London is served by six airports, the busiest airport system in the world by passenger numbers. Direct flights link it with almost every major European city. Choosing the right airport can save time and money, because distances from the centre and transfer costs vary widely.
Heathrow (LHR)
The UK's main airport and one of the largest in the world, about 24 kilometres west of the centre. British Airways and the big intercontinental airlines operate here.
- Elizabeth line: frequent trains to Paddington, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf in about 35-45 minutes; pay by contactless card, around £13-14.
- Piccadilly line: the Underground, the cheapest option (around £6), but slow: about an hour to the centre, with many stops.
- Heathrow Express: the fastest direct train, 15 minutes to Paddington; a full-price ticket costs about £25, much less if bought in advance.
- Coaches and taxis: coaches to Victoria Coach Station; a black cab to the centre costs from £70-100 upwards.
Gatwick (LGW)
The second airport, about 45 kilometres south, a base for easyJet and many European flights.
- Gatwick Express: direct train to Victoria in about 30 minutes.
- Thameslink and Southern: cheaper trains to London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon, St Pancras and Victoria. Contactless payment is accepted.
- Coaches: to Victoria, slower but cheap.
Stansted (STN)
About 55 kilometres north-east, a base for Ryanair and many low-cost flights.
- Stansted Express: train to Tottenham Hale and Liverpool Street in about 50 minutes; book online in advance to save.
- Coaches: several coach lines to Liverpool Street, Stratford, Baker Street and Victoria, cheaper but subject to traffic.
Luton (LTN)
About 55 kilometres north, used by easyJet, Wizz Air and other low-cost airlines. The automatic DART shuttle links the terminal in a few minutes with Luton Airport Parkway station, from which Thameslink and East Midlands Railway trains reach St Pancras in about 25-35 minutes.
London City (LCY)
The small airport in Docklands, the closest to the centre, used mainly by business travellers: reach it on the DLR in about 20-25 minutes from the City, paying the normal Tube fare. Security is very quick.
Southend (SEN)
To the east, in Essex, with few flights; the train to Liverpool Street takes about 55 minutes.
By train from Europe
The alternative to flying is Eurostar, linking Paris, Brussels, Lille, Amsterdam and Rotterdam with St Pancras International through the Channel Tunnel: from Paris it takes about two and a quarter hours. Remember that to enter the UK you need a passport and an ETA (see travelling after Brexit).
Tips
Always compare the flight price with the cost and time of the transfer: a cheap flight to Stansted or Luton can end up costing as much as one to Heathrow or Gatwick. For getting around the city see getting around London and UK airports; back to the London guide.