Heathrow remains the busiest London airport and the point of entry for most intercontinental long-haul flights. Its size calls for precise planning according to the arrival terminal: our chauffeurs always adjust the pick-up point to the flight number, as one terminal can be several minutes' walk from another within the same airport.
The journey between Heathrow and central London varies greatly with the time and day: the M4 and the A4 can flow freely mid-morning on a weekday and be saturated on a Friday evening at the start of a holiday. A chauffeur who follows traffic in real time adjusts the route rather than always sticking to the most direct one.
Gatwick, further from the centre, handles a large share of European and charter flights. The journey into central London is generally longer than from Heathrow, but congestion right around the airport is often lighter, a factor that can partly offset the extra distance depending on your arrival time.
London City Airport, the closest of the three to the centre, is popular with time-pressed business travellers, especially for a meeting in the City or Canary Wharf. Its smaller size generally means faster baggage reclaim and direct access to the vehicle, an advantage for travellers going straight from their flight to a business meeting within the hour.
For a private jet journey, the reception point and pick-up options depend on the airport and the operator. The meeting point with the chauffeur must be confirmed with the business aviation centre concerned; tarmac access requires specific authorisations and cannot be guaranteed for every arrival.
The choice between these three airports depends mainly on where your flight comes from and your final destination in London: giving us these two details when booking lets our team point you to the fastest and most comfortable transfer for your situation.
Comparing airports according to your final address
To choose your arrival airport, start from your first address in London rather than from a general ranking of airports. A stay in Kensington, a meeting in Canary Wharf and a visit to south London are not planned in the same way. Compare the available flight, its arrival time and the road journey that follows. Geographical distance alone is not enough: traffic conditions and access to the terminal also affect the route.
For a business trip, start by noting the time your presence is really needed. A landing scheduled shortly before a meeting rarely leaves room for formalities, luggage or a flight delay. For a holiday, also consider when your accommodation can welcome you. The best airport transfer in London is the one that fits into your whole programme, with a confirmed address and a time margin suited to the travellers.
Heathrow and Gatwick: give the terminal and the flight
When booking a chauffeur at Heathrow, give the flight number, its arrival date and the terminal when known. Flight tracking helps prepare the welcome, but does not replace a means of contact reachable after landing. Say whether members of the group are arriving on another flight: waiting for a second passenger can change the programme and must be agreed in advance. Also say whether you would like to stop at a hotel before the final destination.
The same preparation is useful for a transfer from Gatwick. A general mention of the airport is not enough on its own to set a meeting point. Check the instructions received with the confirmation and avoid choosing a drop-off area at random in the belief that it also accepts pick-ups. If your flight is rescheduled, pass on the new information as soon as it is available. For the return, give the aircraft's departure time and follow your airline's check-in recommendations.
London City and business aviation: organising the welcome
London City can be relevant for some destinations in east London, but the choice depends first on the available flights and your final address. A small airport removes neither security checks nor baggage reclaim. If you are going straight to a meeting, give the name of the building, its entrance and a contact on site. An address as broad as the City or Canary Wharf should be replaced by a precise destination in the booking form.
For a private jet arrival, ask your operator which business aviation centre or reception point will actually be used. Pass on the coordination contact and the flight information the chauffeur needs. A pick-up on the tarmac depends on specific authorisations and should never be assumed to be included. The agreed meeting point may be in a dedicated terminal; the service must be organised according to the airport's access rules rather than a general promise.
Booking the right vehicle and preparing the return trip
Enter the number of adults, children, checked suitcases and cabin bags. For a van with chauffeur in London, mention pushchairs, child seats and bulky equipment travelling with the group. The maximum number of seats does not always allow all the planned luggage to be carried at the same time. A precise request helps choose the right vehicle for the transfer, rather than discovering on departure that a suitcase or an accessory had not been planned for.
A return trip needs two dates and two times, including when the return is several days later or from another airport. Check the addresses and the final price before confirming, then keep the reference you receive. If your trip combines several hotels or meetings, include the extra stops in the request so that they can be studied. Preparing this information makes it easier to coordinate your chauffeur at Heathrow, Gatwick or London City, whatever the length of your stay.