London City to Mayfair

Which way does the chauffeur go?

From the airport, the car takes the A1020 and the Limehouse Link tunnel, then the Highway, Upper Thames Street and the Embankment along the river, before turning up through Trafalgar Square or Parliament Street to Piccadilly and into Mayfair. It avoids the heart of the City and follows the river for much of the way.

When the Embankment is slow, the chauffeur may go through the City and along Holborn and Oxford Street instead, arriving from the north. The choice is made from live traffic.

How long does it take?

About 36 minutes off-peak and around 52 minutes in the weekday rush. Early morning arrivals, on the first flights from European capitals, are the quickest; a late afternoon arrival, when the West End fills up, is the slowest. For a meeting at a set time, allow an hour from landing to the door on a weekday.

How quickly can you leave London City?

Very quickly. The terminal is compact, and for passengers with hand luggage arriving from Europe, the walk from the aircraft to the arrivals exit can take under 20 minutes, especially with eGates. The car park is a short walk from the exit. That speed at the airport end is one of the main reasons business travellers choose London City for Mayfair.

Car or Elizabeth line to Bond Street?

The rail route is the DLR from London City to Custom House, and the Elizabeth line west to Bond Street, on the northern edge of Mayfair. At busy times, it is competitive with the car, and for a single traveller with a small bag heading to an address near Oxford Street, it is a fair choice.

The car is better for addresses in the south of Mayfair, around Berkeley Square, Curzon Street or Piccadilly, which are a longer walk from Bond Street; for travellers with luggage or colleagues; and for anyone who wants to take calls privately on the way.

Where does the car drop you in Mayfair?

At the entrance of your office, hotel or club. Many Mayfair offices are in converted townhouses with a front door on a quiet street, where the car can stop briefly. For hotels on Park Lane and around Grosvenor Square, the chauffeur will pull into the forecourt or set-down point. For private members’ clubs, tell us the name, and the chauffeur will stop at the door.

Does the Congestion Charge apply?

Yes, during charging hours. Mayfair 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.

Visiting for the auctions or the art fairs?

Mayfair and St James’s are home to many of London’s leading auction houses and galleries, and during the big sale weeks and the autumn art fairs, collectors, dealers and advisers fly in from European cities, often through London City. Streets around New Bond Street and King Street become busy with visitors and deliveries on sale days.

Tell us the auction house or gallery, and the chauffeur will drop you as close to the entrance as the street allows. If you are going on to a hotel afterwards, the chauffeur can take your luggage there first, so you arrive at the viewing with nothing to carry. For a group of clients arriving together, we can coordinate several cars.

Travelling on a firm’s account?

Many Mayfair firms book regular journeys between London City and their offices. An account allows monthly invoicing with cost codes, and we can keep a note of each traveller’s preferences, such as the car and the entrance, so every journey is the same.

Where will the chauffeur meet you?

Just past the arrivals exit at London City, holding a board with your name or your firm’s name. The chauffeur follows your flight and adjusts to delays, and walks with you to the car.

And going back to London City?

From Mayfair, allow about an hour and a half before a short-haul flight on a weekday afternoon, and check your airline’s check-in deadline. The drive east along the river is slowest after about 16:00. London City’s £8 drop-off charge is included in the fixed price.