London Airports Guide: Understanding Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City
London has five major airports, and understanding the differences between them is very important when planning a trip. Many visitors simply book the cheapest flight without checking which airport they are flying to, and later discover that their airport is actually over an hour from central London. Choosing the right airport can save a huge amount of time, money and stress.
The five main airports covered in this London airports guide are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and London City Airport. Each airport serves different airlines, different types of routes and different parts of London. Some airports are better for long-haul international flights, some are mainly used by low-cost airlines, and one is mainly used by business travellers.
Heathrow Airport is London’s main international airport and one of the busiest airports in the world. Most long-haul flights arrive here, and it is the main hub for British Airways. Gatwick Airport is the second largest London airport and handles a mix of long-haul, European and low-cost flights. Stansted and Luton are mainly used by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, while London City Airport is a smaller airport located close to Canary Wharf and the financial district.
One of the most important things to understand about London airports is that they are not close to each other. Travelling between Heathrow and Stansted, for example, can take two hours or more, which is very important if you are connecting between flights. Many travellers make the mistake of booking flights into one airport and out of another without checking transfer times across London.
This London airports guide will help you understand which airport to use, how far each airport is from central London, and which airport is best depending on your travel plans.
Heathrow Airport Guide
Heathrow Airport is London’s largest and most important airport, and it is the main hub for long-haul international flights. Located to the west of London, Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world and handles flights to destinations across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Heathrow has five terminals, although terminals are grouped into areas and connected by free trains and shuttle buses. Most British Airways flights operate from Terminal 5, while many international airlines operate from Terminal 2, 3 and 4. Heathrow is a very large airport, so it is important to check your terminal before travelling to the airport because travelling between terminals can take time.
One of the biggest advantages of Heathrow Airport is that it has excellent transport links into central London. The fastest way into the city is the Heathrow Express, which takes around 15 minutes to Paddington Station. A cheaper option is the Elizabeth Line, which connects Heathrow with Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Canary Wharf. The London Underground Piccadilly Line is the cheapest option but takes longer.
Heathrow is usually the best airport if you are:
- Taking a long-haul international flight
- Connecting to another flight
- Flying with British Airways
- Staying in West London
- Travelling to Paddington, Westminster or Central London
Because Heathrow is such a large airport with many transport options, it is often the easiest airport for international travellers arriving in London for the first time.
Gatwick Airport Guide
Gatwick Airport is London’s second largest airport and is located south of London, near Crawley in West Sussex. Gatwick handles a mix of European flights, long-haul flights and low-cost airlines, and it is a major base for easyJet and several long-haul airlines.
Gatwick has two terminals, called the North Terminal and the South Terminal, and they are connected by a free shuttle train that runs between the terminals in a few minutes. Many travellers prefer Gatwick because the airport is generally easier to navigate than Heathrow and usually quicker to get through security and passport control.
The main transport link from Gatwick to central London is the Gatwick Express, which runs to London Victoria and takes around 30 minutes. There are also Thameslink trains that run to London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras, and Southern trains that run to Victoria. Because Gatwick has multiple train routes into London, it can be very convenient depending on where you are staying in the city.
Gatwick is often the best airport if you are:
- Flying with easyJet
- Travelling to South London
- Travelling to London Victoria
- Flying long-haul on airlines that do not use Heathrow
- Looking for cheaper flights than Heathrow
For many travellers, Gatwick offers a good balance between flight choice, price and travel time into London, which is why it is one of the most popular airports for leisure travellers visiting the city.
Stansted Airport Guide
Stansted Airport is located north-east of London in Essex and is mainly used by low-cost airlines, especially Ryanair, which has one of its largest bases at Stansted. Most flights from Stansted are European short-haul flights, and it is one of the most popular airports for cheap flights from London to Europe.
The main transport link between Stansted Airport and London is the Stansted Express train, which runs to London Liverpool Street and takes around 45 to 50 minutes. Liverpool Street Station is located in the City of London and is very convenient for Shoreditch, the City, Canary Wharf and East London.
Stansted is often used by travellers looking for cheap flights, and it is particularly popular for weekend city breaks and budget travel. However, one important thing to understand is that Stansted is quite far from central London compared to Heathrow and London City Airport, so travel time to the airport should always be considered when booking flights.
Stansted is usually the best airport if you are:
- Flying with Ryanair
- Looking for cheap European flights
- Staying in East London
- Travelling to Liverpool Street, Shoreditch or Canary Wharf
- Travelling with budget airlines
Although Stansted is further from central London than Heathrow or Gatwick, it is still a very important airport in the London airports network, particularly for low-cost travel.
Luton Airport Guide
Luton Airport is located north of London in Bedfordshire and is another airport mainly used by low-cost airlines, particularly easyJet, Wizz Air, and some charter airlines. Many flights from Luton are to European holiday destinations, Eastern Europe and Mediterranean cities, and it is often one of the cheaper airports to fly from if you are travelling on a budget.
One important thing to know about Luton Airport is that there is no direct train station at the terminal, but there is now a Luton DART shuttle that connects the airport to Luton Airport Parkway station in just a few minutes. From Luton Airport Parkway, trains run to London St Pancras International, which takes around 30 to 40 minutes depending on the service.
Because trains arrive at St Pancras, Luton Airport is actually quite convenient if you are staying in King’s Cross, Bloomsbury, Camden or North London. However, the journey is less convenient if you are staying in West London or near Paddington, where Heathrow would usually be a better choice.
Luton is usually the best airport if you are:
- Flying with easyJet or Wizz Air
- Looking for cheap flights to Europe
- Staying near St Pancras, King’s Cross or North London
- Travelling on a budget airline
- Flying to Eastern Europe or Mediterranean destinations
Although Luton is not as large or as well connected as Heathrow or Gatwick, it is still an important part of the London airports network, particularly for low-cost European travel.
London City Airport Guide
London City Airport is very different from the other London airports because it is much closer to central London and mainly serves business travellers rather than tourists. The airport is located in Docklands, close to Canary Wharf and the financial district, making it the most convenient airport for business travel in London.
The biggest advantage of London City Airport is how quick and easy it is to use. The airport is small, security is usually fast, and you can often arrive at the airport just 60 minutes before your flight. This is very different from Heathrow or Gatwick, where you often need much more time.
London City Airport is connected to the city by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects the airport to Canary Wharf, Bank, Tower Gateway and Stratford. This makes it very convenient if you are staying in the City of London, Canary Wharf, Greenwich or East London.
Because the runway is short, only certain aircraft can use London City Airport, so most flights are short-haul European routes and UK domestic flights such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Isle of Man. Flights from London City are often more expensive than other airports, but the convenience and time saved can make it worth it, especially for business travellers.
London City is usually the best airport if you are:
- Staying near Canary Wharf
- Staying near Bank or the City of London
- Travelling for business
- Taking short-haul European flights
- Taking domestic UK flights
- Want the fastest airport experience
For many travellers staying in East or Central London, London City Airport is the most convenient airport in London.
Which London Airport Is Closest to Central London
One of the most common questions travellers ask is which airport is closest to central London. The answer depends slightly on where in London you are staying, but generally London City Airport is the closest, followed by Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, and then Stansted.
Here is a rough guide to travel times from each airport to central London:
| Airport | Typical Time to Central London |
|---|---|
| London City | 20–30 minutes |
| Heathrow | 15–45 minutes |
| Gatwick | 30–45 minutes |
| Luton | 35–60 minutes |
| Stansted | 45–60 minutes |
London City Airport is the closest airport to central London and Canary Wharf, and it is usually the quickest airport to reach if you are staying in the City of London, Canary Wharf or East London.
Heathrow Airport is further away but has very fast train connections via the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line, which makes it very convenient for Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Westminster.
Gatwick Airport is south of London but has very frequent trains to Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras, making it convenient for many parts of the city.
Stansted and Luton are further from London and usually take longer to reach, but flights from these airports are often cheaper, which is why many budget airlines use them.
When choosing between London airports, you should always consider total travel time, not just flight price. A cheaper flight to Stansted may actually take longer and cost more overall once train tickets and travel time are included.
London Airports Comparison Table
This table is very useful for comparing London airports quickly:
| Airport | Direction from London | Main Airlines | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | West | British Airways, international airlines | Long-haul flights |
| Gatwick | South | easyJet, long-haul airlines | Cheap flights & holidays |
| Stansted | North-East | Ryanair | Budget European flights |
| Luton | North | easyJet, Wizz Air | Cheap European flights |
| London City | East | British Airways, business routes | Business & central London |
Heathrow is best for long-haul and international flights, Gatwick is a good all-round airport, Stansted and Luton are best for budget flights, and London City Airport is best for central London and business travel.
Choosing the right airport can make a big difference to your overall travel time and travel costs, so it is always worth checking airport location before booking flights.
Tips for Choosing the Right London Airport
Choosing between the London airports can have a big impact on your overall travel time, travel cost and how easy your journey is when you arrive in the city. Many travellers choose flights based only on price, but the airport location and transport into London are just as important as the flight itself.
One of the most important things to consider is where you are staying in London. London is a very large city, and each airport is convenient for different areas. Heathrow is usually best for West London, Paddington, Kensington and Westminster, while Gatwick is convenient for Victoria, London Bridge and South London. Stansted works well for Liverpool Street, Shoreditch and East London, Luton is convenient for St Pancras, King’s Cross and North London, and London City Airport is the most convenient airport for Canary Wharf and the City of London.
You should also think about total travel time, not just the flight time. Airports require time for security, boarding and travelling to and from the airport, so a slightly longer flight into a closer airport can sometimes be much faster overall than a short flight into a more distant airport.
Another important factor is transport cost from the airport into London. Train tickets from Stansted and Luton can be quite expensive, which sometimes means a cheap flight is not actually the cheapest option overall. Heathrow often has the best value transport options because of the Elizabeth Line and the London Underground, while Gatwick has several train options into central London.
In general, Heathrow is best for long-haul flights and international arrivals, Gatwick is a good all-round airport for many flights, Stansted and Luton are mainly used for budget airlines, and London City Airport is the most convenient airport if you want the shortest journey into central London.
If you choose the right airport based on where you are staying and how you plan to travel into London, your trip will be much smoother and much less stressful.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Flying to or from London? Here are a few useful tips to help you choose the right airport and avoid common travel mistakes:
- Check the airport location before booking: London airports are far apart and travel across London can take two hours or more.
- Heathrow is usually best for first-time visitors: It has the best transport connections into central London.
- Budget flights often use Stansted and Luton: The flight may be cheap but train tickets into London can be expensive.
- London City Airport is the most convenient: Especially if you are staying near Canary Wharf or the City of London.
- Always consider total travel time: The cheapest flight is not always the quickest or easiest option.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Further Reading & Related Guides
If you are planning a trip to London, it is worth reading our guide to getting around London, which explains the Underground, buses, trains and contactless payments. Understanding London’s transport system will make travelling from the airport into the city much easier.
If you are flying into Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or London City Airport, you should also read our airport transfer guides, which explain the best ways to travel from each airport into central London using trains, buses, taxis and airport transfer services. Choosing the right transfer can save both time and money when arriving in London.
Many travellers also use flight comparison apps when booking flights to London, so our flight booking apps guide explains which apps are best for finding cheap flights, tracking prices and comparing airlines before booking.
Reading these guides together will help you plan your trip more efficiently, choose the best London airport for your trip, and understand how to get from the airport to your hotel quickly and easily.
Last Updated
April 2026
Affiliate Disclosure
This page contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase or booking, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our work and allows us to continue providing detailed, independent travel advice. We only recommend apps and services we personally use or have verified as high-quality.
