Rome Toolkit 
Paris Toolkit Victoria to London airport and cruise port transfers
Public and private transport to London Victoria from airports and cruise ports
Victoria is very well known as being a major transport hub in London - it is the major arrival destination in central London for those arriving from Gatwick Airport. It also has direct airport transport links to all of London's other major airports. Hotels in Victoria are one of the most convenient locations to stay in London with easy access to and from your airport or cruise port.
Victoria Coach Station is only a few hundred yards from Victoria railway and Underground stations - at the heart of Victoria's hotel areas.
Situated centrally with Buckingham Palace a major attraction within its boundary, it is also very close to many of the main sights and attractions in London.
Staying in Victoria
Most of the accommodation on offer in Victoria is easily walked to from the main Victoria station or Victoria coach station. It is this benefit that makes staying in Victoria so popular.
The Victoria hotels area is one of London’s largest and stretches right down to Pimlico underground. Knowing exactly where your hotel accommodation in Victoria can make a big difference, especially when carrying luggage from Victoria station to your hotel.
Public transport
Another essential travel plan is to start to understand the basics of using London's public transport. As London is a busy city you will most likely be using London's public transport to get around London during your visit. We have a dedicated page for you to find out more about Oyster card and other travelcard options.
Paying single fares for every trip is expensive, inconvenient and time consuming. You will need to purchase a London transport pass of one kind or another. You will also save yourself a lot of time and money purchasing the right pass before you get to your hotel, especially if London’s public transport forms part of your transfer plans.
Victoria local public transport connections
As well as being a major gateway into London, Victoria is also a major transport hub for getting around the centre of London.
There are three London underground lines that run through Victoria but there is also a major London red bus station in the forecourt of the Victoria rail station. This has routes going directly to almost every part of central London day and night.
The London Underground trains run every couple of minutes between 5.30am and 12am, the buses run 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have a very early or late-night flight, the night buses offer a very good service. As an example, the no 24 bus that connects Pimlico to Victoria and goes down Belgrave Road, the spine of the Victoria hotel area, runs every 15-min, even at 3am in the morning.
Late flight, early hotel check-out - what to do?
Most hotels would like you to leave your room by lunchtime. This can be a problem if you have luggage and a late afternoon or evening flight. However, if your hotel does not offer a left luggage service, then most of the main train stations in central London do. Also, all of the airports' passenger terminals have manned left luggage desks.
Unfortunately, the same company, The Excess Baggage Company, runs all of the left luggage offices at both airports and train stations. This means there is no competition and as a result prices can be high. If you need to use this service we recommend searching for the Excess Baggage Company website and check current prices, opening hours and for any special offers.
Transfer tours: Solution to late flights from Heathrow and Gatwick
There is another alternative to left luggage offices where you can make use of all your available time, rather than just hanging around before your flight. The historic town of Windsor is just outside of London and very close to Heathrow Airport.
We offer a layover tour service where you are picked up by a vehicle from your London Euston hotel and taken to Windsor. There is so much more to Windsor than the castle. It would take a couple of days to see everything. Eton College, Runnymede, Legoland, river trips, walks through the Royal Parks and of course Windsor has just hosted the Royal wedding between Harry and Meghan.
You are taken to Windsor from your hotel and left to explore independently, leaving your luggage safely with the vehicle. You will already have agreed a time when the vehicle will return with your luggage for the 15-20-minute journey to Heathrow Airport. Gatwick is an hour away.
A key aspect to this service is that you do not pay any waiting time as the company offering the service is based in Windsor, so it is the same cost whether you stay 3-hours or 10-hours in Windsor.
This is a private service, you set the times and the vehicles can range from cars to 50 seat touring coaches. So, if you want to make the most of your time in London even on your departure day then click the link below to learn more.
Windsor transfer tours - late flight solution
Heathrow Airport transfer options to/from Victoria
Cheapest
The London Underground from Heathrow with an Oyster or Travelcard offers the cheapest option. Journey times are about an hour. Be prepared for crowds and dragging your luggage up escalators and down long corridors. Change at Barons Court or Hammersmith stations where both trains leave from the same platform.
There is also a direct National Express bus service between Heathrow and Victoria at a similar price to the tube. Services are less frequent, departing from Heathrow Central Bus Station which is a 10-minute walk from Terminals 2 and 3 or a (free) train transfer from Terminals 4 and 5. It is also worth checking the luggage allowance which can sometimes be even less than your flight.
Fastest
The Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station is the fastest, most comfortable option, which is two or three times faster than any taxi. The Heathrow Express trains run every 15 minutes and take only 15 minutes to reach Paddington station.
There is a much cheaper, less publicised airport train called TFL Rail Heathrow (previously called the Heathrow Connect) that is not as frequent and makes stops along the same route as the Heathrow Express, so will take slightly longer to reach Paddington. It is worth knowing that Paddington is a fair distance from Victoria, so the underground or taxi between Paddington and Victoria may take longer than the airport train between Heathrow and Paddington.
Taxi & private cars
You’ll know you have arrived in London when you see its famous black cabs form the taxi rank outside each terminal at Heathrow.
Journey times will be between 45 and 75 minutes depending on traffic conditions. Road congestion delays are routine Monday to Friday between 6.30am and 10am going into London and between 3pm and 7pm coming out of London on work days. Additionally, going into London on Sundays from about 3pm until mid-evening will be congested.
Private cars and charter buses
London black taxis are on the expensive side. Much cheaper licenced private cars offer an alternative and also perform Meet n Greet as you exit customs. For a small family, a private car may be much cheaper than using the Heathrow Express train.
For groups of 6 or more a private charter bus is worth considering. Vehicles from 8 seats to 50 seats are available, offering a door to door service between airport terminal and hotel. For larger groups, it's always cheaper as you get a low cost per passenger.
Gatwick Airport transfer options to/from Victoria
Cheapest
The cheapest option from Gatwick into London is by bus. National Express runs a full-size bus from Gatwick airport to Victoria Coach Station. Journey time is typically around 90 minutes which is at least double the journey time of the train alternative.
Fastest
The Gatwick Express to Victoria Station is the dedicated airport train for which you pay a significant premium to the slower alternative Southern Trains. These use the same tracks but as these are commuter trains, they will make several stops and take longer.
Groups
For groups of 12 or more a private charter bus is worth considering. Vehicles from 8 seats to 50 seats are available offering a door to door service between airport terminal and hotel. For larger groups you get a low cost per passenger as well as the convenience of a personalised door to door service.
Taxi and private cars
Travelling into central London by vehicle is a frustrating option - there are no fast road links. It’s usually a slow, stop, start endurance test, often with added road congestion delays. Unless you are a sizable group, its much faster, cheaper and more comfortable if you get the train to Victoria, then take a taxi from there.
Stansted Airport transfer options to/from Victoria
Cheapest
The cheapest option from Stansted into London is by bus. National Express run a direct service between Stansted and Victoria. Airport Bus Express and Terravision also offer bus services from Stansted to Green Line coach station.
Fastest
Stansted Express is the dedicated airport train at a premium for the speed, frequency and comfort. The only caveat is the Liverpool Street terminus which is in the other side of central London from Victoria, 20-min away with tube.
Groups
For groups of 8 or more a private charter bus is worth considering. Vehicles from 8 seats to 50 seats are available offering a door to door service between airport terminal and hotel. For larger groups you get a low cost per passenger as well as the convenience of a personalised door to door service.
Taxi and private cars
Stansted is a long way outside of London, about 40 miles from Victoria. At peak hours during working days there will be road congestion, delays and the distance means the price will not be cheap. Stansted private cars with meet 'n greet as you exit customs at Stansted are also available.
Luton Airport transfer options to/from Victoria
Cheapest
The cheapest option from Luton into London is bus. National Express run a cheap and frequent 24/7 bus service that terminates at London Victoria. Terravision bus service is almost identical, terminating at Green Line coach station.
Fastest
Luton train is not a dedicated airport train. You will need to take a 5-min free shuttle to Luton Parkway Station for the train and get off at St Pancras Station. From here, a direct London Underground link takes you to Victoria in 10 minutes.
Groups
For groups of 8 or more, you can consider a private charter bus. Vehicles from 8 seats to 50 seats are available offering a door to door service between airport terminal and hotel. For larger groups you get a low cost per passenger, as well as the convenience.
Taxi and private cars
Luton is a long way out of London, about 35 miles from Victoria. At peak hours during working days there will be road congestion, delays and the distance means the price will not be cheap. Luton private cars with meet n greet as you exit customs at Luton are also available.
City & Southend Airports transfer options to/from Victoria
London City Airport
From City Airport, take the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and change at Canning Town, where you can take the Jubilee Line to Westminster, then 2 more stops to Victoria on another Circle Line train. You can use Oyster Cards or other ticketing options in one fare.
London Southend Airport
The only viable public transport between Southend Airport and Central London are the regular trains that terminate at London's Liverpool Street Station. The Circle Line of the London Underground connect directly between Liverpool Street and Victoria.
Southampton cruise port to/from Victoria
Public transport
The cheapest option on paper is to take public transport. The cheapest options are the National Express buses that terminate at Victoria Coach Station. The alternative, trains from Waterloo to Southampton are much faster and unlike the buses, luggage is only limited by the amount you can carry onboard.
There are also direct trains on most days between Victoria and Southampton, these take a longer route to the Waterloo trains. The Victoria and Waterloo lines to Southampton interconnect at Clapham Junction, a few miles south of Victoria.
There are 4 cruise terminals at Southampton, you will need to take a short taxi ride between Southampton Bus or Rail Station to access your cruise terminal.
Cruise bus
A dedicated cruise bus operates in each direction between Southampton and Central London connecting with individual cruise ships. It is a door to door service with drop offs at the hotels in Victoria and pick-ups from many of the hotels in Victoria. There should be one close by to your hotel.
Price is competitive even against public transport, especially when you factor in the taxi transfers either end with public transport. There is also a much more relaxed luggage policy.
Full day guided tour transfers between Southampton and Victoria hotels are available visiting world-class attractions like Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.
London to Southampton Cruise Bus
Southampton to London Cruise Bus
Groups, bus charters and private cars
Southampton is a 2-hr drive from Victoria by private vehicle. Vehicles from cars to large buses are available to charter, either direct or stopping off somewhere along the way - Windsor Castle and Stonehenge are the most popular stops. .
Dover cruise port to/from Victoria
Public transport
The cheapest option is to take public transport. The cheapest public transfer options are the National Express buses that terminate at Victoria Coach Station. The alternative trains from London Victoria to Dover are much faster and unlike the buses luggage is only limited by the amount you can carry on-board. Neither bus or train public transport will take you to the Dover cruise terminals. It is a 5-min taxi ride from both bus and train stations at Dover to the cruise terminals.
Cruise bus
A dedicated cruise bus operates in each direction between Dover and Central London connecting with individual cruise ships. It is a door to door service with drops at hotels in Paddington and pick-ups from many hotels in Paddington, so there will be one close by your hotel.
Price is competitive even against public transport, especially when you factor in the taxi transfer costs at either end of your public transport journey. There is also a much more relaxed luggage policy.
The London to Dover cruise bus picks up at Victoria hotels and will be at your cruise terminal around lunch time with an optional visit to Dover Castle available.
The Dover to London cruise bus service has a choice of a direct van shuttle or two tour transfer options, one visiting Leeds Castle and Canterbury the other visiting the Harry Potter Studio Tour with hotel drop offs in the late afternoon/early evening.
Groups, bus charters and private cars
Dover is 2-hrs drive from Victoria by private vehicle. Vehicles from cars to large buses are available to charter either direct or stopping off somewhere along the way, Canterbury and Dover Castle are the most popular stops. Find out more about private vehicles Dover to/from London.
