Finding a hotel in London is not hard. There are thousands of them, from grand old hotels on Park Lane to budget chains near every main station. The harder part is choosing the right area, because London is big, and where you stay decides how long every journey takes, including the one from the airport on your first day. A hotel that looks central on a map can be a slow drive from Heathrow and a long train ride from Gatwick, or the other way round.
We are Airports Taxi UK, an airport transfer company, and we drive people from Heathrow and Gatwick to London hotels every day. This page is our practical guide to the main hotel areas: what each one is like, which airport it suits, and what a fixed-price taxi from each airport costs. We are not linked to any hotel. The fares below come from our own booking system, and the booking form at the top of the page will price any hotel address for you.
Which Airport Suits Which Part of London
Heathrow is west of London, and Gatwick is about 30 miles south. As a rule, Heathrow is quicker for west and central London, from Kensington and Paddington to the West End. Gatwick is closer for south London, and the difference narrows for areas east of the centre, like London Bridge and Canary Wharf. If you have a choice of flights, it is worth thinking about where your hotel is before you book.
| Hotel area | Saloon from Heathrow | Saloon from Gatwick |
|---|---|---|
| Kensington and South Kensington | £59 | £106 |
| Paddington and Bayswater | £63 | Enter address in form |
| Mayfair and Park Lane | £64 | £109 |
| King’s Cross and St Pancras | £67 | £108 |
| Covent Garden and the West End | £70 | £110 |
| South Bank and Westminster | £72 | Enter address in form |
| The City and Liverpool Street | £79 | Enter address in form |
| Victoria | Enter address in form | £99 |
| London Bridge | Enter address in form | £105 |
| Canary Wharf | £87 | £94 |
These are one-way fares for a saloon, which takes four passengers with two large cases, for a weekday journey. Larger vehicles cost more. The price is fixed when you book, for the whole car, not per person.
Mayfair and Park Lane
Mayfair is London’s smartest central district, between Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Piccadilly and Regent Street. Park Lane runs down its western edge, lined with large hotels facing the park, and the streets behind it have smaller luxury hotels, galleries and restaurants. It is quiet at night for such a central area and within walking distance of the West End, Green Park and Buckingham Palace. From Heathrow, it is one of the easier drives, straight in along the A4 to Hyde Park Corner. See our guide to the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane for an example.
Kensington and South Kensington
Kensington is the closest of the central hotel areas to Heathrow. South Kensington has the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the V&A, all free, and Kensington High Street has shops and a more local feel. Hotels range from large chains around Cromwell Road to small townhouse hotels on the side streets. It suits families, museum-goers and anyone who wants a slightly calmer base than the West End. The drive from Heathrow is often under an hour, even in traffic.
Paddington and Bayswater
Paddington station is where the Heathrow Express arrives, and the Elizabeth line runs through it, so the hotels around it are popular with travellers. Bayswater, just to the west along Hyde Park, has many mid-range and smaller hotels. It is good value for its location, and Hyde Park is on the doorstep. If you are travelling light, the train from Heathrow to Paddington is hard to beat. With a family and luggage, a taxi to the door is easier than the walk from the station.
Covent Garden, Soho and the West End
For theatres, restaurants and nightlife, the West End is the place to be. Covent Garden has the market and the Royal Opera House, Soho has the restaurants and bars, and the theatres of Shaftesbury Avenue and the Strand are all within walking distance. Hotels here are busy and often expensive, and some streets have restricted access for cars, so the driver may stop on the nearest main road and walk you to the door with your bags.
Westminster and the South Bank
Westminster puts you close to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and St James’s Park. Across the river, the South Bank has the London Eye, the Southbank Centre, Tate Modern and a long riverside walk. Hotels on both sides of the river are well placed for sightseeing. From Heathrow, the drive is similar to the West End. From Gatwick, the South Bank is on the approach from the south, which can make it quicker than the West End.
King’s Cross and St Pancras
King’s Cross has changed completely in the last fifteen years. Once a run-down area, it is now full of new offices, restaurants and hotels, with the Eurostar at St Pancras next door. It is a good choice if you are continuing to Paris or Brussels by train, or north to York, Edinburgh or Cambridge. It also suits business visitors to the tech companies based around the station. A saloon from Heathrow is about £67, similar to the West End.
The City and Shoreditch
The City of London is the financial district, busy on weekdays and very quiet at weekends, which can mean good weekend hotel rates. Liverpool Street, St Paul’s and the Tower of London are all here. Shoreditch, just to the north, has boutique hotels, bars, street food and a younger crowd. From Heathrow, the City is one of the longer central drives, at about £79 in a saloon.
Victoria and London Bridge
Victoria is the terminus for the Gatwick Express and has plenty of hotels, from budget to luxury, close to Buckingham Palace and Westminster. London Bridge has Borough Market, The Shard and a growing number of hotels by the river. Both are good choices if you are flying into Gatwick, and both are well connected by Tube.
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is London’s second financial district, in the old docklands to the east. Its hotels are mostly modern and aimed at business travellers, with good weekend deals. It is further from the sights than the other areas, but the Elizabeth line and the Jubilee line make it well connected. Unusually, it is about the same distance from both airports: a saloon is about £87 from Heathrow and £94 from Gatwick.
Things to Check Before You Book a London Hotel
A few details are worth checking before you pay. First, room size: London hotel rooms, especially in older buildings, can be much smaller than visitors from the US or Asia expect, so read the square metres rather than the photos. Second, air conditioning: many older hotels do not have it, which matters in July and August. Third, whether the price includes breakfast and VAT, as some sites show prices before tax. Finally, check the nearest Tube station and how far the walk is. A hotel ten minutes’ walk from the Tube is fine on a sunny day and less fun in the rain with luggage, which is one more reason people take a taxi from the airport.
If you are staying longer than a few days, a serviced apartment can be better value than a hotel, particularly for families. We collect from and drop at apartments too; just send us any access instructions when you book so the driver knows where to wait.
Getting to Your Hotel From the Airport
When you book your transfer, give us your flight number and the hotel’s name and address. The driver will meet you in arrivals with a name board, track your flight so the meeting time moves with the landing time, and drive you to the hotel entrance. Traffic does not change the fare. On the way back, we collect from the hotel lobby or entrance at the time we agree, based on your flight time.
Most London hotels do not have rooms ready until 2pm or 3pm. If your flight lands early, ask the hotel in advance whether they will store your bags. Almost all of them will, and it means you can drop your luggage on the way in and start exploring. For ideas, see our page on things to do in London.
Groups and Families
For families and groups, the size of the car matters as much as the area. An estate takes four passengers with four large cases, a people carrier takes six passengers with four cases, and our 8-seater and executive minivan take eight passengers with eight cases. For tour groups and events, we run 12-seater and 16-seater minibuses. Child seats are available on request.
Questions About London Hotels and Transfers
Which area is best for a first visit to London?
Covent Garden, Westminster, the South Bank and Mayfair are all within walking distance of the main sights. Kensington is a little further out but quieter and closer to Heathrow.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to a central London hotel?
Between about £59 and £79 in a saloon, depending on the area, fixed when you book.
Is it cheaper to take the train?
For one person, usually yes. For three or four people with luggage, a taxi often costs about the same as the train and takes you to the door.
Can you pick me up from my hotel for my flight home?
Yes. Book the return at the same time and the booking form takes 5% off the return leg.