London is served by six commercial airports, and they are not interchangeable. They sit on different sides of the city, they are reached by different roads, and the cheapest way to get from one of them to your hotel is rarely the cheapest way to get from another. This guide covers the four that carry the overwhelming majority of visitors — Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton — along with what a private transfer actually costs and when it is the wrong choice.
Where the airports actually are
Heathrow lies west of central London, close to the M4 and the M25, which makes it the most straightforward of the four to reach by road from the centre and the west. Gatwick sits well to the south, in Sussex, reached via the M23. Stansted is north-east of the city in Essex, on the M11. Luton is north, in Bedfordshire, via the M1. Only Heathrow is inside Greater London.
That geography matters more than any timetable. A transfer from Kensington to Heathrow crosses a fraction of the distance of the same journey to Stansted, and a car from Canary Wharf reaches Stansted far more easily than it reaches Gatwick. If you have a choice of arrival airport and you already know where you are staying, picking the airport on the correct side of London will save you more money and time than any other single decision.
What a private transfer costs
Rushxo prices airport transfers as a fixed fare for the whole vehicle, not per passenger. The figure is agreed before you travel and does not change with traffic or waiting time at the kerbside. These are the published fares between central London and each airport:
Because the fare covers the vehicle, the economics change sharply with group size. A saloon to Heathrow at £55 is more expensive than two rail tickets for a couple, but the same £55 split four ways is cheaper than four tickets, and it takes you to your door with your luggage. For any group of three or more, a private transfer is usually the cheaper option outright.
When the train is the better answer
Honesty helps here more than salesmanship. If you are travelling alone or as a couple, you have hand luggage only, you are going to a destination close to a mainline terminal, and you are travelling in the middle of the day, the express rail services are hard to beat. They are quick, they are unaffected by traffic, and for one or two people they will normally cost less.
A private transfer earns its money in the cases where rail struggles: three or more passengers, large or awkward luggage, arrivals late at night or very early in the morning when rail frequency drops away, journeys to addresses that are nowhere near a station, and travel with children, elderly relatives or anyone with reduced mobility. It is also the only sensible option if you are arriving at one airport and departing from another.
Meet and greet, and why arrivals go wrong
The part of an airport transfer that most often disappoints is the ten minutes between clearing customs and getting into a car. Ask three questions before you book. Does the driver track your actual flight arrival rather than the scheduled time? How much waiting time is included after landing, and when does the clock start? And where exactly will the driver be standing?
Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you in an arrivals hall. A private hire vehicle must be booked in advance through a licensed operator, so a legitimate driver will already have your name, flight number and destination. Our airport transfer safety guide goes through the checks in more detail.
Luggage, seats and vehicle choice
Boot space, not seat count, is what usually forces an upgrade. A saloon seats four adults but will not swallow four large suitcases, and the executive class seats three rather than four precisely because of the space the class gives over to comfort. Declare your bags honestly when you book — including pushchairs, skis, golf clubs and instrument cases — and let the operator pick the vehicle. Booking the right car once always costs less than sending a second one.
Child seats have to be requested at the time of booking, with the ages of the children, so the correct type can be fitted. They are not carried as standard.
Airport to airport, and onward journeys
Connecting between London airports by public transport almost always means travelling into the city and back out again, because there is no direct rail link between any pair of them. That is the journey where a car is least contestable, particularly with a tight connection or checked bags. For cruise passengers heading on to Dover, Harwich or Southampton, see our airport to cruise port guide.
Booking sensibly
Book once you have your flight number rather than waiting until you land, give the operator the flight number rather than a landing time, and get the total price in writing including anything that could be added later. If your plans are not settled, it is still worth asking for a quote early — you will at least know the number you are comparing rail and ride-hailing against.
For a fixed quote on any London airport journey, use the booking form, message us on WhatsApp, or call 020 8888 9988.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from central London to Heathrow?
Rushxo publishes a fixed fare of £55 for a saloon carrying up to four passengers between central London and Heathrow. Larger vehicles are £75 for an MPV up to six and £95 for a nine seater. The fare covers the whole vehicle rather than each passenger, and is agreed before you travel.
Which London airport is closest to the city centre?
London City Airport is the closest to central London, followed by Heathrow, which is the only one of the major airports inside Greater London. Gatwick lies to the south in Sussex, Stansted to the north-east in Essex and Luton to the north in Bedfordshire, all outside the city.
Is a private transfer cheaper than the train to a London airport?
It depends on group size. For one or two people with light luggage, express rail is usually cheaper. Because a transfer fare covers the whole vehicle, three or more passengers travelling together will normally pay less in a car than in individual rail fares, and it takes you door to door.
Can one transfer take me between two London airports?
Yes, and it is often the only practical option, because there is no direct rail link between any pair of London airports. Public transport connections generally require travelling into central London and back out again, which is slow with checked luggage or a tight connection.
Do you provide child seats for airport transfers?
Child seats are available but must be requested when you book, along with the ages of the children so the correct type is fitted. They are not carried as standard, so confirm the requirement in writing before you travel.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Give your flight number when booking so the arrival is tracked rather than assumed from the schedule. Ask how much free waiting time is included after landing and when charges begin, as this varies significantly between operators.