Navigating London Airport Switch: A Guide To Changing Airports

London has six major airports, and it is possible to change from one to another via public transport, car, or taxi. London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and London Stansted airports have dedicated express train services into central London. London Heathrow and London City Airport are directly connected to the Tube network. National Express coach transfers are often the cheapest option, but they can take longer than travelling by train or Tube.

Heathrow to Gatwick: National Express coaches run 80 times a day, taking up to an hour

Heathrow to Gatwick transfers can be a hassle, especially if you have a lot of luggage. National Express coaches offer a direct and affordable solution, with 80 services running daily in each direction. The coach journey takes up to an hour and offers a generous luggage allowance, onboard Wi-Fi, and a guaranteed seat.

National Express coaches arrive and depart from convenient locations at each airport. At Heathrow, coaches serve Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5, while at Gatwick, they serve both the North and South terminals. The coaches arrive and depart from the lower level outside the international arrivals area at Heathrow, and at Gatwick, they arrive and depart within a five-minute walk of the terminal.

The first coach from Heathrow to Gatwick leaves at 12:40 am, arriving at Gatwick North Terminal at 1:45 am. The last coach of the day departs Heathrow at 10:40 pm and arrives at Gatwick North Terminal at 11:45 pm. From Gatwick to Heathrow, the first coach leaves at 3:50 am, reaching Heathrow Central Bus Station at 5:00 am. The last coach departs Gatwick at 11:45 pm and arrives at Heathrow Central Bus Station at 12:55 am.

Tickets for the National Express coach service between Heathrow and Gatwick start at £20 for a one-way trip. You can purchase tickets online or at the ticketing office in the international arrivals area. National Express also offers a Change and Go add-on for £5 each way, allowing you to board any coach up to 12 hours before or after your original departure time, providing flexibility in case of delays or missed coaches.

In addition to the National Express coach service, other options for transferring between Heathrow and Gatwick include using the London Underground and DLR or opting for a car service. However, these alternatives may take longer or be more expensive.

Gatwick to Heathrow: Gatwick Express services run every 30 minutes, taking 31 minutes

Gatwick Express services run every 30 minutes between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, taking 31 minutes to complete the journey. The ticket price starts from £20.70. This is a non-stop service.

If you are travelling between Heathrow and Gatwick, you should allow at least 3 hours to connect between the two airports. The distance between the airports is around 30-42 miles.

National Express coaches run directly between Heathrow and Gatwick Airport throughout the day, 7 days a week. The journey takes around 70 minutes. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone. The Airline coaches, operated by the Oxford Bus Company, also run directly between Heathrow and Gatwick Airport. This journey takes 75 minutes and tickets can be purchased online or by phone.

There are also train services between Heathrow and Gatwick, which usually involve one change. The fastest trains take around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Heathrow to Stansted: National Express coaches run daily, taking 80 minutes

If you need to get from Heathrow to Stansted, National Express coaches provide a direct and affordable option. With leather seats, toilets, power sockets, and air conditioning, you can travel in comfort several times a day.

The first coach leaves from London Victoria Coach Station at 00:30 am, arriving at Stansted Airport Coach Station at 02:10 am. The last coach of the day departs Victoria Coach Station at 23:30 pm, reaching Stansted Airport at 01:10 am. The fastest route takes 45 minutes from the Tottenham Hale stop, with an average journey time of 80 minutes.

National Express offers four routes from Heathrow to Stansted:

• Service A6 travels to Golders Green, Finchley Road, St John's Wood, Baker Street, Marble Arch, and London Victoria.
• Service A8 goes to Stratford, Bow, Mile End, Whitechapel, Liverpool Street, Shoreditch, and Bethnal Green.
• Service A9 is a direct service to Stratford.
• Heathrow to Stansted services also stop at Paddington Station, Marble Arch, Baker Street, St John's Wood, Finchley Road Underground Station, Finchley Road Overground Station, and Golders Green.

Tickets for these services start at £11 one-way, and you can save money by pre-booking your ticket online. National Express coaches depart from the lower level outside the international arrivals area at Heathrow, and arrive at the Stansted Airport Coach Station, which is just a two-minute walk from the airport terminal.

The Stansted Airport Coach Station offers various amenities, including waiting areas, a coffee shop, newsagents, payphones, and toilets.

Heathrow to London City: Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington, then the Elizabeth line to Woolwich, and finally the DLR to London City Airport, taking 71 minutes

Heathrow Airport is located 14 miles (23 km) west of Central London. It is easily accessible by trains, buses, coaches, taxis, and rental cars.

If you are travelling from Heathrow to London City Airport, one option is to take the Heathrow Express to Paddington, then the Elizabeth line to Woolwich, and finally the DLR to London City Airport. This journey will take around 71 minutes.

Heathrow Express to Paddington

The Heathrow Express is a train that connects Heathrow Airport to Central London. It is the quickest way to reach London from the airport, with a journey time of 15-20 minutes. The Heathrow Express departs from all terminals at Heathrow and arrives at Paddington Station in Central London. The train fare starts at £12.80 for a single journey.

Elizabeth Line to Woolwich

At Paddington Station, you can transfer to the Elizabeth Line, which connects Central London to East London and Essex. The Elizabeth Line serves all terminals at Heathrow Airport and offers direct connections to Paddington. From Paddington, you can take the Elizabeth Line towards Abbey Wood or Stratford and disembark at Woolwich. The Elizabeth Line operates from 05:21 to 00:12 on weekdays, with slightly different timings on weekends. The train fare for a single journey to or from Heathrow Airport is £12.80.

DLR to London City Airport

Finally, at Woolwich, you can transfer to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to reach London City Airport. The DLR is a driverless light metro system that serves East London. London City Airport is easily accessible from Woolwich via the DLR. The entire journey from Heathrow to London City Airport is estimated to take around 71 minutes. The train fare for this route is around £7-22, depending on the ticket purchased.

This route is a convenient option for travelling between Heathrow and London City airports, allowing you to connect between Central London and East London efficiently.

Heathrow to Luton: National Express coaches run daily, taking 55 minutes

If you're looking to get from Heathrow to Luton, National Express coaches provide a direct service with a fastest journey time of 45 to 55 minutes.

Tickets and Fares

Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticketing office in the international arrivals area. Fares start from £18 one-way, and you can save £1 on the usual £1 booking fee by signing up for a National Express account.

Luggage Allowance

Each passenger is allowed to bring one large suitcase (or two medium cases) and one soft hand luggage item on board. However, be sure to check your flight luggage allowance with your airline before packing.

On-Board Amenities

Most National Express services come with free Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected during your journey.

Coach Stops and Frequency

National Express coaches travel between Heathrow and Luton up to 16 times per day, with the first coach leaving Heathrow Central Bus Station at 6:40 a.m. and the last coach departing at 11:00 p.m.

The coaches arrive at and depart from the following terminals:

• Terminal 2 & 3: Heathrow Central Bus Station
• Terminal 4: Outside Heathrow Terminal 4
• Terminal 5: Outside Heathrow Terminal 5

The coaches also stop at Luton Airport Bus Station, which is a five-minute walk from the terminal, where you can find eateries, supermarkets, shops, and more.

Frequently asked questions