Richmond, under the Heathrow flight path

How long does it take to reach Heathrow?

About 27 minutes off-peak and around 35 minutes in the weekday rush, via the A316 Chertsey Road and the A312, or through Twickenham and Hounslow. From Hampton and Teddington, the southern perimeter road leads quickly to Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. From Kew and Richmond, chauffeurs may use the A4 and the M4 for the central terminals.

With a short journey, you can leave later than from central London. For a long-haul flight, we still suggest arriving at the terminal about three hours before departure, because check-in and security at Heathrow vary more than the drive does.

How do Twickenham match days affect the timing?

Twickenham Stadium hosts international rugby and major concerts, and on event days the A316, Whitton Road and the streets around the stadium are busy for several hours before and after. Some roads close, and parking is restricted across a wide area.

If your pickup falls on an event day, we will check the calendar when you book. The chauffeur may suggest an earlier pickup or a route that avoids the stadium, and for arrivals landing just as a match ends, the route home is planned around the crowds.

Does the Hammersmith Bridge closure affect Barnes?

Yes, for journeys heading north or into central London. Hammersmith Bridge has been closed to motor traffic for several years, so cars from Barnes use Putney Bridge or Chiswick Bridge instead, which adds time at busy periods.

For Heathrow, the effect is smaller, because the route from Barnes runs west through Mortlake and Chiswick to the M4. For London City and the airports to the north, allow a little extra.

Can you drive to Farnborough for a private flight?

Yes. Farnborough Airport, the business aviation airport in Hampshire, is about 29 miles from Richmond and takes around 45 minutes via the A316 and the M3. Tell us the handling agent and the flight details, and the chauffeur will go directly to the terminal building. RAF Northolt is about half an hour away via the A312, and we cover it too.

Is Gatwick a realistic choice from here?

Yes. The usual route runs down the A316 to the M3 and round the M25 to the M23, about 47 miles, and it takes around an hour off-peak and about 80 minutes in the rush. From Teddington and Hampton, the A308 and the M25 give a quicker start.

For a 07:00 departure from Gatwick, a pickup at about 03:50 is usually right. The M25 at that hour is almost empty.

What about London City, Luton and Stansted?

All three are long journeys from Richmond. London City takes about an hour across central London, Luton a little longer via the M25 and the M1, and Stansted over an hour and a half. For short-haul business travel, Heathrow is usually the easier airport from this borough, even when London City looks closer on a map.

How do pickups work across the borough?

Richmond town centre has a one-way system, narrow streets around the Green and heavy weekend traffic, and the chauffeur will meet you at the nearest point where a car can stop. On Richmond Hill and in Petersham, roads are narrow and heavily parked. In Kew, some streets near the Gardens have restricted access on busy days.

In Twickenham, Teddington, Whitton and Hampton, most homes have a driveway or a quiet road outside. For houseboats and riverside homes on private roads, add directions and any gate codes in the notes.

What is the journey home from Heathrow like?

Short and simple. The chauffeur follows your flight, waits in the arrivals hall of your terminal with a name board, and walks you to the car park beside the terminal. From there, most Richmond and Twickenham addresses are about half an hour away, and Hampton and Teddington a little less.

Many long-haul flights land early in the morning, when the A316 and the A312 are still quiet. Later in the day, the Chertsey Road and the roads around Twickenham can be slow, and the chauffeur will pick the quicker line. The fixed price covers the waiting caused by a delayed flight, so a late landing does not change what you pay.

Which car suits a Richmond journey?

The Mercedes E-Class suits one or two travellers on the short Heathrow run. Families with holiday luggage should book the V-Class, which takes six passengers and six large cases. For a cruise from Southampton, the V-Class is also the usual choice, and the drive via the M3 takes about an hour and a quarter.