Sachin Walls
London has six airports, each located in a different area: Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Luton, Stansted, and Southend. When deciding which airport to fly into, it is important to consider your budget, your destination in London, and your tolerance for travel time and crowds. For example, Heathrow is London's busiest airport and the most popular choice for tourists from the Americas, Asia, and Australia, but it is not the closest airport to the city.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | 6 |
| Airport Names | Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Luton, Stansted, Southend |
| Closest to Westminster | London City, followed by Heathrow |
| Closest to London overall | London City |
| Smallest Airport | London City |
| Cheapest Airport | Varies, but Stansted is the largest in the low-cost category |
| Best for Business Trips | London City |
| Best for Southern London | Gatwick |
| Best for Paddington or Bayswater | Heathrow |
| Best for London Bridge/Southwark | Gatwick (via Thameslink) |
| Best for St. Paul's Cathedral | Gatwick (via Thameslink) |
| Best for Westminster and St. James's Park | Gatwick (via Gatwick Express) |
| Best for East London | London City |
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What You'll Learn
- London City Airport: closest to the city, popular for business trips, and served by 10 airlines
- Heathrow Airport: London's busiest airport, with direct flights from many US cities
- Gatwick Airport: generally less crowded than Heathrow, with two terminals and 55+ airlines
- Luton Airport: easy rail access to the city, with cheap and fast access to hotels
- Stansted Airport: London's third-largest airport, with transport connections adding to travel time
London City Airport: closest to the city, popular for business trips, and served by 10 airlines
London City Airport is the closest airport to central London, situated just seven miles east of the centre. It is a small airport, currently serving only 10 airlines. London City Airport is located near the financial district, Canary Wharf, and is therefore a popular choice for business travellers. It is also connected to the Underground network, making it a fast and convenient option for those travelling to and from the city.
London City Airport is also a good option for those staying in the east of London or in the Square Mile, as it offers cheap and fast access to hotels in the area. The airport is very manageable, with no long walks, and is therefore a good choice for those with lots of luggage or small children.
The airport is also gaining popularity for leisure travel, with new routes to coastal destinations such as Málaga in Spain. London City Airport is also unique in that many travellers fly in and out on the same day, taking advantage of the short transfer time.
Compared to other London airports, such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted, London City is a smaller and less busy option. While fares may be higher, it is important to consider the convenience and proximity to the city, as well as the potential additional costs of travelling to and from further airports.
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Heathrow Airport: London's busiest airport, with direct flights from many US cities
Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the United Kingdom's largest and busiest airport, serving the area of Greater London. It is also the most convenient airport to fly from London, with 76 airlines flying from Heathrow to 307 airports in 82 countries around the world. The airport has four terminals (Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5) and offers direct flights to 215 destinations, with 9 domestic routes.
Heathrow is well-connected to London's transport network. The Heathrow Express is ideal for travellers staying in Paddington or Bayswater, located just above Hyde Park. The Piccadilly tube line is also a great transport option for central London destinations such as Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden, as well as neighbourhoods in the West End, like South Kensington.
Heathrow offers direct flights to many US cities, including:
- New York (JFK) - the most popular route with 154 flights weekly
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Boston
- Chicago (O'Hare)
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Orlando
- San Francisco
- Seattle/Tacoma
- Washington-Dulles
These direct flights are offered by various airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
When deciding which airport to arrive at in London, it is worth considering your final destination in the city. London City Airport is the closest to central London, just seven miles east, and is popular with business travellers due to its proximity to the financial district. Gatwick Airport is located 29 miles south of central London and is connected to the city by the Gatwick Express to London Victoria Station. Heathrow Airport is located west of London and is a good option for those travelling to Westminster, as it is quicker to reach by car than Gatwick.
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Gatwick Airport: generally less crowded than Heathrow, with two terminals and 55+ airlines
Gatwick Airport is a good choice for those who want to avoid the crowds and long queues typically associated with air travel. As London's second-largest airport, it offers a balance between convenience and a more relaxed pace. With two terminals, North and South, Gatwick efficiently serves over 55 airlines, including both full-service carriers like British Airways and low-cost options such as easyJet. This diversity of airlines means travellers can usually find tickets that fit their budget.
One of the key advantages of choosing Gatwick is its accessibility. The airport is located 29 miles south of central London, and travellers can reach the city centre in about 30 minutes by train. The Gatwick Express provides a direct connection to London Victoria Station, with trains departing approximately four times per hour and starting at around £17.80 for a single fare. For those on a tighter budget, the Thameslink and Southern rail services offer journeys between Gatwick and London Victoria Station for around £14 one-way. These trains also stop at stations like London Bridge and Blackfriars, making them ideal for travellers staying near these landmarks. Additionally, National Express and EasyBus provide airport transfers, with fares ranging from £10 to £15, although travel time can exceed one hour due to traffic.
Gatwick's location makes it especially convenient for those travelling to or from southern London neighbourhoods like Clapham and Wimbledon. However, if you're considering travelling by car, be aware that the journey from Westminster can be slow due to busy roads and numerous traffic lights. In such cases, Heathrow might offer a quicker drive, as it is located closer to Westminster. Nevertheless, if you're willing to take the train, Gatwick is a convenient and less crowded alternative to Heathrow.
For travellers who value time efficiency, Gatwick offers a Premium Passport control service for £9.99. This service guarantees expedited entry, limiting the number of travellers per hour to 50, ensuring a swift passage through border control. This additional service further enhances Gatwick's appeal as a less congested alternative to Heathrow, especially for those who prefer a more relaxed and efficient travel experience.
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Luton Airport: easy rail access to the city, with cheap and fast access to hotels
Luton Airport is located 29 miles north of Central London and is easily accessible by train, bus, and car. The airport is serviced by Thameslink and East Midlands trains, which run from St. Pancras International Station to Luton Airport Parkway Station every 10 minutes during peak times. From Luton Airport Parkway, passengers can take the Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit), which runs 24/7 and provides a transfer to the airport in just under 4 minutes. The entire train journey from Central London to Luton Airport can take as little as 41 minutes.
For those travelling from south of Gatwick Airport, Advance fares can offer significant discounts. Additionally, using a contactless card, purchasing an open return ticket, or taking advantage of group discounts can also reduce travel costs.
Luton Airport offers a range of parking options and is also conveniently located near several hotels. The airport itself has five on-site hotels within walking distance of the passenger terminal: Ibis Luton Airport, Ibis Budget Luton Airport, Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport, Holiday Inn Luton Airport, and Holiday Inn Express Luton Airport. These hotels can be reached via a smooth 10-minute walk from the terminal, with pavement suitable for rolling suitcases.
Additionally, there are several hotels in Luton Town Centre, located just a couple of miles from the airport. These include the Premier Inn Luton Airport, Hampton by Hilton Luton, and easyHotel Luton. A taxi to these hotels should cost no more than £12, and local bus services are also available. Luton Town Centre offers a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, making it a convenient location for travellers.
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Stansted Airport: London's third-largest airport, with transport connections adding to travel time
London Stansted Airport is the third-largest airport in the city, located northeast of London. It is a popular choice for low-cost airlines offering flights to and from European destinations. While it may not have the prestige of Heathrow or the convenience of London City Airport, Stansted boasts impressive public transport connections to the capital and beyond.
The Stansted Express train service is the quickest way to get to central London, with trains running directly to Liverpool Street station four times an hour. The journey typically takes between 45 and 50 minutes, with an additional stop at Tottenham Hale for passengers travelling to North London.
Coach services are also available, with National Express and Flibco offering direct connections to the heart of London. These coaches are generally cheaper than the train but take longer. The Airport Bus Express also runs half-hourly services between 6 am and 2 am.
For those travelling by car, Stansted offers a range of parking options, including long-stay, mid-stay, and short-stay car parks. The short-stay car park is within walking distance of the terminal, while the mid-stay and long-stay car parks are accessible by shuttle bus. Car rental services are also available at the airport for those who wish to rent a car upon arrival.
Finally, taxi services are available at Stansted, with a licensed minicab recommended as black cabs do not operate from the airport. A typical taxi fare for one to four people travelling into London is around £99.
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Frequently asked questions
London has six airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Luton, Stansted, and Southend. If you want to save money, you should consider flying into Gatwick, as it is used by low-cost airlines such as EasyJet.
London City Airport is the closest to central London, situated just seven miles east of the centre.
Heathrow Airport is London's busiest airport. It is also the most popular airport for tourists from the Americas, Asia, and Australia, as flights into Heathrow tend to be cheaper.
If you want to avoid crowds, you should consider flying into Gatwick. It is generally less crowded than Heathrow, so there is a reduced risk of long border control queues.
If you want to get to Westminster easily, London City Airport is the closest. However, if you are happy to take public transport, Gatwick is also a good option, as you can take the train from Victoria, which only takes about 30 minutes.
