| From | Rose Hill roundabout, Sutton SM1 |
|---|---|
| To | Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
| Distance | About 17 to 20 miles, depending on route |
| Typical drive time | 45 to 60 minutes off-peak; allow longer at rush hour |
| Usual routes | West through Kingston and Hampton, or round the M25 |
Getting from Sutton to Heathrow
Heathrow sits north-west of us, and there is no single obvious road there. Drivers usually choose between two routes. The first heads west through Cheam and Kingston, crosses the Thames and approaches the airport from the south. The second goes south on the A217 to join the M25 at junction 8, then follows the motorway round to the Heathrow exits, which differ depending on your terminal.
The M25 route is longer in miles but often quicker early in the morning or late at night. The Kingston route is usually better when the motorway is jammed. Our drivers check the traffic before setting off and choose the better route on the day, so you do not have to.
Which terminal are you flying from?
Heathrow has four passenger terminals, and they are not all next to each other. Terminals 2 and 3 share the central area, Terminal 5 is at the western end, and Terminal 4 is on its own on the south side. Getting dropped at the wrong one can cost you twenty minutes on the inter-terminal trains, so please check your booking and tell us the terminal when you book. If you are not sure, give us your flight number and we will look it up.
Drop-off charges at Heathrow
Heathrow charges every vehicle that enters the forecourt outside the terminals, including taxis and minicabs, and it limits how long a car may stay there. We will explain when you book whether the drop-off charge is included in your fixed fare. The charge is set by the airport and changes from time to time.
Coming home: pickups from Heathrow
For collections we need your flight number. We track the flight, so if you land early or late the driver adjusts. With meet and greet, your driver waits in the arrivals hall holding a name board and walks you to the car in the terminal car park. Without it, the driver will call you when you are through customs and tell you where to meet.
Long-haul arrivals can take a while to clear passport control and baggage reclaim, so do not panic if you are held up. Send us a WhatsApp message or call the office if something goes wrong, such as lost luggage, and we will keep the driver informed.
Heathrow taxi or the train?
There is no direct train from Sutton to Heathrow. The usual rail journey means going into central London and out again, often with two changes. With luggage, children or an early flight, a Heathrow taxi from Rosehill is usually simpler, and for a family or group the fixed fare often compares well with several train tickets. If you are travelling as a group, a 6 seater minicab or 7 seater car keeps everyone together.
Staying overnight before an early flight
If your flight leaves at dawn, you may prefer to stay at one of the hotels near the airport the night before. We can take you to your airport hotel in the evening and, if you like, collect you from it on your return. See our hotel transfer taxi page for how that works.
Other airports and journeys
Flying from somewhere else this time? We also run Gatwick airport transfers, which are usually our quickest airport journey, as well as trips to London City, Stansted and Luton. Travellers coming in by train can use our Paddington station taxi, which suits anyone arriving on the Heathrow Express. We collect for Heathrow from all over Sutton, Cheam, Carshalton and the rest of the areas we cover.
Questions we get asked
How early should I leave Rosehill for a Heathrow flight?
Allow the typical 45 to 60 minute drive, extra time for traffic, and the check-in time your airline recommends. For a long-haul flight at a busy time, most people leave about three and a half to four hours before departure. We will suggest a pickup time when you book.
Do you pick up from all Heathrow terminals?
Yes, from Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Give us your flight number and we will confirm which terminal you are arriving at.
What happens if my flight into Heathrow is delayed?
We track the flight, so the driver works to your actual landing time rather than the scheduled one.
Can I book a Heathrow return journey in one go?
Yes. Give us both dates, your outbound terminal and your return flight number, and we will book both legs together at fixed fares.
Is the Heathrow drop-off charge extra?
The airport charges every vehicle that uses the terminal drop-off zone. We will tell you whether it is included in your quote when you book.