Arrival Information

Transport Options

Before you leave, give your sponsor a copy of your flight itinerary. This will provide valuable information that can be used if there is an emergency. RAF Lakenheath is located approximately 80-100 miles from the major UK airports: London Heathrow, Stansted or Gatwick. Since it is located in a rural area, it can be hard to obtain transportation. The base has put in place several methods for you to get to RAF Lakenheath and these include:

Military Shuttle

SHUTTLE BUS FROM HEATHROW AIRPORT: There is bus service directly from Heathrow to RAF Lakenheath. All official duty passengers are required to pay £50 per one-way trip. Payment can be made with GTC or Credit/Debit Card (US cash not accepted). Payment is mandatory for all personnel on officially funded orders (PCS, TDY, IPCOT, COT, ERD, RAT, Student Travel), to include civilian personnel on funded orders. Contact your sponsor or gaining unit to obtain the most current shuttle schedule and obtain directions from your arriving terminal.

PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE SHUTTLE. Outdoor Recreation has options for pet friendly travel.

Airport Shuttle Service - Outdoor Recreation (CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE)

Maybe you want to travel at your own convenience. If so, the base Outdoor Recreation department offers an Airport Shuttle bus service. They will send someone to the airport to meet and greet you then provide you with transportation to RAF Lakenheath. Groups can be anywhere from 1 to 12. The cost of the trip is listed below:

• Stansted: approximately $125 one way

• Heathrow: approximately $245 one way

• Gatwick: approximately $245 one way

Remember this price is for the whole group and they accept pets for an additional $50 fee to cover collection from Pet Reception at the Airport. The cost of the shuttle (minus pet fee if applicable) will be reimbursed to you when you file your travel voucher during in-processing. For reservations call DSN: 314-226-2146 or commercially to England on 011 44 1638 52 2146.

Official Travelers/Taxi Services

National Express Coach

The National Express Coach is like the Greyhound bus and has a pick-up/drop-off location at the airport. A ticket to RAF Lakenheath can cost as little as £30 pounds. Either book your tickets on-line prior to arrival or purchase at the airport. RAF Lakenheath is not an actual drop off location so ask for either a ticket to Mildenhall or Brandon. Both of these places are within 5 miles of RAF Lakenheath so it will be easy to obtain a taxi to get you to the base. Link to book a ticket is www.nationalexpress.co.uk. Destination is Mildenhall High Town.

Taxi Service/Courier Service

Colin's Courier Service has a contract with the bases. They can pick you up and get you directly on, as long as you bring with you the Visa or passport, and orders.

There are two taxi companies that have approval to come onto the perimeter without the need for you to sign them on the base M & L Taxi's and Phoenix Cabs. Contact them at taxisphoenix@aol.com or visit their website at https://phoenixtaxis.business.site for Phoenix Cabs by telephone it's 011 44 1638 52 2306 and M & L Taxi's is 011 44 1638 712261 or by e-mail at mandltaxis@btconnect.com or on-line at http://www.mandltaxis.com/. Prices range from £75.00 - £198.00 pounds depending on whether you need a car or a van. You will be subject to a 6% processing charge if you use a credit card. Order this taxi in advance as it can take up to 2 ½ hours to get to the airport. If you choose to get a local taxi on arrival this can cost you up to £250.00 pounds, obtain local taxi information at the airport. Ensure you agree the price of the taxi prior to getting into the cab and make sure they are a licensed taxi company before you leave.

Train

If you want to be a bit more adventurous you can always take the train. Again, obtain your tickets on arrival or on the website. The best station to get off would be Brandon as this is only 5 miles from the base. You would then be able to call one of the taxi companies above to obtain transportation to the base.

Arriving at Stansted and Gatwick Airports

Stansted or Gatwick Airports have no contracted bus service to RAF Lakenheath. If you plan to arrive at either of these airports, make arrangements with either the taxi's companies above or the outdoor recreation airport shuttle. The National Express bus is also available. Make sure your sponsor is aware of your travel arrangements so they can assist with your travel arrangements.