Heathrow to London Bridge

Which route does the chauffeur take?

Two main options. The first follows the M4, the Cromwell Road and the Embankment along the north bank, crossing to London Bridge by Southwark Bridge or London Bridge itself. The second crosses the river earlier, at Chelsea or Vauxhall, and runs along the south bank through Nine Elms, Lambeth and Waterloo, arriving at London Bridge without entering the City.

The south-bank route often avoids the slowest parts of the Embankment and the City in the morning, and it is the one many chauffeurs choose for addresses on Tooley Street and around the Shard. The chauffeur decides from live traffic.

How long should you allow?

About 48 minutes off-peak and about 70 minutes on a weekday morning. On an early-morning arrival, before 07:00, the drive is often around 40 minutes. On a Friday afternoon, heading east, allow well over an hour.

Where does the car drop you?

For the hotels in and beside the Shard, the chauffeur will go to the hotel’s own entrance, which is separate from the offices and the viewing gallery. For More London and the offices along the river, which are largely pedestrian, the chauffeur will stop on Tooley Street at the nearest point to your building. For the station itself, St Thomas Street on the south side and Tooley Street on the north both have places where a car can stop briefly.

Borough Market is crowded from mid-morning, especially at weekends, and the streets around it are slow. For an address near the market, the chauffeur may approach from Southwark Street.

Arriving before your hotel room is ready?

Overnight flights land early, and a hotel room near London Bridge will rarely be ready before mid-afternoon. The hotels around the Shard and Southwark are used to this and will hold your luggage. Many travellers use the morning to walk along the river to Tower Bridge or Tate Modern, or to have breakfast at Borough Market once it opens.

If you would rather drop the bags and go straight to a meeting, the chauffeur can stop at the hotel first and then take you on to your office, or leave you at the office and take the luggage to the hotel. Add both addresses when you book, and the stop is included in the fixed price.

What about weekend arrivals?

At weekends, the roads into central London are lighter in the morning, and the drive from Heathrow to London Bridge can take around 40 minutes. The area around the station and the market is busier with visitors from late morning, though, and some streets near Borough Market are crowded with people. The chauffeur will choose a drop-off point on a clear street and, if your hotel is on a busy corner, walk you the last few metres with the bags.

Coming to Guy’s Hospital?

Many patients fly into Heathrow for treatment at Guy’s or at the specialist centres nearby. Tell us the entrance you need, often on Great Maze Pond or St Thomas Street, and whether the passenger needs help getting in and out of the car. The chauffeur will allow extra time and help with bags. If your appointment is on the day you land, leave a generous margin for immigration and the drive.

Is the train a good alternative?

There is no direct train. The quickest rail options are the Elizabeth line to Farringdon and Thameslink to London Bridge, or the Elizabeth line to Bond Street and the Jubilee line. With light luggage, both work well, and at busy times they can be quicker than the car.

With cases, children or a hospital appointment, the car is simpler: one vehicle, no stairs, and a drop-off at the exact entrance you need.

Does the Congestion Charge apply?

Yes, during charging hours. London Bridge is inside the zone, so an arrival 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 whenever it applies.

Where will the chauffeur meet you at Heathrow?

In the arrivals hall of your terminal, with a board showing your name. The chauffeur follows your flight, so a delay moves the pickup automatically, and walks with you to the car park beside the terminal.

And the return to Heathrow?

From London Bridge, allow about three hours before a long-haul flight on a weekday afternoon. The westbound roads are busiest from about 16:00, and the chauffeur may again choose the south bank to avoid the City. Heathrow’s £7 drop-off charge is included.