Southwark, from the river to Dulwich

Which airport is quickest from Southwark?

London City. From Rotherhithe and Bermondsey, the Rotherhithe Tunnel leads under the river to the Limehouse Link and the airport, about seven miles in total, and the drive takes around 24 minutes off-peak or 35 minutes at busy times. The tunnel is old and narrow, with restrictions on larger vehicles, so chauffeurs of bigger cars may use Tower Bridge or the Blackwall Tunnel instead.

Heathrow is about 19 miles away and takes around 48 minutes off-peak and about 70 minutes in the rush. Gatwick is about 30 miles and 71 minutes via the A23 or the A3. Stansted and Luton each take well over an hour.

Where does the Congestion Charge apply?

Only in the north of the borough. Bankside, Borough, London Bridge and the area around the South Bank are inside the Congestion Charging Zone. Bermondsey east of Tower Bridge Road, Rotherhithe, Walworth, Camberwell, Peckham and Dulwich 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 bank holidays, incurs the £18 daily charge. When it applies, it is included in your fixed price.

When is the train from London Bridge the better choice?

For a traveller near London Bridge with light luggage, Thameslink trains run directly to Gatwick and to Luton Airport Parkway, and at busy times they can beat a car. We would rather say so than sell you a slower journey.

From Dulwich, Peckham and Camberwell, reaching London Bridge often means a bus or another train first. A car is the better option for those areas, for families and heavy luggage, and for flights at hours when trains are infrequent.

How long should you allow for Heathrow?

For a long-haul morning flight, a pickup about three hours before departure is usually right from the north of the borough, and about three and a half hours from Dulwich or Peckham. The route crosses the river and runs west along the Embankment or through Vauxhall and Chelsea to the A4 and the M4.

The Elizabeth line, from Farringdon or Tottenham Court Road across the river, is the rail alternative. It is quick once you are on it, but it needs a change for most Southwark residents.

How do pickups work in the north of the borough?

Around Borough Market, Bankside and London Bridge, streets are busy, narrow and in places pedestrianised, with heavy foot traffic at weekends. For hotels and offices, the chauffeur will wait at the main entrance where it is possible to stop, or at an agreed side entrance. For flats near Shad Thames and Butler’s Wharf, where the lanes are cobbled and narrow, give us the building name and the nearest road the car can reach.

What about pickups in Peckham, Camberwell and Dulwich?

Rye Lane, Peckham High Street and Camberwell Church Street have bus lanes and loading restrictions for much of the day, and the chauffeur will wait on a side street and message you. In Dulwich Village and East Dulwich, most homes have a quiet road outside, and the car will wait at your door. For houses on private estates in Dulwich, add any access instructions in the notes.

Can you take me to Biggin Hill?

Yes. London Biggin Hill, for private and business flights, is about 17 miles south and around 48 minutes away via the A21 or through Bromley. Tell us the handling agent and the flight time, and the chauffeur will go directly to the right building.

Can you meet visitors arriving at London Bridge hotels?

Yes. Many visitors stay in the hotels around London Bridge, the Shard and Bankside, and arrive at Heathrow, Gatwick or London City. The chauffeur follows the flight, meets them in arrivals with a name board and brings them to the hotel entrance, where stopping is usually possible for a few minutes.

For the return journey, the chauffeur waits at the hotel door at the booked time. On weekday mornings, the roads around London Bridge are among the busiest in London, so we suggest a slightly earlier pickup for Heathrow departures, and the chauffeur will message you when they are outside.

Which car suits a Southwark journey?

The Mercedes E-Class suits one or two travellers and fits the narrow streets around the river. Families with holiday luggage should book the V-Class, which takes six passengers and six large cases. For groups, the V-Class keeps everyone together in one vehicle.