Bromley, with an airport of its own

Why is Gatwick the usual airport from Bromley?

Because it is the closest of the major airports by a long way. The route leaves the borough on the A21 or the A232, joins the M25 and runs west to the M23, about 27 miles in total. It takes around 48 minutes on a clear road and about an hour in the weekday rush.

Crucially, the journey never enters central London. That makes it predictable, and it means that early morning departures from Gatwick are straightforward from almost anywhere in the borough. For a 07:00 flight, a pickup at about 04:15 from Orpington or Beckenham is usually right, allowing two hours at the terminal.

The train is a reasonable alternative from Bromley South or Beckenham Junction if you are happy to change, but there is no direct service to Gatwick from the town centre. With luggage, the door-to-terminal car is the simpler choice.

How do you get to Biggin Hill for a private flight?

London Biggin Hill is about seven miles south of Bromley town centre along the A233, and the drive takes around 18 minutes. It is used by business jets, private flights and a flying school, and it is one of the most popular airports in the south-east for private aviation.

Tell us your handling agent or the name of the terminal building you are using, and your flight time. The chauffeur will go directly to that building rather than to the public entrance. For an arrival, the chauffeur follows the flight and waits at the agent’s lounge, and your bags go straight into the car.

Because the airport is so close, many Bromley residents who fly privately book a car for the return leg too, especially when an aircraft lands late in the evening.

Is London City a realistic option?

Yes, for short-haul business travel. London City is about 11 miles from Bromley and takes around 30 minutes via the A21, the A2 and the Blackwall Tunnel approach, or the Silvertown Tunnel when it is clearer. At busy times, allow about 40 minutes.

The airport’s compact terminal means a short walk from the car to the gate. For a morning trip to a European city, it can be quicker overall than Gatwick, even though Gatwick is the faster drive in some traffic.

How long is the drive to Heathrow?

Long. Heathrow is about 27 miles away, and the drive takes around 65 minutes off-peak and 85 minutes in the rush, whether the chauffeur goes round the M25 or across south London on the A232 and the A316. It is one of the slower Heathrow journeys in London.

For long-haul flights from Heathrow, we suggest a pickup about four hours before departure. The fixed price is agreed in advance, so if traffic on the M25 is slow, the extra time does not change what you pay.

What helps a pickup in Bromley run smoothly?

Most addresses in the borough have a driveway or a quiet road outside, so the car can wait at your door. In Bromley town centre and around the High Street, some roads are pedestrianised or have restricted access, and the chauffeur will meet you at the nearest point that allows a car to stop.

For rural addresses near Downe, Cudham or Keston, and for houses set back behind gates in Chislehurst, add directions or a gate code in the notes. Satellite navigation is not always reliable on the lanes south of the A21, and a short description saves time at the start of the journey.

What about late arrivals back into Gatwick?

Many holiday flights land at Gatwick late in the evening, and delays push some of them past midnight. From there, the public transport route to most of Bromley involves a train into London or to East Croydon and another train or bus out again, which is hard work with cases at that hour.

A car booked in advance is the simple answer. The chauffeur follows the flight, waits in arrivals however late it lands, and takes the M25 home, which is usually clear at night. The fixed price covers the waiting caused by a delayed flight, so a late landing does not add to the cost.

Which car should you book?

For a private flight from Biggin Hill, many travellers choose the S-Class, which gives a quiet, comfortable cabin for the short drive. For a family holiday from Gatwick, the V-Class takes six passengers and six large cases, with space for pushchairs and car seats.

Golf and ski equipment takes more room than it seems. Mention it when you book, and we will match the car to the luggage rather than only to the number of passengers.