Getting from London to Florence, Italy
Making a stop to enjoy London before traveling on to Florence? There are three main options: rail, air from London Heathrow (LHR), and air from Gatwich (GTW). This post will compare departures by air.
🛫 Airport Access from Conrad London St. James
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- Distance: ~16 miles west of central London.
- Transit: ~45–60 minutes by taxi; ~50 minutes via Tube (District Line → Piccadilly Line) or Heathrow Express from Paddington.
- Advantage: Direct, fast rail link (Heathrow Express) and more predictable transfers.
- London Gatwick (LGW)
- Distance: ~28 miles south of central London.
- Transit: ~75–90 minutes by taxi; ~35 minutes via Gatwick Express from Victoria Station (which is very close to Conrad St. James).
- Advantage: Easy access from your hotel — you can walk or take a short Tube ride to Victoria Station and hop on the Gatwick Express.
✈️ Flight Options to Florence (FLR)
- From Heathrow (LHR → FLR)
- British Airways operates nonstop flights (~2h 25m).
- More premium service, frequent schedules, and lower CO₂ emissions compared to connecting flights.
- Typically slightly higher fares than Gatwick options.
- From Gatwick (LGW → FLR)
- Vueling and other carriers operate nonstop flights (~2h 20m).
- Often cheaper than Heathrow, but fewer daily frequencies.
- Convenient if you prefer the quick Gatwick Express from Victoria.
⚖️ Comparison Table
| Factor | Heathrow (LHR) | Gatwick (LGW) |
|---|---|---|
| Travel from hotel | 50–60 min (Tube/Express) | 35 min (Gatwick Express from Victoria) |
| Airlines | British Airways (nonstop) | Vueling, easyJet (nonstop) |
| Flight time | ~2h 25m | ~2h 20m |
| Frequency | Higher (multiple BA flights daily) | Lower (fewer daily departures) |
| Cost | Generally higher | Often cheaper |
| Comfort/service | Premium BA service | Budget carriers |
✅ Best Choice
- If you value comfort, frequency, and premium service → Heathrow (LHR → FLR) with British Airways.
- If you want speedy access from your hotel and lower fares → Gatwick (LGW → FLR) with Vueling.
Since Conrad London St. James is just a short hop from Victoria Station, Gatwick is logistically very convenient. But if you prefer the reliability and service of BA, Heathrow wins.
Here’s a door‑to‑door comparison mapped out from Conrad London St. James (Westminster) to Florence Airport (FLR) via both Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) for your travel date (March 18, 2026).
🚕 Step 1: Hotel → Airport
🛫Heathrow (LHR → FLR)
Transit
- Taxi/Uber to LHR: £60–80 per vehicle → $76–102 USD total (split between 2 people).
- Tube + Heathrow Express: £27 per person → $34 USD each → $68 USD total.
Flights
- British Airways nonstop: £135–175 per person → $171–222 USD each → $342–444 USD total.
- Other alliances (SWISS, Lufthansa, KLM): similar range, slightly higher.
Total Door‑to‑Door (2 people)
- Taxi + Flight: $418–546 USD
- Tube + Express + Flight: $410–512 USD
🛫Gatwick (LGW → FLR)
Transit
- Taxi/Uber to LGW: £100–120 per vehicle → $127–152 USD total (split between 2 people).
- Gatwick Express (from Victoria): £20–25 per person → $25–32 USD each → $50–64 USD total.
Flights
- Vueling nonstop: £65–100 per person → $83–127 USD each → $166–254 USD total.
- Iberia codeshare / BA (LGW): ~£100–120 per person → $127–152 USD each → $254–304 USD total.
Total Door‑to‑Door (2 people)
- Taxi + Flight: $293–406 USD
- Express + Flight: $216–318 USD
✈️ Step 2: Flight Options (March 18, 2026)
🛫Heathrow (LHR → FLR)
- British Airways nonstop: ~2h 25m, ~£135–£175 ($170–$226).
- Other alliances (SWISS, Lufthansa, KLM): connecting flights, ~£145–£190.
- Frequency: Multiple BA flights daily.
- Comfort: Premium service, lounge access, more reliability.
🛫Gatwick (LGW → FLR)
- Vueling nonstop: ~2h 15m, ~£65–£100 ($82–$129).
- Iberia codeshare / BA (LGW): ~£100–£120 ($127-152).
- Frequency: 1–2 flights daily.
- Comfort: Budget carriers, fewer frills.
🚖 Step 3: Arrival in Florence (FLR)
- Airport → City Centre (Duomo/Piazza della Signoria):
- Taxi: ~20–25 minutes, €25–30 ($27-33)..
- Tram (T2 line): ~20 minutes, €1.50 ($1.64).
- Airport → Hotels near Santa Maria Novella Station: ~15–20 minutes by taxi or tram.
⚖️ Side‑by‑Side Comparison (2 Travelers)
| Route | Transit (2 ppl) | Flight (2 ppl) | Total Door‑to‑Door |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow (Taxi) | $76–102 | $342–444 | $418–546 |
| Heathrow (Tube+Express) | $68 | $342–444 | $410–512 |
| Gatwick (Taxi) | $127–152 | $166–254 | $293–406 |
| Gatwick (Express) | $50–64 | $166–254 | $216–318 |
✅ Best Value for Two People
🔎 Key Takeaways
- Gatwick Express + Vueling: Cheapest option at $216–318 USD total for two people.
- Heathrow + BA nonstop: Premium option at $410–512 USD total for two people.
- Taxi transfers raise costs significantly compared to train options.
- Victoria Station proximity makes Gatwick Express especially convenient from Conrad London St. James.
This chart makes it clear: Gatwick Express + Vueling is the most cost‑effective and logistically smooth choice for two travelers, while Heathrow + BA is the premium comfort option.
AIRLINE INFORMATION
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