Extras: Airport transfer tips for travel agents

Start clients’ holidays in style with fast, convenient transfers to and from the airport. Janine Kelso looks at some of the best suppliers in the business

If you believe a holiday begins as soon as you leave your front door, then a fast and reliable airport transfer service is essential.

Here we round up a variety of ways of travelling to the airport when speed, comfort and style are important.

Train: Heathrow and Gatwick Express

Which airports? Heathrow and Gatwick

When and where? The Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes and departs Paddington every 15 minutes (5am-23.45pm); the Gatwick Express departs Victoria every 15 minutes (3.30am-12.30pm) and takes 30 minutes.  

They say: “Heathrow Express is the fastest, most stylish and hassle-free way to get to and from Heathrow. You can be in the centre of London, or right outside the airport in just 15 minutes.”

How much? A one-way ticket from Paddington to Heathrow costs £15.50. A one-way ticket from Victoria to Gatwick is £16.90. 

• Travel trade website: airportexpressalliance.com

Airport shuttle: Dot2Dot

Which airports? Heathrow and Gatwick

When and where? The service operates between Heathrow and Gatwick and central London. The shuttle serves every flight arriving and departing at Heathrow and  flights departing or arriving at Gatwick before 2pm. 

They say: “Dot2dot is a new airport transfer service using luxury shuttles. This is a door-to-door service at roughly half the price of a taxi, in a shared shuttle with plenty of legroom and space for luggage.”

How much? From £14 to £22 one way. Discounts are available for groups of passengers.

• Travel trade website: dot2.com/trade 

Taxi transfers: Holiday Taxis

Which airports? All UK airports – from Biggin Hill in Kent to Heathrow.

When and where? Any journey is possible. 

They say: “We offer UK transfers from fixed locations or from postcode to postcode with the ability to calculate prices instantly and then book online. Agents can choose to have either commissionable or net rates.”

How much? £42.24 for a one-way transfer from central London to Heathrow in a standard saloon car for up to four passengers. A VIP transfer in a luxury sedan costs £63.36 for the same journey.

• Travel trade website: holidaytaxis.com/login.php 

Parking: Holiday Extras

Which airports does it serve? Twenty three airports, including Teesside, Norwich and Exeter.

They say: “More than 1.5 million customers booked parking with us last year. Fewer than 0.2% of them had a complaint about the service. We won’t be beaten on price.”

How much? £53.50 for one week’s parking at Gatwick in August.

• Travel trade website: holidayextras.co.uk/login.php

Meet and greet parking: Meteor Meet & Greet

Which airports? Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester.

When and where? For Heathrow, the service operates from 4.30am until the last flight – about 10.30pm. For Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester, the service operates 24 hours a day.

They say: “Your customer’s car is collected and delivered at the terminal forecourt. It’s hassle-free and gives you a friendly personal service at fantastic prices.”

How much? £79.50 for one week’s parking at Gatwick in August.

• Travel trade website: boomerang-parking.co.uk/agents.html