Summary
There are five major airports in London: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, London Luton, and London Stansted.
Travelers flying direct from the US on major airlines will most often fly into Heathrow, though some lower-cost transatlantic carriers such as Norwegian now fly into Gatwick. Both Heathrow and Gatwick are located outside of London but they’re conveniently linked to the city via direct, dedicated airline trains (the Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express, respectively).
London Stansted is the third-largest airport, but like Luton, it’s popular with budget airlines that mainly serve Europe. Both Luton and Stansted are located outside of London and are linked to public transportation; however, Stansted is better linked with the Stansted Express train.
London City is set within the city limits but offers minimal flights, usually only to domestic or short-haul destinations. Below is a detailed overview of each of the five airports.
London Heathrow Airport
- Location: 15 miles west of central London
- Best If: You’re staying in central London or near Paddington Station, as there are nonstop trains to the airport via the Heathrow Express
- Avoid If: n/a
- Distance to Houses of Parliament (Big Ben): Heathrow is about an hour’s drive to central London, which in a licensed black cab would cost about £80. Several public transportation options include the Heathrow Express, London Underground’s Piccadilly line, TfL Rail, coach buses, and ride-share apps like Uber.
London Heathrow (LHR) is London’s largest and busiest airport, as well as one of the busiest airports in the world. Therefore, travelers can expect long lines at immigration. Most direct flights from the US land at Heathrow, which has five terminals (although Terminal 1 is not in use). The main transportation options from Heathrow into London include:
The Heathrow Express is typically the fastest route into London, operating non-stop trains to Paddington Station every 15 minutes. The journey time is around 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3, while it’s about 10 minutes more from Terminals 4 or 5. The Express Saver single fare is approximately £25.
London Underground is the most cost-effective rail route to London, with Piccadilly line trains running from all terminals, reaching central London in about an hour for around £6.
TfL (Transport for London) Rail service also provides several trains into London, though these are not direct.
Coach buses operate throughout the day to Victoria Station, making them a favorable option for late arrivals when the trains and Underground are not operational. Coaches are affordable, starting at a few pounds, but travel times can be lengthy due to traffic conditions.
Licensed black cabs are readily available at Heathrow, as well as Ubers, which are usually the more economical choice, albeit with possible wait times. Expect to pay approximately £80 for a black cab, with prices varying depending on the destination.
London Gatwick Airport
- Location: 30 miles south of central London
- Best If: You’re staying south of London or near Victoria Station, where nonstop trains via the Gatwick Express are available
- Avoid If: You’re staying north of London
- Distance to Houses of Parliament (Big Ben): Gatwick is about an hour-and-a-half drive to central London, typically costing around £100 in a taxi. There are several public transportation options including the Gatwick Express, trains, coach buses, and Uber.
London Gatwick (LGW) ranks as London’s second busiest airport, although most US and major carriers do not fly directly into Gatwick. The airport comprises two terminals: North and South. Key transportation options from Gatwick into London include:
Gatwick Express represents the fastest transfer into London, with non-stop train service to Victoria Station every 15 minutes, boasting a journey time of approximately 30 minutes and a fare around £30. There are also trains available, which can be less expensive, though they take longer. Coach buses provide another option, especially when train services are not available, though they can be affected by heavy traffic.
Metered taxis (no black cabs available at Gatwick) and Uber offer additional choices but can be prohibitively costly, averaging around £100.
London Stansted Airport
- Location: 35 miles north-east of central London
- Best If: You’re staying north of London or near Liverpool Street Station, where nonstop trains via Stansted Express operate
- Avoid If: You’re staying far south of London
- Distance to Houses of Parliament (Big Ben): Stansted is about an hour-and-a-half drive to central London, with taxi fares approximately £100. Transportation options include the Stansted Express, trains, coach buses, and Uber.
London Stansted Airport (STN) serves as London’s third largest airport and is a significant hub for low-cost European airlines. With only one terminal, transport from Stansted into London includes:
The Stansted Express provides a swift option, reaching London’s Liverpool Street Station in around 50 minutes for approximately £30. There are various coach bus services available 24-hours, though they tend to be time-consuming. Metered taxis and Uber are also available but are relatively expensive at about £100.
London Luton Airport
- Location: 35 miles north of central London
- Best If: You’re staying north of London
- Avoid If: You’re staying far south of London
- Distance to Houses of Parliament (Big Ben): Luton is about an hour’s drive from central London, which typically costs around £80 in a taxi. Public transportation options include trains and coach buses.
London Luton Airport (LLA) is a key hub for low-cost carriers, predominantly operating European routes, and it functions with a single terminal. Transportation options from Luton into London involve:
Taxis can be expensive; however, several public transportation alternatives are available. The train is often the best option, as an airport shuttle bus connects to Luton Airport Parkway train station, offering East Midlands Trains or Thameslink trains into London, taking around 45 minutes for a fare of approximately £15. For late arrivals when trains are not operational, coach buses are available, taking passengers to Victoria Station (though journey times may be prolonged due to traffic).
London City Airport
- Location: 6 miles east of central London
- Best If: You can find a flight that operates there; it’s also ideal for visitors heading to Canary Wharf.
- Avoid If: n/a
- Distance to Houses of Parliament (Big Ben): City Airport is about a half-hour drive into central London, costing around £45 in a black cab. It also has quick and affordable public transport links through the DLR (Docklands Light Railway).
London City Airport (LCY) stands as the most central airport in London. Its compact size facilitates easy navigation, characterized by short lines and fewer crowds. However, flight options are limited. Getting from City into London can be done via affordable black cabs or Uber, with straightforward public transport as well, including a direct stop on the DLR, which integrates seamlessly with the tube service. Additionally, London’s buses provide another economical option, with routes 473 and 474 extending to the airport.
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