Looking for an airport transfer in the UK? Plenty of companies promise fixed prices, on-time pickups and friendly drivers, and it is hard to tell them apart, especially when you have an early flight and a lot of luggage. This comparison looks at four companies people often search for: what they cover, how their prices work, Meet & Greet, waiting time, vehicles and booking.
This article is written by Quick Airport Transfers. Details about the other three companies are taken from each company’s own website and were checked in October 2026. They can change, so please check with the company before you book.
- Quick Airport Transfers (Luton-based, five airports)
- Addison Lee (London-based)
- 1st Airport Taxis (Luton-based, UK-wide)
- Jewels Airport Transfers (UK airports and cruise ports)
1. Who are these companies?
Quick Airport Transfers is based in Luton and runs fixed-price transfers between any UK address and five airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester. We work 24/7, track your flight and offer optional Meet & Greet. Our vehicles range from saloons to an MPV that carries up to 8 passengers. You can read our reviews on Google.
Addison Lee was founded in 1975 and describes itself as London’s largest car, black taxi and courier service. It covers all five London airports. Its airport services are Airport Select (a VW ID.4, up to 4 passengers), Airport+ (a VW Multivan, up to 6 passengers) and Airport Exec (executive cars such as an Audi A6/A8 or Mercedes E-Class/S-Class). It says every airport journey is either fully electric or carbon-neutral.
1st Airport Taxis was established in 2016 and has its office in Luton. It works 24/7 and covers the London airports and other major UK airports, with vehicles from saloons to minibuses.
Jewels Airport Transfers covers all UK airports plus cruise and ferry ports, including long-distance journeys across the UK. It runs private transfers only, with no shared rides.
2. Pricing: how each company charges
| Company | How the price works |
|---|---|
| Quick Airport Transfers | Fixed price for the journey you book, including airport parking, drop-off fees and any congestion charge on the route |
| Addison Lee | Fixed postcode-to-postcode pricing; its FAQ lists possible extras such as waiting time, extra stops, parking and tolls |
| 1st Airport Taxis | Fares described as fixed and all-inclusive; Luton Airport pick-up and drop-off fees included |
| Jewels Airport Transfers | Fixed fares quoted up front; its terms list some possible extras, such as tolls, waiting after the free hour and a surcharge on certain holiday dates |
Prices depend on your route, date and vehicle, so the only fair way to compare is to get a quote from each company for your own journey. When you do, check what is included: airport charges, waiting time and Meet & Greet are where quotes most often differ.
3. Coverage: which airports they serve
| Company | Airports | Where from |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Airport Transfers | Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Manchester | Any UK address |
| Addison Lee | Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City | London-based |
| 1st Airport Taxis | All London airports plus major UK airports such as Manchester, Edinburgh and East Midlands | UK-wide |
| Jewels Airport Transfers | All UK airports plus cruise and ferry ports | UK-wide |
We do not cover London City, other UK airports or cruise ports. If you live in Luton, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire or anywhere else in the UK and you are flying from one of our five airports, we can take you there.
4. Meet & Greet and waiting time
- Quick Airport Transfers: Meet & Greet is an optional extra at £10 per leg, on a leg that starts at an airport. Your driver waits inside arrivals and helps with your bags. Every airport pickup includes 45 minutes of free waiting from the time your flight lands. Our Meet & Greet guide explains how it works.
- Addison Lee: at most UK airports your driver meets you in arrivals; at Heathrow Terminal 5 international arrivals, at Meeting Point South. Its Airport services include 60 minutes of waiting and car parking in the price.
- 1st Airport Taxis: says Meet & Greet is included in the cost of its service.
- Jewels Airport Transfers: Meet & Greet can be requested when you book and may cost extra (no price is published). It includes one hour of free waiting.
5. Flight tracking
All four companies say they track your flight, so your pickup moves if you land early or late. Whoever you book with, give them your flight number: it is what makes tracking possible. Addison Lee, for example, says it adjusts your driver’s arrival “where possible”.
6. Vehicles
| Company | Vehicles | Largest |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Airport Transfers | Saloon (VW Passat or similar), Business Class (Mercedes S-Class or similar), MPV 6 (Seat Alhambra or similar) | MPV 8 (VW Transporter or similar), up to 8 passengers |
| Addison Lee | VW ID.4 (electric), executive cars (Audi A6/A8, Mercedes E-Class/S-Class) | VW Multivan, up to 6 passengers; coaches of 16 seats and more on request |
| 1st Airport Taxis | Saloon, business class, executive saloon, V-Class MPV | Minibuses of 8 to 20 seats, including a 16-seat minicoach |
| Jewels Airport Transfers | Saloon, estate, executive car, executive people carrier (up to 6), people carrier | 8-seater |
Not sure what size you need? Our vehicle and luggage guide explains what each of our vehicles carries.
7. Booking and keeping in touch
- Quick Airport Transfers: instant quote on our website; before your pickup, we email you your driver’s name, mobile number and vehicle registration. Phone 24/7 on +44 1582 800333, or WhatsApp.
- Addison Lee: book on its website or app; UK car bookings can be made up to 3 months ahead.
- 1st Airport Taxis: online booking with an email confirmation; details sent by WhatsApp, with a live link to follow your driver.
- Jewels Airport Transfers: online booking with a confirmation email, then a second email with your driver’s number.
8. Which should you choose?
| If you want | Look at |
|---|---|
| A fixed price from any UK address to Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted or Manchester | Quick Airport Transfers |
| A transfer to or from London City Airport | Addison Lee, 1st Airport Taxis or Jewels |
| A cruise or ferry port | Jewels Airport Transfers |
| A group of more than 7 in one vehicle | 1st Airport Taxis (minibuses) or Addison Lee (coaches on request) |
| A fully electric car | Addison Lee (Airport Select) |
| Booking by app | Addison Lee |
What our customers say
“Great service. I landed early and they did all they could to collect me as soon as I landed. The driver Noman was extremely nice and professional. The car was nice and clean and it was overall a very pleasant journey home. Would recommend and will use again.” — Sam Bellefontaine, Google review
“Very reliable service. My flight has been delayed twice and in total 5 hours. The pickup time is changed to midnight on the New year’s day. The pickup was changed and well managed. The trip was safely driven and the driver was very polite. Highly recommended.” — Wang Charles, Google review
Why book with Quick Airport Transfers
- Fixed prices that include airport parking and drop-off charges.
- 24/7 by phone and WhatsApp.
- Flight tracking, with 45 minutes of free waiting on airport pickups.
- Meet & Greet for £10: your driver waits for you inside arrivals.
- Vehicles for 1 to 8 passengers, from a saloon to an 8-seat MPV.
Get your fixed price
Get an instant fixed-price quote for your transfer to or from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted or Manchester, or call us 24/7 on +44 1582 800333.
