Gatwick to Kensington and Chelsea

Which route does the chauffeur take?

Usually west round the M25 to the A3 at Wisley, then north on the A3 through Kingston, Roehampton and Wandsworth to the river. It is about 40 miles, longer than the A23 through Brixton, but most of it is fast dual carriageway, and it avoids the busiest south London high streets. The chauffeur compares both before leaving the airport.

Which bridge brings you into the borough?

Wandsworth Bridge for Chelsea Harbour and the west of Chelsea; Battersea Bridge for the King’s Road and Cheyne Walk; Putney Bridge for addresses near Earl’s Court and the western edge. The final approach depends on your address, and the chauffeur chooses the crossing that gets you closest with the fewest turns. Larger vehicles avoid Albert Bridge, which has a weight limit.

How long should you allow?

About 70 minutes off-peak and up to 102 minutes in the weekday rush. The A3 through Wandsworth and the approaches to the river bridges are the slowest parts in the morning. Early morning and late evening arrivals are much quicker, often around an hour.

Car or Gatwick Express?

The Gatwick Express runs to Victoria, and from there it is a short taxi or Underground ride to much of the borough. For a single traveller with light luggage during the day, that combination can be quicker than the car.

With luggage, children or several travellers, the car is simpler: no change at Victoria, no second journey, and a drop-off at your door. It is also the better option for arrivals very early or late, and on weekends when the line is closed for engineering work.

Where does the car drop you?

For hotels on the Cromwell Road and in South Kensington, at the hotel entrance or forecourt. For homes on the squares and terraces, as close to the door as the resident-only streets allow; for mews houses, tell us which end to use. For Chelsea Harbour, at the right block or the hotel entrance, through the estate’s controlled access.

Staying at a hotel near the museums?

South Kensington’s hotels, along the Cromwell Road and around Queen’s Gate and Harrington Road, are a popular base for visitors to the museums and the Royal Albert Hall. From Gatwick, the car crosses at Battersea or Putney Bridge and reaches the Cromwell Road from the south, which avoids the busiest part of the King’s Road. The chauffeur will pull into the hotel forecourt or the nearest set-down point, and many of these hotels will hold luggage if you arrive before check-in.

What if the A3 is closed?

The A3 between the M25 and Wandsworth occasionally closes overnight for maintenance, and incidents can block it during the day. When that happens, the chauffeur switches to the A23 through Croydon and Brixton, or to the A24 through Morden and Tooting, and crosses the river further east. The journey may take a little longer, but your price is fixed when you book and does not change. For very early arrivals, the chauffeur checks planned overnight closures before leaving to meet you.

Landing at the North Terminal?

Many long-haul and holiday flights use Gatwick’s North Terminal. The chauffeur will wait in its arrivals hall and walk you to the short stay car park beside it. Because the train station is at the South Terminal, North Terminal arrivals who choose the train must take the shuttle first; that is one more reason families landing there often choose the car.

Arriving from a family holiday?

Many Kensington and Chelsea families fly home through Gatwick at the end of the school holidays, often on flights that land early in the morning. Tell us the children’s ages and we will fit the right seats. With pushchairs and a fortnight’s luggage, the V-Class is the comfortable choice.

Is there a Congestion Charge?

No. The whole borough lies west of the zone’s boundary at Park Lane, and the A3 route does not enter the zone.

Where will the chauffeur meet you at Gatwick?

In the arrivals hall of your terminal, North or South, with a board showing your name. The chauffeur follows your flight and adjusts to delays. On the return journey, Gatwick’s £10 drop-off charge is included, and for a long-haul flight we suggest a pickup about three hours before departure.