Denver to London is an evening departure and a morning arrival. Two airlines fly it nonstop, United and British Airways, with around a flight or two each day, and the trip takes about 8 hours 55 minutes. London is seven hours ahead of Denver for most of the year. For many people on these flights, Denver is only the first leg: United’s hub brings in travellers from across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and New Mexico, so by the time the plane lands at Heathrow, some of the passengers have been travelling for fourteen hours or more.
Airports Taxi UK is a pre-booked airport transfer company in London. We meet Denver flights at Heathrow, follow each flight from take-off, and have a driver in arrivals with a name board at the real landing time. The fare is fixed when you book. A saloon from Heathrow to central London currently costs £67, and the full fare table is further down.
United or British Airways
The two airlines on this route are in different alliances and land at different terminals, which matters when you book onward transport. United is in Star Alliance and uses Terminal 2. British Airways is in oneworld and uses Terminal 5, on the western side of the airport. The two terminals are a train ride apart, so it is worth checking which one you are flying before you tell anyone to meet you.
| Airline | Alliance | Heathrow terminal | Leaves Denver |
|---|---|---|---|
| United | Star Alliance | Terminal 2 | Early evening |
| British Airways | oneworld | Terminal 5 | Early evening |
Departures from Denver are usually between about 5pm and 8.30pm, which puts you into Heathrow roughly between 9am and lunchtime. When you book with us, give us the flight number. We use it to track the flight and send the driver to the right terminal, even if the airline changes something at short notice.
Booking Flights From Denver to London
With two airlines and a limited number of seats each day, fares on the Denver to London route can climb quickly as departure gets closer, particularly in the summer and around Christmas. Booking a few months ahead usually helps. The quieter months, from January to March and in November, tend to have the best prices. If you are flexible, also check connecting options through Chicago, New York or other hubs. They take longer, but they can be cheaper on busy dates.
If you are flying in from a smaller airport on a United connection, try to keep everything on one ticket. If your first flight is late, the airline is responsible for getting you onto a later flight to London, which it is not with separate tickets.
UK ETA Requirements
US citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation before they can travel. It costs £20, and you apply through the UK ETA app or on GOV.UK. Most decisions come back within minutes, but the official guidance is to apply at least three working days before you fly. Without one, the airline will not let you board. An ETA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner.
Arrival at Heathrow
US passport holders can use the eGates at UK border control, which is usually the quickest way through. Children under 10 must use the staffed desks along with their group. Then you pick up your bags, walk through customs and come out into the arrivals hall, where your driver will be waiting with your name.
Because we track the flight, the driver knows your real landing time. If the flight is early, the driver is there. If it is late, perhaps after a weather delay in Denver, the driver waits. The meeting time allows for passport control and baggage. If you are held up for longer, just call the number on your booking confirmation.
Seven Hours Ahead
A seven-hour time change is enough to make the first two days feel odd. A 10am landing at Heathrow is 3am in Denver, and your body will tell you so by mid-afternoon. The best approach is to stay up until the evening, eat at London times and get outside in daylight. The car from the airport helps here too. There is no working out the train or Tube, and you can rest for the 45 minutes or so into town.
Colorado travellers often ask about altitude. London is almost at sea level, so if anything you may find walking and climbing stairs a little easier than at home.
From Heathrow Into London
The drive from Heathrow to central London takes about 45 to 75 minutes on the M4 and A4. Denver flights usually land during or just after the morning rush hour, so the longer end of the range is more likely on weekdays. At weekends and later in the morning it is usually quicker. The fare is fixed at booking, so a slow journey costs you no more.
Taxi Fares From Heathrow
These are the fixed one-way fares our booking system is quoting from Heathrow to central London (Trafalgar Square). Your exact fare depends on your address and the date and time. The booking form at the top of the page shows it before you confirm.
| 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 |
For Kensington, a saloon is about £59, and for the City and Liverpool Street it is about £79. If you book a return journey at the same time, the booking form takes 5% off the return leg.
Train, Tube or Taxi
The Heathrow Express is the fastest way into London, reaching Paddington in about 15 minutes. The Elizabeth line is cheaper and continues through the West End to the City and Canary Wharf. The Piccadilly line takes about 50 minutes to central London. If you are travelling light and staying near one of these lines, the train is a good choice.
The taxi is the better option for families and groups, where one fare covers the whole car. It also suits heavy luggage, ski or golf bags, and hotels away from the main stations. After a long day of travel from the Mountain West, many people simply want to sit down and be taken to the door.
Hiking, Walking and Countryside Trips
Plenty of Colorado visitors come to Britain for the walking. The Chilterns and the Thames Path are close to Heathrow. The South Downs are closer to Gatwick. The Cotswolds are about an hour and a half by car, and the Lake District and Scotland are further north. If you are heading out of London on your first day, a car from the airport saves you from carrying boots and packs across London to another station. Enter the address in the booking form for a fixed price.
For shorter trips, Windsor is 20 to 30 minutes from Heathrow, and a saloon is about £45. Oxford is about an hour away, and a saloon is about £97.
Families and Groups
A saloon takes four passengers with two large cases, an estate takes four with four cases, and a people carrier takes six with four cases. Our 8-seater and executive minivan each take eight passengers and eight cases. For larger groups, such as school trips, church groups and sports teams, we run 12-seater and 16-seater minibuses. Child seats are available on request; tell us the children’s ages when you book.
Business Travel
If you are flying in for work, our executive cars are a good fit, and we can email a receipt after the trip for your expense claim. Tell us both addresses if you need to drop bags at a hotel and then go on to an office, and the price will include the stop. For teams on the same flight, a people carrier or 8-seater keeps everyone together for one fare.
First-Day Tips
- Contactless cards and phone wallets work on the Tube, buses and in almost every shop.
- UK plugs are type G, so bring an adaptor for your devices.
- Traffic drives on the left. Look right first when you cross the road.
- London weather changes quickly. A light waterproof jacket is more useful than a heavy coat for most of the year.
For ideas that work on a jet-lagged first day, see our things to do in London guide.
Going Home to Denver
Flights from Heathrow to Denver usually leave around lunchtime or early afternoon. Aim to be at the terminal three hours before departure. From central London, a pickup about four hours before the flight normally works. Give us your flight number when you book, and we will suggest a time and drop you at Terminal 2 or Terminal 5 departures.
Questions About Denver to London
How long is the flight from Denver to London?
About 8 hours 55 minutes to Heathrow, and around 10 hours on the way back.
Which terminal will I arrive at?
Terminal 2 with United, or Terminal 5 with British Airways.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to central London?
£67 for a saloon and £74 for an estate, fixed when you book.
Can I bring skis or golf clubs in the taxi?
Yes. Tell us when you book, and choose an estate or larger vehicle so there is room.