Taxi from CR7 Thornton Heath to Heathrow Airport

Across south London

There are two main routes. The cross-London option heads west through Streatham, Tooting or Mitcham, Wimbledon and Kingston, then out along the A316 or A308 to Heathrow. The motorway option goes south on the A23 to the M23 and M25 at junction 7, then anticlockwise round to Heathrow. The first is shorter in miles; the second has fewer traffic lights. The driver will pick the faster one on the day.

It is around 20 miles. In normal traffic, plan on 50 minutes to an hour. Weekday rush hours, especially the evening, can push it towards an hour and a quarter. For early flights, the roads are quiet and the trip is quicker.

Around CR7

CR7 covers Thornton Heath High Street and the clock tower, the roads around Thornton Heath Pond, Norbury's southern edge, Selhurst and the streets near Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace play. Croydon University Hospital is also in CR7. Most residential streets are terraced, with controlled parking in some areas, which does not affect a pickup. If you are in a flat above a shop on the High Street or the London Road, tell us the nearest side road.

On Crystal Palace match days, the roads around Selhurst are busy and some are closed. If your flight is on a match day, tell us, and the driver will plan around it.

Public transport to Heathrow

There is no simple public transport route from Thornton Heath to Heathrow. The usual option is a Southern train to Clapham Junction or Victoria, then the tube or Elizabeth line out to the airport, or a train to East Croydon and Thameslink to Farringdon for the Elizabeth line. Either way, allow around an hour and a half with at least two changes.

For a solo traveller with light luggage, that is cheaper. For families with heavy cases, older relatives or an early flight, the door-to-door car is much simpler. With two or three people, the fixed fare compares well.

Heathrow terminals

Heathrow's four terminals are in three places: 2 and 3 in the centre, 5 at the western end and 4 on the southern side. Tell us your terminal when you book. If you are not sure, check your airline's website.

Heathrow's drop-off charges

Since January 2026, every entry to a Heathrow terminal drop-off zone has cost £7, with a strict ten-minute limit enforced by cameras. Overstaying or not paying brings an £80 penalty notice, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days. If a relative drives you, the free option is the Long Stay car park, with 30 minutes free and a shuttle bus. None of that applies to a pre-booked transfer, because the fare already covers it.

Visiting family abroad

Many of our CR7 customers fly long-haul to see family, often with large cases full of gifts. A saloon takes two large cases. For more, choose an estate or MPV. For family groups travelling together, an eight-seat MPV keeps everyone in one vehicle at one fixed price.

Coming home

The same fixed fare applies from Heathrow to Thornton Heath. Your driver tracks your flight, waits in arrivals with a name board and helps with your luggage. If you are delayed, there is no extra charge.

Early departures from CR7

Many long-haul flights to Africa, the Caribbean and South Asia leave Heathrow in the morning or late evening, and early check-ins mean leaving Thornton Heath before the first trains. A pre-booked car turns up at the agreed time, however early. As a guide, leave around three hours before a long-haul departure, and allow extra time for bag drop if you are checking in heavy luggage.

Booking for a relative

If you are booking a car to collect a relative arriving at Heathrow from abroad, put their name and mobile number on the booking. The driver will hold a name board in arrivals, track the flight, and call them if needed. You will receive the confirmation by email.

Frequently asked questions