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Check-in, bag drop and security: how early to be at a London airport
How early to arrive at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City, what check-in cut-offs look like, and how we time your pick-up so you are not cutting it fine.
How early to arrive
Short-haul flights: airlines generally close bag drop 40-60 minutes before departure, so being at the terminal 2 hours before works for most people. Long-haul: 3 hours. Over Christmas and New Year add 30-45 minutes for security queues and festive road traffic. Online check-in the night before saves the first queue entirely.
Terminal and gate basics
Heathrow has four terminals (T2, T3, T4, T5) and your airline fixes which one; Gatwick has North and South; Stansted, Luton and London City are single-terminal. Tell us the airline and we drop you at the right terminal door. For pick-ups we meet you in that terminal's arrivals hall.
How we time the pick-up
When you book a home-to-airport journey we suggest a pick-up time that allows for the live traffic forecast, your airline's cut-off and a buffer. We confirm the driver by text the evening before. For airport pick-ups we track the flight, so an early or late landing simply moves your driver.
What a fixed-fare car costs
| Destination | Heathrow saloon / 8-seater | Gatwick saloon / 8-seater | Stansted saloon / 8-seater | Luton saloon / 8-seater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton Cruise Terminal | £146 / £206 | £193 / £253 | £246 / £306 | £227 / £287 |
| Portsmouth International Port | £146 / £206 | £167 / £227 | £246 / £306 | £227 / £287 |
| Dover Cruise Terminal | £199 / £259 | £184 / £244 | £220 / £280 | £236 / £296 |
Fixed fares from our live rate card, per vehicle one way, tolls and airport charges included; exact fare confirmed before you pay. Christmas & New Year airport taxis · Book now
Get a fixed price 020 8888 9988 · WhatsApp
Further reading
- Heathrow airport guide (Rushxo)
- Stansted terminal guide (Rushxo)
- Luton airport guide (Rushxo)
- Gatwick guides (Rushxo)
More travel help from Woodford Chauffeur Cars
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- Taxi vs Train vs Coach from London Airports
- Airport Hotels & the Night Before an Early Flight
- Airport Parking vs Taxi: Christmas Costs Compared
- Christmas & New Year airport taxis
Updated October 2026. Operated by Get London Transfer Ltd, TfL private hire operator licence 11588.