Let’s face it, there are a lot of major London airports. The city is served by six international airports, five of which are considered major ones. This guide breaks down how to get from each London Airport to city centre.

The entire airport system is among the world’s busiest and most complex airport systems. Together, these London airports serve dozens of domestic and hundreds of international flights, which means getting to London from the airport can be difficult to understand immediately.

However, there are several ways to get to the city from all the major airports in London, UK.

Getting to London from Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport is London’s main airport and thus the busiest. It serves half of the passengers to and from the city. It’s located 16 miles to the west of the center of London, but there are several methods of transportation available to get from Heathrow to London.

If you’re visiting London, consider obtaining the London Pass + Oyster Travelcard before your trip. This will provide unlimited travel on all public transport and can be sent to you beforehand for convenience. It offers significant value for your travels.

If you choose not to get the London Pass, you can buy a ticket in cash, which costs around 6 GBP. However, it’s advisable to purchase at least a Visitor Oyster Card. These are available at most newsstands and ticket stations, with ticket prices starting at 5.10 GBP during peak hours and 3.10 GBP during off-peak hours. A contactless card is also a viable, budget-friendly alternative.

1. Underground (The Tube)

The Tube is London’s underground train system or metro. The line serving Heathrow is the Piccadilly Line, which has three stations within the airport, servicing all major terminals.

Transferring to other lines is easy, allowing you to reach any part of London without difficulty. On weekends, there is continuous service from terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5.

The journey to Central London takes approximately 50 minutes.

2. Bus

As the Tube does not operate on weeknights, you will need to take a bus if arriving late. The night bus, known as the N9 line, operates from both Terminal 5 and Heathrow Central Bus Station (Terminals 2 and 3).

Buses begin service at 11:35 PM, with several buses running through the night. Tickets cannot be purchased with cash, so you will need either an Oyster Card or a contactless card. The bus ride lasts about an hour and costs only 1.5 GBP.

3. Coach

The coach is a more comfortable option compared to a typical bus. There are two operators available: National Express and Megabus. Services start from around 4:15 AM and run until approximately 10:00 PM.

Tickets cost a minimum of 6 GBP, varying depending on the line, season, and time of day. It’s recommended to book early, with travel to Central London taking at least 45 minutes.

4. Train

Heathrow Airport is served by two primary train services: Heathrow Express and Transport for London Rail.

Where are the train stations in Heathrow?

The Central Train Station is accessible from Terminals 1 through 3, while the Heathrow Express also stops at Terminals 4 and 5.

Heathrow Express is the fastest and safest way to reach the city, taking just 15 minutes to Central London, with trains running every 15 minutes from 5:00 AM until just before midnight.

TFL Rail is slightly slower, with additional stops, taking about 25 minutes. Ticket prices typically range from 22 to 25 GBP for Heathrow Express during peak and off-peak seasons, respectively. However, booking ahead can reduce those prices significantly, sometimes as low as 5.50 GBP for Heathrow Express and 10 GBP for TFL Rail. Using Oyster Cards or contactless cards is encouraged but not mandatory.

5. Taxi

There are two types of taxi services available at Heathrow: certified black taxis and standard cabs. Additionally, Uber offers a convenient alternative, with fixed prices typically ranging from 40-45 GBP.

The advantage of taking a taxi is the convenience of being dropped off directly at your destination, although fares typically start at 45 GBP and can increase based on your destination. Typically, rides take between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. If booking a taxi, it is vital to do so from official taxi stands for black taxis, or at an airport desk for reputable cab companies. Do not accept rides from individuals soliciting directly.

6. Car Rental

If you’re considering renting a car during your time in the U.K, major providers have desks in your terminal.

Note that while the rental desk may be in-terminal, the cars are usually off-site, accessible through free shuttle services. Keep this in mind when planning your arrival time for departure.

London Airport Transfer

Traveling from Heathrow to London in style is simple. Consider booking a private airport transfer, starting at $92 USD for up to 3 people one way.

Getting to London from Gatwick Airport

Gatwick is the second busiest airport, located 30 miles south of London. Although it is not connected to the Tube, there are various transport options available.

1. Train

Traveling via train is arguably the fastest option from Gatwick. The single major train station at Gatwick offers multiple routes to Central London.

The Gatwick Express is the most popular line, costing 19.90 GBP in cash, with a journey time of just 30 minutes and trains operating every 15 minutes from 5 AM to 12:30 AM. You can also use Oyster cards or contactless cards for cheaper tickets across various operators.

Thameslink trains cost 8.10 GBP, with travel times varying from 30 to 60 minutes, based on the route and operator.

2. Coach

Several coach services operate from Gatwick to London, with National Express and easyBus being the most popular options. They operate from both the south and north terminals, with buses available throughout the day and night.

EasyBus tickets start at 2 GBP, while National Express tickets begin from 6 GBP. The journey to Victoria Station typically takes around 90 minutes.

3. Taxi

While London Black Taxi Service is not available at Gatwick, cabs can be found at taxi kiosks at both terminals. Uber rides to Central London cost approximately 60 GBP and take about 60-90 minutes.

4. Rental Car

Rental cars are readily available at Gatwick Airport. Don’t forget to check Rentalcars.com for the best prices.

Accessing London Stansted Airport

Stansted is the third largest airport serving London and primarily caters to low-cost carriers flying in from Europe. It is situated 40 miles north of the city.

1. Train

Stansted Airport has two principal train lines that connect to London. The Stansted Express offers the faster option, taking just 45 minutes to reach London Liverpool Street.

You can catch trains every 15 minutes from 4:10 AM to 11:25 PM, with typical ticket prices around 18.10 GBP. If booked in advance, tickets can be as low as 7 GBP.

Another option is Greater Anglia, which operates through Tottenham Hale, allowing passengers to travel to Stratford.

2. Coach

Stansted Airport is serviced by three major coach operators, all of which have 24/7 services:

• National Express with tickets starting from 6 GBP
• easyBus with tickets beginning at 2 GBP when booked in advance
• Terravision with tickets starting from 9 GBP

Depending on the time of day and chosen route, a journey may take anywhere from 50 to 90 minutes. It’s advisable to book your Stansted Coach ahead of time to save some hassle.

3. Taxi

Stansted does not have taxi ranks, so you will need to either book a car via a booking service or use the taxi kiosk located in the terminal.

Prices are fixed and vary based on location, generally falling between 70 and 100 GBP, with a travel time of about one hour to Central London.

Luton Airport Connections

Luton is favored by low-cost carriers and is located 29 miles northwest of the city.

1. Train

Luton Airport is connected to Central London by two operators: East Midland Trains and Thameslink. Trains regularly run to St. Pancras International Station, except between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM.

Since Luton is outside the Oyster Zone, you must purchase tickets at full price, starting at 13 GBP. The journey to St. Pancras lasts around 30 minutes.

2. Coach

Three operators provide connections from London to Luton Airport: easyBus, with tickets from 2 GBP; National Express, with tickets starting at 6 GBP; and Green Line, with prices beginning at 11 GBP.

The Green Line is typically the slowest, as its routes are less direct, with rides usually taking around 60-90 minutes. Consider grabbing your Luton Coach Ticket here.

3. Taxi

There’s no direct taxi service at Luton Airport; however, you can pre-book a vehicle through private companies. Fares typically range around 100 GBP and take approximately one hour to reach Central London.

Transportation from London City Airport

City Airport is situated within London, close to the docklands, and primarily services smaller aircraft. While it caters to a decent number of UK and European flights, traveling to the city center is straightforward.

1. Docklands Light Railway

This automated metro system provides connections to both the Tube and rail systems, making it the simplest way into London. Services run from 5:30 AM to midnight.

A ticket costs 3.30 GBP with either an Oyster or contactless card, with ride durations varying from 15 minutes to an hour, dependent on the final destination.

2. Bus

While the bus is the most economical choice from City Airport, it’s also less convenient as it isn’t directly connected to Central London, requiring passengers to change routes.

Tickets must be purchased using an Oyster or contactless card, costing 1.50 GBP. Additionally, journey times are uncertain, as they depend on the time of day, traffic, and other factors.

3. Taxi

City Airport features black taxi cars and minicabs, with fares approximately ranging from 35-45 GBP to the city center.

Travel durations to Central London typically take between 20 and 40 minutes, contingent on the day’s circumstances. Pre-booking could provide a more budget-friendly and quicker option.

Options at Southend Airport

Though not classified as a major airport, Southend does directly service the city from its location 40 miles away.

Most flights are from other European destinations. Despite ongoing expansions, Southend remains smaller than the other airports, which translates to fewer available transport options.

1. Train

The Greater Anglia service runs up to eight trains that link this airport with London Liverpool Station.

Trains operate from 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with ticket prices starting at 12.10 GBP. The journey to Liverpool Station typically takes about 55 minutes.

2. Taxi

Southend lacks black taxi services, so you must book a vehicle through either private companies or minicabs. Fares generally cost around 100 GBP, with travel times extending from one to two hours to reach the city center.

What is the cheapest way to get to London from the airport?

The bus is the most economical option for getting to London from Heathrow. See details here.

Which London airport is closest to the city?

London City Airport is the closest to Central London, though it generally serves only smaller aircraft. Heathrow is the nearest option for international flights.

What is the fastest way to get to London from the airport?

The Heathrow Express is the quickest and safest method to travel from Heathrow Airport to London.

Traveling by train is also considered the fastest option from Gatwick Airport.

In conclusion, these are the most effective ways to reach London from its various airports. I trust this guide will ease some of the confusion when you arrive at any of these locations.