Gatwick to Heathrow Airport Transfer Service

Gatwick Airport sits off the M23 near Crawley in West Sussex, about 28 miles south of Central London, while Heathrow Airport is west of London between the M4 and M25, about 15 miles from Central London. Connecting the two by public transport almost always means heading into central London and back out again, which is why a direct inter airport taxi is the option most connecting passengers choose.

Our drivers cover this route regularly and know the terminal layouts at both ends, the access roads, and where the delays tend to build. That matters when you are working to a connection deadline rather than an open-ended schedule.

Gatwick Airport operates from two terminals, North and South, linked by a free automated shuttle, and Heathrow Airport operates from four passenger terminals (T2, T3, T4 and T5). We confirm both your arrival terminal and your departure terminal when you book, so your driver takes you to the right door rather than the right airport.

Journey Time & Route Planning

The distance from Gatwick to Heathrow is 45–50 miles, with a typical journey time of 60–90 minutes. The usual route runs via the M23 north to the M25, then anticlockwise around the western side of London.

The M25 between junctions 8 and 15 is one of the busiest stretches of motorway in Britain and can add 30 minutes or more during weekday peaks.

How much time should you allow?

If you are making a same-day connection, the honest advice is to allow considerably more than the driving time alone. Work backwards from your onward departure: check-in and security at Heathrow, then the transfer itself at 60–90 minutes, then baggage reclaim and immigration at Gatwick, which can take 45 minutes or more after a busy long-haul arrival. In practice we suggest a minimum of three hours between your scheduled landing at Gatwick and your onward departure from Heathrow, and more if you are travelling at peak times.

If your connection is tighter than that, tell us when booking. We will advise honestly whether it is realistic rather than simply taking the reservation.

Taxi vs Train or Public Transport

There is no direct train. The usual rail route means travelling into Central London, crossing the city, and heading back out — typically two or three changes and well over two hours with luggage.

Public transport can make sense if you are travelling alone with light hand luggage, you have a generous connection window, and you are comfortable navigating changes across London.

A private transfer is usually the better choice if you are travelling as a family or group, carrying checked luggage, connecting to a same-day flight, arriving late at night or departing very early when service frequency drops, or travelling with children or anyone with reduced mobility. Once you price per-person rail fares for three or four people, a single fixed taxi fare often works out comparable or cheaper as well.

Pickup & Drop-off at Gatwick and Heathrow

Vehicle Options & Luggage

Airport-to-airport transfers usually mean full luggage at both ends, so vehicle choice matters more on this route than on a short local trip. The most common booking mistake is underestimating boot space.

Unsure which to pick? Tell us your passenger numbers and case count and we will recommend the right option. You can also browse the full vehicle fleet or our wider range of transfer services.

Who Travels the Gatwick to Heathrow Route?

This transfer is booked for a fairly predictable set of reasons, and the right vehicle and timing depend on which applies to you.

Connecting passengers on separate tickets

The largest group by far. When an inbound flight lands at Gatwick and the onward flight departs from Heathrow on a separate booking, there is no airline responsibility for the connection — the transfer is entirely yours to arrange, and a missed onward flight is not covered. That is exactly why a fixed, pre-booked transfer with flight tracking makes sense here rather than hoping to find something on arrival.

Families and groups

Moving four or five people with checked luggage across London by train is genuinely difficult. Per-person rail fares mount up quickly, and changes with children and suitcases are stressful. One vehicle, one fare and one journey is usually both cheaper and considerably calmer.

Business travellers

For anyone travelling on a schedule, the value here is predictability rather than speed. A fixed pickup, a known arrival window and a VAT receipt for expenses are worth more than saving a few pounds on a rail ticket.

Repositioning between airports

Some passengers fly into one London airport and out of another days later, or need to reach a different airport because of a cancellation or rebooking. We handle both, including short-notice bookings subject to availability.

What to Expect on the Day

Before your transfer, you will receive your driver's name, vehicle details and contact number. There is no need to call ahead to confirm — if your inbound flight to Gatwick is early or delayed, we see that automatically and move your pickup to match.

After landing, clear immigration and collect your bags as normal. If you booked meet and greet, your driver will already be waiting inside arrivals with a name board. If you booked a standard pickup, you will get a message telling you exactly where to go. Either way there is no queuing at a rank and no app-based surge pricing because several flights landed at once.

The journey itself is direct. Your driver will not pick up other passengers along the way, and the vehicle is yours for the duration. If you need a comfort stop on the longer routes, just ask — there is no charge for a brief stop.

On arrival at Heathrow, your driver takes you to the terminal entrance for your airline and helps unload. From there you are straight into check-in.

Luggage Guidance for This Route

Because both ends of this journey are airports, nearly every passenger is carrying full checked luggage — which is why boot space is the single most common booking error we see. A saloon car takes two large suitcases comfortably. A third case, or a pushchair, or golf clubs, means you want an estate or MPV.

• 2 adults, 2 large cases — saloon car is fine
• 3 adults, 3 cases — estate car recommended
• Family of 4 with cases and a pushchair — MPV or 6-seater
• 5 or more passengers — 6-seater or 8-seater minibus
• Skis, golf clubs or oversized items — tell us when booking so we allocate the right vehicle

If you are unsure, give us your passenger count and the number and size of bags. It costs nothing to check, and it avoids the far more expensive problem of a vehicle arriving that cannot physically take your luggage.

Booking an Inter-Airport Transfer

Related Airport Transfers

We cover every direction between all five major London airports. See the full airport-to-airport transfer hub, or the individual airport pages for Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a taxi from Gatwick to Heathrow Airport?

A private Gatwick to Heathrow transfer starts from around £110 for a standard saloon car. Larger vehicles, extra luggage and specific pickup points affect the final price. Every quote is fixed before you travel, so traffic or diversions will not increase your fare.

How long does the journey from Gatwick to Heathrow take?

Typically 60–90 minutes in normal traffic, covering 45–50 miles. The M25 between junctions 8 and 15 is one of the busiest stretches of motorway in Britain and can add 30 minutes or more during weekday peaks.

Is there a direct train from Gatwick to Heathrow Airport?

There is no direct train. The usual rail route means travelling into Central London, crossing the city, and heading back out — typically two or three changes and well over two hours with luggage. A direct taxi removes those changes entirely, which matters most when you are carrying luggage or connecting to a same-day flight.

Will the driver wait if my flight into Gatwick is delayed?

Yes. We track your inbound flight in real time and adjust the pickup automatically, with a complimentary waiting period after landing for immigration and baggage reclaim. You are not charged for a delay outside your control.

Which terminal will you collect me from at Gatwick?

Gatwick has a North Terminal and a South Terminal in separate buildings with separate access roads, so confirming your terminal matters. We confirm your terminal when you book and check it again against your flight before your driver sets off.

Where will you drop me at Heathrow Airport?

We take you directly to the terminal entrance for your airline. Heathrow operates a drop-off charge at all terminal forecourts, which is included in your fixed quote.

How much time should I leave between flights?

For a same-day connection we recommend allowing the full journey time of 60–90 minutes plus at least three hours before your onward departure, to cover baggage reclaim at Gatwick, the transfer itself, and check-in and security at Heathrow.

What vehicle should I book for a family with luggage?

A saloon car takes three passengers with two large cases. For four or more passengers, or for families with several suitcases and a pushchair, an estate, MPV or 6-seater is more comfortable. Tell us your passenger and bag count and we will advise.

Can I book a return transfer at the same time?

Yes. You can book both legs in a single reservation and there is no surcharge for the return. Many customers travelling between airports for a connecting flight book both directions in advance.

Do you operate this route overnight?

Yes, we run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including bank holidays. Overnight and early-morning transfers are charged at the same fixed rates with no unsocial-hours premium.

Are child seats available on this route?

Yes, child and booster seats are provided free on request. Please tell us the age of your child when booking so the correct seat is fitted in advance.

Can I get a receipt for business expenses?

Yes. Payment can be made securely online and a VAT receipt is issued for every completed journey, which is useful if you are claiming the transfer back as a business expense.