Islington, close to the City and the stations

Which airport is quickest from Islington?

London City, at about ten miles and around 31 minutes via the A1 and the A13, or 45 minutes in the rush. Heathrow is about 20 miles and 49 minutes off-peak, rising to over an hour and ten minutes at the busiest times, because the route runs across the whole of central London.

Luton is about an hour away via the A1 and the M1, Stansted about 71 minutes via the A12 and the M11, and Gatwick around 81 minutes. The table further down the page gives all of them with rush-hour allowances.

When is the train from Farringdon the better choice?

Farringdon is one of the best-connected stations in London for air travel. The Elizabeth line runs directly to Heathrow, and Thameslink runs directly to both Gatwick and Luton Airport Parkway. For a solo traveller with light luggage who lives near the station, those trains are often quicker than a car, especially in the rush.

A car is better when you live in the north of the borough, where reaching Farringdon means another journey first, when you have heavy luggage or children, or when your flight is before the first trains or after the last. It also avoids crowded platforms at the busiest times of day.

Does the Congestion Charge apply to an Islington pickup?

Only in the south of the borough. Clerkenwell and the area around Farringdon are inside the Congestion Charging Zone. Angel, Highbury, Holloway and the rest of the borough are outside it; the zone’s northern boundary runs along Pentonville Road and City Road, which are free to use.

A journey that starts inside the zone between 07:00 and 18:00 on a weekday, or between 12:00 and 18:00 at weekends and bank holidays, incurs the £18 daily charge. When it applies, it is included in your fixed price.

How do Arsenal match days affect pickups?

On match days at the Emirates Stadium, roads around Holloway, Highbury and Drayton Park close or come under restrictions for several hours, parking is suspended across a wide area, and traffic on the Holloway Road and Seven Sisters Road slows well before kick-off.

If your pickup falls on a match day, we will check the fixtures when you book. The chauffeur may suggest an earlier pickup or meet you on a street outside the restricted area. The same planning applies to concerts at the stadium.

How long should you allow for Heathrow?

For a long-haul morning flight, a pickup about three and a half hours before departure is sensible from Islington. The Euston Road and the Marylebone Road are the slow sections in the morning rush, and the Westway can queue towards White City.

For an evening flight, allow a similar margin on a Friday. Early morning departures, before 06:00, are much quicker, and the drive can take under 40 minutes.

How do pickups work on Islington’s streets?

Many residential streets in Barnsbury, Canonbury and Highbury are one-way, parked on both sides, and inside low-traffic schemes that restrict through traffic. Give us your full address and postcode, and the chauffeur will plan the approach before setting off.

Upper Street and the Holloway Road have bus lanes and loading restrictions for much of the day, and the chauffeur will wait on a side street and message you. For warehouse flats in Clerkenwell, give us the building name and the entrance; several share a street, and some have entrances on pedestrian passages.

What about London City for business travel?

For short trips to European business centres, London City is the easiest airport from Islington. The drive is short, the terminal is compact, and a traveller with hand luggage can often leave about 90 minutes before departure, subject to the airline’s deadline. Many Islington residents who work in finance and law use it as their default airport for day trips.

Which car should you book?

The Mercedes E-Class suits one or two travellers and fits the narrow streets well. Families with holiday luggage should book the V-Class, which takes six passengers and six large cases. For the long drive to Stansted or Gatwick, the S-Class offers the most comfortable cabin.