London – the capital of and largest city in England and the United Kingdom – is located on the River Thames in the south-east of England, at the head of a 80km (50mi) estuary leading to the North Sea.
London is serviced by six international airports and several smaller airports, that handle more than 60% of all the United Kingdom's air traffic.
In deciding which airport to arrive and departure it's worth considering travel time to and from the airport as well as the relevant cost.
For instance, budget carriers generally use those airports furthest from the city centre, requiring longer transit time by train, bus or taxi, with higher travel costs.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest of London's airports and is considered the main gateway into the United Kingdom for non-European visitors.
London Heathrow Airport is located 24km (15mi) from central London.
London City Airport (LCY) is located near Canary Wharf in London's Docklands, around 11km (7mi) from central London.
London City Airport is the closest airport to the City of London, with flights to destinations across the UK and northern Europe.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is located in West Sussex, around 45km (29mi) from central London.
London Gatwick Airport is the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom, and handles flights to more destinations than any other UK airport.
London Luton Airport (LTN) is located in Bedfordshire around 2.4km (1.5mi) east of Luton town centre and 51km (32mi) from central London.
London Luton Airport mainly services low-cost carriers easyJet, TUI Airways, Ryanair and Wizz Air to destinations mainly within Europe, as well as seasonal charter and scheduled routes to destinations in Northern Africa and Asia.
London Stansted Airport (STN) is located in Essex, around 48km (30mi) from central London.
London Stansted Airport is the largest operational base for Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier and the world's largest international airline by number of international passengers.
London Southend Airport (SEN) is located in Essex, around 3km (2mi) north of Southend and 58km (36mi) from central London.
London Southend Airport mainly services low-cost carriers, including easyJet and Ryanair to destinations mainly within Europe.
The following are the most convenient and quickest routes to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), England.
Within United Kingdom: British Airways and Flybe offer the most convenient daily direct flights to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Edinburgh to London is 1 hr 20 min, direct flight
Glasgow to London is 1 hr 15 min, direct flight
Belfast City to London is 1 hr 15 min, direct flight
Manchester to London is 1 hr, direct flight
From Ireland: British Airways and Aer Lingus offer the most convenient daily direct flights to London Heathrow.
Dublin to London is 1 hrs 15 min, direct flight
From France: Air France and British Airways offer the most convenient direct flights from Paris CDG to London Heathrow.
Paris to London is 1 hr 10 min, direct flight
From Germany: British Airways, Eurowings and Lufthansa offer the most convenient flights to London Heathrow.
Berlin to London is 1 hr 35 min, direct flight
Dusseldorf to London is 1 hr 20 min, direct flight
Frankfurt to London is 1 hr 40 min, direct flight
Hamburg to London is 1 hr 40 min, direct flight
Munich to London is 2 hrs, direct flight
From United States: Delta Air Lines, British Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines offer the most convenient daily flights to London Heathrow.
Atlanta to London is 8 hrs 10 min, direct flight
Boston to London is 6 hrs 29 min, direct flight
Chicago to London is 11 hrs 55 min, direct flight
Dallas-Fort Worth to London is 9 hrs 5 min, direct flight
New York to London is 6 hrs 50 min, direct flight
Los Angeles to London is 10 hrs 15 min, direct flight
San Francisco to London is 10 hrs 24 min, direct flight
From Canada: Air Canada and British Airways offer the most convenient daily flights to London Heathrow.
Montreal to London is 6 hrs 35 min, direct flight
Toronto to London is 6 hrs 55 min, with connecting flightˆ
Vancouver to London is 9 hrs 15 min, with connecting flightˆ
From Singapore: Singapore Airlines, Qantas and British Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to London.
Singapore to London is 13 hrs 25 min, direct flight
From Australia: Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas offer the most convenient scheduled flights to London Heathrow.
Perth to London is 17 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Adelaide to London is 22 hrs 25 min, with connecting flightˆ
Brisbane to London is 22 hrs 35 min, with connecting flightˆ
Sydney to London is 23 hrs 15 min, with connecting flightˆ
Melbourne to London is 22 hrs 10 min, with connecting flightˆ
From New Zealand: Air New Zealand offers the most convenient scheduled flights to London.
Auckland to London is 23 hrs 50 min, with connecting flightˆ
(ˆincludes transfer time.)
In deciding which of London's six international airports to use it's worth considering the travel time to and from the airport to your ultimate destination in London, as well as the relevant transport cost.
London Heathrow Airport is the largest of London's airports and is considered the main gateway into the United Kingdom for non-European visitors.
London Heathrow Airport is located 24km (15mi) from central London.
Terminals 2 and 3 are within walking distance of each other and are connected via underground walkways. Transfers between Terminals 2 and 3, Terminals 4 and 5 are free on the Heathrow Express train or shuttle bus.
Taxi: London's licensed black cabs serve London Heathrow Airport and are available outside each terminal. Taxis can be booked in advance via Heathrow Taxis (tel: +44 203 637 9324; www.heathrowtaxis.org).
The journey time to central London is around 60 minutes and the fare is between £45-£90, depending on traffic conditions.
Underground rail: London Heathrow Airport is on the London Underground (tel: +44 343 222 1234; www.tfl.gov.uk) network. Separate stations for Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 are located on the Piccadilly Line, which can take passengers into central London, taking 50 minutes to central London.
Fare is around £6.00 – discounted when using an Oyster Card or contactless debit card.
Rail: The Heathrow Express non-stop train service (tel: +44 345 600 1515; www.heathrowexpress.com) connects London Heathrow Airport to London Paddington Station every 15 minutes. Journey time is around 15-20 minutes, and the fare is £25.
For national rail travel information, contact the 24-hour National Rail Enquiries line (tel: +44 845 748 4950; www.nationalrail.co.uk).
Bus: Numerous local buses (tel: +44 343 222 1234; www.tfl.gov.uk) stop at Heathrow's Central Bus Station (located between Terminals 2 and 3) as well as at Terminals 4 and 5. At night, the N9 bus service operates to central London.
Note: Cash is not accepted on London buses, payment must be made with either contactless bank card or TFL Oyster Card. The standard single bus fare (any distance on the same bus) is £1.50.
Coach: Coaches connect London Heathrow Airport to more than 500 destinations throughout the United Kingdom. National Express is the major service provider (tel: +44 871 781 8181; www.nationalexpress.com).
Car hire companies servicing London Heathrow Airport include Alamo, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Sixt. Desks for these service providers are located on the arrivals level of each terminal.
Money: There are numerous ATMs and Bureaux de Change facilities in all terminals (both before- and after-security).
Food: There are numerous restaurants, bars, fast-food outlets, coffee shops, pubs and sandwich bars throughout London Heathrow Airport. These include caviar and seafood bars in all terminals and a restaurant run by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey in Terminal 5.
Shopping: Each terminal features a wide variety of shops, including duty-free outlets (for those travelling outside the EU), fashion boutiques, electrical shops and newsagents.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout London Heathrow Airport; fixed internet terminals are also available.
There is a post office in Terminal 3. Card- and coin-operated public telephones can be found in the main areas of each terminal.
Mobile telephone charging kiosks are located in the check-in hall and departure lounges.
Other: Other facilities at London Heathrow Airport include multifaith prayer rooms in all terminals, a Christian chapel (close to Heathrow's Central Bus Station), showers (in all terminals), spas (in Terminal 5) and an art gallery (Terminal 5).
There are pharmacies in all terminals, and the chemists in Terminal 5 (before security) dispense prescriptions.
Special assistance (tel: :+44 344 335 1000) is available for disabled passengers at various help points throughout the terminal buildings and car parks.
Passengers requiring wheelchairs should contact the individual airlines prior to travel. Porters are available to help with wheelchair and baggage assistance.
Facilities include wheelchair-accessible telephones, reserved seating and disabled toilets in all terminals, while disabled car parking is also available at designated spaces.
Text telephones, induction loops and a Minicom information line are available for the hearing impaired.
A wheelchair-accessible bus service operates between all terminals and the central bus station.
The Heathrow Express, black cabs and many bus and coach operators provide facilities for wheelchairs.
London City Airport is located near Canary Wharf in London's Docklands, around 11km (7mi) from central London.
London City Airport is the closest airport to the City of London, with flights to destinations across the UK and northern Europe.
Taxi: A taxi stand with licensed black taxis is located directly outside the terminal building. Metered fares to central London are approximately £25-30, depending on traffic conditions and the exact destination.
Shuttle: A payable daily shuttle bus service runs every 30 minutes to several hotels in the area.
Light rail: The Dockland Light Railway (DLR) offers a frequent rail service to and from London City Airport DLR Station, located next to the terminal building.
Trains run every eight to 15 minutes, and take 22 minutes to reach Bank station, with multiple onward connections on the London Underground. The fare is £4.80.
Note: Fares on the DLR and London Underground are substantially reduced when using an electronic Oyster Card, which can be purchased at any London Underground ticket office.
Bus: Local bus 473 links London City Airport to Stratford and North Woolwich (connecting with the London Underground), while buses 300 and 474 serve Canning Town. A single bus ride costs £1.50.
Note: You can only pay for bus travel with a contactless debit card, purchased Day Travelcard or electronic Oyster Card. (tel: +44 343 222 1234; www.tfl.gov.uk)
Car hire companies located at London City Airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Hertz. Car hire desks are located beside the terminal building.
Money: Bureaux de Change and ATMs are located within the terminal building, both before and after security screening.
Food: Sandwich and coffee outlets can be found in the public area, while restaurants, cafés and a bar are located in the departures area.
Shopping: Several shops at London City Airport include a newsagents/bookshop, a jewellery and watch retailer, and a tax- and duty-free shop for travellers leaving the EU. A collection service is available for returning shoppers.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout London City Airport. There are also internet kiosks in Departures. A post box is located in Arrivals.
Other: Other facilities at London City Airport include a complimentary shoeshine service, situated next to the information desk.
Note: London City Airport runs a silent airport policy, meaning announcements over the speakers are only used in the case of bad weather or an emergency.
The terminal is fully accessible to disabled passengers. Travellers are requested to contact their airline in advance for aircraft boarding assistance.
Airport shuttle buses have dedicated facilities for disabled passengers and there are car parking spaces allocated close to the terminal building for disabled travellers.
London Gatwick Airport is located in West Sussex, around 45km (29mi) from central London.
It is the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom, and handles flights to more destinations than any other UK airport.
A free 24-hour shuttle train links the North and South Terminals, taking 2 minutes.
Taxi: Taxis wait outside the terminal buildings. Fares into central London are around £100.
Taxi booking desks (tel: +44 1293 550 000; taxis.gatwickairport.com) are located in the North Terminal arrivals area and the northern entrance to the South Terminal.
Taxis can also be booked in advance via the airport website.
You can also book private minicabs that will wait for you to arrive. Prices range depending on your destination. A central London fare can be as little as £40.
Coach: Gatwick is linked to over 100 towns and cities across the UK via direct coach and bus services. The main coach station is located on the ground floor of the South Terminal, with most services operating from here.
Principal routes also stop at the North Terminal. There are desks providing coach information and tickets in the arrivals concourses of both terminals.
EasyBus (www.easybus.com) runs services to several stops in central London.
National Express (tel: +44 871 781 8181; www.nationalexpress.com) operates services to London Heathrow Airport and central London from both terminals. National Express Shuttle Coach 25 connects to London Victoria Station, taking approximately 1 hour.
Oxford Bus (tel: +44 1865 785 400; www.oxfordbus.co.uk) links the North and South Terminals to Oxford, taking approximately 2.5 hours.
The Gatwick Flyer (tel: +44 1708 730 555; www.gatwickflyer.co.uk) runs to destinations east of London, with connections to Heathrow and Stansted airports, departing from the South Terminal station only.
Coaches run 24/7 all year round with the exception for Easybus on Christmas day.
Train: London Gatwick Airport has its own railway station, located adjacent to the South Terminal.
The Gatwick Express (+44 345 850 1530; www.gatwickexpress.co.uk) shuttle to and from London Victoria Station, runs every 15 minutes, taking 30 minutes. Fares are from £19.90 with a 10% discount available if booked online.
The Thameslink (tel: +44 345 026 4700; www.thameslinkrailway.com) service stops at London St Pancras International, and other London stations, taking 45 minutes to 1 hour before heading north to Luton and Bedford. The fare is from £12.90.
Southern (tel: +44 3451 27 29 20; www.southernrailway.com) services connect the airport with London mainline terminals and the south coast. Journey time is from 30 minutes, and the fare is from £12.00.
Information on all national rail travel is available through the 24-hour National Rail Enquiries line (tel: +44 345 748 4950; www.nationalrail.co.uk).
Car hire companies located at London Gatwick Airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Sixt.
Money: Bureaux de Change facilities and ATMs are available in the arrivals and departures areas of both terminals, open 24 hours.
Food: Numerous restaurants, bars and cafés are located in both terminals. Most are open between 0400-2200 but some 24/7.
Shopping: The numerous shops at London Gatwick Airport, include fashion boutiques, souvenir retailers and newsagents. Several duty-free outlets are available for passengers leaving the EU. The airport also offers home delivery and collection services for items purchased within the terminal.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout London Gatwick Airport (the first 90 minutes of use is free of charge).
There are also ChargeBox facilities in both terminals for charging mobile devices. Public telephones are located throughout the airport.
Postboxes are located in the post-security departure areas of the South and North Terminals and at check-in in the North Terminal.
Other: Facilities at London Gatwick Airport include baby changing rooms, showers, a children's play area and prayer rooms.
There are extensive business facilities and meeting rooms at the No.1 Lounge (tel: +44 8442 646 440) in the North Terminal. The South Terminal's No.1 Lounge offers similar services, with runway views, but without meeting space.
Special assistance (tel: +44 344 892 0322; option 4) is available for disabled passengers. There are ramps and lifts, disabled toilets, induction loops and reserved seating.
Wheelchair assistance and help with baggage is also available on request. Passengers requiring further assistance should inform the relevant airline before travelling.
Luton Airport is located in Bedfordshire around 2.4km (1.5mi) east of Luton town centre and 51km (32mi) from central London.
London Luton Airport mainly services low-cost carriers easyJet, TUI Airways, Ryanair and Wizz Air to destinations mainly within Europe, as well as seasonal charter and scheduled routes to destinations in Northern Africa and Asia.
Taxi: Alpha Taxis (tel: +44 1582 599 499; www.alphataxisluton.com), Cabco Taxis Luton (tel: +44 1582 737 777; www.lutoncabcotaxi.com) and Luton Taxi Association (tel: +44 1582 735 555) offer pre-bookable services to and from the airport, while licensed taxis are available at a rank outside the terminal.
Fares to central London start at £70 and the journey takes around 40 minutes, depending on the time of day and traffic conditions.
Bus: Local bus services connect London Luton Airport with the surrounding areas. Stagecoach bus 99 links the airport to Luton and Milton Keynes. Bus tickets are available at the Onward Travel Centre in the main concourse. There are also regular services from London Luton Airport to Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
For further information, contact Traveline (tel: +44 871 200 2233; www.traveline.org.uk).
Coach: The Greenline 757 express coach (tel: +44 844 801 7261; www.greenline.co.uk), Easybus (www.easybus.co.uk) and National Express (tel: +44 871 781 8178; www.nationalexpress.com) links London Luton Airport to various destinations in central London.
Journey times is about two hours and costs around £15 (depending on the provider).
National Express coaches also operate to destinations throughout the country. Coach tickets are available from the Onward Travel Centre.
Shuttle: A shuttle bus service connects the airport to the nearby Luton Airport Parkway Station, taking 10 minutes, every 20 minutes. The fare is £1.60 (cash only).
Rail: Thameslink Railway (tel: +44 345 026 4700; www.thameslinkrailway.com) and East Midlands Trains (tel: +44 3457 125 678; www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk) provide services to London. Journey time to London is around 20-30 minutes, with the fare from £9.
For further information on times and fares, call the 24-hour National Rail enquiries line (tel: +44 8457 484 950; www.nationalrail.co.uk).
Car hire companies located at London Luton Airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt. Free shuttle buses link the terminal with the car hire centre.
Money: ATMs and Bureaux de Change facilities are located throughout the terminal building.
Food: London Luton Airport offers a choice of restaurants, cafés and bars, as well as a food court area in Departures.
Shopping: A wide variety of shops at London Luton Airport include 24-hour duty-free shopping (for passengers leaving the EU), designer clothing outlets and newsagents. A 'collect on return' service is available from the Aelia duty-free shop for those not wishing to take their purchases onboard.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available – the first 30 minutes of which is free to use at £3 per hour. Public telephones, some of which are web-enabled, are located throughout the terminal. Postboxes can be found both pre- and post-security check.
Other: Facilities include a children's play centre, baby care rooms and a chapel. The Servisair executive lounge (tel: +44 1582 700 898) in Departures offers complimentary drinks and snacks and a range of business facilities, including free Wi-Fi and mobile device charging points.
London Luton Airport is fully accessible and includes dedicated toilets and lowered telephones, as well as induction loops for the hearing impaired.
Wheelchair and baggage assistance can be requested via the special assistance telephones located at various points within the terminal.
Luton Airport Express shuttle buses are wheelchair-accessible. Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline before travelling. Disabled parking is also available (tel: +44 345 303 7397).
Stansted Airport is located in Essex, around 63km (39mi) from central London, and is the largest operational base for Ryanair – Europe's largest low-cost carrier and the world's largest international airline by number of international passengers.
Taxi: Taxis, operated by 24x7 (tel: +44 1279 661 111; www.24x7stansted.com), are located outside the terminal building. The journey time to central London is around 60 minutes and the fare is approximately £100.
Coach: The coach station is located in front of the terminal forecourt. National Express (tel: +44 0371 781 8181; www.nationalexpress.com) coach services operate to several destinations including London Victoria, taking around 105 minutes.
Easybus (www.easybus.co.uk) route EB2 connects to London Baker Street, taking around 75 minutes, with the fare from £6.
Terravision Express Shuttle (www.terravision.eu) provides a non-stop service to London Victoria, taking around 75 minutes, with the fare from £6. Other Terravision services are available to Liverpool Street Station and Stratford.
For further information on all coach services from the airport, contact Traveline (tel: +44 871 200 2233; www.traveline.org.uk).
Rail: London Stansted Airport railway station is located directly beneath the terminal building.
The Stansted Express train to London's Liverpool Street station leaves every 20 minutes, taking 50 minutes and costs £23.40. The train stops at Tottenham Hale for underground rail (tube) connections to London's West End.
CrossCountry Trains (tel: +44 844 811 0124; www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk) operates services to the Midlands and beyond.
For more information about train times and fares, contact National Rail (tel: +44 845 748 4950; www.nationalrail.co.uk).
Car hire companies at London Stansted Airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt.
Money: ATMs and Bureaux de Change are located both pre- and post security.
Food: Several restaurants, cafés and bars are located before and after security at London Stansted Airport. These include Italian restaurants, a sushi bar, fast-food outlets and a British-style pub.
Shopping: Numerous shops include duty-free outlets (for passengers leaving the EU), clothes boutiques and newsagents. A free shopping collection service is available for passengers travelling within the EU.
Wi-Fi: Wireless internet access (free for the first 60 minutes) is available throughout the terminal, pay-for internet kiosks (including printing services) are also available in the terminal, both pre- and post-security.
There are postboxes for letters, while stamps are available at the popular newsagent chain in check-in Zone C and the international arrivals area.
Other: Facilities at London Stansted Airport include a multifaith chapel (located in check-in Zone J). Baby changing areas and showers are available to use free of charge are found in both the arrivals and departures areas.
No. 1 Business Lounge, which offer complimentary drinks, newspapers and Wi-Fi access, is bookable via the airport website.
Ramps, lifts and escalators link all levels of the terminal building, including the train station. There are wheelchair-accessible toilets throughout London Stansted Airport.
All telephones are fitted with induction couplers and hearing loops, and TDD telephones are also installed within the terminal.
Passengers requiring a wheelchair or assistance boarding the aircraft should contact their airline prior to travel.
Reserved parking is provided for disabled visitors – courtesy transfer shuttles to the car parks are wheelchair accessible.
All trains serving London Stansted Airport are also equipped with facilities for disabled passengers, however not all coaches are accessible so passengers should check with the individual provider before beginning their journey.
Southend Airport is located in Essex, around 3km (2mi) north of Southend and 58km (36mi) from central London.
Taxi: The official London Southend Airport taxi service is provided by Andrews Airport Cars (tel: (01702) 200 000; www.southendairporttaxis.com).
Journey time to central London takes from 90 to 120 minutes and the fare is around £100 (depending on traffic and the exact destination).
Bus: Arriva (tel: 0870 120 1088; www.arrivabus.co.uk) buses 7, 8 and 9 link London Southend Airport with Southend-on-Sea town centre in 10 to 15 minutes. A single fare is around £2.50.
Coach: First Group's (tel: 0871 200 2223; www.firstgroup.com) X30 Southend to London Stansted Airport (via Chelmsford) stops at London Southend Airport – journey time is around 90 minutes and the fare is £16. The coach stop is at the end of the taxi rank opposite the air traffic control tower.
Rail: Southend Airport railway station is located close to the terminal building, with trains to London's Liverpool Street station taking around 55 minutes.
There are up to eight trains per hour running between Southend Airport and central London.
Services are operated by Greater Anglia trains (tel: 0845 600 724; www.greateranglia.co.uk) – the service to London Liverpool Street station, takes around 53 minutes, with the fare £14.90; and to London Stratford station, takes around 44 minutes, with the fare £12.10.
Money: A small Bureau de Change is located in the entrance area. ATMs are available within the terminal building.
Food: The Laker’s Bar, which is located at the top of the departure lounge stairs, sells a variety of hot and cold drinks including alcoholic beverages.
An Arnold & Forbes café, located inside the departures lounge, sells snacks and beverages. There is also a Coffee Pod inside the departures lounge, which sells hot drinks and snacks.
Shopping: London Southend Airport is home to Stobart Airport Shopping, which sells perfumes, cosmetics, alcohol and gifts.
Duty-free shopping is currently unavailable, as all services operating from the airport are to countries within the European Union.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available at London Southend Airport.
Other: The Stobart First Class Lounge is equipped with iPad docks, Wi-Fi access and fax machines, among a range of facilities. Entrance is subject to a one-off fee or membership.
The terminal building is accessible to the physically disabled, with ramps and/or lifts where necessary. Wheelchair push and provision, and help with baggage are provided on request prior to arrival at the airport (tel: (01702) 538 517).
Additional in-terminal services include reserved seating throughout the airport, an induction loop and disabled toilets.
Special parking provision is available for those with the required permits, while the railway station is also fully accessible.
Passengers requiring assistance with their journey through the airport should inform the relevant airline before travelling.
A passport valid for at least six months beyond intended period of stay, a return/onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
Apart from walking, bicycles, taxis, buses and hire cars are all available to explore London.
But overall, the iconic London Underground (commonly known as 'the Tube') is best for navigating London. It’s generally faster than taking a bus or taxi through the city's often traffic-clogged streets.
If time is not a factor, jump on a double-decker bus to best sightsee London's diverse neighbourhoods.
More about transport options in London…
Latest update: How to get to London: 9 January, 2023
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