London boasts five major international airports: Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport and London City Airport. Moreover, strategically located on the outskirts of London, each is in different cardinal directions. These airports play a vital role in the UK’s public transport system. Like a vast spider web, their flight routes connect the UK to the rest of the world. Those symbolise a network of possibilities for the whole of London.
London Airports
London Airport: Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport is the key air hub in the UK. It is also Europe‘s busiest airport. The airport accommodates up to 70 million passengers annually. Positioned 22 kilometres west of London’s city centre, it’s conveniently located for travellers.
As the largest international airport in the UK, it serves over 90 global airlines. It provides access to more than 170 countries worldwide.
London Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport is in the suburbs south of London, approximately 40 kilometres from the city centre. It is strategically located halfway between London and Brighton, just 37 kilometres from the latter. Gatwick holds the second spot in terms of size among UK airports, next only to Heathrow.
This airport is a hub for many airlines offering chartered services, with most flights to and from the United States operating here. Moreover, it stands as the second largest operational centre in the UK for both Virgin and British Airways.
London Stansted Airport
Stansted Airport, found in Essex to the northeast of London, is approximately 48 kilometres from the city centre. Known by its code STN, it’s the third largest airport in London and is a hub for European budget airlines. Predominantly, flights operate between various European nations using this airport. It’s the central hub for Ryanair, the largest budget airline in Europe. Other airlines like Air Berlin, EasyJet, and Germanwings also operate from here.
London Luton Airport
Luton Airport, located 50 kilometres from London’s city centre, is renowned as a destination for leisure and holiday travel in the UK. Known by its code LTN, it is London’s fourth-largest international airport and is one of the city’s primary transport hubs.
Luton Airport is a hub for various European budget airlines, including EasyJet, Thomson Airways, Wizz Air, and Ryanair. Most of its flight services operate within Europe, catering predominantly to holidaymakers. Of all the flights, 78% are scheduled services, whereas 22% are charter services.
London City Airport
London City Airport is a small airport located within the city of London. Despite its size, its name often makes people mistake it as London’s primary airport. Positioned in the east of London, it’s approximately 15 kilometres from the city centre. Being the closest airport to the downtown area, it operates as a dock airport, officially designated with the code LCY.
About London Accommodation
Here’s a friendly reminder for everyone! If you’re studying in London, arrange your student accommodation in London in advance. Smaller airports are pretty far from the city centre. For those who love to explore and travel, it’s crucial to factor in the cost and time of commuting from the airport to the city.
This is especially important if your flights take off or land in the early morning or late at night. Therefore, always consider all aspects before making a decision.
How to get to Heathrow Airport from London?
Heathrow Express
It is the fastest way to travel from the heart of London to the airport. It starts at London Paddington Station and takes just 15 minutes. Furthermore, passengers can check in at Paddington Station and enjoy the free Wi-Fi service on the Heathrow Express.
The Express stops at two points within Heathrow Airport: one at Terminal 2 and 3 and one at Terminal 5. Passengers travelling to and from Terminal 4 need to use the Express transfer point at Terminals 2 and 3.
Just follow the signs or ask the staff for assistance. Lastly, the ticket prices start from 21 pounds for a single adult journey, while a first-class ticket costs 29.5 pounds.
How to get to Gatwick Airport from London?
Gatwick Express
Like Heathrow, Gatwick Airport also has an express train service. The London stop is Victoria Station, with a journey time of 30 minutes. There is a train every 15 minutes, making it the fastest transportation to the airport. Ticket prices start at £17.75 and may be higher during peak times or for first-class seating.
Bus
Gatwick Airport is considerably far from the city centre of London. Many people know that choosing a bus or other modes of transport can take a longer time. It is approximately one and a half hours, excluding any traffic jams.
Not recommend you take a bus to the airport unless you are travelling from a city that has a direct airport bus. If you are transiting from central London, it is advised to take the Gatwick Express.
How to get to Stansted Airport from London?
Stansted Express
This fast train service links Stansted Airport to central London, stopping at Liverpool Street, Stratford, and Tottenham Hale stations. It is the quickest mode of transport from London to the airport, with a total journey time of 45 minutes, and trains depart every 15 minutes. Fares start from £22.25.
Bus
Buses to Stansted Airport depart from Victoria Station in central London. While this service is cheaper, it takes approximately one and a half hours. Be mindful of potential traffic jams along the route, and it may not be the best choice if time is limited.
How to get to Luton Airport from London
Train
Luton Airport doesn’t have a dedicated express line. However, it boasts its train station, Luton Airport Parkway, which links Luton Airport and London’s King’s Cross station in a quick 25-minute journey.
Tickets are priced around £10. Additionally, there are direct trains from London St Pancras to Luton Airport, taking approximately 30 minutes. The ticket prices vary between £12 and £18. The train is the fastest way to Luton Airport from central London.
Bus
There are direct buses to Luton Airport from many small towns north of London. The travel time depends on traffic conditions. If you’re leaving from central London, you can catch the Green Line from Victoria train station straight to Luton Airport, with the entire journey taking around one and a half hours.
How to get to City Airport from London?
The city airport has limited flights. Its main flights travel to and from 18 major business cities in Europe. Most of the flights are to and from Switzerland, and there are British Airways all-business class flights to and from New York. The airport is near London’s financial district (Canary Wharf), making it very convenient. Many choose it for business travel.
An airport shuttle bus runs between London City Airport and the Canary Wharf subway station. In addition, there are direct buses to the airport from outside Liverpool Street train station. It’s very convenient, and the transportation cost is low. A taxi ride is just over twenty minutes.
In conclusion, mastering the use of London airports is not daunting. With this guide in hand, your journey should become noticeably more straightforward to navigate. You’ll know exactly where to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee. Every step is clear and distinct. Wishing you a smooth experience at London airports. Safe travels!
FAQs
Canary Wharf, an iconic business hub in London, is serviced by several tube lines, ensuring seamless connectivity for its bustling community of professionals. The primary tube line serving Canary Wharf is the Jubilee Line. Still, it is also served by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), offering convenient access to many destinations across the city and beyond.
The name “Heathrow” harks back to a quaint rural village named Heath Row that existed on the site until the 1940s. This charming hamlet, replete with orchards, market gardens, and old farmland, was swallowed up by the development of the airport. The decision to name the airport after this erstwhile village was a nod to the land’s rich history, reminding us to remember our roots even as we soar into the future.
Yes, indeed. Although the terminals at Heathrow are pretty spread out, it is possible to walk from Terminal 2 to Terminal 5. However, bear in mind it’s quite a trek, and it is always advised to use the free shuttle service provided by the airport. The shuttle is efficient, quick, and operates frequently, ensuring a hassle-free transition between terminals. You’ll be at Terminal 5 in no time! So, why not save your energy for exploring the myriad experiences waiting for you beyond the airport?
