Miami to London is a nine-hour overnight flight, and it is the main link between South Florida and the UK. American Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic all fly it nonstop to Heathrow, with around two departures a day. Most leave Miami in the late afternoon or evening and land at Heathrow between about 7am and 1pm the next day. London is five hours ahead of Miami for most of the year, so the time change is manageable, but the change in weather usually is not what Floridians expect.
We are Airports Taxi UK, a pre-booked airport transfer company. Our drivers meet Miami flights in the Heathrow arrivals hall with a name board, track the flight from take-off, and drive you to your hotel, home or cruise terminal at a fixed price agreed in advance. A saloon from Heathrow to central London currently costs £67 one way.
Flights From Miami to London
Three airlines fly Miami to Heathrow nonstop. American and British Airways work together on transatlantic routes and share their flights, so a ticket from one can have you flying on the other. Virgin Atlantic is in a different alliance, working with Delta. The flight takes around 8 hours 55 minutes eastbound, and a little longer on the way home.
| Airline | Heathrow terminal | Usually arrives |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Terminal 3 | Morning |
| British Airways | Terminal 5 | Morning to lunchtime |
| Virgin Atlantic | Terminal 3 | Morning |
The terminal depends on which airline operates the plane, not which one sold you the ticket, so check the “operated by” line in your booking. When you book with us, give us the flight number. We match it to the terminal and follow the live arrival time, so the driver is in the right arrivals hall at the right moment.
If you live further up the coast, check what is flying from Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach in your season, but Miami has the most choice. Orlando is the other Florida option, with flights to both Heathrow and Gatwick. See our Orlando to London guide.
Getting a Good Fare
Fares from Miami to London are usually lowest in late winter and early spring, outside school holidays, and highest in the summer and at Christmas. With only three airlines, prices can move quickly as flights fill up, so it pays to book early for peak dates. Compare the arrival times as well as the price: a flight that lands at 7am gives you a full day, while one landing around lunchtime lines up better with hotel check-in.
The UK ETA
US citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation before they travel. It costs £20. You apply through the official UK ETA app or on GOV.UK, and most decisions come back within minutes. Apply at least three working days before your flight just in case, because the airline will not let you board without it. It lasts two years or until your passport expires.
Many Miami travellers hold passports from other countries, including those in Latin America and the Caribbean. The ETA and visa rules depend on your passport, not where you live. Check GOV.UK for your nationality well before you book.
Arriving at Heathrow
US passport holders can use the eGates at UK border control, which normally keeps the wait down. Holders of some other passports will need to use the staffed desks. After passport control you collect your bags, go through customs and come out into the arrivals hall, where your driver will be waiting with your name on a board.
We follow the flight, so the driver knows if you have landed early or late and allows time for passport control and baggage reclaim. If your bags are delayed or you are stuck in a long queue, call the number on your booking confirmation and let us know.
Pack for the Weather
This is the one Miami travellers tell us about most. London is rarely hot, even in summer, and from October to April a morning arrival can be 5°C to 10°C, grey and windy. Keep a warm layer and a light rain jacket in your hand luggage, not in your checked bag, because the walk from the terminal to the car is outdoors for a short stretch. Our cars are heated, so you only need to be warm for a minute or two.
Heathrow to Central London by Taxi
From Heathrow, central London is 45 to 75 minutes by road via the M4 and A4. Miami flights often land in the morning rush hour, so allow for the longer end of that range on weekdays. On weekends and later in the morning the drive is often quicker. The fare is fixed when you book, so a slow drive does not cost more. Our current fixed fares from Heathrow to central London are:
| 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 about £79. Booking a return journey at the same time takes 5% off the return leg. Enter your full address in the booking form at the top of the page for your exact fare.
Cruise Passengers: Heathrow to Southampton
Miami is the cruise capital of the world, and plenty of Miami travellers flying to London are heading for a cruise out of Southampton. The drive from Heathrow to the Southampton cruise terminals takes about 75 to 90 minutes via the M3. A car is much easier than the train with a week or two of luggage, because the train means a change and a taxi at the other end. A saloon from Heathrow to Southampton currently costs about £121, and a people carrier, which suits two couples with cruise luggage, about £156. Enter your cruise terminal in the booking form for your exact fare, and we can collect you from the ship at the end of the cruise for the trip back to Heathrow.
If your cruise leaves from Dover instead, the drive from Heathrow is longer, around two hours. We cover that route too, and the same flight tracking applies.
Train or Taxi?
For one person with a carry-on, the Heathrow Express to Paddington in about 15 minutes, or the cheaper Elizabeth line, is hard to beat. The Piccadilly line takes about 50 minutes to central London. For a family or a group of three or four with suitcases, a taxi is often similar in cost to the train. It is also far easier: no stairs, no platforms, and you get dropped at the hotel door.
Families and Groups
A saloon takes four passengers with two large cases. For a family with holiday luggage, choose an estate or a people carrier. Our 8-seater and executive minivan take eight passengers and eight cases, and larger groups can book a 12-seater or 16-seater minibus. Child seats are available on request, so tell us the children’s ages when you book.
Where Our Miami Customers Go
Most go to central London hotels in Mayfair, Kensington and the West End. Business travellers, including many in finance and shipping, go to the City and Canary Wharf. Others head straight out of London to Windsor, Oxford or the countryside. Windsor is only 20 to 30 minutes from Heathrow, and a saloon is about £45. We cover all of these at fixed prices.
A Gentle First Day
A five-hour time change is easier than coming from the West Coast, but after a night on a plane most people still feel it by the afternoon. If you land in the morning, ask your hotel to hold your bags if the room is not ready, then get some daylight and walk. Hyde Park, Green Park and the South Bank are all flat, easy and free. Eat lunch and dinner at London times, and try to stay up until at least 9pm. By the second morning, most people are close to normal. Our things to do in London guide has more ideas for the first few days.
- Contactless cards work on the Tube, buses and in most shops, so you need little cash.
- Plugs are type G. Bring an adaptor for your phone and laptop.
- Traffic drives on the left, so look right first when you cross the road.
Going Home to Miami
Most flights from Heathrow to Miami leave in the morning or early afternoon. Be at the terminal three hours before departure. From central London, a pickup about four hours before the flight usually works. From Southampton after a cruise, allow more time. Give us your flight number and we will suggest a pickup time and drop you at the right departures entrance.
Common Questions
How long is the flight from Miami to London?
About 8 hours 55 minutes to Heathrow, and around 10 hours back to Miami.
Do any flights go from Miami to Gatwick?
Not as regular nonstops at present. All three nonstop airlines use Heathrow.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to central London?
£67 for a saloon and £86 for a people carrier, fixed at booking.
Can you take us from Heathrow to a cruise ship in Southampton?
Yes. Enter the cruise terminal in the booking form for a fixed fare, and add your flight number so we can track it.