use two smaller ports, Greenwich and Harwich.
Book a Central London transfer from any London airport.
Book an airport transfer from Central London.
All airport and cruise transfers – key facts
- Shared van style hotel shuttles are almost unknown in the UK. In London there is one service that serves Heathrow Airport but very few people use it. A shared London shuttle service to major cruise ships at Southampton and Dover operates but only for major ships during the summer season and there is only one schedule each day.
- The most popular transfer by far from airport to central London is by train. Only Stansted and Luton airports do airport buses that have a good share of the market. Only Heathrow Airport is close enough to London to make private cars and taxi services a popular option.
- Coach services and independent alternatives dominate Cruise port transfers to and from London. Cheaper public transport options are available but do not visit the cruise terminals.
- London hotel districts are quite expansive and not concentrated in a single downtown area like in North America. The location of your hotel in central London significantly impacts your expenses, convenience, and the time it takes to get around.
Heathrow Airport transfers
Heathrow Airport is about 15 miles west of London. It has 4 terminals, numbered 1, 3, 4 and 5. Which terminal you are arriving at can make a big difference to the smoothness of your transfer. The passenger terminals are literally miles apart serviced by three different train stations not all serviced by the same transfer options.
The quickest but most expensive option for traveling from Heathrow to London is the Heathrow Express service, which boasts a journey time of just 15 minutes, departing every 15 minutes. The main reasons to consider alternatives are the ticket price or if Paddington Station isn’t convenient for your hotel. For a more budget-friendly choice, there’s the TFL Rail Heathrow, which also travels the same route but takes longer due to its stops and operates less frequently, though it is significantly cheaper.
The third train option is the London Underground, by far the cheapest transfer alternative. The Underground is best part of an hour into London, (that may still be faster than a taxi at busy times). There will be an Underground Station near your hotel.
There is a cheap airport bus to London Victoria, but its not a dedicated airport bus and is not convenient if you are using Terminals 4 or 5. Likewise there is a Hotel Shuttle service but very few people use it.
Heathrow is really the only airport that leisure travellers would consider a taxi or a private car service, especially if they are staying in Kensington, the closest hotel district to Heathrow and inconvenient for Paddington trains.
Visit our Heathrow Airport transfers page for more information.
Gatwick Airport transfers
Gatwick Airport is located 30 miles to the south of London. For the majority of travellers transferring between Gatwick and Central London, the preferred mode of transport is the train, with the main consideration being which train to take. Even the slower train options are significantly quicker than taking a taxi or private vehicle, and they tend to offer a more comfortable ride. Similar to Heathrow, there is a premium service known as the Gatwick Express, along with more affordable stopping trains. Additionally, there are various routes available for traveling into London.
National Express, provides an affordable bus service; however, the road transfers from Gatwick to Central London can be quite slow and often involve frequent stops. As noted earlier, opting for a private car or taxi is only practical if you’re traveling with a large group or have a significant amount of oversized luggage.
Visit our Gatwick Airport transfers page for more information.
Stansted Airport transfers
Stansted Airport is the most distant airport from Central London. For many travellers, taking a taxi or private car for the journey to Central London is often too costly. The decision really comes down to choosing between the train or one of the numerous airport bus services available.
The train known as the Stansted Express is, similar to the Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express, the quickest and most comfortable way to transfer. However, a significant downside of the Stansted Express is its London terminus at Liverpool Street. Located in the heart of London’s business district, it is quite a distance from where many leisure travellers typically stay.
Alternatives include several airport bus services available that collectively reach most areas of Central London. While some of these services do not enter the city center, they conveniently stop at Underground Stations on the outskirts, helping to bypass the heaviest traffic congestion.
Visit our Stanstead Airport transfers page for more information.
Luton Airport transfers
Similar to Stansted, Luton Airport is located approximately 40 miles north of London. When it comes to transfers, travellers primarily have two options: the Thameslink Trains or the airport bus service. The train is typically the quicker choice, although it tends to be pricier than the bus. The train route travels through the eastern part of central London, stopping at key stations such as St Pancras, Blackfriars, and London Bridge.
On the other hand, the bus service takes a route through the western side of Central London, passing by popular areas like Marble Arch, Baker Street, and Victoria. This route is more convenient for many leisure travellers, as it is closer to where most hotels are situated.
The Luton Airport train service doesn’t actually go to the airport itself, instead there is a shuttle bus service that travels the 5 minute journey between airport terminal and Luton Parkway Station. The price of the bus shuttle is included in the price of your rail ticket.
There are two Luton Airport bus services run by National Express and Green Line, competing head to head on near identical routes.
Visit our Luton Airport transfers page for more information.
London City Airport transfers
London City Airport is only around 6 miles (9.6km) from the centre of London, and is the closest airport to the city centre.
City Airport is a small one passenger terminal located to the east of London in what was the old London Docks that once covered a vast area of east London along the River Thames.
Because of the relatively short length of the runway, the airport can only support the smaller jets which in turn means nearly all air services from City Airport are to short haul destinations in the UK, Ireland and Western Europe.
Visit our London City Airport transfers page for more information.
Southampton cruise port transfers
The distance from Southampton to central London is approximately 80 miles (128 km). There are numerous transportation options available for this journey, including public transport, private hire services, tour transfers, and van shuttles.
Heathrow Airport can be accessed by road when traveling from Southampton to Central London.
The most affordable way to travel between Central London and Southampton is by taking the National Express scheduled buses. However, many travellers prefer the Southampton train services, which are quicker but come at a higher price than the bus. It’s worth noting that neither option goes directly to the port or the cruise terminals.
The vast majority of cruise ship passengers will use the wide variety of coach and shuttles services, additionally, private taxi transfers are very competitive too.
Visit our Southampton cruise transfers page for more information.
Dover cruise port transfers
It’s about 75 miles (120km) between Dover and the centre of London. Dover is very similar to Southampton but is south east of London whilst Southampton is south west of London. There is a wide choice of transport, both public transport and private hire, tour transfers and van shuttles between Dover and London.
The cheapest transfer option between Central London and Southampton are the National Express scheduled buses but most people use the the Dover train services, which are much faster although more expensive than the bus service. It’s worth noting that neither option goes directly to the port or the cruise terminals.
The vast majority of cruise ship passengers will user the wide variety of coach and shuttles services and private taxi transfers are very competitive too.
Visit our Dover cruise transfers page for more information.
Book Discounted Tours from London
- Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath – from £143
- Stonehenge & Bath – from £98
- Stonehenge half-day tour – from £75
Features:
- Exclusive prices including admission to attractions
- Air-conditioned tour coaches with free Wi-Fi