Booking a car to meet you off a flight is the most relaxed way into London – if you know how it works. This guide walks through a pre-booked private hire transfer from landing to drop-off, what happens when things go wrong, and how to choose the right vehicle for your luggage.
From touchdown to the car, step by step
- The flight is tracked. Booking with your flight number lets the dispatch team follow the real arrival time, so an early or late landing moves the pick-up automatically.
- Your phone wakes up. Switch it on as soon as you land: you receive the driver's name, phone number and car registration by text or WhatsApp.
- Passport control and bags. At Rushxo, 60 minutes of free waiting starts from your actual landing time – enough for most immigration queues and baggage reclaim. If it is going to take longer, message the driver.
- Meet in arrivals. Walk out into the public arrivals hall: your driver is at the greeting barrier with a name board.
- To the car. The driver helps with luggage and walks you to the car in the pick-up car park, then drives you door to door at the price agreed when you booked.
Where you meet the driver at each London airport
| Airport | Meeting point |
|---|---|
| Heathrow | Arrivals hall of Terminal 2, 3, 4 or 5 |
| Gatwick | Arrivals in the North or South Terminal |
| Stansted | International arrivals hall (single terminal) |
| Luton | Arrivals hall (single terminal) |
| London City | Just outside arrivals – the terminal is compact |
| Southend | Arrivals (single terminal) |
When plans change
- Delayed flight: nothing to do – the pick-up follows the tracked arrival time.
- Long immigration queue or lost bag: message the driver; extra waiting beyond the free 60 minutes can be added.
- Diverted to another airport: call or message straight away so the journey can be re-planned from the new airport.
- Change of plan before travel: Rushxo bookings can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before pick-up.
Choosing a vehicle for your luggage
Boot space is the thing people under-estimate. Drivers cannot put heavy cases on seats or block the rear view, so if the bags will not fit, the car will not work. As a rule of thumb:
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage guide |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon | up to 4 | About two large cases plus hand luggage |
| Executive | up to 3 | Similar boot to a saloon; more comfortable cabin |
| MPV | up to 6 | Room for more cases – the safe choice for four people with four big bags |
| V Class / 8-seater | up to 7–8 | Generous luggage space for groups and cruise travellers |
| 9-seater minibus | up to 9 | Whole groups with cases |
Golf bags, skis, pushchairs and folding wheelchairs need an MPV or larger. See the vehicle size guide for detail.
Children, assistance dogs and accessibility
Rushxo fits child seats free when you give the children's ages at booking. Under the Equality Act 2010, licensed drivers must carry assistance dogs at no extra charge. Mention mobility needs when you book so the right vehicle is sent.
Pre-booked car, black cab, app ride or train?
| Pre-booked private hire | Black cab | App ride | Airport train | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Fixed when you book | Metered – rises in traffic | Can surge at busy times | Per person |
| Meeting point | Arrivals hall, name board | Taxi rank outside | Designated pick-up zone | Airport station |
| Delays | Flight tracked, free waiting | Join the queue on arrival | Rebook if the driver cancels | Next train |
| Door to door | Yes | Yes | Yes | Station to station |
Trains such as the Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line or Stansted Express are quick for one person travelling light; for groups, heavy luggage, night arrivals or onward addresses away from the station, a fixed-price car is usually simpler.
Extra stops, split drops and days of meetings
Not every trip is A to B. If a family or group needs dropping at two addresses, add the extra stop when you book and it is included in the fixed price – no negotiating with the driver at the end of the night. For a corporate roadshow – the City, then Canary Wharf, then an office out of town – booking the car by the hour keeps the same driver and vehicle with you all day.
Connecting between two London airports
London's airports are not linked by direct trains, so a Heathrow–Gatwick or Stansted–Luton connection usually means the M25. Book the transfer with your inbound flight number so the driver is waiting when you land, and leave a generous gap between flights: on separate tickets, airlines will not hold the second flight for you. See Heathrow to Gatwick: how much time to leave.
Before you fly: a short checklist
- Check the flight number and arrival terminal on your booking.
- Give a mobile number with the country code, and make sure roaming is on.
- Match the vehicle to your luggage, not just your headcount.
- Save the booking line in your phone in case you are held up.
Related guides
- TfL-licensed private hire explained
- Heathrow airport transfers
- Gatwick airport transfers
- Stansted airport transfers
- Luton airport transfers
- London City Airport transfers
- Fixed-price transfers vs Uber
- ExCeL exhibition transfers
What travellers ask: How a Pre-Booked London Airport Transfer Works
We read the busiest recent threads on TripAdvisor, Mumsnet and the Rick Steves travel forum about this journey. Below is what comes up most, in our own words, with how we handle it. Prices and timetables quoted in forum posts go out of date, so we have left them out.
Pre-booked vs the taxi rank
Forum regulars explain that pre-booked airport cars give a fixed price, meet you in arrivals with a name board, track your flight and include some free waiting.
How we handle it: That is how our service works: 60 minutes of free waiting from landing at every airport.
Ignore anyone offering a ride in arrivals
Regulars advise never taking a ride from someone approaching you in the arrivals hall; use the official rank or a pre-arranged service.
How we handle it: Our drivers only meet passengers who booked, and your booking confirmation names the meeting point.
Only black cabs can be hailed
Every other car must be pre-booked, and app cars use pick-up zones away from the terminal door.
How we handle it: We are TfL-licensed private hire, so every journey is pre-booked.
Source: Rick Steves travel forum – Uber partnering with London black cabs
Frequently asked questions
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Nothing changes on your side: the flight is tracked and the 60 minutes of free waiting starts from the actual landing time.
Is the tip included?
No, and tipping is not expected in the UK. If you want to thank a driver for help with heavy luggage, it is entirely optional.
Can I add a stop on the way?
Yes – add it when you book so it is included in the fixed price.
Are night arrivals more expensive?
Your price is fixed when you book and shown before you confirm, whatever time you land.
How do I know the car is genuine?
Check the registration you were sent, the driver's TfL photo badge and the licence discs in the car windows. See our guide to TfL-licensed private hire.
More ExCeL London transfer guides
Airports to ExCeL: Gatwick Airport to ExCeL London Transfers · Heathrow Airport to ExCeL London Transfers · London City Airport to ExCeL London Transfers · Luton Airport to ExCeL London Transfers · Southend Airport to ExCeL London Transfers · Stansted Airport to ExCeL London Transfers
ExCeL to airports: ExCeL London to Gatwick Airport Transfers · ExCeL London to Heathrow Airport Transfers · ExCeL London to London City Airport Transfers · ExCeL London to Luton Airport Transfers · ExCeL London to Southend Airport Transfers · ExCeL London to Stansted Airport Transfers
Venues and stations: Canary Wharf to ExCeL London Transfers · Central London to ExCeL London Transfers · ExCeL London to Canary Wharf Transfers · ExCeL London to Central London Transfers · ExCeL London to Olympia London Transfers · ExCeL London to St Pancras International Transfers · Olympia London to ExCeL London Transfers · St Pancras International to ExCeL London Transfers
Hotels near ExCeL: Hotels Near ExCeL London: Transfer Guide · ibis London ExCeL Docklands Transfers · Moxy London ExCeL Transfers · Novotel London ExCeL Transfers · Premier Inn London Docklands (ExCeL) Transfers
Guides: ExCeL London Exhibition & Conference Transfers · TfL-Licensed Private Hire Explained
Updated 2 October 2026. Journey times are typical door-to-door ranges; your driver checks live traffic before setting off.