San Francisco to London is a route full of tech workers, conference-goers and families visiting relatives, and it runs every day of the year. Three airlines fly nonstop from SFO to Heathrow, the flight takes about 10 hours 25 minutes, and London is eight hours ahead of California for most of the year. This guide looks at the flights and the airfare, what happens when you land, and how to get from Heathrow to your hotel or office without adding stress to a long day.
Airports Taxi UK runs pre-booked, fixed-price airport transfers in and around London. We meet SFO flights at Heathrow, track them in real time, and have a driver waiting in arrivals with your name. From Heathrow to central London, a saloon currently costs £67. The complete fare table is below.
SFO to London: Airlines and Terminals
British Airways, United and Virgin Atlantic fly nonstop from San Francisco to Heathrow, with around three departures a day between them. The first leaves around lunchtime and the last late in the evening. That spread means you can pick an arrival time that suits you, from an early-morning landing that gives you a full day to a late-afternoon landing when your hotel room will definitely be ready.
| Airline | Alliance | Heathrow terminal |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | oneworld | Terminal 5 |
| United | Star Alliance | Terminal 2 |
| Virgin Atlantic | SkyTeam | Terminal 3 |
Each airline lands at a different terminal, so it matters which one you are on, especially if you booked through a partner airline such as American, Delta or Lufthansa. When you book a transfer with us, give the flight number and we will match it to the right terminal. If the airline swaps the plane or the flight number changes, send us the new one.
Airfare to London From SFO
Airfare from SFO to London is usually lowest from January to March and in November, and highest in the summer holidays and at Christmas. Midweek flights are often cheaper than Friday and Sunday departures. Many tech companies book United or BA for staff travel, so business-class seats on popular weekdays can sell out early. If you are paying for yourself and are flexible, compare all three airlines on the same day, as prices vary a lot.
Some travellers fly from Oakland or San Jose with a connection, or from SFO via a hub like New York, Dublin or Reykjavik. That can save money but adds hours and a connection. On a trip this long, the nonstop is usually worth it.
UK ETA for US Citizens
You will need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation before you fly. It costs £20, and you apply through the UK ETA app or on GOV.UK. Most answers come within minutes, but apply at least three working days ahead to be safe. The airline checks it at check-in, and without one you cannot board. It is valid for two years or until your passport expires, and covers multiple trips of up to six months.
If you are travelling for work, check whether your activities fit within the visitor rules. Meetings, conferences and training generally do, while paid work for a UK company generally does not. The GOV.UK site sets out what is allowed.
What to Expect at Heathrow
US passport holders can use the eGates at UK border control, which usually keeps the wait short. Then you pick up your bags and go through customs into the arrivals hall. Your driver will be waiting there with a name board. Because we track your flight, it does not matter if you are early or late: the driver goes by the real landing time and allows time for passport control and baggage.
Coming off a ten-hour flight, you will probably feel it. The car saves you from dealing with ticket machines, platforms and Tube maps on day one. Your bags go in the boot at the terminal and come out at your hotel.
Heathrow to London: Drive Times
From Heathrow, the drive into central London is about 45 to 75 minutes. SFO flights that land early in the morning run into the rush hour on the M4 and A4, while the ones landing in the late afternoon meet the evening rush. In between, and late at night, the roads are quieter. Your fare is fixed when you book, so traffic does not change the price, and the driver checks the live traffic before choosing a route.
Taxi Fares From Heathrow
Here are the one-way fares our booking system is quoting from Heathrow to central London. Enter your exact address in the booking form at the top of this page to get your own price before you pay.
| Vehicle | Takes up to | One-way fare |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon | 4 passengers, 2 large cases | £67 |
| Estate | 4 passengers, 4 large cases | £74 |
| Executive | 3 passengers, 2 large cases | £87 |
| People carrier (MPV) | 6 passengers, 4 large cases | £86 |
| 8 Seater | 8 passengers, 8 large cases | £86 |
| Executive Minivan | 8 passengers, 8 large cases | £114 |
To Kensington, a saloon is about £59. To Liverpool Street and the City, it is about £79. Booking a return journey takes 5% off the return leg.
Arriving in Summer, Winter and Around the Holidays
June to August is the busiest time at Heathrow, with long queues at the staffed passport desks and more traffic around the airport. The eGates help, but allow for a slower exit from the terminal. In winter the days are short, and a mid-afternoon landing can mean driving into London in the dark by 4.30pm. December adds Christmas shopping traffic in the West End. None of this changes your fare, but it is worth knowing when you plan the first evening. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, book the car as early as you can, especially if you need a larger vehicle.
What the Driver Does for You
Our drivers do Heathrow pickups every day. They know which exits each terminal uses, where the short-stay car park is, and how to get out of the airport quickly. Once you meet, they take the luggage trolley, load the car and head straight for your address. If you want to stop on the way, for example to drop a colleague at a different hotel or to pick up keys for a rental flat, add the extra stop in the booking form and the price will include it. If you need a few minutes at the terminal, for a coffee or to change money, just tell the driver.
Where SFO Travellers Usually Go
Tech offices in London are spread across several areas. King’s Cross has become a big hub, with several large tech companies based around the station. Shoreditch and Old Street, sometimes called Tech City, have startups and agencies. Canary Wharf has the banks and fintech firms, and the City has the rest of finance and law. We drive to all of them every day, and the driver will know the building entrances and where it is possible to stop.
Many visitors also go straight to Cambridge or Oxford, for university visits or research labs. Oxford is roughly an hour from Heathrow by car, and a saloon is currently around £97. Cambridge is a longer drive around the M25. Both are awkward by train with luggage, as you have to cross London first.
Train or Taxi?
If you are travelling alone with a carry-on and your hotel is near Paddington, the Heathrow Express (about 15 minutes) or the Elizabeth line is quick and cheaper. The Elizabeth line also runs directly to Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Canary Wharf. The taxi wins for groups, families and anyone with heavy bags, and for hotels that are not close to those stations. For three or four people, one fare for the car is often close to the cost of four train tickets.
Groups and Conference Travel
Teams flying out together for a conference or offsite can travel in one vehicle. A people carrier takes six passengers with four cases, and our 8-seater and executive minivan take eight people with eight cases. For bigger teams we run 12-seater and 16-seater minibuses. If people are arriving on different flights, we can arrange separate pickups for each flight and invoice them together.
First-Day Tips
- London uses contactless everywhere, including on buses and the Tube, so a US card or phone wallet usually works.
- Eat at London meal times from day one and get outside in daylight; it helps with jet lag.
- UK sockets are type G. Laptop chargers usually handle the voltage, but you still need an adaptor.
- Tipping taxi drivers is optional in the UK. Rounding up is common but not expected.
Flying Home to San Francisco
Most flights from Heathrow to SFO leave between late morning and mid-afternoon. Be at the terminal three hours before departure. From central London, a pickup about four hours before your flight usually works. From Oxford or elsewhere, we will work out the right time from your flight number. We drop at the departures entrance of Terminal 2, 3 or 5.
Common Questions
How long is the flight from SFO to London?
About 10 hours 25 minutes to Heathrow, and around 11 hours back.
Which Heathrow terminal do SFO flights use?
BA uses Terminal 5, United uses Terminal 2 and Virgin Atlantic uses Terminal 3.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to King’s Cross?
Our booking system currently quotes about £67 for a saloon from Heathrow to King’s Cross, much the same as to Trafalgar Square. Enter your exact address in the booking form for your own fare.
Can I get a receipt for my company?
Yes. We can email a receipt showing the journey and the fare after your trip.