London Airports
Explore key services, transportation, and tips for a seamless experience at London airports
London serves as a pivotal global travel hub, hosting six major airports: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), City (LCY), and Southend (SEN).
Each airport offers unique advantages and connectivity options, making it essential to select the right one based on your travel itinerary, destination, and transport preferences to and from the city.
For a quick overview and to help you decide which airport best fits your needs, refer to the brief information below for each airport or their respected airport pages that are linked within the sections.
Additionally, to see how each airport is positioned in relation to Central London, visit our London Airports Map section. For a comprehensive view and further details, please click through to the London Airports Map page. This visual guide is invaluable for understanding the geographic layout and transport connectivity of London’s airports.
London Airports Map
Explore our interactive London Airports Map to quickly assess the distances and estimated travel times from Central London.
For more detailed information and practical travel tips, visit our detailed London Airports Map page and individual London airports pages linked above.
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Heathrow, located 23 km west of Central London, is the UK’s largest airport and serves as a major international hub for both business and leisure travel.
Facilities Available: Heathrow boasts an extensive array of shops, from high-end luxury brands to high street names, lounges for relaxation, and free WiFi throughout the terminals. Additionally, it offers a wide range of dining options catering to various tastes and budgets.
Tips for Budget-Conscious Travellers: Utilise the free travel zone on buses around Heathrow for short distances. Look into advance booking for Heathrow Express tickets online for savings, or consider the Tube’s Piccadilly Line for a cost-effective route to Central London.
- Location: 23 km west of Central London
- Major Airlines: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and over 80 airlines
- Destinations: Over 180 destinations worldwide
- Transport: Heathrow Express, Tube (Piccadilly Line), buses, taxis, car rentals
- Facilities: Free WiFi, lounges, duty-free shops, restaurants, family facilities
- Average Taxi Fare to Central London: £45-£70
- Time to Central London: 15 minutes by Heathrow Express, 50 minutes by tube
Arrival Point in Central London from Heathrow Airport
- Heathrow Express and TFL Rail: Continue to provide swift access to Paddington Station. Paddington remains a key hub for those arriving from Heathrow, especially with the Heathrow Express service.
- Tube (Piccadilly Line): Offers stops across Central London, serving as a budget-friendly option for reaching areas like South Kensington, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, and Leicester Square.
- Elizabeth Line: Now connects Heathrow directly with central locations like Paddington, and beyond into East London and Essex, including stops such as Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf. This adds a significant new route for travellers, offering more options depending on their destination in or around London.
Discover detailed information about Heathrow Airport, including terminals, facilities, services, and planning your journey, by visiting the Heathrow Airport homepage and the Heathrow Airport Transport and Transfers page.
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Situated 47.5 km south of Central London, Gatwick Airport is known for its efficient single-runway operation. It offers a wide range of flights, especially to European destinations.
Budget-Friendly Amenities: Gatwick provides various amenities including budget dining options, duty-free shopping, and free WiFi. The airport also features lounges accessible at a charge for those looking to relax before their flight.
Unique Selling Points: Gatwick has a notable efficiency in handling flights and passengers. It also offers good connectivity to London via the Gatwick Express, which reaches Victoria Station in about 30 minutes.
- Location: 47.5 km south of Central London
- Major Airlines: EasyJet, British Airways, Norwegian Air Shuttle
- Destinations: 200+ destinations in 90 countries
- Transport: Gatwick Express, trains, buses, taxis, car rentals
- Facilities: Free WiFi, lounges, shops, restaurants, family facilities
- Average Taxi Fare to Central London: £60-£100
- Time to Central London: 30 minutes by Gatwick Express
Arrival Point in Central London from Gatwick Airport
- Gatwick Express: Arrives at Victoria Station, a central node for transport across London with Underground and bus connections.
- Southern and Thameslink Trains: Provide service to various central locations, including London Bridge and St Pancras International, offering convenient alternatives to the Gatwick Express.
For comprehensive details on Gatwick Airport’s amenities, navigation, and transportation options, please visit the Gatwick Airport homepage and the Gatwick Airport Transport and Transfers page.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Located 64 km northeast of Central London, Stansted primarily serves European and a few international destinations. It’s the largest base for low-cost carrier Ryanair.
Advice on Budget Travel and Staying Overnight: The airport is accessible via the Stansted Express from Liverpool Street Station. For early flights, consider staying in budget accommodations near the airport. Public buses provide a cheaper, albeit slower, option for reaching Central London.
- Location: 64 km northeast of Central London
- Major Airlines: Ryanair, EasyJet, several other low-cost airlines
- Destinations: Mainly Europe, some destinations in North Africa, and the Middle East
- Transport: Stansted Express, buses, taxis, car rentals
- Facilities: Free WiFi, lounges, duty-free, restaurants
- Average Taxi Fare to Central London: £80-£100
- Time to Central London: 47 minutes by Stansted Express
Arrival Point in Central London from Stansted Airport
- Stansted Express: Connects the airport with Liverpool Street Station, placing travellers within reach of Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines, as well as the Elizabeth Line for further travel across London.
Explore extensive resources on Stansted Airport, from airport services to ground transportation, by checking out the Stansted Airport homepage and the Stansted Airport Transport and Transfers page.
Luton Airport (LTN)
Luton Airport, located 55 km north of Central London, is accessible by train from St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway, followed by a short shuttle bus ride. The airport serves a variety of European destinations and offers facilities like shops, eateries, and free WiFi.
Cost-Saving Tips for Using This Airport: Advance booking for shuttle and train tickets can offer savings. Consider using local buses that connect to nearby towns and central London for a budget-friendly travel option.
- Location: 55 km north of Central London
- Major Airlines: EasyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair
- Destinations: Primarily Europe
- Transport: Trains, buses, taxis, car rentals
- Facilities: Free WiFi, shops, places to eat
- Average Taxi Fare to Central London: £80-£120
- Time to Central London: 25 minutes by train (to St Pancras International)
Arrival Point in Central London from Luton Airport
- Trains (East Midlands Railway and Thameslink): A shuttle bus connects the airport to Luton Airport Parkway station, with trains bringing passengers to St Pancras International. This station’s connectivity includes the Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines, alongside the Elizabeth Line for extended access to London and beyond.
Access full information on Luton Airport, including its offerings and transit links, by visiting the Luton Airport homepage and the Luton Airport Transport and Transfers page.
London City Airport (LCY)
Why It’s a Preferred Choice for Certain Travellers: Its proximity to Central London, just 11 km east, makes it highly convenient for business travellers and those looking to minimise travel time. The airport mainly serves European destinations.
Facilities and Transport Options: Despite its smaller size, London City Airport offers a streamlined travel experience with amenities including dining, shopping, and free WiFi. It’s well-connected by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), offering easy access to the London Underground network.
- Location: 11 km east of Central London
- Major Airlines: British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa
- Destinations: Mainly UK and Europe
- Transport: DLR (Docklands Light Railway), buses, taxis, car rentals
- Facilities: Free WiFi, a few shops and restaurants, quick check-in and boarding
- Average Taxi Fare to Central London: £25-£40
- Time to Central London: 22 minutes by DLR
Arrival Point in Central London from London City Airport
- DLR (Docklands Light Railway): Provides direct access to the Tube network, with strategic stops like Bank and Tower Gateway. These stations facilitate easy transfers to the Central, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines, as well as the DLR’s reach into East London.
Find out everything you need to know about London City Airport, from facilities to travel connections, by visiting the London City Airport homepage and the London City Airport Transport and Transfers page.
London Southend Airport (SEN)
Situated 64km (40 miles) from Central London, London Southend Airport caters to a variety of European destinations. It provides a more relaxed alternative to London’s busier airports, with facilities designed for efficient travel.
- Location: 64 km (40 miles) from central London
- Major Airlines: Offers flights with a number of airlines to destinations across Europe.
- Destinations: Focuses on European destinations.
- Transport: Train services to London Liverpool Street via Stratford, taxis, car rentals.
- Facilities: Baggage claim, check-in desks, departure lounge with shops, a bar, restaurant, café, and currency exchange. Free WiFi is available throughout the airport.
- Average Taxi Fare to Central London: Approximately £100.
- Time to Central London: 52 minutes to London Liverpool Street by train.
Arrival Point in Central London from London Southend Airport
- Trains: London Southend Airport’s railway station is directly opposite the passenger terminal, offering frequent services to London Liverpool Street station. This connection brings passengers into the heart of the city, with a journey time of approximately 52 minutes to Liverpool Street and 44 minutes to Stratford.
For comprehensive details on London Southend Airport’s amenities, transportation options, and more, consider visiting the London Southend Airport homepage and the London Southend Airport Transport and Transfers page.
Transportation to and from London Airports
Train
- Heathrow Express remains a fast option to Paddington, while the Elizabeth Line provides a less expensive alternative with broader access across London, connecting Heathrow directly to stations like Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf.
- Gatwick Express continues to serve Gatwick to Victoria, though regular trains also operate on this route offering cheaper fares.
- Stansted Express remains the quickest route to central London from Stansted.
- Luton Airport benefits from regular train services to St Pancras via Luton Airport Parkway.
- London City Airport is conveniently connected by the DLR.
Bus and Coach
- National Express and Megabus provide comprehensive services that include inter-airport transfers, which are economical options for connecting between different airports like Heathrow to Gatwick or Stansted.
Taxi
- Black cabs and minicabs offer direct and comfortable rides though costly, especially for inter-airport journeys.
Hire Cars
- Available at all airports, offering flexibility particularly for inter-airport travel, but mindful of potential high costs related to parking and congestion charges.
Transfer Tours
- Arrival Tours: Begin your UK journey with a tour directly from the airport, exploring nearby attractions such as Windsor Castle or the South Downs.
- Departure Tours: Utilize your final day with a scenic tour before being dropped off at the airport, visiting sites like Bath or London’s major landmarks.
- Post-Cruise Tours from Southampton: After your cruise, tour Southern England’s highlights or venture into Wales before moving on to your next destination.
Cost and Convenience Comparison
- Trains offer speed and efficiency, with the Elizabeth Line enhancing connectivity at a lower cost compared to the Heathrow Express.
- Buses and coaches are the most cost-effective, particularly for longer journeys such as between different airports.
- Taxis and hire cars provide the most convenience and flexibility but at a higher cost, particularly for inter-airport transfers.
- Transfer Tours
- Cost: Generally higher due to the personalized service, but offer significant value by combining transportation with sightseeing.
- Convenience: Highly convenient as they include pick-up, drop-off, luggage handling, and guided tours, maximizing the use of layover or pre-departure time.
- Time-Saving: Particularly efficient for tourists who want to make the most out of their layover or pre-departure hours without the hassle of planning and navigating on their own.
