Is London Calling? As one of the cultural hubs of the world, and a city that offers something for every kind of traveller, we understand! Millions of travellers flock to London each year to take in the city’s renowned arts and culture scene, try its inventive food, soak up its history, or just spend time relaxing in one of its more than 3000 pubs. Of course, if you’ve decided London is the perfect destination for your next adventure, you’re going to have to get there, and more often than not, that means flying.
There are six main airports that serve London, but these airports are often located outside of the city; so if you aren’t planning on renting a car, how are you going to get to London? Thankfully, London’s airports offer travellers transportation at an additional fee into downtown London, and today we’re breaking down each option. You’ll be strolling along the Thames in no time!
Heathrow to London city centre
London’s largest airport, travellers can usually expect to be arriving into Heathrow when they’re travelling on long-haul flights. Heathrow consists of four large terminals and plenty of chances for eating, souvenir shopping, and even snagging new designer clothes with the help of a personal shopping service! There are several ways to reach London from Heathrow airport.
- The fastest train into London is the Heathrow Express; this train travels from Heathrow to Paddington Station in Central London in around half an hour. Tickets cost £37 return, but booking in advance can lead to big savings: on weekends, the advance fare will be from £5.50 one-way, and on weekdays from £12.10.
- The iconic London Underground serves Heathrow, and is also the least expensive option. There are three London Underground stations in Heathrow – one for Terminals 2 and 3, one for Terminal 4, and one for Terminal 5. You can buy tickets at each station, and a one-way fare into london will cost £6. Pro tip: while this often seems like the best option for budget-conscious travellers, keep in mind London rush-hour times – do you really want to be crammed on a subway with your luggage?
- Opening in August 2019, the TfL Rail will serve each terminal in Heathrow and will connect with the Elizabeth Line of the London Underground.
Gatwick to London city centre
Generally speaking, if you’re travelling on a long-haul flight into London and you aren’t arriving in Heathrow, you’ll be arriving in Gatwick. While Gatwick’s two terminals (North and South) aren’t as large as Heathrow’s, Gatwick still offers travellers restaurants and a wide range of shops. Whether you want to kill time before your flight, or you’re settling in for a long layover, you won’t be disappointed with what Gatwick has to offer! As with Heathrow, there are three trains from Gatwick into Central London.
- The Gatwick Express, like its Heathrow counterpart, is the fastest way into Central London from the airport. This train runs every 15 minutes, and will drop passengers off at Victoria station in Central London in roughly half an hour. Booking your tickets in advance online gives you a 10% discount on your fare!
- Southern Trains operates trains from Gatwick to Victoria station, with stops in East Croydon and Clapham Junction along the way. Pro tip: booking your travel for an off-peak time could cut your fare in half!
- Thameslink & Great Northern operate trains to London Bridge, London Blackfriars, Farringdon, and St Pancras International: make sure you know where your accommodation is located while planning your trip, as London is a massive city – just because you’re in Central London doesn’t mean you’re near your accommodation!
From Luton
Luton is one of the UK’s smaller airports, but that doesn’t mean it lacks shopping, dining, and other amenities! Flights to and from Luton tend to be from smaller, EU-based airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, and Wizz Air. Luton airport is served by England’s National Rail Service.
- Trains depart from Luton Airport Parkway (accessible via a 10-minute shuttle bus transfer from the airport) every ten minutes at peak times, with limited service overnight. There are available stops at St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, and London Blackfriars.
From Stansted
While Stansted airport only has one terminal, the area is well-appointed. Alongside the usual duty free shops and cafes, travellers will be pleased to find designer clothing, boutique restaurants, and even wellness products for a little post-flight pampering. The fastest and easiest way into London from Stansted is via train.
- The Stansted Express operates between two and four trains per hour (depending on the time of day) to Liverpool Street station. The journey takes about 45 minutes, and travellers who book online often enjoy savings on their tickets.
From London City Airport
London City Airport is located… well, in the city of London! This airport is the closest option to Central London. While it mostly serves as a domestic airport served by BA CityFlyer, London City is an international airport that accommodates many flights from the EU and beyond. Since London City Airport is so close to Central London, the easiest way to arrive in the city is via the Underground.
- London City Airport has a stop on the Docklands Light Railway, which will take travellers to Underground stations such as Canning Town, Stratford, and Bank.
From London Southend Airport
Located in Essex, London Southend Airport offers flights in and around the UK (to destinations like Scotland and Cornwall) as well as around Europe, making it a perfect choice for city-break travel in the UK area. The airport is well-served by public transit, and is home to a purpose-built station offering up to five trains an hour during peak times.
- Tickets for the London Southend Airport train can be purchased at the station for £16.70 one-way to Liverpool Street station in London. Discounts are available for those with UK railcards and larger groups.
When you’re travelling, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you’ll be able to make it to your destination in good time! Remember that you can often save time and money by booking train tickets in advance (just remember that if the ticket is on your phone you may need wi-fi or data to access them), and know that with some easy planning your trip can begin without a hitch.
Not only is London a sought-after destination for millions, the city acts as a transportation hub for the rest of the United Kingdom. From London, you’ll be able to reach every corner of the UK, which makes it a fantastic jumping off point for a larger tour.
Which London airport do you prefer to fly into?
