Airport transfer- all you need to know about it

With the summer holiday approaching, if you take it to the skies soon, make sure you pre-book your airport transfer in time.

Using an airport transfer service is always a good idea, especially when you find yourself in a foreign place.

When organizing a holiday, there are many pieces to put together, just like in a puzzle. It is really exciting to book your accommodation, to research the places waiting to be discovered. Most of us are usually neglecting an important detail, arranging a transfer. Doing so can be crucial and contribute to a stress-free trip.

Why pre-book an airport transfer?

Well, there are many reasons and we synthesized them for you below.

1. Having a chauffeured car booked in advance for your trip to the airport or from the airport to your destination is necessary. In this way, you don’t have to worry about hailing a taxi, that is hard to find when you need it most. Who wants to queue for a cab after a long flight, or even worse, in order to catch a flight?

2. When traveling with young children, prebooking a cab for your transfer can be crucial, as dramatic as it can sound. You have the option of requesting a car seat, very important for the little ones and for their safety. Apart from that, juggling the luggage and the kids on the way to public transport can be quite stressful and time-consuming. A better idea is having a driver waiting for you with a comfortable and suitable car, prepared to take you wherever you need.

3. If you are organizing a trip with a large group of friends it can be quite challenging to find a taxi that can fit you all upon arrival. Of course, you can get into more cars-if able to find, but I would say it is more convenient to book in advance a minicab for your transfer that can respect your requirements, especially of not splitting up.

4. For those of us living on the last minute and for the early birds, having a minicab booked to take you to your destination, it is compulsory. Why stressing out for lateness if you already have a transfer arranged? You don’t need to worry anymore if there’s a taxi around, mainly in the early hours, when most people sleep.

5. When going or returning from a holiday and you carry sports equipment, it can be a nightmare having to go on a public transport service. Prebooking an appropriate minicab for your transfer is always great.

6. When arriving in a foreign country, is best having a prepaid transfer, so you don’t have to deal straight away with the foreign currency. Furthermore, the driver will know where to take you, avoiding the language barrier.

7. As much as we like to be adventurous and love the adrenaline, we all prefer to feel safe if it is to choose. A pre-booked minicab means that the journey is registered and tracked. Moreover, the driver has been through some security checks and he is fully vetted.

In the United Kingdom, more people understand each day the importance of using a private airport transfer service when traveling. Some through own experience, after dealing with the public transport.

Five out of forty airports in the United Kingdom are located in London. Gatwick, Luton, Heathrow, Stansted and London City airport have all a high passenger traffic. For the client’s benefit, there is a great competition between the airport transfer providers. Based on your requirements and preferences, you can choose a pre-booked minicab, the train, a bus or coach.

Central London to Gatwick Airport

By car
Gatwick airport is situated 28 miles south of Central London.
If you choose to get there by car/minicab, the journey will take around 1h 35min, traffic depending.
There are 3 ways of getting there: using A3, A23, and M23 or M25. The miles crossed are different, but the time is approximately the same. Planned improvement works might be in place, so always plan your journey in advance.

By train
Gatwick Express takes you from London Victoria station to Gatwick airport in just 30 minutes. There are up to 4 trains per hour. You can find online great deals for the first class or for the groups if you are a saver.

If more convenient for you, Thameslink and Southern rail are leaving from London Bridge station for Gatwick airport. The journey takes between 29 and 45 minutes, and the tickets are cheaper than the ones for Gatwick Express.

By bus or coach
National Express has up to 45 services/day serving the Gatwick airport. The bus starts its journey at London Victoria Station and has multiple stops. It takes about 1h 5min and the tickets can cost as little as £5 one way, terms and conditions may apply. For other bus stops, check the National Express website.

easyBus has up to 4 services/hour and departs from London Victoria Station. The tickets start at £2, for availability check online.

Central London to Luton Airport

By car
Luton airport is located 35 miles north of Central London. When traveling by car, or using a private airport transfer service, the journey may take about an hour, when using the M1. If you need to use A40 and M25, it will take you 1h 20min and for the M25, 2 hours.

By train
Thameslink and East Midlands are the rail operators serving Luton airport, with up to 6 trains/hour. The average journey is of 40 minutes and you can catch a train at London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and San Pancras International.
When using the rail services, don’t forget to add 15 minutes for the shuttle to your overall journey.

By bus or coach

National Express has 2 services operating between London and Luton airport. Service A1, with 9 stops across the capital and service A2 with 6 stops. Prices are starting at £5 and the journey takes about 40 minutes. For more information check the National Express website

Before arriving at Luton, easyBus has 5 stops between London Victoria and Golders Green or Brent, service depending. The journey takes about an hour and the prices start at £8.95 one way/person.

Central London to Heathrow Airport

By car
The distance between Central London and Heathrow airport is of 16 miles, to the south.

When traveling by car, either you use A40 or M4, the time of the trip is of one hour, traffic depending.

By train
Heathrow Express is the fastest way of getting to the airport from Central London. You can reach Heathrow from London Paddington station in only 15 minutes

The TfL rail service departs from Paddington station every 30 minutes and calls at all the local west London stops. The journey may vary between 31 and 49 minutes.

By tube
If you are looking for a cost-effective way of travel between the capital and Heathrow airport, the Piccadilly line is the best option.

Central London to Stansted Airport

By car
Going to Stansted Airport by car/minicab it will take you about 1 hour from Central London via M11. There are 38 miles and you can reach the airport via North circular road and M11 too, but the distance is longer.

By train
The fastest way of getting to the Stansted airport is Stansted express, from London Liverpool Street. The journey takes 47 minutes and costs as little as £7 when booked in advance. There are about 4 trains/ hour.

The rail services offered by Greater Anglia start at Liverpool Street station and are direct. There are around 96 trains/day.

By bus and coach
National Express offers up to 196 services/ day between various stops in London and Stansted airport. The fastest route starts from Bow and it takes only 45 minutes.

Central London to City Airport

By car
From Central London to the City Airport, the distance is of about 9miles. Via A1203, it takes about 35 minutes to get there by car or minicab.

By DLR
London City Airport is ideally positioned with great transport links, Docklands Light Railway(DLR) in the first place. The journey takes about 17 minutes from Stratford International and 7 minutes from Canning Town.

London is a city very well connected with its airports and has great transport links. But unfortunately, these services are not available everywhere.

From hotels to excursion tickets, prebooking will definitely get you the best deals on the market.
Not only for a stress-free holiday, but also for saving on transport, booking in advance your airport transfer is always a good idea!