London Airports Guide
London is served by one of the largest airport systems in the world, with several international airports connecting the British capital to Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
Besides London Heathrow Airport (LHR), passengers travelling around London may also use Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City, and Southend airports. Each airport serves different airlines, routes, and passenger profiles, ranging from financial travellers to low-cost leisure tourism.
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in the UK and one of Europe’s main leisure travel hubs.
Located approximately 45 km south of Central London near Crawley, Gatwick operates a large number of international and low-cost routes.
68 km / 42 miles
London City Airport (LCY)
London City Airport mainly serves business travellers and financial districts in Canary Wharf and the City of London.
The airport is located in the Docklands area, around 11 km east of Central London.
42 km / 26 miles
Stansted Airport (STN)
London Stansted Airport is one of Europe’s main low-cost airline hubs, especially for Ryanair and leisure routes across Europe.
The airport is located northeast of London in Essex.
96 km / 60 miles
Main Airports Serving London
| Airport | Airport Code | Distance from Central London | Main Profile | Best Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow Airport Largest Airport |
LHR | 24 km west | Global hub | Long-haul & premium travel |
| Gatwick Airport | LGW | 45 km south | Leisure & international | European holiday routes |
| London City Airport | LCY | 11 km east | Business travel | Financial district access |
| Stansted Airport | STN | 48 km northeast | Low-cost airlines | Budget European flights |
| Luton Airport | LTN | 56 km north | Low-cost leisure | EasyJet & holiday traffic |
| Southend Airport | SEN | 58 km east | Regional airport | Smaller leisure operations |
Transfers Between Heathrow and Other Airports
| Route | Distance | Typical Travel Time | Best Transport Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow ↔ Gatwick | 68 km | 60-90 min | Direct coach | Popular international transfer route |
| Heathrow ↔ London City | 42 km | 60-75 min | Train & DLR | Usually requires rail changes |
| Heathrow ↔ Stansted | 96 km | 90-120 min | National Express coach | Direct services available |
| Heathrow ↔ Luton | 55 km | 75-100 min | Coach or train | Several daily departures |
| Heathrow ↔ Southend | 95 km+ | 2-3 hours | Train via Central London | Longest airport transfer |
Luton & Southend Airports
Luton Airport (LTN)
London Luton Airport is another important low-cost airport serving London and surrounding regions.
Located north of London in Bedfordshire, it mainly handles European leisure routes and budget airlines.
- Approximately 56 km from Central London
- Strong low-cost airline presence
- Coach and rail connections available
- Popular for European short-haul routes
Southend Airport (SEN)
London Southend Airport is located in Southend-on-Sea in Essex, east of London.
It is one of the smaller airports serving the London metropolitan area and mainly operates regional and leisure flights.
- Approximately 58 km from London
- Smaller passenger volumes
- Direct rail access available
- Less crowded airport experience
Best Airport for Different Types of Travellers
| Traveller Type | Recommended Airport | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long-haul international travellers | Heathrow | Largest global airline network |
| Budget European flights | Stansted or Luton | Strong low-cost airline presence |
| Business travellers | London City | Closest airport to financial districts |
| Leisure holidays | Gatwick | Large number of tourist routes |
| Passengers avoiding crowds | Southend | Smaller and easier terminal experience |
London Airports Insider Tips
Choosing the right airport in London can significantly affect travel time, transfer convenience, and overall airport experience.
Allow Extra Transfer Time
Airport-to-airport transfers in London can take much longer during rush hour traffic.
Heathrow Is Best Connected
Heathrow offers the largest range of transport connections to Central London and beyond.
Budget Flights Often Use Stansted
Many low-cost European airlines mainly operate from Stansted and Luton.
London City Is the Fastest for Business
LCY is usually the most convenient airport for Canary Wharf and the City financial districts.