Which airport in London should you fly into? Strategies and tips for an easy landing


With six major airports in London, deciding which airport to fly into can be daunting. Some deciding factors could be fare prices, ease of transportation, waiting time and facilities. To help you plan for a seamless arrival in London, we’ve come up with this guide to the six airports in the city.
1. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

London Heathrow Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports and the biggest in the U.K. With four terminals in use, Heathrow services more than 80 airlines from around the world. If you’re flying on a long-haul flight into London, chances are this is where you would likely land.
As the biggest airport, there are loads of things to do at Heathrow Airport. For shoppers, Heathrow is your heaven—you can find everything from luxury brands to gift shops. There are also plenty of lounges at Heathrow that you can benefit from through membership programs or priority passes. If you have a long transit, check out the things you can do at Heathrow airport.
The downside to this huge airport would be the waiting time. Heathrow is notorious for its long lines at immigration, and if you’re rushing to get somewhere right after your flight, or are traveling with kids or the elderly, this is something to consider. The airport’s sheer size also means getting from one terminal to another takes time.
Getting to central London from Heathrow Airport
Heathrow is about 20 miles west of central London. Traveling to and from Heathrow is effortless, with Heathrow Express taking you to central London in 15 minutes. You can also take the London Underground to Piccadilly Circus; the average journey takes about 50 minutes. Buses and taxis also take you to the city in an hour.
2. London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in the U.K. and it comprises two separate terminals—the North Terminal and the South Terminal. It offers regular services for over 55 different airlines. If you're traveling on a budget, this may be a better option than Heathrow.
Gatwick generally sees smaller crowds than Heathrow and it’s known for its swift security and immigration lines due to automatic gates. There are a range of facilities available, with extensive food options and an abundance of stores for shopping. One downside: seating areas are limited.
Getting to central London from Gatwick Airport
Gatwick is in West Sussex, about 28 miles south of Central London. There are several trains that connect to the city center, such as the Southern Railway trains and Thameslink trains. Gatwick Express provides a non-stop service to London Victoria station in 30 minutes.
3. London City Airport (LCY)

As the name suggests, London City Airport is the closest airport to London's city center, and it’s often a primary choice for business travelers due to its close proximity to Canary Wharf financial center and Stratford borough.
LCY is a relatively small airport with one terminal and one runway. The airport has basic facilities like a handful of restaurants and shops, and it gives off a ‘business traveler’ vibe. You don’t have to battle with crowds and long lines here, but it does get busy during peak hours so plan accordingly to avoid unwanted delays.
Getting to central London from London City Airport
Located just 7 miles east of the city center, you can get to central London by tube, bus or taxi. LCY has its own stop on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) or you could also take local buses 473 and 474. Otherwise, metered taxis are available or you can book private airport transfers.
4. London Stansted Airport (STN)

Stansted Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the U.K. and it serves many budget airlines, including Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.com. Stansted focuses mainly on short- and medium-haul flights and it offers cheap connections to Europe.
The trade-off for cheap flights would be the airport experience; expect long lines at customs. If you’re on a long transit, you’ll find that there’s a lack of seating and only a small area of the airport is open at night.
Getting to central London from London Stansted Airport
Located 40 miles from central London, Stansted is a good choice if you’re staying north of London or near Liverpool Street station. There are non-stop direct trains via the Stansted Express that will take you to central London in about 50 minutes. Alternatively, National Express coaches operate 24 hours daily. Depending on traffic, the journey can take between 50 minutes and 2 hours.
5. London Luton Airport (LLA)
Luton Airport is another popular airport amongst budget travelers, with airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air offering affordable flights.
Luton is a low-cost, no-frills hub known for its unbeatable fares to mainland Europe. However, if you’re concerned with the overall airport experience, avoid Luton. The airport is often short-staffed and customs is slow, so do expect delays. Those traveling with babies, take note: there’s only one baby changing toilet.
Getting to central London from Luton Airport
Luton Airport is 28 miles north of central London, and the public transportation is not as well-connected as other airports. There’s a 10-minute airport shuttle ride to get to Luton Airport Parkway train station, and the fastest option would be another 35 minutes on the train. The most convenient option is by an airport taxi, but it’s pricey and takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. A more economical option is the National Express or Green Line/Terravision bus—the average travel time is 1.5 hours. Other options also include Luton Airport transfers.
6. London Southend Airport (SEN)

Southend Airport is London’s smallest airport, and one of the low-cost hubs for destinations across Europe. The airport has only one terminal and runway, a few duty-free shops and a couple of restaurants.
While it doesn’t have the classy vibe of its bigger counterparts, it’s well-organized. With a lighter load and fewer passengers, the lines are much shorter and you can look forward to a quicker exit from the airport. In addition, its location makes it a good choice if you’re traveling to some of the cities on the U.K.’s eastern shore.
Getting to central London from Southend Airport
Southend Airport is located in Essex, 36 miles east of central London. Trains to the city center depart every 20 minutes to Liverpool Street station from Monday to Saturday, and every 30 minutes on Sunday. The journey is close to an hour. Instead of hailing an official taxi which will cost over GBP100, consider booking airport car transfers.
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