Rome Toolkit 
Paris Toolkit Airport & cruise transfer details to Bloomsbury, London
Transport options to Bloomsbury London from airports and cruise ports
Bloomsbury is a central district of London within an easy walking distance of Covent Garden, Piccadilly and Oxford Street amongst others. Bloomsbury is a short stroll from many of London's West End Theatres. Covent Garden and Leicester Square are only a 15-min walk away.
Being very central in London means it is usually better to use public transport to get around. Although the Underground stations in the area itself only connect to Heathrow Airport directly, the Bloomsbury area is still easy to reach from all London's airports and cruise ports.
Staying in Bloomsbury
A lot of the accommodation in Bloomsbury is easily walked to from the Underground stations at Holborn, Russell Square and Tottenham Court Road.
Public transport
When in London you will find the best and most convenient way to get around is by public transport. You can pay single fares for every trip, but this will soon add up and become expensive and time-consuming. You will save yourself a lot of time and money by purchasing the right pass before you get to your hotel, especially if London's public transport forms part of your hotel transfer.
Public transport passes in London can be complicated to understand, especially if you have children. Reading our Travelcard or Oyster Card page will help explain everything and save you money.
Bloomsbury local public transport connections
The only direct transport to airports and cruise ports from Bloomsbury is the Piccadilly Line of the London Underground, with stations at Russell Square and Holborn. Trains leave every few minutes to and from Heathrow. Otherwise, you will need a taxi or local public transport to get you to your airport/cruise port.
The London Underground runs every couple of minutes between about 5.30am and midnight and buses run 24/7. On Friday and Saturday, the following lines run 24-hr services: Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly. Night buses that run when the Underground is closed provide an alternative if you have a very early or late flight. There are many services that run all night through the area to places like Victoria, Paddington, Liverpool Street and Marble Arch that connect to airport services.
Late flight, early hotel check-out dilemma?
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.
Layover 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 Bloomsbury 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 in Bloomsbury 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.
Heathrow Airport transfer options to/from Bloomsbury
Cheapest
The London Underground from Heathrow with an Oyster or Travelcard offers the cheapest option.
Journey times are about an hour. We must warn you, the London Underground is very busy most of the day so be prepared for crowded carriages. You may not get a seat and find it difficult to find a space for your luggage, plus keep in mind you'll be dragging your cases up escalators and down long corridors.
» Find out more about the London Underground.
» See our guide for comparison - Oyster or Travelcard?
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. From Paddington you take the underground or a taxi to Bloomsbury.
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. You can get off at Ealing Broadway Station and use direct Underground link to Holborn.
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 Bloomsbury
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. easyBus a small van type bus goes to West Brompton Underground which has an indirect Underground service to Bloomsbury.
Fastest
The Thameslink Trains run frequently between St Pancras and Gatwick. St Pancras is less than a mile from Russell Square. The alternative 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 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 Bloomsbury
Cheapest
You can use Citylink's Stansted to Liverpool Street service and then take the Underground to Holborn.
You can also take the National Express Bus Service between Stansted and Stratford, then take the Central Line of the Undergound to Holborn.
Fastest
Stansted Express is the dedicated airport train charged at a premium for the speed, frequency and comfort.
Liverpool Street is the terminus of this train, from here you can take the Central Line of the London Underground directly to Holborn.
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 Bloomsbury. 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 Bloomsbury
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. For Bloomsbury, you should get off the bus at Marble Arch and then take the Circle line to Holborn.
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. The Piccadilly Line of the Underground connects St Pancras with Russell Square and Holborn.
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 Bloomsbury. 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 Bloomsbury
London City Airport
City Airport is served by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). You can use Oyster Cards and other London public transport ticketing options to interconnect between DLR and the Underground in one fare. The DLR interconnects with Stratford, where you can take the Central Line to Holborn.
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 Central Line of the London Underground connects directly between Liverpool Street and Holborn.
Southampton cruise port to/from Bloomsbury
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. However, both Waterloo and Victoria are not that close to Bloomsbury, a taxi to Victoria may cost you as much as the bus fare to Southampton.
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 Bloomsbury and pick-ups from many of the hotels in Bloomsbury. 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 Bloomsbury hotels are available visiting world-class attractions like Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.
London - Southampton coach tour transfers
Southampton - London direct shuttles
Groups, bus charters and private cars
Southampton is a 2-hr drive from Bloomsbury 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 Bloomsbury
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 St Pancras to Dover are much faster and unlike the buses luggage is only limited by the amount you can carry on-board. It is worth noting that Victoria is a fair distance from Bloomsbury, whereas St Pancras Station is on the edge of the Bloomsbury district. Once in Dover, 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 Bloomsbury and pick-ups from many hotels in Bloomsbury, so there will be one close to 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 around 8am at Bloomsbury 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 is a tour transfer visiting Leeds Castle and Canterbury with hotel drops at Bloomsbury in the late afternoon. There is also a direct van shuttle service available.
Groups, bus charters and private cars
Dover is 2-hrs drive from Bloomsbury 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.
