Lambeth, on the road to Gatwick

Is Gatwick the natural airport from Lambeth?

For the southern half of the borough, it often is. From Brixton, Streatham or West Norwood, the A23 runs south through Norbury and Croydon to the M23, and Gatwick is about 45 minutes to an hour away. From the whole borough, our routing puts it at about 27 miles and around 56 minutes off-peak, rising to about 81 minutes in the rush.

The A23 is quick at night and early in the morning, and slow through Streatham and Norbury at busy times. Chauffeurs check it before setting off and sometimes use the A24 through Tooting and Morden, or the A3 and the M25, when those are clearer.

How long does Heathrow take from Lambeth?

About 46 minutes off-peak and around 67 minutes in the rush, on a 19-mile route that usually runs west via Vauxhall, Chelsea Bridge or Battersea and the A4 to the M4. From Clapham, chauffeurs may go through Wandsworth and join the A4 at Hammersmith.

For a long-haul departure, a pickup about three hours before the flight is usually enough. On a Friday afternoon, when the A4 and the M4 are both busy, allow a little more.

Does the Congestion Charge apply?

Only in the north of the borough. The area around Waterloo and the South Bank is inside the Congestion Charging Zone. Vauxhall, Kennington, Brixton, Clapham, Streatham and the rest of the borough are outside it.

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 on bank holidays, incurs the £18 daily charge. When it applies, it is included in your fixed price. Our separate guide to Waterloo covers pickups from the station itself.

When is the train a better option?

Lambeth has good rail links. From Clapham Junction, just over the boundary in Wandsworth, and from Victoria, a short hop from Vauxhall, fast trains run to Gatwick. From Brixton and Stockwell, the Victoria line connects to Victoria station.

A car makes more sense when you have heavy luggage or children, when you would need a bus or a second train to reach the station, or when your flight is early enough that trains are few. From Streatham and West Norwood, where the stations do not have direct Gatwick services at all hours, the car from your door is often the simplest choice.

How do pickups work on Lambeth’s high roads?

Brixton Road, Clapham High Street and Streatham High Road are among the busiest roads in south London, with bus lanes, red routes and loading restrictions for most of the day. If you live on or near one, the chauffeur will wait on a side street and message you with the exact spot, rather than stop where it is not allowed.

For flats in the Vauxhall and Nine Elms towers, give us the building name and the entrance; many have a concierge and a set-down area. For the large estates in Stockwell, Kennington and Brixton, tell us the block name and the nearest road the car can reach.

How do Brixton events affect the timing?

The O2 Academy Brixton and the venues around it draw large crowds on event nights, and the roads around Brixton town centre can be slow before and after shows. If your pickup or arrival falls on a busy evening, we will plan the route around it, and the chauffeur may suggest a meeting point away from the busiest streets.

The Oval, the cricket ground in Kennington, has a similar effect on big match days, particularly on the A202 and around Vauxhall.

What about London City and the other airports?

London City is about ten miles away and takes around 37 minutes via the Rotherhithe or Blackwall tunnels, or through the City. Biggin Hill, for private flights, is about 40 minutes south-east. Luton and Stansted, on the far side of London, take well over an hour each.

Which car suits a Lambeth journey?

The Mercedes E-Class suits one or two travellers and handles narrow side streets well. Families with holiday luggage should book the V-Class, which takes six passengers and six large cases. For groups travelling to a wedding or an event abroad, the V-Class keeps everyone together and means one pickup instead of two.