LAX to London is one of the long ones: around 10 hours 30 minutes nonstop to Heathrow, across eight time zones. It is also one of the best-served routes out of the West Coast, with four airlines and around five departures a day. Because flights leave LAX from the afternoon through to late evening, you can land in London anywhere from breakfast time to early evening. That makes a real difference to how you plan the ride from the airport and the rest of your first day.
Airports Taxi UK is a pre-booked airport transfer company. We meet flights from Los Angeles at Heathrow every day, track them from take-off, and drive you to your hotel or home at a fixed price. A saloon from Heathrow to central London currently costs £67 one way. This page covers the flights, the arrival and the drive into town, so you can book the whole journey with a clear picture of how it will go.
Airlines and Terminals
American Airlines, British Airways, United and Virgin Atlantic all fly nonstop from LAX to Heathrow. British Airways has used the Airbus A380 on the route, the double-decker, and the others fly Boeing 777s, 787s and Airbus A350s. The planes are big and the cabins are well equipped, which helps on a flight this long.
| Airline | Heathrow terminal | Pickup area |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Terminal 5 | T5 arrivals hall |
| Virgin Atlantic | Terminal 3 | T3 arrivals hall |
| American Airlines | Terminal 3 | T3 arrivals hall |
| United | Terminal 2 | T2 arrivals hall |
Codeshares are common on this route. You might buy an American ticket and fly on a BA plane, or book through Delta and fly Virgin. The operating airline decides the terminal, so check the “operated by” line on your booking. With us, you only need to give the flight number when you book, and the driver will be at the right terminal.
Buying Airline Tickets From LAX to London
Fares on this route tend to be highest in June, July and August and around the holidays, and lowest from January to March. With four airlines on the route, it pays to compare them. Look closely at the arrival times as well as the price. An afternoon departure that lands in London mid-morning gives you a full first day. A late-evening departure lands in the late afternoon, which means less daylight but a room that is ready when you arrive.
Premium economy on this route is worth a look if you are going straight into meetings or a family event. On a ten-hour flight, the extra room and the better chance of some sleep make a noticeable difference the next day.
Before You Leave: UK ETA
US citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the UK. The fee is £20, and you apply through the UK ETA app or on GOV.UK. Most people get a decision within minutes, but the official guidance is to apply at least three working days before you travel. The airline checks it before you board. Once you have it, it lasts two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
Arriving at Heathrow From LA
Heathrow is eight hours ahead of Los Angeles for most of the year, so a 10am arrival is 2am in LA. West-to-east jet lag is the harder direction, and after ten hours on a plane most people are tired and a little foggy. At passport control, US passport holders can use the eGates, which are generally quicker than the staffed desks. Then it is baggage reclaim, customs and out into the arrivals hall.
That is where your driver will be, holding a name board. We track the flight, so an early or late landing is not a problem: the driver adjusts to the real time and allows for passport control and baggage. If something holds you up, like a missing bag, call the number on your booking confirmation and we will wait.
Morning or Evening Arrival: What Changes
If you land in the morning, the drive into London often runs into the rush hour on the M4 and A4, and your hotel room may not be ready until mid-afternoon. Ask the hotel in advance about early check-in or leaving your bags, and plan an easy first day. If you land in the late afternoon or early evening, the drive in meets the evening rush instead, which can add 20 to 30 minutes, but you check straight in and can have an early night.
Either way, the fare is fixed when you book, so traffic does not change it. For flights that land late, after 9pm or so, the roads are usually quiet and the drive into central London can take well under an hour.
Heathrow to Central London Taxi Fares
These are the one-way fares our booking system is currently quoting from Heathrow to central London. Your exact fare depends on the address and the date and time, and the booking form above shows it before you confirm. The price is for the whole vehicle.
| 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 Liverpool Street and the City it is about £79. If you book the return journey at the same time, the booking form takes 5% off the return leg.
Is the Train a Better Option?
Sometimes, yes. Heathrow has good rail links: the Heathrow Express runs non-stop to Paddington in about 15 minutes, the Elizabeth line goes through Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and on to the City and Canary Wharf, and the Piccadilly line reaches central London in around 50 minutes. If you are on your own, travelling light and staying near one of those stations, the train is cheaper than a car. It becomes harder work with two or three large cases, children, or a hotel that is a change or two away from the nearest station. After ten hours on a plane, that is when most people are glad of a car at the door.
Arriving for Work
Plenty of people on the LAX flights are travelling for business, often in the film, music and tech industries. If you are going straight to an office or a studio from Heathrow, our executive cars are quiet and comfortable, and the driver can take you to one address to drop bags and then on to another. Tell us both addresses in the booking form and the price will include the stop. We can also email a receipt for your expense claim after the journey.
Beyond Central London
A lot of our Los Angeles customers are not staying in the centre. Film and TV people often head for the studios outside London, in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey. Families visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour near Watford go there from Heathrow by car in well under an hour. Windsor, Richmond and the Thames towns are close to Heathrow and a much shorter drive than central London. We cover all of these at fixed prices, and the booking form will quote your route.
If you are travelling on to Scotland or somewhere else in the UK, a car across London to another station or airport is also possible. We run Heathrow to Gatwick transfers for people connecting to a flight from Gatwick. A saloon currently costs about £88.
Families and Larger Groups
Four passengers with long-haul luggage will not fit comfortably in a saloon, which takes two large cases. An estate takes four large cases, a people carrier takes six passengers, and our 8-seater and executive minivan each take eight passengers and eight large cases. For bigger groups, such as production crews, sports teams and wedding parties, we run 12-seater and 16-seater minibuses. Child seats are available if you tell us the children’s ages when you book.
Beating the Jet Lag
From the West Coast, jet lag often lasts several days. A few things help. Get daylight on your first morning, even if it is grey. Eat at London meal times from the first day. Try not to nap for more than an hour, and not after about 3pm. Keep the first evening simple, with an early dinner near the hotel. Our things to do in London page has some easy first-day ideas.
Flying Back to LAX
Flights from Heathrow to Los Angeles mostly leave between late morning and mid-afternoon. Plan to be at the terminal three hours before departure. From central London, that means a pickup about four hours ahead, and a little more on a Friday. We will suggest a pickup time when you give us the flight details, and drop you at departures for Terminal 2, 3 or 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from LAX to London?
About 10 hours 30 minutes to Heathrow. The flight back to LA is usually around 11 hours.
Do any LAX flights go to Gatwick?
Not as regular nonstops at present. The four nonstop airlines all fly to Heathrow.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to central London?
£67 for a saloon and £86 for an 8-seater, fixed when you book.
Can I book a taxi for an early-morning arrival?
Yes. We work 24 hours a day, and the driver is there whatever time your flight lands.