Cheapest & Fastest Ways to Get From All 6 Airports in London (2025)
Getting to and from airports in London is a breeze!
Here’s where all the airports in London are, and a list of the most affordable and fastest ways to get to and from all of them.
Table of Contents
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How Many Airports Are in London?
There are 6 major airports in the greater London area. Listed biggest to smallest:
- Heathrow (LHR)
- Gatwick (LGW)
- Stansted (STN)
- Luton (LTN)
- London City Airport (LCY: regional flights only)
- Southend (SEN: international but small)
Where are Airports in London Located?
As you can see on the map, with the exception of London City Airport (regional flights only), all of these airports are outside of Central London. But that doesn’t mean that it will take a long time to get from airports in London to your destination. Quite the opposite!
Getting to and From Airports in London
Before you arrive, make sure to check for possible tube or rail strikes. These can disrupt your journey.
1. Heathrow to London
Heathrow to London is a breeze. This is one of my favorite airports in London to fly into because there are plentiful options, whether you’re traveling solo, with a family, or moving with a ton of luggage. Heathrow to London is super quick!
a) HEATHROW EXPRESS (fastest way)
This quick train takes you from Heathrow to London Paddington in just 20 minutes! Tickets cost about £25 per person round trip (called a “return” fare in the UK), but the further ahead you book, the cheaper it is. Children under 15 ride free. Book ahead to save.
Connecting to the Tube from the Heathrow Express: Download the CityMapper App to get the best navigation. Get an Oyster Card to take the tube or bus, or you can tap in without getting an Oyster card if you have a contactless credit card or Apple Pay.
b) London Underground: Elizabeth Line
You can take the ‘Lizzy’ all the way from Heathrow to Central London. The trains are clean, air conditioned, and it’s the nicest line in London. It’s cheaper than the Heathrow Express, starting at only £14.
c) National Express Coach (Bus)
Heathrow to London (Earl’s Court) in 40 minutes. From £6 per person.
d) Taxi or Uber
A taxi from Heathrow to London costs roughly £60 (for an UberX) at the very low end. You can always get in a taxi in the queue at the airport without pre-booking. It will take at least one hour depending on traffic and your destination.
e) Private Car or Van
If you have a lot of luggage and/or a lot of people, it’s best to book ahead of time. Most London taxis or Ubers will not fit more than 4 people and their luggage.
Paddington Station has a lot of stairs you’ll have to lug your bags up and down, depending on what line you’re connecting to. Make it easy on yourself at the end of your long travel day and book a car in advance.
2. Gatwick to London
Gatwick to London is super quick, and there are several options for every budget to get from Gatwick to London, wherever your final destination is.
a) Gatwick Express (fastest way)
Gatwick to London Victoria Station in 34 minutes! Runs every 30 minutes.
Tickets from £18 per person one way, £20 return, depending on how far in advance you book and peak/off-peak times. You can use your Oyster Card or contactless payment instead of booking.
Children under 5 ride free. Comfortable, fast & direct trains, free wi-fi, charging ports, good luggage racks.
Connecting to the Tube from the Gatwick Express: Download the CityMapper App to navigate the city. Get an Oyster Card to take the tube or bus, or you can tap in without getting an Oyster card if you have a contactless card or Apple Pay.
b) National Express Coach (Bus)
Gatwick to London Victoria Station (there are several other stops, too, depending on where you’re headed) in 2 hours 10 minutes. From £7 per person one way.
c) Taxi or Uber
From £63 (UberX) at the very low end. You can always get in a taxi in the queue at the airport without pre-booking. It will take at least one hour depending on traffic and your destination.
d) Private Car or Van
If you have a lot of luggage and/or a lot of people, it’s best to book a transfer service from Gatwick to London ahead of time. If you know you have a car waiting for you at the end of your journey, you’ll be more relaxed.
3. Stansted to London
Stansted to London can be a quick journey if you choose the right transfer. Here are all the ways to get from Gatwick to London for every budget.
a) STANSTED EXPRESS
The fastest Stansted to London route is via train. The Stansted Express take you from Stansted to London Liverpool Street Station in 30 minutes, and trains run every 30 minutes. Tickets from £10 per person one way, from £15 return. Children under 5 free.
b) National Express Coach
A National Express bus takes you from Stansted to London Baker Street Station in about 90 minutes (depending on traffic). Tickets from £10 per person.
From Liverpool or Baker Street Station: Download the CityMapper App. Get an Oyster Card to take the tube or bus, or you can tap in on the little blue circle without getting an Oyster card if you have a contactless card or Apple Pay (easiest way).
c) Taxi or Uber
A taxi or Uber from Stansted to London will cost roughly £60 (UberX) at the very low end. You can always get in a taxi in the queue at the airport without pre-booking. It will take at least one hour (likely more) depending on traffic and your destination.
d) Private Car or Van
If you have a lot of luggage and/or a lot of people, it’s best to book a transfer service from Stansted to London ahead of time. Most London taxis or smaller Ubers won’t fit more than 4 people (think the average Toyota Prius size).
4. Luton to London
Luton to London is definitely fastest on the express train, but there are several other options to get from Luton to London. If you’re traveling with kids or lots of luggage, a car might be easiest.
a) LUTON AIRPORT EXPRESS (fastest way)
Luton to London King’s Cross St. Pancras Station in 32 minutes. Runs every 30 minutes. At the airport, you will first get on the DART shuttle that takes you to the Express Train. Tickets from £10 per person. Children under 5 free. Comfortable, fast & direct train, free wi-fi, charging ports, big luggage racks.
From King’s Cross/St Pancras: Download the CityMapper App. Get an Oyster Card to take the tube or bus, or you can tap in without getting an Oyster card if you have a contactless card or Apple Pay.
b) National Express Coach (Bus)
Luton to London Paddington Station in 75 minutes. From £5 per person.
c) Taxi or Uber
From roughly £60 (UberX) at the low end. You can always get in a taxi in the queue at the airport without pre-booking. It will take at least one hour depending on traffic and your destination.
d) Private Car or Van
If you have a lot of luggage and/or a lot of people, it’s best to book a transfer service from Luton to London ahead of time. Most London taxis or smaller Ubers won’t fit more than 4 people (think the average Toyota Prius size).
5. London City Airport Transfer
London City Airport is the closest airport to London; it’s actually IN London! Sadly it’s not the biggest airport, though. But if you’re lucky enough to get a flight to and from London City Airport, your transfer will be a breeze.
a) UNDERGROUND or BUS: (fastest way)
London City Airport is connected by the DLR–a line on the London Underground network–so it’s very easy to get into the city centre.
Download the CityMapper App. Get an Oyster Card at the airport station to take the tube or bus, or you can tap in on the little blue circle without getting an Oyster card if you have a contactless card or Apple Pay (easiest way).
b) By Taxi or Uber
City Airport is in the East End, so it’s not too far to pretty much anywhere you want to go. Tube is always the fastest, though.
c) Private Car or Van
If you have a lot of luggage and/or a lot of people, it’s best to book a London City Airport transfer service ahead of time. Hauling all of your luggage through the tube isn’t very fun. Keep in mind that London traffic is terrible and it may take longer than you think to get to where you’re going.
6. Southend to London
Southend to London can be a bit of a journey, so keep that in mind when making your plans. Don’t try to transfer from Southend to London airports to catch a connecting flight if you don’t have a lot of time in between.
a) Train
The Greater Anglia Train service will take you directly from Southend Airport to Liverpool Street Station in 55 minutes from £18. Trains run up to every 10 minutes during peak hours. Children under 5 travel free. Book ahead to get the best price.
b) Uber/Taxi
Minimum about £100 and it’ll take about an hour and a half, depending on where you’re going.
c) Private Car or Van
If you have a lot of luggage and/or a lot of people, it’s best to book a Southend to London transfer service ahead of time. It will take a while to get into the city, but you can nap in the car!
Navigating Airports in London: Final Tips
Plan, plan, plan ahead. Do your research: some transfers from airports in London might not be running overnight, so depending on when you arrive, make sure you know what routes are available.
Book everything in advance to make your journey from airports in London to your destination as smooth and fast as possible!
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