London, the capital of England, is a city of immense diversity, eclectic charm, and rich cultural and historical significance. It stands out as an economic juggernaut not just in Britain, but also in Europe, and as a global leader.
The city is very popular and draws in many tourists each year for fun and work, it is always recommended to plan a city visit with a schedule, and book a cab for a smooth arrival at the hotel or accommodation. You can book a London airport taxi transfer service by using the following options:
As in other large cities, London has all types of public transport such as trains, normal buses, articulated buses, the typical double-decker buses, trams, the underground (the tube) and thousands of black cabs as well as chauffeur-driven rental services.
The city is always busy with people coming and going from different places. If you visit the UK's capital for a few days, you'll notice the hustle and bustle.
Distance to some points of interest
As mentioned above, based on where you land, the distance between the airport and the city centre or main attractions can change a lot.
In reality, a significant number of these facilities are situated within the bustling metropolitan area of the city, providing convenient access to urban amenities and services for both residents and visitors alike. However, it is worth noting that there are also a number of these attractions that are just beyond the city limits, in various neighbouring counties too.
Therefore, when planning your trip, it is necessary to think carefully about the choice of arrival airport and consequently about the traffic conditions, season, time of day and day of the week. Here are some examples of distances and travel times:
- From Heathrow to Big Ben: 30 km distance, 50 minutes journey;
- From Gatwick to Big Ben: 65 km distance, 1 hour and 20 minutes journey;
- From Stansted to Big Ben: 65 km distance, 1 hour journey;
- From Luton to Big Ben: distance 57 km, 1 hour and 10 minutes journey;
- From London City to Big Ben: 15 km distance, 30 minutes journey;
- From Southend to Big Ben: 68 km, 1 hour and 15 minutes journey;
Transport in London
The following options are available to reach the U.K.'s capital:
Travel options from Heathrow: Underground ticket costing £8 (around €10) and a journey time of 1 hour to Piccadilly station; train ticket costing £25 during off-peak hours and £30 at other times (peak time 6:30am to 9:30am and 4:00pm to 7:00pm). The train costs much less: starting from around £8 (costs may vary) and £15 one way on public holidays. Travel time for those wishing to use the train is 40 minutes to Paddington Station; bus with ticket for £14 (around €17) and travel time of about 1 hour to Victoria Station. Read our blog article on how to get from Heathrow to London.
Travel options from Gatwick: train ticket from around £17 and journey time of around 30 minutes to Victoria Station; buses cost from £8 and journey time is between 90 and 120 minutes to Victoria Station. Read the in-depth article on how to get from Gatwick to London.
Travel options from Stansted: train ticket from around £9 and journey time of 50 minutes to Liverpool Street; £5 one way by bus and journey time of approximately 90 minutes to Victoria Station. Read the in-depth article on how to get from Stansted to London.
Travel options from Luton: train ticket from around £20 with a journey time of 40 minutes to Blackfriars Station; bus ticket for £12 and journey time of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to Victoria Station. Read the in-depth article on how to get from Luton to London.
Travel options from London City Airport: underground ticket for £5 with a journey time of 45 minutes to Victoria Station; City buses 473 and 474 with tickets for £5 with a journey time of approximately 1 hour to Victoria Station. Read the in-depth article on how to get from the City Airport to London.
Travel options from Southend: train ticket for £16 with a journey time of approximately 1 hour to Liverpool Street. Buses with 38 stops of which 15 are in central London for £5 each way. Read the in-depth article on how to get from Southend to London.
Please note that all costs shown may vary depending on a large number of options.
TFL is the responsible government body for transports in London.
Public Taxi: Unlike many other cities around the world, there is no a limited number of taxis in London. You can find minicabs, which are hired in advance (because they can't pick up people without a reservation) and the famous black cabs. Fares vary according to traffic conditions and time of day.
Private Taxi: this type of transport is available at all London's airports only by pre-booking the service. Fares may vary but just to have a rough idea they start from 70 pounds (more or less €84 or $91). By booking a private taxi service in advance, you won't have to wait at the airport, you won't have to look for a taxi outside the terminal and, most importantly, you know the correct fare in advance and it is fixed.
Once you've arrived in the city, you can also comfortably get around by public transport. The metro is the oldest and largest in Europe, with 11 lines and 272 stations, while the bus network, the famous red double-decker buses, includes more than 700 lines, allowing you to reach any point in the city.
Journeys start from 5 am until around midnight, with times varying according to lines and days of the week. Ticket prices also vary according to the area you are travelling to. A bus ticket starts from £1.50. Please note that all costs shown may vary.
London Airport Shuttles
For budget travellers, there is also availabilty for a London Airport Shuttle service that can take customers right at their accommodation or their departure airport.
Also, tourists who want to visit the capital of the United Kingdom keeping some extra information at hand can download our free London Transports Guide in PDF format.