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An airport transfer is a journey between the airport and your destination that you book before you travel. Landing in London is the easy part; getting from the terminal to your hotel, home or meeting is where a little planning pays off. This guide compares every way into the city from the six London airports and shows when a pre-booked transfer is the most convenient choice.
London airport transfers: the quick answer
- Most convenient: a pre-booked private transfer, door to door, with the fare shown before you confirm.
- Fastest into a central station: the airport express trains, if you're travelling light.
- Lowest cost: coaches, the Tube and the DLR, with longer journeys or changes.
Before You Choose Your Airport Transfer
A few minutes of planning makes any airport journey smoother:
- Check which airport and terminal you arrive at or fly from.
- Count your passengers and large suitcases.
- Allow extra time for traffic at peak hours.
- Have your flight number ready when you book.
The Six London Airports and How to Reach the City
London is served by six major airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend. Each has a fast rail link into London, and all six can be reached door to door by road.
| Airport | Fastest rail link | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | Heathrow Express to London Paddington | About 15 minutes |
| Gatwick | Gatwick Express to London Victoria | About 30 minutes |
| Stansted | Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street | About 46 minutes |
| Luton | Luton DART, then train to London St Pancras | About 32 minutes |
| London City | DLR to Bank | About 25 minutes |
| Southend | Train from Southend Airport station to London Liverpool Street | About 52 minutes |
Times are approximate and can change with timetables and engineering works, so check with the operator before you travel. Journeys by road vary much more with the time of day.
Comparing the two biggest airports? Read Heathrow vs Gatwick, or see every route in our guide to getting from Gatwick to central London. Dropping someone off? Our London airport drop-off charges guide covers the fees at each airport.
Types of London Airport Transfer
- Pre-booked private transfer: a car or minibus booked in advance takes you door to door, with the fare shown before you confirm.
- Black cab: licensed taxis wait at ranks outside the terminals. Fares are metered, so the price depends on distance and traffic.
- Express trains: the Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express run fast, direct services to central London stations.
- Elizabeth line, Tube and DLR: Heathrow is served by the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line, and London City Airport by the DLR.
- Coaches and shared shuttles: usually the lowest-cost options, with longer journeys and fixed or shared stops.
London Airport Transfer Options Compared
The right choice depends on who's travelling, how much luggage you have and where you're going.
| Option | Best for | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked private transfer (door to door) | Families, groups, heavy luggage, late or early flights | Journey time depends on road traffic |
| Black cab (door to door) | Short-notice journeys from the taxi rank | Metered fare, which can add up on longer journeys |
| Express train | Travelling light to central London | You may need onward travel from the station |
| Elizabeth line, Tube or DLR | Budget travel with light luggage | Busy at peak times, with stairs at some stations |
| Coach or shuttle | The lowest-cost travel | Longer journeys and fixed or shared stops |
Comparing the Costs
Public transport is usually the cheapest way into London, especially if you're travelling alone with light luggage. Express trains cost more than the Tube, but they're faster and have more room for bags.
Taxis and private transfers cost more per journey, but the price covers everyone in the vehicle. For a family or group, one car or minibus can come close to the cost of several train tickets, without the changes. A pre-booked transfer shows your fare before you book, while a black cab's metered fare depends on traffic.
What Makes a Pre-Booked Transfer Convenient?
- No queues or connections: your car is arranged before you land, so there's no taxi rank or train change after a long flight.
- Flight monitoring: add your flight number and your pickup can be planned around your actual arrival.
- Met in arrivals: with Meet & Greet, your driver meets you inside the terminal.
- The right-sized vehicle: choose a car, MPV or minibus for your passengers and luggage. Compare them in our fleet.
- Any hour: early departures and late arrivals are covered, 24/7.
Families, Accessibility and Groups
Airport transfers for families
A pre-booked car keeps things simple with children: no carrying bags through stations, and a vehicle that's ready when you are. Choose one with room for buggies and suitcases, and add any child seat needs to your booking notes. UK rules generally require a child car seat until a child is 12 years old or 135cm tall, with some exceptions in licensed taxis and private hire vehicles; see the rules on GOV.UK.
Accessible airport transfers
UK airports provide free special assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Request it through your airline, ideally at least 48 hours before you fly. When booking a transfer, add any access needs to your booking notes, such as a folding wheelchair or help with luggage, so the right vehicle can be arranged.
Group and executive transfers
Travelling as a group? One vehicle keeps everyone together with their luggage. See minibus and group travel for vehicles with up to 16 seats. For business trips, our executive chauffeur service gives you a quiet, comfortable journey to your meeting or hotel.
How to Book Your Airport Transfer with Banana Cars
Book in four steps
- Enter your journey: add your pickup, destination, date and time. Every journey starts or finishes in London.
- Choose your vehicle: pick one that suits your passengers and luggage, and see your instant quote.
- Add your details: enter your contact details, flight number and any notes, such as child seats or access needs.
- Confirm your booking: check everything, including your fare, and confirm.
Banana Cars covers all six London airports with TfL-licensed drivers and vehicles from saloons to 16-seat minibuses. Get an instant fare quote, or see all London airport transfers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking a pickup at the wrong terminal.
- Choosing a vehicle that's too small for your luggage.
- Forgetting about rush-hour traffic on the way to the airport.
- Leaving no time for passport control and baggage reclaim when you arrange a pickup.
London Airport Transfer FAQs
A journey between an airport and your destination that's booked before you travel. A private transfer collects you at the terminal and takes you door to door, with the fare shown before you confirm.
The Heathrow Express reaches London Paddington in about 15 minutes. If you're heading somewhere else, or have plenty of luggage, a door-to-door transfer can be quicker overall, depending on traffic.
From Stansted, the Stansted Express reaches London Liverpool Street in about 46 minutes. From Luton, take the DART shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway, then a train to St Pancras, about 32 minutes in total. Both airports can also be reached door to door by road.
No. London black cab fares are metered, so the price depends on distance and traffic. A pre-booked transfer shows your fare when you book.
Yes, add your child seat request to your booking notes when you book. UK rules generally require a child car seat until a child is 12 years old or 135cm tall, with some exceptions in licensed taxis and private hire vehicles.
Often, yes. The fare covers the whole vehicle, so sharing one car or minibus spreads the cost across your group and keeps everyone and their luggage together.
Enter your pickup, destination, date and time on our booking page, choose a vehicle, add your details and confirm. You'll see fares for every vehicle before you book.
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