How long does it take?
Heathrow is about 12 miles from Tolworth. Outside the rush hour, the drive usually takes around 35 minutes. On weekday mornings, on Friday afternoons, or when there are problems on the M25 or around the airport perimeter, it can stretch to 50 minutes or more. We plan every pickup with that in mind.
As a rule of thumb, for an international flight aim to be at the terminal around three hours before departure, or two hours for a short-haul flight. Check your airline's advice, work back from there, and add the drive time.
Know your terminal
Heathrow has four terminals, and they're not all in the same place. Getting it wrong can cost you real time.
- Terminals 2 and 3 share the central area of the airport. Terminal 2 handles many Star Alliance airlines, and Terminal 3 many long-haul carriers.
- Terminal 4 is on the southern side of the airport, separate from the others.
- Terminal 5 is at the western end and is used mainly by British Airways.
Airlines occasionally move terminals, so check your booking confirmation before you travel and tell us the terminal when you book.
Coming home: meet and greet
Arriving after a long flight is when a pre-booked car helps most. Book with your flight number, and we'll time the pickup to your actual landing rather than the scheduled time. Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name board. You don't need to hunt for a pickup bay, queue at a taxi rank or drag your cases onto a train and then a bus back to Tolworth.
Drop-off charges
Heathrow charges every vehicle that drops passengers at a terminal forecourt, and parking charges apply for meet and greet pickups. Ask us how these are handled in your fare when you book, so there are no surprises.
Choosing the right car
Most couples and small families are fine in a saloon, which takes up to four passengers and two large suitcases. If you're going away for a few weeks, have a buggy, golf clubs or skis, choose an estate or MPV. For business trips, our executive cars give you a quieter, more comfortable ride.
Heathrow from across our area
We collect for Heathrow from Tolworth and every area around it. The journey time is similar from Surbiton, Kingston, New Malden and Hinchley Wood, all of which are close to the A3. See all our areas we cover.
Written and checked by the Tolworth Cars team. Last updated 22 September 2026.