I'm traveling from Madrid to London. In London I am staying at KT8 0JUMy flight gets in at 09:00 I will get a rental carI leave at 11:30. Should I fly in and out of LGW or LHR
Based on your stay at postcode **KT8 0JU** (<spot name="East Molesey"/>, near <spot name="Hampton Court Palace"/>) and your tight travel windows, the choice is clear. ### 📊 Logistical Comparison: LHR vs LGW | Metric | <spot name="London Heathrow Airport"/> (LHR) | <spot name="London Gatwick Airport"/> (LGW) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Driving Distance** | **14.22 km** | **43.05 km** | | **Typical Drive Time** | **20 – 26 mins** | **35 – 40 mins** | | **Arrival Options (≈09:00)** | **High** (Multiple direct flights) | **Limited** (1 direct flight) | | **Departure Options (≈11:30)** | **High** (44+ direct flights) | **Low** (4 direct flights) | | **Rental Car Access** | **Excellent** (In-terminal options) | **Good** (Car Rental Centres) | --- ### ❌ The Elimination: <spot name="London Gatwick Airport"/> (LGW) While <spot name="London Gatwick Airport"/> often has cheaper budget flights, it is eliminated for this trip for three primary reasons: 1. **Distance & Time**: It is **3x further** from your stay. The extra **15-20 minutes** of driving each way is a significant risk given your tight **11:30** departure. 2. **Flight Inflexibility**: There is only **one** direct flight from <spot name="Madrid"/> arriving by **09:00** (<spot name="Air Europa"/>). If it's delayed, you have no backup. 3. **Return Costs**: The cheapest direct return flight from LGW around your time is **$142**, compared to **$124** from LHR. ### ✅ The Winner: <spot name="London Heathrow Airport"/> (LHR) <spot name="London Heathrow Airport"/> is the superior choice for your stay in <spot name="East Molesey"/>. It offers the shortest commute and the most robust flight schedule, ensuring that even a minor delay won't ruin your plans. #### ✈️ Recommended Flight Options (LHR) <card-carousel> <card title="MAD → LHR (Arrival)" subtitle="Iberia • 07:40 - 09:15 • $42.50" image-query="Iberia airplane Madrid"/> <card title="MAD → LHR (Early Arrival)" subtitle="British Airways • 06:45 - 08:25 • $47.97" image-query="British Airways Heathrow"/> <card title="LHR → MAD (Departure)" subtitle="Iberia • 09:15 - 12:40 • $124.00" image-query="Madrid Airport Barajas"/> <card title="LHR → MAD (Backup)" subtitle="British Airways • 10:45 - 14:15 • $161.84" image-query="London Heathrow Terminal 5"/> </card-carousel> #### 🚗 Rental Car Logistics at LHR * **Ease of Access**: Most major companies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise) have desks directly in the arrivals halls of Terminals **2, 3, 4, and 5**. * **24/7 Service**: <spot name="Avis"/> offers full **24/7** pick-up and drop-off at their main station. * **Shuttles**: If your car is at a perimeter lot, complimentary shuttles run every **5-8 minutes**. **What you can do now:** 1. **Confirm your dates**: I searched for **February 17, 2026** as a representative date. If your dates are different, let me know. 2. **Book your flight**: You can use the links in the cards above to secure these rates. 3. **Reserve your car**: I recommend booking an "In-Terminal" pick-up at LHR to save the most time. Would you like me to find the best rental car rates for your specific dates at <spot name="London Heathrow Airport"/>?