How Best to Travel to Central London From Heathrow

Heathrow is one of the most popular airports for London holiday-goers. Whether you've arrived on a long International flight or a short flight from a nearby destination, you'll want to be on your way to your London accommodations as quickly as possible. There are several options for reaching the centre of London from Heathrow, and travel time along the roughly 15-mile route depends on a variety of factors.

National Express Dot2Dot Transfer Service

One of the fastest, most comfortable and convenient ways to travel from Heathrow to your central London or Canary Wharf destination is via National Express Dot2Dot transfer service. Dot2Dot service desks are available at Heathrow Terminals 1, 3, 4 and 5, and if you arrive at Terminal 2, a representative will meet you. You'll enjoy a comfortable ride in a modern minibus with Wi-Fi service and air-conditioning available, and your cost will be less than half of that of a taxi.

If you're traveling as part of a larger group, Dot2Dot offers discounts, too. Service is available 24 hours a day, and return shuttle service from your hotel to Heathrow can also be arranged. Dot2Dot shuttle service costs a maximum of £20.00, and it's easy to pre-book transportation at Dot2Dot. You can also phone +44 (0)845 368 2368 for more information.

Taxi or Limousine Service from Heathrow

Taxis offer another option for transportation from Heathrow to your central London destination. There are several taxi companies that serve Heathrow, and you can find taxis by following signs in each of Heathrow's terminals. A taxi ride to central London usually takes an hour or slightly less, and prices run between £45 and £70. You may be able to save on the cost by booking your taxi from Heathrow in advance.

If you're interested in traveling from Heathrow to London in luxury, you can book a limousine in advance from one of several agencies. This is the most expensive form of transportation available between Heathrow and central London, but it will also be the most luxurious.

Train Service to Central London

If you aren't too encumbered with luggage, you may opt to take the Underground to your London destination. Heathrow Airport is located on the Piccadilly line on the Underground, and Heathrow Express trains also operate frequently to London Paddington station. You can access train service from each of the airport's terminals. Trains run roughly every 4 to 9 minutes and fares start at just £4.00. Depending on your stop, you'll reach your destination in approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

Bus Service from Heathrow to London

Bus service is another public transportation option for transfer from Heathrow to central London. Expect your journey to take approximately an hour, although traffic delays could significantly increase your travel time. Fares start at approximately £10 for bus travel.

Heathrow to London by Car

If you are driving yourself, you will want to obtain directions to your destination in advance of your arrival. Your directions will vary depending on which Terminal you are exiting, but ultimately you will need to arrive at the M4 motorway to reach London.

If you are travelling with a significant amount of luggage or with children, it may be easiest to opt for Taxi or Dot2Dot transfer service from Heathrow. Although public transportation such as rail and bus service is less expensive, you will need to carry your luggage yourself along the way. Many travellers find the convenience of Dot2Dot or Taxi service well worth the extra cost, especially upon arrival at Heathrow. You can always choose another option for your return trip to Heathrow if you decide to opt for savings over convenience instead.

Stansted Airport London - An Independent Travellers Guide

Of London’s airports, Stansted Airport is furthest from the centre of London, nearly 40 miles. The airport is dominated by low cost budget airlines and in particular Ryanair and easyJet, Europe’s largest low cost airlines.

The overwhelming majority of flights are European or UK domestic flights.
The airport also has significant charter traffic, particularly for the British travelling on package tours to the sun.
The main intercontinental and state carriers like British Airways, Virgin, American and Singapore Airlines all use London’s Heathrow or Gatwick Airports.

The airport is an established airport but was relaunched 15 years ago with a brand new terminal and infrastructure, including a direct rail link and motorway to London. At first it was a white elephant but the emergence of the low cost budget carriers has transformed Stansted into one of the fastest growing airports in Europe in the last decade.
Today, full capacity of the main terminal is within sight and a new terminal and further out a second runway is planned.

There are no surprises with the terminal itself, all the standard facilities are in place including choice of foreign exchange, pharmacies, news stands etc. There is a good range of eating opportunities ranging from fast food and pub food through to sit down restaurants. In common with all airports run by BAA, the owner, there is a lot of luxury shopping outlets. But remember, the vast majority of flights from Stansted are within the EEC and do not qualify for duty free status.

It normally takes around 30 minutes from touch down to exiting customs with most flights if you have luggage. There is an airport information desk immediately outside customs and a desk for AirportCarz who have a monopoly on taxi services at the airport. Taking a taxi to London is only used by a very small minority of passengers because of the distance and expense.

If your destination is London, the quickest option is to take the Stansted Express train. The train station is underneath the terminal so you just descend to the platforms by escalators or lifts.
The Stansted Express takes 45 minutes to London’s Liverpool Street Station and runs about every 15 minutes during the day. Last trains are around midnight. The fares on the Stansted Express are expensive, well over $US40 for a single return fare. The Liverpool Street terminus is also not very convenient for most travellers, being sited in the middle of the financial district of London, 3-5 miles from most of the most popular hotel accommodation. The train stops at an intermediate stop called Tottenham Hale, 10 minutes before Liverpool Street, an interchange with the London Underground (Victoria Line).
Many of the airlines will sell tickets for the Stansted Express, some at a discount, before landing at Stansted Airport.

The budget transfer option into London is to take one of four scheduled coach services run by National Express and Terravision. There is a large, modern coach station in front of the terminal, adjacent to the rail station.

The cheapest option is the Terravision service to Liverpool Street Station, the same route as the Stansted Express. The price is about half that of the Stansted Express Train. Downside like all road based transfers is the London traffic, on a good day the coach will make it in about an hour. National Express run services about every 30 minutes to nearby Stratford Underground at a similar price.

The other route taken by the coaches is Stansted to London Victoria. Both have return fares around $US25. The Terravision service is non-stop, the National Express service makes stops through central London, many of them close to the major hotel districts. The National Express service is a true 24x7 service, the Terravision service only stops for a couple of hours early morning. Some of the highest frequencies are around midnight Stansted-London and very early morning London-Stansted for the first and last flights when the Stansted Express and London Underground have shut down.

Because of the sometimes extraordinarily cheap fares of Ryanair and easyJet a lot of transcontinental travellers have found it cheapest to fly into Heathrow and then complete their journey to their European destination using a low cost airline from Stansted.
National Express run shuttle services between Heathrow and Stansted from the coach station at Stansted. There are usually a couple of services an hour, the journey taking around 90 minutes (though delays on the motorway are almost routine at rush hours). The fare is not cheap either. The return fare is about $US50. It is cheaper to use the indirect National Express service to Stratford and then catch the London Underground to Heathrow, but less comfortable.

If you want to stay over at Stansted Airport before a flight there are plenty of options available. Like all airport hotels at London, room rates are normally much cheaper at weekends than mid-week. If you are transiting from Heathrow or Gatwick which have much fiercer competition, you will probably find rates more expensive at Stansted, particularly in the budget sector.

Immediately adjacent to the terminal is the luxury Stansted Radisson SAS, the only airport hotel where you do not need a hotel transfer vehicle. This is perhaps the most luxurious hotel and at weekends rates can be fairly competitive. The original luxury hotel at Stansted is the 4 star Hilton Hotel on the airport perimeter. The Hilton Stansted runs its own shuttle bus from the coach station about every 30 minutes.
In the immediate vicinity of the airport is an Express by Holiday Inn and a Best Western. The consistently cheapest option is the Days Inn on a motorway services area at the entrance to Stansted Airport. It provides no airport transfer facility itself though of course there are taxis and a local bus service.
Apart from the chains there are a lot of independent hotels in the vicinity. These feature hotels for all budgets and tastes, ranging from Country House Hotels, to pubs to traditional Bed and Breakfasts. The countryside around Stansted is surprisingly unspoilt and there is opportunity to stay in a traditional market town or coaching inn for example.

For current London transfer fares and timetables see: Rail and Road Transfers Between Stansted Airport and Central London.

London Heathrow - Taxi to Terminal Four

As a Private Hire Taxi driver based in the South of England, a lot of my business is made up of fares to and from London's Heathrow Airport. I thought I'd share some tips for meeting and greeting, as Airports can seem so daunting to the occasional visitor! Many BA long-haul flights arrive at Terminal 4, along with some European flights. It's my favourite Terminal to meet and greet at - at least it is at the moment, let's see whether T5 is easier still! T4 is only five to tem minutes from Junction 14 of the M25.

I'm assuming that you are driving to Heathrow, either to drop off or meet a friend or associate. As you approach the Terminal, unless you've prearranged to meet someone at the kerbside outside Arrivals, go UP the ramp! Stay left to drop off a passenger right outside the Check-In area, stay right to park. A good tip on entering the car park is to use a credit card at the entry barrier rather than pressing the button for a ticket - this saves time when you leave, no queuing at the ticket machine, and one less piece of paper to hold on to: just use the same card at the barrier on exit and it'll automatically give you a receipt. Warning - these machines will let you in with a Switch / Solo card, but they won't let you out again - to be sure, only use a Credit card for this operation! When you get into the Terminal 4 Short Stay car park, go down the ramp to the right and try and find a space. Once parked, the Terminal building is a short walk away. Both Arrivals and Departures/ Check-In are clearly signed.

On entering Terminal Four, one's first impression of Arrivals is one of Chaos! There are always crowds of people there; there are a lot of Jumbo jets disgorging at this terminal! Unless you know the person you're meeting, then join the crowd close to the centrally located exit doors and try to get to the barrier with a 'welcome' sign. The best thing is something distinctive and A4 sized - a logo maybe, but definitely something eye-catching and colourful. Make it easy on the person you're meeting - most signs have names and flight numbers on - make yours different! Stand somewhere prominent - where you'll be seen as soon as your passenger emerges through the sliding doors - although it's best to pre-arrange to meet under the 'meeting point' sign - this is to the right of the doors as your passenger exits - beware, they can turn right or left as they exit.

Always check the monitors when you enter the building - a good rule of thumb is that your passenger will come through T4 Arrivals about forty minutes to an hour after landing - but always watch the screen for the 'Baggage In Hall' message - this is usually a reliable indicator of their imminent emergence! Terminal Four Arrivals can be very variable - long haul planes are often early, and always have lots of passengers - I have known people to be through in less than half an hour, whilst last week I waited an hour and a half for someone coming from the Middle East! If you have a mobile phone contact number, then a quick call or SMS message can help keep track of your passenger to let them know where you are, and reassure them that you're there and waiting - takes away one more anxiety for the traveller. Once you've got your passenger, get out of there quick smart - the car park is expensive! Oh, and please drive carefully and considerately on the way home!

Airport Transfers - London

London is one of the most exciting cities in the world, but it's also one of the most expensive. London is both the capital of England and the United Kingdom and it serves as the headquarters for the Roy. London is one of Europe's most populated city and holds some of its most impressive tourist attractions. This is great for travelers who plan to spend some time exploring London, rather than just a day or two hitting the main tourist sights.

Due to London's huge global city status it is the most served destination in the world when it comes to flights. London is served by a total of six airports.

Heathrow is London and Europe's largest airport and the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger movement, with services available from most major airports world-wide. A taxi from Heathrow to central London will cost £45-60. You may wish to consider taking a taxi if you have a lot of baggage or small children. Alternatively catch public transport into the city centre and then catch a taxi. There are over 1000 minicab companies in London.

London Gatwick London's second airport, also serving a large spectrum of places world-wide. To get to the centre of the city. A door 2 door shuttle service, running 24/7. Costs about half of the taxi, with wide leather seats and plenty of room for luggage. Pre bookings are required for Gatwick services.

London Stansted Currently London's third airport, Stansted Airport lies 35 miles northeast of London. Trains run directly to Liverpool Street Station in London every 30m 5am-11pm. It takes 45 minutes and costs £13.80. A1 Heathrow Cars provides online cab/taxi booking facility approximately £70.

London Luton has traditionally been a holiday charter airport, but is now also served by some budget scheduled carriers. As per Stansted, and for the same reasons, many choose to spend the night here before flying, although "First Capital Connect" trains run 24 hours.

London City Airport A commuter airport close to the city's financial district, and specializing in short-haul business flights to other major European cities. To get to the city centre by taxi. Journey time approximately 30 minutes.

London Southend Airport, Currently undergoing redevelopment and is set to become London's sixth international airport.

Southampton Airport & Birmingham International Airport are another non-London airports worth considering as a less congested and hectic alternative to Heathrow.

How to get to and from hundreds of the world's airports by car, bus, train and other forms of public transport. For transfers directly between London's airports, the fastest way is the direct inter-airport bus service by National Express.

Sightseeing: London is filled with attractions that appeal to young and old - take Madame Tussaud's wax museum, that all-time favorite. Great British Heritage Pass Discount Sightseeing. If your sightseeing style is leisurely, and you only visit one or two places a day, and if there are places you also want to visit that aren't on the Pass program. But if you're able to plan your sightseeing around the various places featured in the Pass, and if you're thinking of fitting two or three or more activities into every day, the savings can be huge.

That single day of sightseeing saves you more than the cost of an entire three day Pass. Your next two days of sightseeing will be entirely free. You have to buy the three-, four-, or seven-day Visitor Travelcards before you leave home, but you can get various other types of Travelcards once you reach London.you will be able to get just about anywhere you want to go in London on the Underground, or "tube ".

So, before you pack up and catch a flight to London you Invest in a copy of "London A to Z." This book of detailed maps is indispensable to anyone visiting London for more than a few days - even most London residents carry a copy.