Travelling to an airport involves more than simply reaching the terminal. You need to consider the flight schedule, airline check-in requirements, road conditions, luggage, passenger numbers and the possibility of delays during the journey.

These details are particularly important for passengers travelling from Kent to airports around London and the South East. Depending on the route, the journey may include busy motorways, major junctions, river crossings and congested roads near the airport.

A properly planned private airport transfer can remove much of this uncertainty. Instead of changing trains, managing heavy suitcases through stations or locating an airport car park, passengers can travel directly from their agreed pickup address to the required terminal.

Book Your Airport Transfer in Advance

An airport transfer should ideally be arranged as soon as your travel details are confirmed. Booking early gives you time to check the route, correct any errors and make sure the proposed vehicle is suitable for your passengers and luggage.

Advance booking is particularly important during school holidays, bank holidays, weekends and other periods when demand may be higher. It is also advisable for early-morning departures, late-night arrivals and longer journeys to airports further from your part of Kent.

You should book as early as practical when you require:

• A larger vehicle for several passengers
• Space for multiple large suitcases
• More than one collection address
• An early-morning or late-night pickup
• A return journey from the airport
• Transport for a family or small group
• Space for a pushchair or mobility equipment
• Transport for unusually large items

Confirm the Correct Airport and Terminal

Several major airports have multiple terminals, separate drop-off points and different access routes. Giving only the airport name may therefore leave an important part of the journey unclear.

When booking, provide:

• The complete name of the airport
• The correct departure or arrival terminal
• The airline
• The flight number
• The scheduled flight time
• The exact date of travel

Check these details against your airline confirmation rather than relying on memory. It is also sensible to review them again shortly before departure because airlines may occasionally update operational details.

Accurate information allows the route to be planned for the correct terminal and helps prevent avoidable changes once the journey has started.

Calculate Your Pickup Time by Working Backwards

Do not choose a collection time using only the fastest driving estimate shown by a navigation application.

Start with the time your airline requires you to be at the airport. Then work backwards and include:

1. The airline’s recommended terminal arrival time
2. The estimated driving time from your address
3. Extra time for possible congestion or road disruption
4. Time to load passengers and luggage
5. Time to enter the terminal drop-off area
6. A reasonable contingency margin

The correct pickup time will depend on your location in Kent, the airport, the flight schedule, the day of the week and anticipated road conditions.

A journey from Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham or another Kent town may pass through several areas where journey times can change quickly. The transfer should therefore be based on realistic conditions, not only the shortest theoretical route.

Allow for Kent and London Traffic Conditions

Kent has direct connections to London and the surrounding airports, but travel times can vary considerably throughout the day.

Routes may be affected by conditions around:

• The M25
• The Dartford Crossing
• The M20 and M2
• The A2
• The M23 towards Gatwick
• Roads approaching East and central London
• Airport terminal access roads
• Local roads around your collection address

Weekday commuting periods, Friday afternoons, school holidays, public events, accidents, roadworks and poor weather can all influence the journey.

This does not mean that an excessive amount of additional time must be added to every booking. It means that the collection time should reflect the route and travel conditions likely to apply to that particular journey.

Provide a Complete Pickup Address

A precise pickup address helps prevent unnecessary delays at the beginning of the journey. Give the full address and postcode, together with any information that may help the driver locate the correct entrance.

Useful details may include:

• A house or building name
• A flat or apartment number
• A gated entrance or access code
• A hotel reception area
• Parking or stopping restrictions
• A difficult-to-find driveway
• A preferred meeting or collection point

Passengers staying at a hotel should provide the complete hotel name and address. Those being collected from holiday accommodation, a business address or a rural property should include any useful access instructions.

When several passengers are travelling together, decide whether everyone will meet at one address or whether additional collection stops are required. Extra stops should be agreed in advance because they can affect both the route and the required pickup time.

Give Accurate Passenger and Luggage Information

The vehicle must have enough capacity for the passengers and everything travelling with them.

A vehicle that can legally carry four passengers may not necessarily have enough luggage space for four large suitcases, cabin bags, a pushchair and additional equipment. Passenger capacity and luggage capacity must be considered together.

When requesting your transfer, specify:

• The total number of passengers
• The number of large checked suitcases
• The number of cabin bags
• Pushchairs or folded prams
• Wheelchairs or mobility equipment
• Golf bags or sports equipment
• Musical instruments
• Oversized or unusually shaped items

Providing accurate information helps ensure that the proposed vehicle is appropriate for the entire journey. It is better to describe an uncertain item in advance than discover on the day that the available luggage space is insufficient.

Plan Carefully for Families and Groups

Airport travel can require more preparation when several people are travelling together. Families may need additional time to organise children, travel documents, luggage and other essential items before leaving the property.

Groups may require a larger vehicle, more luggage capacity or a clearly agreed meeting point. Before booking, confirm:

• The number of adults and children
• The total amount of luggage
• Whether a pushchair is being carried
• Whether any passenger has reduced mobility
• Whether more than one collection stop is required
• Whether every passenger can be ready at the agreed time

Giving complete information at the beginning makes it easier to plan the journey correctly and reduces the risk of last-minute complications.

Prepare for an Early-Morning Airport Transfer

Early flights are one of the main reasons passengers choose pre-booked door-to-door transport. Public transport may be limited during the night or early morning, while driving yourself means locating parking and travelling from the car park to the terminal.

Prepare the evening before by:

• Packing and closing all luggage
• Checking passports and travel documents
• Confirming your airport and terminal
• Charging mobile phones
• Setting more than one alarm
• Keeping keys and important items together
• Making sure every passenger knows the pickup time

Try to be completely ready a few minutes before collection. This leaves time to check the property, collect the final bags and begin the journey without unnecessary pressure.

Arrange the Return Airport Pickup

Passengers often plan the outward journey carefully but leave the return transport until later. Arranging both directions in advance gives you a clear plan for reaching home after the flight.

This is particularly useful after a long journey, when passengers may be tired, carrying luggage and less willing to compare transport options at the airport.

For a return airport collection, provide:

• The return flight number
• The scheduled arrival date
• The scheduled landing time
• The arrival airport and terminal
• The number of passengers
• Your final destination
• A working contact telephone number

Check the arrival date carefully. Overnight and long-haul flights may land on a different calendar date from the one on which they departed.

The flight number is particularly important because it identifies the correct flight even when its scheduled time changes.

Airport Transfers Available from Kent

Kent Transfer Services offers pre-booked transfers to several major airports. Select the relevant destination below to view more information and example fares.

Private Transfer, Train or Airport Parking?

The lowest advertised travel price is not always the lowest complete cost or the most practical option. Compare the entire journey rather than only the initial fare.

A private airport transfer provides a direct journey from the agreed collection address to the terminal. For families, groups, passengers with substantial luggage and people travelling early or late, this can provide greater practical value than comparing the headline fare alone.

Information to Include When Requesting a Quote

Complete journey information allows the route and vehicle requirements to be assessed more accurately.

Include the following details in your first enquiry:

• Pickup address and postcode
• Destination airport
• Departure or arrival terminal
• Date of travel
• Required terminal arrival time
• Flight number
• Number of passengers
• Number and approximate size of bags
• Additional pickup or drop-off points
• Return-flight details
• Any specific passenger or vehicle requirements

The final fare may depend on the route, date, collection time, waiting requirements, luggage, additional stops and the type of vehicle required.

Frequently Asked Questions