London Airports : The Basics Explained

London is serviced by 5 major airports, simply because of the huge number of tourists that visit the capital each year. Each of these airports offers good links to the city centre; a fact that makes them popular destinations for visitors and commuters alike.

Heathrow Airport – Heathrow is London’s largest airport and is the world’s busiest for international passengers. It has five terminals and acts as a regional base to more than 90 airlines, which fly to over 150 destinations worldwide. It is located 22km west of Central London. The cheapest way to get to Central London from Heathrow is by using the London Underground. The journey takes less than an hour – though it will depend on your final destination – and costs around $6.

Gatwick Airport – Gatwick, located 45km south of the city center, is London’s second-largest airport. It is the main hub for discount and charter airlines. The journey from Gatwick Airport to central London, takes anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. To avoid potential traffic problems, you might want to consider a train instead, which will take you directly from the airport to Victoria Station.

Stansted Airport – Stansted is the definition of a budget airline hub but, despite the limited number of airlines, it is still London’s third busiest airport. It is located 48km northeast of the city center and there are convenient and reliable bus and train connections between the two. Stansted Bus and easyBus all would be your best options – they both send vehicles between the airport and Victoria Station, with the option to jump off at Marble Arch or Baker Street if you prefer.

Luton Airport – Luton Airport is actually located in the county of Bedfordshire, approximately 55km north of London’s centre. Being a small, single runway airport it is commonly used by commuters traveling to destinations in Europe and for visitors arriving on budget airlines. There are bus services that run into London 24 hours per day, the most popular of which are easyBus and Green Line.

London City Airport – This small, central airport is situated just 11km from the centre of London and is suited to light aircraft that specialize in short take-offs and landings. Its location close to Canary Wharf makes it ideal for business flights and private travelers destined for the nearby financial district. In addition, the airport is well connected to London in its entirety through the Docklands Light Railway and a network of bus routes.

International airports outside London include Birmingham and Manchester, both of which offer an alternative to the airports of London. Birmingham airport is central to the UK while Manchester is located in the north. Both have outstanding transport links to all the major cities of the UK, including of course London.

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