Flights to London From the USA: Airports, Terminals and Taxis Into London

Flights to London from the United States are among the busiest long-haul routes in the world, with dozens of nonstops every day from cities across the country. Nearly all of them land at Heathrow, a smaller number land at Gatwick, and none of the regular US flights use London’s other airports at Stansted, Luton or London City. This page brings together what you need to know for any London flight from the US: which airport and terminal you will arrive at, how long the flight takes, the entry rules, and how to get from the airport to your hotel.

We are Airports Taxi UK, a pre-booked airport transfer company. We meet US flights at Heathrow and Gatwick every day, track each flight from take-off, and drive you to your hotel at a fixed fare agreed when you book. A saloon from Heathrow to central London currently costs £67, and from Gatwick £110. For more detail on your own route, each of the cities below has its own guide.

London Flights From Major US Cities

Many other US cities, including Atlanta, Washington, Philadelphia and Houston, also have nonstop flights to Heathrow. Airline schedules change with the seasons, so check the current timetable when you book. Flight times are for the eastbound trip; the flight home is usually 45 minutes to an hour longer because of the jet stream.

Heathrow or Gatwick?

If your ticket says “London”, check the airport code. LHR is Heathrow, which is about 15 miles west of central London. LGW is Gatwick, about 30 miles south, in West Sussex. The two airports are about 45 miles apart by road, so the difference matters. Heathrow is closer to central and west London and has the most flights from the US. Gatwick has fewer US flights, but it is closer to south London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent, and it often has some of the lowest fares on routes from Orlando and New York. Our Gatwick Airport guide explains more.

Which Heathrow Terminal?

Heathrow has four terminals in use, and US airlines are spread across three of them. The terminal depends on the airline that operates the plane, not the one that sold the ticket, so check the “operated by” line in your booking.

Terminal 5 is on the western side of the airport and has its own station. Terminals 2 and 3 are in the central area, a few minutes’ walk apart. When you book a transfer with us, give us your flight number, and we will find the terminal and track the landing time.

Before You Fly: the UK ETA

US citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation to visit. It costs £20, and you apply through the official UK ETA app or on GOV.UK. Most decisions arrive within minutes, but the Home Office recommends applying at least three working days before you travel. The airline checks it before you board, and without one you will not be allowed to fly. It lasts for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers any number of trips of up to six months each. Every traveller needs their own, including children.

If you are only changing planes at Heathrow and staying airside, without going through UK passport control, you do not currently need an ETA. If you leave the airport, you do.

Arriving in London

Most flights from the East Coast and the Midwest leave in the evening and land in London early the next morning. Flights from the West Coast leave from mid-afternoon and land from mid-morning to early evening. US passport holders can use the eGates at UK border control, which usually keeps the wait short. Children under 10 must use the staffed desks with their family. After passport control, you collect your bags and walk through customs into the arrivals hall.

If you have booked with us, your driver will be in the arrivals hall with a name board. We follow your flight, so an early or late landing is not a problem, and the meeting time allows for passport control and baggage reclaim.

The Time Difference

For a week or so in March and again in late October and early November, the gap is one hour less, because the US and UK change their clocks on different dates.

From the Airport to Your Hotel

From Heathrow, the Heathrow Express reaches Paddington in about 15 minutes, the Elizabeth line runs through central London to the City and Canary Wharf, and the Piccadilly line takes about 50 minutes to the centre. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express runs to Victoria in about 30 minutes, and Thameslink trains go through London Bridge and St Pancras. These are all good options if you are travelling light.

A taxi is usually the better choice for families and groups, for heavy luggage, and for hotels that are not close to a main station. It is also easier after an overnight flight. The fare is for the whole car, so for three or four people it is often close to the cost of the train. These are the fixed fares our booking system currently quotes from Heathrow to central London:

And from Gatwick to central London:

The fares are fixed when you book and do not change with the traffic. Booking a return journey at the same time takes 5% off the return leg. For fares to specific areas, see our guide to hotels in London, which compares taxi prices by area.

Getting a Better Deal on London Flights

A few general points apply to almost every route from the US. Fares are usually lowest from January to March and in November, and highest in the summer and over Christmas. Midweek flights are often cheaper than weekend ones. Basic economy fares may not include a checked bag or seat selection, so compare the full price. And compare the whole journey, not just the flight: a cheaper flight into Gatwick can still work out well, but it adds a longer trip into central London at the other end.

Also think about arrival time. An early-morning landing gives you a full first day but a long wait before your hotel room is ready. A landing around lunchtime or later fits hotel check-in better and makes the first evening easier. With the jet lag from the US, many travellers find the later arrival worth a slightly higher fare.

Groups and Families

A saloon takes four passengers with two large cases, which is tight for a family with long-haul luggage. An estate takes four passengers with four cases, and a people carrier takes six passengers with four cases. Our 8-seater and executive minivan each take eight passengers and eight cases. For school trips, sports teams, tour groups and wedding parties, we run 12-seater and 16-seater minibuses. Child seats are available on request.

Where US Visitors Go

Most of our US pickups go to hotels in central London: Mayfair, Kensington, the West End, Westminster, the City and Canary Wharf. Plenty go further, to Windsor, Oxford, the Cotswolds and the south coast, or to Southampton for a cruise. Some go straight to Heathrow airport hotels for a night before travelling on. For ideas once you are here, see our guide to things to do in London.

Questions About Flights to London

Which London airport do flights from the US use?

Most use Heathrow. A smaller number, from Orlando, Tampa, New York and seasonally Boston, use Gatwick.

How long is a London flight from the US?

From about 6 hours 45 minutes from Boston to about 10 hours 30 minutes from Los Angeles.

Do Americans need a visa for London?

Not for a normal visit of up to six months, but you do need a UK ETA, which costs £20 and is applied for online.

How much is a taxi from Heathrow to central London?

Our booking system currently quotes £67 for a saloon, fixed when you book.

Related Pages

• Heathrow airport transfers
• Gatwick Airport taxi
• Heathrow to central London taxi
• Gatwick to central London taxi
• Official GOV.UK ETA guidance