Sheerness sits at the far end of the Isle of Sheppey, so every trip to the airport begins with the same stretch: out along the A250 and over the Sheppey Crossing on the A249. From there the route depends on which airport you're flying from.
At a glance
| Airport | Distance by road | Typical taxi time | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick | about 57 miles | 1 hr 10 – 1 hr 30 | A249 Sheppey Crossing, M20, M26, M25 and M23 |
| London Heathrow | about 82 miles | 1 hr 35 – 2 hr | A249, M20, M26, M25 and M4 |
| London Stansted | about 76 miles | 1 hr 20 – 1 hr 50 | A249, M2, A2, the Dartford Crossing, M25 and M11 |
Sheerness to Gatwick
Gatwick is usually the quickest of the big three. The route heads south from the A249 onto the M20, then the M26 to join the M25 westbound, and finally the M23 down to the airport. There's no river crossing, so the journey time is fairly predictable outside the morning rush. Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, linked by a free shuttle train, so check which one your airline uses before you set off.
Sheerness to Heathrow
At around 82 miles, Heathrow is the longest of the three. The route follows the same start as Gatwick (A249, M20, M26) and then carries on round the M25 to the M4. The western side of the M25 is one of the busiest roads in the country, so allow extra time on weekday mornings and Friday afternoons. Heathrow has Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, and we'll take you straight to the right one.
Sheerness to Stansted
Stansted is north of the Thames, so the route switches to the M2 and A2, crosses the river at Dartford, then follows the M25 clockwise to the M11. The distance is similar to Heathrow's, but the crossing is the big variable: on a clear run it's quick, while queues at busy times can add a lot. Remember the Dart Charge between 6am and 10pm if you're driving yourself.
What about the train?
Sheerness-on-Sea station is at the end of the Sheerness line to Sittingbourne, so any rail journey to the airport starts with a change at Sittingbourne and usually another in London:
- Gatwick: into London, then a train such as the Gatwick Express or Thameslink down to the airport
- Heathrow: across London, then the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express from Paddington
- Stansted: across London to Liverpool Street, then the Stansted Express
With luggage, children or an early flight, two or three changes add up, and the first trains of the day may not get you there in time. Check National Rail for current times, then compare with a door-to-terminal taxi.
The easy option
A taxi takes you from your front door in Sheerness straight to the terminal, with your bags in the boot and a fixed price agreed in advance. See all six airports, journey times and pickup areas on our Sheerness airport taxi page, or book using the form at the top of this page.
