A taxi from Gatwick to Harwich International Port costs £182.90 in a saloon with Onward Travel Solutions. That covers three passengers with three large cases from either Gatwick terminal, paid to the driver on the day. The trip back from Harwich is priced on distance and comes to within a pound of the same.
From Gatwick the quickest way to the Essex coast is round the east of the M25 and over the Dartford Crossing, which avoids London altogether. It’s a long run of around 100 miles, so it suits groups and families sharing the fare, and anyone with too much luggage for three trains.
Gatwick to Harwich Taxi Prices
Live fares from the OTS Taxi booking system. Each price is for the whole vehicle.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Large cases | Gatwick → Harwich |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | 3 | 3 | £182.90 |
| Estate | 4 | 4 | £206.14 |
| Executive | 3 | 2 | £249.23 |
| People carrier | 6 | 5 | £241.38 |
| 8-seater minivan | 8 | 8 | £320.86 |
| Executive minivan | 6 | 6 | £377.03 |
| 12-seat minibus | 12 | 10 | from £488 |
| 16-seat minibus | 16 | 14 | from £557 |
Cost per person
| Group | Vehicle | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 people | Saloon | £182.90 | £60.97 |
| 4 people | Estate | £206.14 | £51.54 |
| 6 people | People carrier | £241.38 | £40.23 |
| 8 people | 8-seater minivan | £320.86 | £40.11 |
Book your return at the same time and the return leg is 5% off, about £356.66 for a saloon there and back.
The Route
The driver takes the M23 and M25 east, crosses at Dartford, joins the A12 at Brentwood and follows it past Chelmsford and Colchester before the A120 to the port. Expect roughly 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes depending on the Dartford Crossing and the A12.
Taxi or Train?
By train it’s Gatwick to London Bridge, across to Liverpool Street, out to Manningtree and a change for Harwich International: about 2 hours 35 minutes and three trains. The taxi is quicker door to door and the only option that doesn’t involve carrying cases across London.
Harwich International Port
The port is at Parkeston on the Stour estuary, a little way west of Harwich itself. Stena Line sails from here to the Hook of Holland, and cruise ships call too. Your driver drops you at the passenger terminal. If you’re travelling for a ferry, have your booking reference ready; for a cruise, your luggage tags should already be on.
Pickup at Gatwick
Tell us your flight number and terminal, North or South. Onward Travel Solutions tracks your flight and gives you one hour of free waiting from landing, with a driver waiting in arrivals.
Planning Your Day: Gatwick to Harwich
The key is your sailing’s check-in deadline. Stena Line runs both daytime and overnight crossings to the Hook of Holland, and your ticket shows the latest check-in time for foot passengers. Cruise calls at Harwich have their own check-in slots. Work back from that time, allowing for the drive and a buffer for the Dartford Crossing. A typical connection for an evening sailing:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 13:00 | Flight lands at Gatwick |
| 13:00 to 13:45 | Passport control and baggage reclaim |
| 13:45 | Meet your driver in arrivals, North or South Terminal |
| 13:45 to 16:00 | M25 east, Dartford Crossing, A12 and A120 |
| Around 16:00 | Arrive at Harwich International Port |
Late afternoon is when the Dartford Crossing and the A12 around Chelmsford are at their busiest, so if your landing time pushes the drive into that window, give yourself extra slack. If it’s tight, flying in the day before is the calmer option.
Coming Back: Harwich to Gatwick
Overnight crossings arrive at Harwich early in the morning. From there, a midday or early-afternoon flight from Gatwick is realistic, with the drive taking two hours or so as the morning traffic eases. Tell us your sailing and flight times when you book and we’ll suggest a pickup time. The return is priced on distance and lands within a pound of the outbound fare.
Is the Taxi Worth It for the Distance?
For a solo traveller, the train via London Bridge, Liverpool Street and Manningtree is cheaper. For families and groups, the taxi soon competes:
- Three in a saloon: £60.97 each.
- Four in an estate: £51.54 each.
- Six in a people carrier: £40.23 each.
- Eight in an 8-seater minivan: £40.11 each.
You also skip three trains and two cross-London transfers with your cases, which on a sailing day is worth a lot.
The Dartford Crossing
This route crosses the Thames at Dartford, northbound through the tunnels. It’s built into the fixed fare, so there’s nothing extra to pay on the day, and it’s what keeps the journey out of central London.
Gatwick North or South Terminal?
The fare is the same from either. Your flight number tells us which terminal you’ll arrive at, and the driver meets you in that arrivals hall. If you’d like a name board, add a note to the booking.
Travelling With Children or Reduced Mobility
Child seats can be added in the booking form; give the ages so the right seats are fitted. Mention folding wheelchairs or walking aids in the notes and choose the estate or people carrier so there’s room for everything.
Why Book With Onward Travel Solutions?
A fixed price agreed before you travel, flight tracking with an hour’s free waiting, a driver who meets you in arrivals and an OTS team on the phone if plans change. You pay the driver on the day.
Ferry or Cruise: What to Tell Us When You Book
A few details help us plan the transfer properly:
- Your flight number and landing time, so we can track the flight and time the pickup.
- Whether you’re on the Stena Line ferry or a cruise, and the sailing time. Ferry and cruise passengers use different check-in arrangements at the port.
- The number of people and cases, including anything bulky such as boxed bikes, golf bags or a folding wheelchair.
- Any stops on the way, for example collecting a family member in Essex. Add it in the booking form so it’s included in your quote.
With that information, the OTS team can suggest a pickup time with enough margin and send a vehicle that fits everyone comfortably.
If Your Flight Is Delayed
We follow the actual landing time, and the first hour after landing is free. On a long transfer to a fixed sailing, though, a big delay can put the ship at risk. If your flight is running very late, call us and your ferry or cruise line. Ferry operators can often move foot passengers to a later sailing; cruise lines will tell you how late you can join.
Waiting at Harwich for Your Return
For the trip back, your driver will be at the passenger terminal when foot passengers start coming off. If the ship docks late or disembarkation is slow, we can see that and wait. There’s no need to rush through the terminal with heavy bags, and you won’t need to call around for a local cab on arrival.
If you’re staying in Essex for a night before flying home, give the hotel as the drop-off and we’ll price it the same way.
Paying and Changing Your Booking
Nothing is paid online. The fare is fixed when you book and you pay the driver on the day. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup through Manage My Booking; inside 24 hours, call the OTS team. Child seats and extra stops can be added in the booking form.
Related Transfers
- Harwich port taxi: all routes
- Heathrow to Harwich port taxi
- Stansted to Harwich port taxi
- Gatwick to Tilbury cruise terminal taxi
- Gatwick Airport taxi: all routes and fares
Gatwick to Harwich Taxi FAQs
How much is a taxi from Gatwick to Harwich?
£182.90 in a saloon for up to three people with Onward Travel Solutions. A people carrier for six is £241.38.
How long does it take?
Roughly 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes.
Does the route go through London?
No. It goes round the M25 and over the Dartford Crossing.
How far is it?
About 100 to 105 miles by road.
Can I book a return from Harwich?
Yes. Book both together and the return leg is 5% off.
Is the Dartford Crossing charge extra?
No. It’s part of the fixed route, so the quoted fare is what you pay.
Can you meet the overnight ferry from the Hook of Holland?
Yes. Give us your sailing and your driver will be waiting when foot passengers come off.
Should I fly in the day before?
If you land less than about four hours before the latest check-in time, it’s the safer choice.
Book Your Gatwick to Harwich Transfer
Enter your terminal, flight number and sailing details in the form at the top of the page to see the OTS Taxi price for every vehicle and book.