Ruth Haines
London has several airports, each with its pros and cons. The best airport for your trip will depend on various factors, such as your destination, budget, preferred mode of transportation, and tolerance for crowds and waiting times. Heathrow, for instance, is the busiest airport in Europe and offers a wide range of international and domestic flights, but it's often extremely busy and has long lines at immigration. Gatwick is the second busiest airport in the UK and is known for its budget-friendly options, but it's located in West Sussex, about 28 miles from Central London. London City Airport, on the other hand, is the closest to the city centre and is popular among business travellers, but it has limited flight options and higher cash fares. Luton and Stansted are also popular choices, especially for budget travellers, but they are further away from the city and have mixed reviews when it comes to overall airport experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best-served airport | Heathrow |
| Best for budget flights | Stansted |
| Best for business travellers | London City |
| Closest to London's city centre | London City |
| Easy to get to | Luton |
| Most scenic airport approach | London City |
| Most popular for international flights | Heathrow |
| Best for shopping | Heathrow |
| Easy to get to from Westminster | Gatwick |
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What You'll Learn
- Heathrow: busy, with long queues, but well-served by transport and airlines
- Gatwick: busy, with good transport links, but a long drive from Westminster
- Stansted: good for budget flights, but a long drive from London
- Luton: good for budget flights, but a poor airport experience
- London City: small, convenient, and close to the city centre, but pricier
Heathrow: busy, with long queues, but well-served by transport and airlines
Heathrow Airport is one of the world's busiest airports, running at 99% capacity, and notorious for its long queues at immigration. However, it is also the best-served airport in London, with excellent facilities and easy transport connections.
Heathrow is located about 20 miles west of central London. The Heathrow Express train takes passengers to central London in just 15 minutes, and the London Underground takes around 50 minutes. Buses and taxis also connect Heathrow to the city in about an hour. The airport is now on the Elizabeth line, making travel across the middle of the city quick and easy.
Heathrow is the primary hub for international flights to and from London, with a wider range of destinations and airlines. It is also one of the busiest and most well-connected airports in the world, with 81 airlines operating flights to 218 destinations across 86 countries as of July 2023. The majority of these destinations are served by British Airways, followed by Virgin Atlantic.
Heathrow has four terminals with extensive amenities, including shops, restaurants, lounges, and services. It can feel like a shopping mall with an airport attached, but it is well-equipped to handle large volumes of passengers.
In summary, while Heathrow can be busy with long queues, it is a convenient and efficient airport with excellent transport links and a wide range of airlines serving numerous destinations.
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Gatwick: busy, with good transport links, but a long drive from Westminster
Gatwick Airport is located about 25 miles from London's city centre, in the north of Westminster. While this distance can make travel to and from the airport costly and time-consuming, Gatwick Airport does have excellent transport links.
Gatwick Airport has the best train connections of any airport in Britain, with a train departing every four minutes on average. The airport is served by four train operators, providing direct services to over 120 stations, including seven key stations across London. Gatwick Express trains to London Victoria depart twice an hour from the South Terminal and take 30 minutes. Thameslink trains also connect Gatwick Airport to several central London stations, including London Bridge, London Blackfriars, and St Pancras International. The airport is also easily accessible by car, with several car parks available, although these can get busy.
However, the distance from Gatwick Airport to Westminster can be a drawback. The 24-mile drive from the airport to Westminster can take around an hour by taxi via the M23 and A23. This distance can also make travel to and from the airport costly, especially if you don't book your transport in advance. For example, getting a taxi from the airport can be expensive, with long queues on days with severe rail disruption.
Overall, while Gatwick Airport has excellent transport links, its distance from Westminster can make travel time-consuming and costly.
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Stansted: good for budget flights, but a long drive from London
London Stansted Airport is a good option for those looking for budget flights. It is located in Essex, around 30-40 miles from London, and is the UK's third or fourth busiest airport. It is a base for many low-cost airlines, including Ryanair, and serves over 180 destinations across Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
The airport has a range of shops, restaurants, currency exchange services, and car hire desks. It is accessible by car, with short and long-stay parking available, and has an EV service station with electric charging points. However, it is important to note that black cabs do not operate from Stansted, so travellers opting for a taxi will need to book a licensed minicab instead.
For those travelling to and from the airport by public transport, the Stansted Express train service is the quickest option. It runs every 15 minutes, taking approximately 45-47 minutes to reach London Liverpool Street. From there, travellers can connect to the London Underground Victoria Line. National Express also operates bus services to London, with over 200 daily buses on four lines, stopping at major stations such as Victoria Coach Station, Liverpool Street, and King's Cross.
While Stansted offers convenient options for budget-conscious travellers, it is important to consider the distance from London. The airport is situated in a rural area, which may be a drawback for those who prefer a more central location or have time constraints.
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Luton: good for budget flights, but a poor airport experience
Luton Airport, located nearly 30 miles from London's city centre, is easy to get to. East Midlands Trains and Thameslink trains run frequent services to Luton, making it a good option for budget airlines. The airport offers flights to more than 70 destinations in over 30 countries, almost entirely limited to Europe, with a few destinations in North Africa and the Middle East. EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Ryanair operate almost all flights from London Luton, with SunExpress, El Al, and Fly One operating the remaining routes.
Luton Airport has a single terminal building and a private aviation terminal. It has developed in recent years, with a new terminal extension and a modern people mover system connecting the terminal to a nearby railway station. The airport also has electric vehicle charging stations and uses renewable energy sources. However, despite these improvements, Luton Airport has received mixed reviews from travellers. Some have described it as a "shithole", with another saying that it is "average, but all London airports are, City aside".
Luton Airport is also accessible by bus, with one-way fares starting around £5. The journey takes around 50 minutes, which is faster than the generally more expensive connecting train option. However, the train option may be preferable for those who value speed and frequency, as the Thameslink train from Luton to London is known for being expensive, with no advance fares available.
Security queues at Luton have been described as "never positive", with another reviewer noting the "constant grind of people coming in and out at bulk", which can be "quite stressful". Employees of the airport have also described the work-life balance as "very demanding", with "shift patterns [that are] difficult to adjust to". Management has also been described as "terrible", with "awful working conditions".
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London City: small, convenient, and close to the city centre, but pricier
London City Airport is a small airport located just 6-7 miles from London's city centre. It is the closest airport to the city centre and is easily accessible via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). The journey from Bank in the heart of the City of London takes just 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Jubilee Line to Canning Town and then a 7-minute DLR ride to the airport. London City Airport is in Zone 3, and you can use an Oyster card or contactless payment card.
The airport has a handful of restaurants and shops and is popular among business travellers due to its proximity to the Canary Wharf financial centre. It has a more professional and quiet atmosphere, with one user commenting that they "didn't see a single child or stag/hen party the entire time [they] were there". London City offers short-haul flights to Europe and business class flights to New York. While fares from London City may be higher than other London airports, it is ideal for booking cheap points flights within Europe.
Despite its convenience and proximity to the city centre, getting to other parts of London from London City can be less straightforward, so consider your onward travel plans. Cabs or minicabs to the city centre can also be pricey, although more reasonable than the out-of-town airports. Local bus services also serve the airport, but they can be circuitous and time-consuming.
London City Airport is a good option for those seeking a small, quiet, and convenient airport close to London's financial district. However, it may not be the most suitable choice for those travelling on a budget or those needing to travel to other parts of London.
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Frequently asked questions
London Heathrow is the primary hub for international flights to and from London, offering a wider range of destinations and airlines.
Heathrow also has a good number of domestic flights, making it convenient for travellers within the UK.
London Gatwick is a major base for low-cost carriers, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious travellers. London Luton is also popular among budget travellers, with airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air offering affordable flights.
London City Airport is the closest airport to London's financial district and is often a primary choice for business travellers.
London City Airport is the closest to the city centre, so it is the most convenient in terms of transportation. Heathrow is also easy to get to, with the Heathrow Express taking you to central London in 15 minutes.
