Get London Transfer Ltd is a TfL licensed private hire operator - London private hire operator licence number 11588. getlondontransfer.co.uk and rushxo.com are trading names of Get London Transfer Ltd, and rushxo.co.uk is the UK site of rushxo.com. Every booking made on these websites is operated by Get London Transfer Ltd.
Short layover: is a trip into London realistic?
Travellers with a 6 to 10 hour layover often ask whether they can see London and get back in time. It can work, but count the steps honestly.
- Entry: leaving the airport means passing through UK border control, so you need an ETA if your nationality requires one. It costs £20 and should be sorted before you fly.
- Getting out: immigration queues vary, and you lose time before you even reach the train or car.
- Getting back: you need to be back for security and your airline's boarding deadline, with a buffer for delays.
Rail into central London is predictable for one or two people. A car with a fixed per-car fare can suit a family, especially if you want to see a couple of sights without changing trains. Airport pick-ups include 60 minutes' free waiting while you clear immigration.
Q: Do I need an ETA to leave Heathrow on a layover?
A: Yes, if your nationality requires one. Going landside means passing through UK border control, so the airside transit exemption does not apply.
UK ETA: sort it before you book your transfer
Visitors often ask whether they need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation. Nationals of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other visa-free countries have needed one since 8 January 2025, and most European nationals since 2 April 2025. The grace period ended on 25 February 2026, so travellers without one can be refused boarding.
- The fee is £20. Apply on GOV.UK or through the official UK ETA app. Lookalike sites charge more.
- Every traveller needs their own ETA, including children.
- Apply well before you fly, even though many decisions are quick.
Check this before you book hotels or an airport transfer. A pre-booked car is no use if your airline will not let you board.
Q: How much does a UK ETA cost?
A: £20, paid through GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app. Avoid other sites that add service fees.
eGates: who can use them, including children
Visitors often ask whether their passport works in the UK eGates. According to GOV.UK, you can use them if you are 8 or over and hold a biometric passport from:
- the UK, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein (EU and similar ID cards may also work), or
- Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United States.
Children aged 8 to 17 must be with an adult, and everyone must be at least 120cm tall. Under-8s cannot use eGates, so families with young children go to a staffed desk together.
Why it matters for your transfer: staffed desks can be slower, so families should allow more time. Airport pick-ups include 60 minutes' free waiting, so you do not need to rush.
Q: Can my 6-year-old use the eGates?
A: No. Children under 8 cannot use the eGates, so the family will need to use a staffed desk.
Landing early: getting to your hotel before check-in
A common question is what to do when an overnight flight lands hours before hotel check-in. Most hotels will store your bags if you ask, and some offer early check-in for a fee or if a room is ready. Email the hotel before you travel.
The order of your morning matters:
- By train: you take your cases across London at rush hour, often with a change, before you can drop them.
- By car: you go straight from arrivals to the hotel door, hand over your bags and head out light.
We have no night rate, so very early arrivals cost the same as midday ones. Airport pick-ups include 60 minutes' free waiting, and parking is in the quote. For a couple or family, one car fare often compares well with several rush-hour train tickets.
Q: Can I leave my bags at the hotel before check-in?
A: Most hotels will store luggage for arriving guests. Confirm with your hotel before you travel.
Storing bags between checkout and your flight
Visitors with an evening flight often ask where to leave bags after checking out. There are no public lockers on the Tube, but there are other options:
- Your hotel: most will hold bags after checkout. This is usually the simplest choice.
- Station left-luggage desks: several main line stations have staffed, paid services.
- Storage apps: services such as Stasher and Bounce use local shops and hotels.
Plan the airport journey from wherever your bags are. If they stay at the hotel, book your car from the hotel at the time you need to leave. You avoid a trip back across town, then a train to the airport with luggage.
Our fares are per car and include the airport drop-off charge.
Q: Are there luggage lockers at London Tube stations?
A: No. There are no public lockers on the Tube for security reasons. Use your hotel, a station left-luggage desk or a storage app.
Harry Potter Studio Tour: getting there on time
A common question is how to get to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Tickets are not sold at the door and often sell out weeks ahead, so book before you plan transport. Entry is at a set time.
- Train and shuttle: train from Euston to Watford Junction, then the studio shuttle bus. It is cheap but has two steps, so leave a margin.
- Coach packages: tickets plus travel from central London, which helps if standalone tickets have sold out.
- Car: door to studio and back, timed around your entry slot.
The studio is near the M25 north-west of London, so some visitors fit it in on an arrival or departure day. Check the studio's rules on large luggage first. Our fares are per car, which suits families sharing one trip.
Q: Can I buy Harry Potter Studio Tour tickets on the day?
A: No. Tickets are not sold at the door, so book online in advance, often weeks ahead.
Windsor Castle: by train, or on your way to or from Heathrow
Visitors often ask whether to go to Windsor via Paddington or Waterloo. From Paddington you change at Slough for Windsor & Eton Central. From Waterloo, trains run direct to Windsor & Eton Riverside but take longer. The castle sometimes closes at short notice for royal events, so check the Royal Collection Trust website before you go.
Windsor is close to Heathrow, which opens another option. Instead of a separate day trip, some visitors fit the castle into an arrival or departure day, travelling by car between the airport, Windsor and the hotel.
If you do that, check the castle's rules on luggage, and leave plenty of time before your flight. Our fares are per car, with airport charges included.
Q: Is Windsor close to Heathrow?
A: Yes. It is a short drive from the airport, which is why some visitors combine a castle visit with their arrival or departure day.
Duty-free at London airports since 2021
Visitors often ask what is still tax-free at London airports. Since 1 January 2021, tax-free airside sales of goods such as electronics and clothing have ended, and the VAT refund scheme for overseas visitors has gone. Duty-free alcohol and tobacco is still sold where available, including to passengers flying to the EU.
Many shops in town will ship purchases to your home address abroad without VAT, which can be easier than carrying them.
If you are carrying big purchases home, plan the airport run around the luggage:
- Mention extra bags or boxes when you book, so the vehicle has room.
- Leave time at the airport for any extra bag fees.
Our fares are per car, not per bag, and include the airport drop-off charge.
Q: Can tourists claim VAT back at Heathrow?
A: No. The VAT refund scheme for overseas visitors ended on 1 January 2021. Some shops will ship purchases abroad VAT-free instead.
