London Bridge, beneath the Shard

Car or Thameslink to Gatwick?

For a solo traveller or a couple with light luggage, Thameslink from London Bridge is quick, frequent and unaffected by traffic, and at busy times it will beat a car comfortably. By road, Gatwick is about 30 miles and around 71 minutes off-peak via the Old Kent Road and the A23, and well over an hour and a half in the rush.

A car makes sense for families, for heavy luggage, and for flights before the first trains or after the last. It also avoids the crowds on the platforms at peak times, which with a large case can be difficult.

Which airport is quickest by car?

London City, at about 26 minutes off-peak and 38 in the rush, via Tower Bridge or the Rotherhithe Tunnel and the Limehouse Link. For short business trips, it is the natural choice from here. Heathrow is about 48 minutes off-peak and 70 in the rush, via the Embankment and the A4. Luton and Stansted are each about 74 minutes.

Where does the chauffeur meet you at the station?

London Bridge has several entrances: Tooley Street on the north side, St Thomas Street on the south, and the main concourse between them, as well as a bus station at the western end. We agree a meeting point when you book, usually at the end of your platform or at a named exit, and the chauffeur messages you when they are in position.

St Thomas Street and Tooley Street both have places where a car can stop briefly, and the chauffeur will walk you to whichever is quickest for your onward route.

What if Thameslink is closed for engineering work?

The Brighton Main Line, which carries Thameslink and Southern trains to Gatwick, has regular planned closures, usually at weekends and on some bank holidays, when rail replacement buses run for part of the route. With luggage and a flight to catch, that can add an hour and a lot of hassle.

Check the planned works for your date. On a weekend when the line is closed, a car from London Bridge or from your hotel to Gatwick is often the easier choice, and the roads south are usually lighter at weekends. We will tell you the likely drive time for your date when you book.

Can you collect patients from Guy’s Hospital?

Yes. Guy’s Hospital, beside the station, treats patients from across the country and abroad. Tell us the entrance, often the one on Great Maze Pond or St Thomas Street, and any mobility needs, and the chauffeur will wait at the drop-off point and help with bags. If an appointment runs late and a flight is at risk, we will tell you honestly and help you decide what to do.

How do pickups from the Shard and More London work?

The Shard’s hotel, offices and restaurants each have their own entrance, and More London, the office estate along the river, is largely pedestrian. Tell us the building and the entrance, and the chauffeur will wait at the nearest point where a car can stop, often on Tooley Street or St Thomas Street.

Borough Market is busy from mid-morning, especially on weekends, and the streets around it are slow. For a pickup near the market, the chauffeur will suggest a meeting point on Borough High Street or Southwark Street.

Does the Congestion Charge apply at London Bridge?

Yes, during charging hours. London Bridge is inside the Congestion Charging Zone, so a pickup 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. It is included in your fixed price when it applies.

Can you meet a train from Kent and continue to a flight?

Yes. Southeastern trains from Kent arrive at London Bridge, and many travellers continue to London City or Heathrow the same day. Give us the train and your flight; the chauffeur follows the train and meets you on the platform. For a long-haul flight from Heathrow, allow at least three and a half hours between the train’s scheduled arrival and your departure.