Bayswater, just north of Hyde Park, has one of the largest concentrations of hotels in London, from Queensway to Lancaster Gate. Airports Taxi UK collects you from your home, hotel or office in Bayswater and takes you straight to Gatwick Airport, with no changes, no carrying cases through stations and no waiting at a taxi rank. The car is booked for you alone, and the driver helps with your bags at both ends. Our drivers cover this run regularly, so they know the quickest way out of Bayswater and where to stop at the terminal.
The fare is fixed when you book and covers the whole vehicle, not each passenger, and a saloon on this route currently costs about £109 one way. Traffic, diversions and flight delays do not change it, so you know the full cost before you set off. Enter your journey in the booking form at the top of the page to see the exact figure for your date and time.
Route and Journey Time
Bayswater is about 31 miles from Gatwick, normally an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. The driver heads south through Kensington and over the river at Chelsea or Battersea Bridge, then down the A23 to the M23.
Bayswater to Gatwick Taxi Prices
These are the one-way fares our booking system is quoting for this journey today, based on the current distance and journey time. Your own price depends on the exact pickup and drop-off addresses and on the date and time you travel, so treat the table as a guide and check the booking form for your final fare.
| Vehicle | Fits | One-way fare |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon | up to 4 passengers, 2 large cases | £109 |
| Estate | up to 4 passengers, 4 large cases | £119 |
| Executive | up to 3 passengers, 2 large cases | £137 |
| People carrier (MPV) | up to 6 passengers, 4 large cases | £140 |
| 8 Seater | up to 8 passengers, 8 large cases | £140 |
| Executive Minivan | up to 8 passengers, 8 large cases | £177 |
A return booking made at the same time gets 5% off the return leg. The booking form lists any optional extras, like meet and greet, with their price before you pay anything. If there are five or more of you, one people carrier or 8-seater usually costs less than two saloons.
How the Journey Goes
From Bayswater the driver goes along the edge of Hyde Park and down Park Lane to Victoria, crosses Vauxhall Bridge and follows the A23 and M23 south. The driver checks live traffic before setting off and will take an alternative if there is a closure or a long queue, without changing your fare. If you have a preferred route, tell the driver when you set off.
Allow 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes for the journey. The quickest journeys are usually early in the morning, late in the evening and on Sundays. Weekday rush hours and Friday afternoons are the slowest, and the start of school holidays can be busy around the airports, so we allow extra time then.
Drop-Off at Gatwick Airport
We drop you at the departures forecourt of your terminal, as close to the doors as the airport allows. The North and South Terminals are separate buildings linked by a free shuttle train, so check which one your airline uses the day before you fly and tell us when you book.
Gatwick recommends arriving two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul one. We work backwards from your departure time, add the typical journey time for the day and a margin for traffic, and suggest a pickup time. If you would like to leave earlier than that, just say so. Travelling with children or a lot of luggage is a good reason to allow extra time at the terminal.
When Should I Leave Bayswater?
As a rough guide, this is when we would suggest being collected for a few common departure times. It assumes the longer end of the journey time and the airport’s advice to arrive two hours before a short-haul flight. For long-haul flights, add another hour.
| Flight departs | Suggested pickup |
|---|---|
| 07:00 | 03:00 |
| 10:00 | 06:00 |
| 14:00 | 10:00 |
| 19:00 | 15:00 |
When you book, give us your flight time and we will confirm the pickup time. If you prefer to arrive earlier, for example to use a lounge or because you have a lot of luggage to check in, tell us and we will adjust it.
Where We Collect in Bayswater
We collect from hotels along Bayswater Road, Queensway and Inverness Terrace, along with apartments near Paddington and Westbourne Grove. Tell us the exact address when you book, and add a note if there is anything the driver should know, such as a gate code, a porter or a better place to stop.
Bayswater’s hotels range from large chains on Bayswater Road to small family-run places on the streets behind Queensway. Many of them are on busy roads or narrow side streets, so our drivers are used to finding a safe place to stop and helping you with cases from the door. If you are in a short-let apartment, send us any access instructions when you book so the driver knows where to wait.
Areas covered: Bayswater, Queensway, Lancaster Gate, Paddington, Westbourne Grove, Hyde Park, and nearby streets.
Is the Train Easier?
By rail you would take the Circle or District line to Victoria and then the Gatwick Express or Southern, around an hour door to door with bags. A car avoids the Tube stairs and platforms entirely.
Rail suits light travellers on a budget. For families, groups, people with a lot of luggage and anyone catching a very early flight, the car is usually the better option: one fixed price, no changes and help with the bags.
Travelling With a Group?
A saloon takes up to four passengers with two large cases, and an estate takes four with four large cases. For five or six people, the people carrier has room for everyone and four large cases, and the 8-seater takes up to eight passengers and eight cases. Golf bags, ski bags, pushchairs and folding wheelchairs all take space, so list them when you book. If you are not sure which vehicle you need, tell us how many people and cases there are and we will suggest the right one.
For bigger groups, such as sports teams, wedding parties or school trips, we also run 12-seater and 16-seater minibuses. Child seats and boosters are available on request; add them to your booking with the children’s ages so the right seats are fitted before the driver arrives.
Included in Every Booking
Every booking includes a licensed driver, a clean and insured vehicle, help with your luggage and the fixed fare shown when you book. The driver arrives at the agreed time and waits a short while if you are running late; if you need longer, call us and we will let the driver know. Child seats are fitted on request, and you can add extra stops on the way if you need to collect someone else.
Business Travel
Many of our customers on this route are travelling for work. Companies can arrange regular airport transfers with us, and we can send receipts by email for expense claims. If several colleagues are flying together, one larger vehicle keeps everyone on the same schedule and is usually cheaper than separate cars. An assistant or office manager can book on a traveller’s behalf, and the confirmation can go to both of you.
Useful Things to Know
- Hyde Park events such as summer concerts and Winter Wonderland can slow the roads around Bayswater, so tell us if your pickup falls on an event day.
- Hotel receptions can often store luggage if your flight is late in the day and you want to check out early.
- Paddington is next door if you are arriving by train from the west and heading straight to Gatwick.
- Keep your passport and boarding pass in your hand luggage rather than the boot, so you are ready as soon as you reach the terminal.
How to Book
- Enter your pickup and destination in the booking form at the top of this page.
- Choose the date, time and vehicle, and add your flight details, passengers and luggage.
- Check the price and any extras, then confirm the booking.
- You receive a confirmation, and the driver’s details before the journey.
Most people book a few days before they travel. In school holidays, around Christmas and on bank holiday weekends, book earlier, especially if you need a larger vehicle, as those go first. If you need a car at short notice, try the booking form or call us.
Local Pickup and Drop-off Notes
We pick up from the hotels along Bayswater Road and around Queensway, and homes in Bayswater, Notting Hill and Paddington.
Questions About This Journey
How much is a taxi from Bayswater to Gatwick?
Our booking system is currently quoting about £109 one way in a saloon, with larger vehicles priced in the table above. Your exact fare depends on the full address and the date and time, and the booking form shows it before you confirm.
How long does the journey take?
Usually 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes. Early mornings and late evenings are often quicker, while weekday rush hours and Friday afternoons are usually the slowest times.
What happens if my flight time changes?
Let us know as soon as you can and we will move the pickup to suit the new time. If the change is at short notice, call us and we will do our best to adjust it.
Can I book a child seat?
Yes. Child seats and boosters are available on request. Add them in the booking form with the age of each child, and the driver will arrive with the right seats already fitted, so you do not have to bring your own or fit them at the kerb.
Can you collect from Paddington station?
Yes. Paddington is right next to Bayswater. Tell us which exit you will use and the driver will meet you there.
How long does Bayswater to Gatwick take in the rush hour?
Allow the longer end of the range, around 1 hour 35 minutes, on weekday mornings and evenings. Early mornings and late evenings are often closer to an hour.
Can you take us on to a cruise port instead?
Yes. We also run transfers from London to Southampton, Portsmouth and Dover for cruise departures.
Flying From Heathrow Instead?
Not every flight leaves from Gatwick, so we run the same fixed-fare service to Heathrow. A Heathrow airport taxi from Bayswater currently costs about £63 one way in a saloon, and the driver takes you to Terminal 2, 3, 4 or 5 depending on your airline. If you need a Heathrow taxi for the return trip, the driver meets you in arrivals in the same way. See our Heathrow airport taxi and transfers page for more.
Related Pages
- Gatwick to Bayswater taxi
- Bayswater airport taxi guide
- Gatwick Airport taxi
- All areas and routes we cover
- Official Gatwick Airport website for terminal information