Which London Airport Should You Fly Into? My Comparison of All 6

If you’re flying into London, you’ve got six airports to choose from, and the one you pick matters more than you might think. The right airport can save you an hour each way on transfers and a chunk of cash. The wrong one can turn the start of your trip into a slog.

I lived in London for years and have flown in and out of all six airports more times than I can count. Here’s how I’d rank them for most visitors:

• • For central London: London City is unbeatable if your airline flies there. It’s the only airport actually in London, and you can be in the City (the financial district) in about 20 minutes. The catch is limited routes and higher fares.
  • For value and choice: Heathrow. The widest range of flights, the best public transport links (Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line, Heathrow Express), and fast access to central London in every direction.
  • For cheap flights from Europe: Gatwick. A bit further out but with fast, frequent trains to Victoria and London Bridge. The Gatwick Express is pricey; regular Southern or Thameslink trains are much better value.
  • Budget airlines, willing to travel: Stansted or Luton. Both are well over an hour from central London by the time you’ve collected bags and boarded a train or coach. Fine if the flight is significantly cheaper.
  • Super-budget only: Southend. It’s over 40 miles out, the train takes around an hour, and I wouldn’t pick it unless the fare saving is substantial.

If you’re still deciding, the short version is: pay a bit more to fly into Heathrow or Gatwick if you can. The time and hassle saved usually outweighs the fare difference, especially if you’re only in London for a few days.

Below I’ve covered every transport option from each airport, with 2026 fares, so you can work out the best route once you know where you’re flying into. If you already know your airport, click through to its section; if you’re still picking, read on.

One practical tip before we get started: download Google Maps or the Citymapper app before you land. Both have good public transport routing for London and will help you plan your onward journey in real time, which is especially useful if there are delays or strikes on your travel day.

A quick note on terminology too. In the UK we distinguish between “coaches” and “buses”. A coach is a larger, more comfortable vehicle used for longer distances between cities, usually with fewer stops. A bus is an inner-city service with frequent stops. I’ve referenced both below where relevant.

I’ve not covered hire cars here as I don’t think London is best experienced with a car. Between the Congestion Charge (£18 per day in central London) and the ULEZ charge (£12.50 per day for non-compliant vehicles across all of Greater London), not to mention the stress of parking, driving in London is rarely worth it. All six airports have car rental counters if you’d prefer to drive though.

If you’ve not travelled in London before, you might also find the following useful as you plan:

• A guide to public transport in London
• Tips on how to buy and use the Oyster card in London
• Advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London

 

List of London Airports

London has six airports, which are, in order of passenger numbers:

• Heathrow Airport
• Gatwick Airport
• Stansted Airport
• Luton Airport
• London City Airport
• Southend Airport

 

London Airport Distances from London

London’s airports are geographically diverse, with some located very close to the city, and others quite far out. Here’s a list of all the airports in order of distance from London:

• London City Airport – in London
• Heathrow Airport – 14 miles from London
• Luton Airport – 29 miles from London
• Gatwick Airport – 33 miles from London
• Stansted Airport – 40 miles from London
• Southend Airport – 40 miles from London

 

Closest Airports to London by Travel Time

Distance of course doesn’t tell the whole story. You will probably be more interested in how long it actually takes to get from each London airport to London.

For this, I will use the fastest travel time in each case. Obviously, London is quite big so travel times will vary depending on your destination. In addition, slower options will also be available which may cost less, see each airport entry for more details.

• Heathrow Airport – 15 minutes by Heathrow Express train to London Paddington
• London City Airport – ~20 minutes to most destinations in London
• Gatwick Airport – 30 minutes by Gatwick Express to London Victoria
• Luton Airport – 30 minutes by train + DART to London St. Pancras
• London Stansted – 47 minutes by Stansted Express train to London Liverpool Street
• Southend Airport – 55 minutes by train to London Liverpool Street

As you can see, journey times vary quite a lot. The closest airports to London by travel time are Heathrow Airport and London City Airport, although this will depend on where you want to be in the city.

 

Which Airports Can I Travel to With an Oyster Card?

If you have an Oyster card, you can use it to travel to the following airports:

• Heathrow Airport on the Tube, Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express
• Gatwick Airport on Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink train services
• London City Airport on the DLR

See more on using an Oyster card here, and the best ways to pay for travel in London here.

You can buy a regular Oyster card in person in London, or you can buy a visitor Oyster Card in advance of your visit here.

 

London Airports at a Glance

Here’s a quick comparison of the fastest and cheapest ways to get from each London airport to central London. Scroll down for full details on each airport.

• Heathrow (14 miles) — Fastest: Heathrow Express, 15 min, £26 (from £10 advance). Cheapest: Piccadilly Line, 50 min, £5.90. Best value: Elizabeth Line, 30 min, £15.50.
• Gatwick (33 miles) — Fastest: Gatwick Express, 30 min, £24.10 (cheaper online). Cheapest: Coach, 90 min, from £2. Best value: Thameslink/Southern, 35-60 min, from £14.40.
• Stansted (40 miles) — Fastest: Stansted Express, 47 min, from £21. Cheapest: Coach, 50-90 min, from £2.
• Luton (29 miles) — Fastest: Train + DART, ~30 min, from £10.60 advance. Cheapest: Coach, 60-90 min, from £2.
• London City (in London) — Fastest: DLR, ~20 min, £3.30-£3.90. Cheapest: Bus, £1.75 (not direct).
• Southend (40 miles) — Fastest: Train, 55 min, from £11.90.

 

How to Get from Heathrow Airport to London

London Heathrow is London’s busiest airport, handling half of London’s passengers. It’s situated 14 miles west of the centre of London, and has a variety of options for getting into the city. These are as follows.

 

1. London Underground (aka Tube) from Heathrow Airport

Our favourite way of getting from Heathrow Airport to central London is to take the Tube, London’s underground train system. It’s also one of the cheapest options. The Piccadilly Line runs from three locations in Heathrow Airport, and services all the major terminals.

The Tube runs right into central London, plus you can change onto the other lines and thus reach pretty much anywhere in London. There is a 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays from Terminals 1,2,3 & Terminal 5. During the week, trains begin departing from around 5.10am (5.50am on Sundays) with the last service at 11.45pm (11.30pm on Sundays).

Cost: A ticket costs £5.90 to zone 1 using Oyster or Contactless.

Journey time: Approximately 50 minutes to central London

Tips: Our suggestion would be to either buy a visitor Oyster card in advance, buy an Oyster card in person at the station, or to use your contactless card. Whichever you use, make sure you tap in and out with the same card or device for every journey. If you switch between your physical card and your phone mid-trip, the system treats them as different cards and you could end up paying more. Read our advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London for more information on your options.

 

2. Bus from Heathrow Airport

The Heathrow Central Bus Station is found between Terminals 2 and 3. The public buses operating from here primarily service areas of outer London rather than central London.

You can of course get to central London by bus during the day, but it will require a number of changes and will take at least a couple of hours, so we would advise the tube is going to be a better option if you want to take public transport.

However, if you arrive into London Heathrow late at night on a weekday, the Tube will not be running. You are not out of luck when it comes to public transport though – there is a night bus from London Heathrow to Trafalgar Square. The N9 departs from Terminal 5 and the Heathrow Central Bus Station (Terminals 2&3).

The N9 is a direct bus service that starts at around 23.35 (11:35PM). You can see the full timetable here – select your stop and day for the correct time. It’s by far the cheapest option for getting into central London for Heathrow.

Cost: A ticket costs £1.75. Journeys cannot be paid in cash; you must have a contactless card or an Oyster card.

Journey time: Just over an hour, depending on which stop you go to.

Tips: Again, our suggestion would be to either buy a visitor Oyster card in advance, buy an Oyster card in person at the station, or to use your contactless card. Read our advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London for more information on your options.

 

3. Coach from Heathrow Airport

There are a number of coach transfer services (see note on the difference between coaches and buses at the beginning of the post) from London Heathrow to central London. These can be more convenient than the Tube or the bus if you have a lot of luggage that you don’t want to struggle with loading on and off public transport.

Two of the main coach operators from Heathrow are National Express and Megabus. The main route for coach operators terminates at Victoria Coach Station. Coaches start at around 4.15am and run until around 10pm, although check timetables for your dates.

Cost: Tickets start at around £6 per person.

Journey Time: Varies, typically 45 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the route and time of day.

Tips: Coach fares vary based on demand and when you book, so you should always book in advance to guarantee a spot and the lowest price.

 

4. Elizabeth Line from Heathrow Airport

The Elizabeth line is our recommended way to get from Heathrow to central London if you want a good balance of speed, cost, and convenience. It runs from all Heathrow terminals through to Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Stratford, and beyond, so depending on where you’re staying you may not need to change at all.

The trains are modern and spacious with room for luggage, and all Elizabeth line stations have step-free access, which makes it much easier than wrestling suitcases through the older Tube stations.

Cost: £15.50 using Oyster or contactless (as of March 2026). Elizabeth line fares count towards your daily cap, so if you continue travelling around London on the same day, this fare contributes to the cap rather than being charged on top of it.

Journey time: ~30 minutes to Paddington, ~45 minutes to Liverpool Street. Trains run approximately every 30 minutes.

Tips: If your hotel is near Paddington, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, or Canary Wharf, the Elizabeth line will get you there without changing. This is a big advantage over the Heathrow Express, which only goes to Paddington. We normally take the Elizabeth Line these days.

 

5. Heathrow Express from Heathrow Airport

The Heathrow Express is the fastest way to get from Heathrow to London, but it only goes to Paddington. It takes fifteen minutes non-stop and leaves every fifteen minutes from around 5am (6am on Sundays) until just before midnight. The central train station can be found at Terminals 2 and 3, with Terminals 4 and 5 also served.

If you are staying near Paddington or want the quickest possible transfer, the Heathrow Express is hard to beat. But for most visitors, the Elizabeth line (above) offers better value and a more useful route.

Cost: £26 for a single in Standard Class if bought on the day. If you book in advance online, prices start from £10. Children aged 15 and under travel free with a paying adult. You can also use Oyster or contactless by tapping in and out at the barriers, but the fare is still £26 and does not count towards daily or weekly caps.

Journey time: 15 minutes to Paddington (+ a few minutes from Terminals 4 and 5).

Tips: The Heathrow Express can be a fast and economical option if you book well in advance. At the full £26 on-day price, the Elizabeth line at £15.50 is usually the better deal. You can book tickets on Trainline or see the full price table on the Heathrow Express website.

 

6. Taxi from Heathrow Airport

A ride in a London black cab is a quintessential part of any trip to London, and this is certainly an easy way to get from the airport and straight to your hotel. This is a great option if you have a lot of luggage, or you are a group of more than two people as it can work our fairly cost effectively.

There are a number of black taxi ranks at Heathrow, you can see a map here.

There are also minicab services operating from London Heathrow. These can be booked on the day from the official taxi desks, or you can compare prices and book in advance here. These will be fixed price trips, which can offer peace of mind.

Uber is another option for an on-demand taxi service.

Cost: Black cabs are metered, so fares vary depending on factors including traffic and time of day. Expect to pay in the region of £45 – £70. Minicabs will also vary, but you can book in advance for a fixed fare, which will likely start in the region of £45. Uber is usually slightly cheaper than a standard taxi, but will vary depending on distance.

Journey time: Will vary according to traffic, time of day, and your destination in London. Likely 45 – 90 minutes, door to door.

Tips: Always use either a black cab from an official stand, or a reputable minicab booked through an online service or at an official airport desk. Do not use unauthorised drivers who solicit your attention at the airport. We recommend Minicabit for comparing prices and getting a good deal on advance bookings.

 

7. Airport Transfer from Heathrow Airport

If all of the above sounds like too much effort, worry not. You can book a direct airport transfer from Heathrow Airport to your central London destination.

There are a few different options depending on the size of your group and budget.

One of the lower cost options is this shared transfer option which has you sharing a shuttle service. This is lower cost, but might take a bit longer.

If you don’t want to share the ride or are in a group, this private transfer option works for individuals and groups.

Cost: Current cost of a direct airport transfer starts at around £20 per person for a share option and rises, depending on service.

Journey time: Will vary according to traffic, time of day, and your destination in London. Likely 45 – 90 minutes, door to door.

Tips: This is definitely one of the most hassle-free way of getting to central London from Heathrow Airport, and can work out fairly cost effectively depending on group size and transport option

 

Where to Stay Near Heathrow Airport

Here are some recommended hotels near Heathrow Airport should you wish to stay overnight. You have two main options – you can stay at the airport itself, or you can stay at one of the hotels reached by shuttle or public bus, usually within 10 minutes of the airport. The latter tend to be a little less expensive.

• Hilton Garden Inn – found on site at Terminals 2&3, this is a great option if you don’t want to worry about shuttle buses. Rooms are all en-suite and there’s an on-site restaurant.
• Aerotel T3 – found on-site at Heathrow Terminal 3, this hotel offers en-suite rooms and a restaurant

If you are staying at the airport, you might be planning on leaving a car there too. Check out the official Heathrow airport parking website for parking information and prices.

 

How to Get from Gatwick Airport to London

Gatwick is London’s second busiest airport, and can be found 33 miles south of the city centre. Unlike Heathrow, it is not connected to the Tube network; however, there are still multiple options for getting to London from Gatwick airport.

 

1. Coach from Gatwick Airport

There are a number of coach services that offer transfers from Gatwick airport to central London. The most popular options are the National Express service and the easyBus service, which operate from both the north and south terminals at Gatwick Airport.

Both services terminate at London Victoria and services run through the night, so you should usually be able to find a coach at any time of night.

Cost: easyBus tickets are available from £2 one-way. National Express tickets are available from £6 one way (£5 + £1 booking fee) if you book 30 days in advance. Flexible tickets that let you get the next available National Express service are £10, available here.

Journey time: It takes around 90 minutes from London Gatwick to London Victoria

Tips: Depending on the ticket you buy, you may be committed to travelling only on the bus you specify. So do leave yourself plenty of time to get through customs and immigration and to collect your luggage. Tickets are cheaper the further in advance you book.

 

2. Train from Gatwick Airport

Gatwick has one major train station with a number of routes running into central London. The fastest option is the Gatwick Express, which takes 30 minutes to travel non-stop to London Victoria. Trains run every day from 5am to 00.30am, with departures every thirty minutes.

Two other train operators also run trains from Gatwick – Thameslink and Southern. These are slightly slower and cheaper, but also service different stops.

You can buy tickets at the station or online for all of these services. In addition, all these services accept Oyster cards or contactless cards for payment. For Gatwick Express it is usually cheaper to book online than to use Oyster. For Thameslink and southern services, the Oyster card will usually be the cheapest option.

We recommend The Trainline for train bookings.

Cost: Gatwick Express single tickets are £24.10 at the station (buying online saves around 10%). Check the Gatwick Express website for prices, as well as the this train ticketing website. Tickets for Thameslink and Southern start at £14.40 off-peak using Oyster or contactless (peak fares are higher). You can also compare prices and book tickets on all trains from Gatwick including Gatwick Express here.

Journey time: Varies depending on destination, but will be between 30 and 60 minutes for most trips.

Tips: Booking in advance and checking for offers will usually save you money on the Gatwick Express. On Thameslink or Southern, an Oyster card or contactless will usually offer the cheapest prices. You can either buy a visitor Oyster card in advance, buy an Oyster card in person at the station, or use your contactless card. Read our advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London for more information on your options. It’s also really important that you make sure you get on the right train, as tickets are often only valid for the operator you purchase for.

 

3. Taxi from Gatwick Airport

Gatwick is outside the range of London black taxis, however you can arrange a taxi in advance or at the taxi kiosks in both terminals. You can see the official page here for Gatwick taxis. Alternatively, you might find pre-booking a minicab is a cheaper option – check prices here.

Uber is another option for an on-demand taxi service, and if you’ve not used them before you can save on your first ride with this link.

Cost: A taxi through the recommended Gatwick taxi company to central London will cost from £60. Minicabit prices start from around £55.

Journey time: This will vary depending on traffic, time of day and destination, but will generally be 60 – 90 minutes.

Tips: A taxi or minicab for four or five people usually makes reasonable economic sense, plus it will take you directly to your destination.

 

4. Airport Transfer from Gatwick Airport

As with Heathrow, you can also book a direct airport transfer from Gatwick Airport to your central London destination.

This will be a more expensive option, but is certainly going to be hassle free. We found this option for you to consider.

Cost: Current cost of a direct airport transfer starts at around £100 for a group of three

Journey time: Will vary according to traffic, time of day, and your destination in London. Likely 45 – 90 minutes, door to door.

Tips: This is definitely one of the most hassle free way of getting to central London from Gatwick Airport but is also likely to be a more expensive option.

 

Where to Stay Near Gatwick Airport

Here are some recommended hotels near Gatwick Airport should you wish to stay overnight. As with Heathrow Airport, you have two options – you can stay at the airport itself, or you can stay at one of the hotels reached by shuttle or public bus, usually within 10 minutes of the airport.

Gatwick actually has quite a few hotel options on site, so we’d suggest one of these would be the easiest option. There are two terminals at Gatwick, so we’d suggest picking a hotel in the terminal you will be using.

• BLOC Hotel – found in the south terminal of London Gatwick, this hotel offers en-suite rooms with king size beds. We’ve stayed here, and whilst the rooms are small, they were very comfortable and the location is excellent.
• YOTELAIR – also in the south terminal, this hotel offers a similar setup to BLOC, with small rooms that feature everything you need. Prices are very reasonable and the location is also perfect.
• Sofitel London Gatwick – this four star hotel is found just a short walk via a covered walkway from Gatwick’s North Terminal. Room’s are all comfortably sized en-suite, with soundproofing. There are three on-site restaurants and two bars to choose from.
• Hilton London Gatwick – a four star Hilton just a few minutes walk from the North Terminal. We’ve stayed here, and rooms were comfortable. The on-site restaurants were also appreciated.

 

How to Get from Stansted Airport to London

If you’re flying with a low-cost carrier within Europe, chances are that you will arrive at London Stansted. This is London’s third biggest airport, and is found 40 miles north of London.

 

1. Train from Stansted Airport

There are two main train options for journeying from Stansted airport to central London. The first is the Stansted Express, a high speed train service which takes 45 minutes to London Liverpool Street and runs approximately every fifteen minutes. Times vary depending on the day of week, but usually start from 4.10am – 4.40am, and run until 23.25 – 00.30pm.

This service is operated by Greater Anglia, and goes via Tottenham Hale, where you can change for trains to Stratford.

Note that Stansted Airport is outside of the Oyster card system, so even if you have an Oyster card you will still need to purchase a train ticket.

Journey time: 47 minutes to London Liverpool Street

Cost: Stansted Express tickets cost from £21 off-peak or £23 peak. Advance tickets booked online can be cheaper.. Group discounts are also available. See this website for tickets and fares.

 

2. Coach from Stansted Airport

There are three major coach operators servicing Stansted airport, with services available 24 hours a day. The operators are National Express, Terravision and easyBus. Services run to London Victoria, with stops along the way including Liverpool Street and Stratford.

Cost: easyBus has tickets starting at £2 if booked in advance. National Express has tickets at £6 (£5 +£1 booking fee).  Terravision has buses for £9 to London Liverpool Street and £10 to London Victoria.

Journey time: varies depending on route, time of day and destination, but generally 50 – 90 minutes.

Tips: Definitely book in advance to get the best price.

 

3. Taxi from Stansted Airport

There are no taxi ranks at Stansted Airport, so the only option is to book a car, either in advance through a minicab booking service like minicabit, or on arrival at the taxi kiosk in the terminal. Rates will be set in advance.

Cost: Prices will vary depending on destination, but the cost will likely be £70 – £100 plus.

Journey time: It’s around a 1 hour drive from Stansted to central London

Tips: Skip the queues and get the best prices by booking online, we recommend minicabit.

 

Where to Stay Near Stansted Airport

Here are some recommended hotels near Stansted Airport should you wish to stay overnight. There are a couple of recommended options a couple of minutes walk from the hotel terminal, and a couple of options where you will need to take a shuttle.

• Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted – two minutes walk from Stansted Airport terminal, this well-located 4* hotel offers comfortable en-suite rooms. There are also three restaurants on site.
• Hampton by Hilton – just a few minutes walk from the terminal building, this 3* hotel offers great value comfortable en-suite rooms, as well as a bar.
• Holiday Inn Express London Stansted – 5 minutes (paid) shuttle ride from Stansted Airport, this is a great value 3* hotel. En-suite rooms include work desks and tea/coffee making facilities. There’s also a restaurant on site serving breakfast and dinner.

 

How to Get from Luton Airport to London

Another popular airport for low-cost airlines (easyJet are headquartered here), London Luton airport is 29 miles north west of London. There are a number of options for getting from Luton Airport to central London.

 

1. Train from Luton Airport

Two companies operate trains between London Luton and central London – Thameslink and East Midlands Railway. The primary destination for these trains is London St. Pancras International, which gives you access to the Tube network, as well as buses and taxis at St. Pancras. Trains run throughout the night, although there are gaps in service between around 1am and 3am.

East Midlands Railway also runs a branded Luton Airport Express service, which is a direct train from St Pancras to Luton Airport Parkway.

The train station is called Luton Airport Parkway. From here, the Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) connects you to the airport terminal. The DART is a fully automated electric train that replaced the old shuttle bus service in March 2023, and the journey takes just four minutes.

The important thing to know is that if you buy a rail ticket to “Luton Airport” rather than “Luton Airport Parkway,” the DART fare is included in your ticket price. If your ticket is only to Luton Airport Parkway, you will need to buy a separate DART ticket at £4.90 per adult. So always book to “Luton Airport” as your destination to avoid paying twice.

Luton Airport is outside the Oyster card zone, so you will need to purchase a train ticket even if you have an Oyster card.

Cost: Combined train and DART fares start from around £10.60 one way when booked in advance. Walk-up fares are higher.

Journey time: Around 25 minutes from St. Pancras to Luton Airport Parkway, then 4 minutes on the DART to the terminal. Total journey time is around 30 minutes.

Tips: As with all train journeys, the best prices come when booking in advance. Make sure you select “Luton Airport” as your destination (not “Luton Airport Parkway”) so the DART fare is included. Check prices and book online here.

 

2. Coach from Luton Airport

There are three coach operators with service between Luton airport and central London. They are National Express, easyBus, and Green Line.

Services operate through the night to a variety of destinations in London including to Finchley Road, Baker Street, Marble Arch, and Victoria.

Cost: easyBus has tickets starting at £2 if booked in advance. National Express has tickets at £6 (£5 +£1 booking fee). Green Line tickets start at £11.

Journey Time: Depends on time of day and destination, but typically 60 – 90 minutes. Note the Green Line is the slowest service and is not direct.

Tips: Book in advance to get the best price.

 

3. Taxi from Luton Airport

As Luton airport is outside the London black taxi area, only pre-booked vehicles are available. You can book a taxi either in advance before arrival with Addison Lee, or on site when you arrive at the Addison Lee desk.

You can also use minicabit to compare prices for minicabs.

Cost: Around £100 with Addison Lee, depending on destination. Minicabit prices start around £65.

Journey time: Approximately an hour into central London by car.

Tips: Pre-booking with a private mini cab firm will usually be the cheaper option.

 

Where to Stay Near Luton Airport

Here are some recommended hotels near Luton Airport should you wish to stay overnight. There are no hotels within the terminal building, however, the closest hotel is only a 10 minute walk from the terminal, or a short shuttle ride.

• Holiday Inn Express London Luton Airport – found just 10 minutes walk from Luton Airport, or a short shuttle ride, this is the closest hotel to Luton Airport. Rooms are all en-suite with work desks and there’s an on-site restaurant and bar.
• Holiday Inn London Luton Airport – another minute or so walk past the previous hotel, this is another great value option. Rooms feature tea/coffee facilities, en-suite, and there’s an on-site restaurant and bar.
• ibis London Luton Airport – this budget oriented hotel is just a little past the previous two hotels, and also accessible via a shuttle bus for a small fee. Rooms are small but have everything you need. Breakfast is available and there is a cafe, but no full service restaurant.

 

How to Get from London City Airport to London

London City Airport is the closest airport to London. It is in fact inside the city, in London’s docklands. It is only capable of handling smaller aircraft due to its location, however a lot of UK and European flights do come here, and it is popular with business travellers. Being so central, it’s easy to get to the rest of London.

 

1. DLR from London City Airport

The DLR, or Docklands Light Railway, is an automated light metro system which serves the docklands area of London. It connects to both rail and Tube stops in London, and is the easiest way to get to London from London City Airport.

Services run from around 5.30am until midnight.

Cost: It’s currently £3.90 peak / £3.30 off-peak with Oyster or contactless card to travel from the London City Airport DLR station to Zone 1 in London, which is where most travellers will be heading.

Journey time: Depends on where you are going in London, most journeys will likely be between 15 minutes and an hour.

Tips: Definitely use an Oyster card or contactless payment card for this journey. You can either buy a Visitor Oyster card in advance, buy an Oyster card in person at the station, or use your contactless card. Read our advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London for more information on your options.

 

2. Bus from London City Airport

Two London bus routes service London City Airport – the 473 and 474. Neither of these go directly to central London, so you will have to change buses depending on your destination. The bus is definitely the cheapest option, but might not be the most convenient from London City Airport depending on your destination.

Cost: A ticket costs £1.75. Journeys cannot be paid in cash, you must have a contactless card or an Oyster card.

Journey time: will depend entirely on your destination, time of day and traffic.

Tips: Our suggestion would be to either buy a Visitor Oyster card in advance, buy an Oyster card in person at the station, or to use your contactless card. Read our advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London for more information on your options.

 

3. Taxi from London City Airport

There is a black cab rank outside London City Airport, where you can catch a black cab anywhere inside London which will be on a metered fare. You can also prebook a minicab with minicabit.

Cost: Prices will vary depending on destination, but expect to pay £35 – £45 to get to central London with a black cab, and roughly the same with a minicab.

Journey time: Depends on time of day and destination, but 20 – 40 minutes in most cases.

Tips: Prebooking a service will give peace of mind at busier times of day, but there are usually plenty of black cabs available in London.

 

Where to Stay Near London City Airport

One of the main benefits of flying into London City Airport is that it brings you right into London, with good transport links across the city. As a result, there’s less need to stay at an airport hotel, as there are a great many hotels across London to choose from!

However, if you have an early morning flight or arrive late in the evening, you might appreciate a hotel closer to the airport, so we recommend the following options:

• London City Airport Hotel – just 3 minutes walk from London City Airport, this is definitely the most convenient hotel for London City Airport. Rooms are comfortable with en-suite facilities, work desk and tea/coffee making facilities. Definitely the best option if proximity to the airport is key.
• Holiday Inn Express London ExCel – this hotel is a few minutes walk from the London ExCel centre, which is handy if you are visiting for a show at this large exhibition centre. It’s around a six minute taxi ride, or 22 minutes on the DLR from the airport. The hotel offers en-suite rooms with breakfast included, as well as a restaurant and bar.
• Hampton By Hilton London Docklands – a similar distance from the airport as the Holiday Inn Express, this 3* hotel offers good value en-suite rooms which include tea/coffee making facilities. Breakfast is included and there’s a restaurant on site.

 

How to Get from London Southend Airport to London

Located 40 miles east of London, Southend airport is the least busy of London’s six major airports. However, the airport has undergone expansions, and is used by a number of airlines which service primarily European destinations. It has fewer transport options than the other airports.

 

1. Train from London Southend Airport

Up to eight trains an hour operated by Greater Anglia connect London Southend airport with London’s Liverpool Street station, and the train station is on site at the airport, so easy to find. Trains run from 4.05am until 11pm.

Cost: Prices start from around £11.90 to Stratford, and £15.10 to London Liverpool Street.

Journey time: 45 minutes to Stratford, 55 minutes to London Liverpool Street

Tips: None really, the train is an easy way to get from Southend airport to central London, and our recommended option.

 

2. Taxi from London Southend Airport

Being outside London’s black taxi area means you’ll need to book a private hire car or minicab. The official taxi firm for Southend Airport is Addison Lee. You can also pre-book a minicab with minicabit.

Cost: Approximately £100 into central London. It is also possible to split the taxi with other people for a fixed fare of £100 to London Liverpool Street. Minicabit prices start from around £62 into central London.

Journey time: Depends on time of day and destination, but likely 60 – 110 minutes.

Tips: We’d suggest the train if possible. For a group booking, a taxi might be cheaper if booked in advance.

 

Where to Stay Near London Southend Airport

There’s one hotel on site at London Southend Airport, which is the hotel we’d recommend if you are wanting to spend the night near the airport.

The airport is not far from Southend itself, and there are also many hotels to choose from in the city if you would prefer some other options.

• Holiday Inn Southend – this airport in on-site at the airport, and is the closest hotel to Southend Airport. It’s also just a 10 minute walk from Southend Airport Railway Station. Rooms are all en-suite, and feature tea/coffee making facilities.
• Southend Airport Bed and Breakfast – if you’re looking for a budget B&B near the airport, this is a very well rated option. Rooms feature shared bathrooms, free continental breakfast, and it’s less than a kilometre to the airport.

 

How to Get Between London Airports

Whilst this guide is primarily focused on getting from London’s airports into the cities, I am often asked how to get between London’s airports, say between London Heathrow airport and London Gatwick airport. This transfer can happen sometimes, usually between Gatwick and Heathrow, when you book a ticket. It’s also sometimes required to get to Stanstead for a budget European flight after arriving into Heathrow or Gatwick on a long-haul international flight.

Generally, if possible, I’d advise against booking a flight connection on the same day. Getting between London’s airports can be a bit of a hassle, especially with luggage. However, as it is sometimes necessary, here are your options.

How to get from Heathrow to Gatwick airport

There are a few options for traveling between Heathrow and Gatwick airport (or from Gatwick to Heathrow).

First, there are two dedicated coach companies service this route: National Express and the Airline with the Oxford Bus Company. The journey takes approximately 75 minutes, depending on traffic, and pricing is in the region of £15 – £20 one way. You can normally buy tickets on the bus if there is room, but booking in advance will guarantee you a seat.

Next, you can travel by train. This is a bit less convenient as you have to take the train or underground into London (from Heathrow to Paddington or Victoria), the underground across London (Paddington to Victoria or Blackfriars) and then back out of London (Victoria or Blackfriars to Gatwick). Journey time if everything goes well is likely to be around 90 minutes, and the price will be from around £18 depending on which route you take.

Finally, you can book a taxi. This will generally take a similar amount of time to the coach transfer but will cost more, usually in the region of £60 – £80. If you are travelling in a group this can work out to be fairly cost effective.

 

How to Get Between Other London Airports

For the other airports on our list, such as from Heathrow to Stanstead, or Gatwick to London City, you will basically just want to follow our guides for getting to and from London for each airport. So for example, from Heathrow to Stansted you would follow the guide for getting from Heathrow to London, and then the guide for getting from London to Stansted.

You can also always take a taxi, but be aware this is going to be a fairly pricey option for most of these transfers.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which London airport is closest to the city centre?

London City Airport is the closest. It is actually inside London, in the Docklands area, and you can reach central London in around 20 minutes by DLR and Tube. Heathrow is the next closest in terms of travel time, with the Heathrow Express taking 15 minutes to Paddington, though the Piccadilly Line and Elizabeth Line are cheaper options at around 50 and 30 minutes respectively.

In terms of distance, Heathrow is 14 miles from central London, Luton is 29 miles, Gatwick is 33 miles, and both Stansted and Southend are around 40 miles out.

What is the cheapest way to get from Heathrow to central London?

The cheapest option is the night bus (N9) at £1.75, but this only runs late at night. During the day, the Piccadilly Line on the Underground is the cheapest at £5.90 using Oyster or contactless, and takes around 50 minutes to central London. The Elizabeth Line costs £15.50 and takes about 30 minutes to Paddington, continuing on to other central London stations. The Heathrow Express is the fastest at 15 minutes but costs £26 on the day (from £10 if booked well in advance).

Can I use an Oyster card from Gatwick Airport?

Yes. You can use Oyster or contactless on all train services from Gatwick Airport to London, including Gatwick Express, Thameslink, and Southern. For Thameslink and Southern services, Oyster or contactless will usually give you the cheapest fare. For Gatwick Express, booking online in advance is usually cheaper than using Oyster or contactless, which charges £24.10 for a single.

How do I get from Luton Airport to central London?

Take a train to Luton Airport Parkway station and then the Luton DART, an automated train that takes four minutes to the terminal. The DART replaced the old shuttle bus in 2023. The key tip is to book your rail ticket to “Luton Airport” rather than “Luton Airport Parkway,” as this includes the DART fare in your ticket price. If you book separately, the DART costs £4.90 each way. Combined train and DART fares from London St Pancras start from around £10.60 when booked in advance.

Is the Heathrow Express worth it?

It depends on what you are willing to pay for speed and convenience. The Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes to Paddington and costs £26 on the day, or from £10 if you book 30 or more days in advance. The Elizabeth Line takes about 30 minutes to Paddington for £15.50, and continues on through central London to stations like Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street, which can save you a connection. The Piccadilly Line takes around 50 minutes but costs just £5.90.

If you book the Heathrow Express well in advance at the £10 fare, it can be good value. At the full £26, most visitors will find the Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line a better deal, especially since Elizabeth Line fares count towards your daily cap for onward travel in London.

How do I get between Heathrow and Gatwick airports?

There are three main options. The most convenient is a direct coach with National Express or the Airline (Oxford Bus Company), which takes about 75 minutes and costs £15-£20. You can also take the train, which involves travelling into London and back out again (around 90 minutes total, from about £18). A taxi is the most expensive option at £60-£80 but can make sense for a group. If possible, avoid booking connecting flights between these two airports on the same day, as the transfer can be stressful with luggage.

 

Further Reading for your visit to London

And that’s it for our advice on getting to central London from all of London’s airports. Before you go, here are some resources you might find useful for planning the rest of your trip.

• To help you plan your time in London effectively, check out our itineraries for 1 Day in London, 2 Days in London, 3 Days in London and 6 Days in London
• We have a complete guide to all our favourite hotels in London, with our recommendations across all the main areas in London we recommend.
• A full review of the London Pass which can help you figure out if the pass would help you save you money on your trip to London.
• A guide to public transport in London, tips on how to buy and use the Oyster card in London, plus advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London.
• We have detailed guides to visiting the Tower of London and the London Eye which includes information on planning your visit and how to save money on these popular attractions
• Tips on finding the best Photography Locations in London that I put together
• For the Harry Potter fans amongst you, take a look at our guide to the key Harry Potter filming locations in London
• Our guide to 8 Things to Do in Kensington, London, in case you wanted to focus more on a specific region of the city
• Our experience taking a full day walking tour of London, in case you like the idea of a fully guided day
• We have a complete guide to the best food tours in London, which also details all the food and drink you might consider trying when in the capital
• If you are interested in day trips from London, we have posts on a Stonehenge, Bath & Cotswolds day trip, and tips on planning a Oxford day trip.
• Travelling on from London and looking to visit Edinburgh? Check out our guide to getting from London to Edinburgh.
• How about heading to Paris from London? We have a detailed guide to the best way to get from London to Paris to help you plan
• The DK London, which has all sorts of information within, including more itineraries and ideas for your trip
• Rick Steve’s London guide, the #1 bestseller on Amazon for UK travel guides, and always an excellent source of relevant information

And that’s it! We hope you found our post useful for your visit to London. If you have any questions – let us know in the comments below!