Your ultimate guide to airports in London

The UK capital boasts the busiest airline market in the world, handling thousands of flights every day. With a population of nearly ten million across 607 square miles (almost twice the size of New York), London is home to six international airports. The choice of where to fly to and from will depend on various factors, including your origin or destination, preferred airline, and any connecting flights.

Your choice will also be influenced by your starting point, where you're staying, or your onward travel plans. Given London's vastness and busyness, navigating the city can be both time-consuming and costly, particularly with luggage. Whether you're staying in London or venturing out to explore the rest of the UK, selecting the right airport can help you save time, energy, and money.

London Heathrow – LHR

Heathrow Airport is not only London’s but also the UK’s and Europe’s busiest airport. A key hub for multi-city flights, it welcomed nearly 80 million passengers in 2023. With 81 airlines servicing 218 destinations across 86 countries, it’s clear why it’s so significant—simply put, it’s massive.

Despite its numbering, Heathrow operates with only four terminals since Terminal 1 closed in 2015. A crucial tip I learned is to allow ample time to reach your terminal. Terminals 4 and 5 are about ten minutes farther from central London than Terminals 2 and 3. While terminal transfers are free, remember to consider walking times; it’s wise to budget at least 30 minutes.

LHR airlines

Among the 81 airlines operating at Heathrow, British Airways (BA) is the clear leader, managing over half of all flights to 134 short and long-haul destinations from Terminals 3 and 5. Virgin Atlantic also has a significant presence, making it the second-largest airline at the airport. Rounding out the top five are Germany's Lufthansa, Ireland's Aer Lingus, and United Airlines.

While the EU remains its largest market, the most trafficked route is to New York JFK, with more than three million flights in 2023 alone. Heathrow is the prime airport for travelers flying into London from the US, particularly from the east coast.

LHR location

Due to its vast size, Heathrow is situated outside central London, approximately 14 miles west of Buckingham Palace. Don’t be misled by this short distance; reaching central London typically takes at least an hour. If you're headed elsewhere in the UK, you may still need to travel into the city to make your connection.

Taking a taxi can be shockingly expensive and you'll be stuck in London’s notoriously sluggish traffic. Public transport is a far better choice. The top options are all train services:

London Gatwick – LGW

Gatwick Airport is the second largest and most accessible of the major airports in London. In the first half of 2023 alone, it welcomed nearly 19 million passengers, with 47 airlines operating and serving 193 destinations across 60 countries.

Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, linked by a complimentary elevated tramway, and operates from a single runway. Remarkably, it’s classified as the busiest single-runway airport in Europe, despite technically having two runways that are too close together to be used simultaneously. It also serves as a major connection hub for long-haul flights and layovers.

LGW airlines

As BA's secondary hub after Heathrow, it operates over 60 routes from Gatwick. However, the airport primarily caters to low-cost airlines, which account for nearly two-thirds of its total seat capacity. EasyJet is the main carrier with 120 routes, alongside Wizz Air, Vueling, Norse Atlantic, and TUI, mostly focusing on short-haul destinations.

The busiest route from Gatwick is to Dublin, closely followed by Barcelona. Among the top ten busiest routes, Dubai is the sole destination outside Europe. Gatwick also accommodates around ten US destinations, making it the second-best airport for flying into London from the US.

LGW location

Gatwick is located 23 miles almost directly south of Buckingham Palace. While it is farther from the city than Heathrow, getting into central London is actually easier and more affordable, although travel times are similar.

Importantly, Gatwick Airport station offers the best train connections of any London airport. Located just five minutes from the South Terminal's departures and arrivals, it provides direct rail access to 120 stations across the country, and over 700 with a single transfer. If you’re traveling south or east, Gatwick is the ideal airport for flying into London.

Coach and bus services are also readily available, operating 24/7, 365 days a year. They tend to be more reliable than trains and are generally cheaper, though they can be slower. Like Heathrow, taking a taxi into London is often a waste of both time and money. The train is the best option:

Stansted Airport – STN

The third largest airport serving London isn't actually located in London, making it quite a hassle to reach. Nevertheless, Stansted Airport has become a hub for numerous low-cost airlines, often providing exceptionally affordable flights. In 2023, 17 airlines transported nearly 28 million passengers to 192 destinations across 37 countries, primarily focusing on short-haul routes within Europe.

One of Stansted’s advantages is its manageable size. With a single terminal, navigation is straightforward and swift, while still offering a full range of shops and restaurants (Terracotta Italian Kitchen serves a delicious but intensely spicy Amatriciana). However, it does tend to get extremely crowded.

STN airlines

Among its airlines (which can fluctuate significantly from year to year), RyanAir reigns supreme. It services an impressive range of about 150 well-known and lesser-known domestic and international destinations. Other prominent airlines operating from Stansted include Jet2, TUI, BA, Eurowings, EasyJet, and Emirates.

Although there are no direct flights to or from the US, American travelers might consider Stansted for exceptionally low fares to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

STN location

As I mentioned, getting to Stansted is quite a hassle. Located thirty-two miles northeast of Buckingham Palace, it lies well outside the boundaries of London. This distance from the city, combined with the lower operating costs of Stansted, makes it a popular choice for budget airlines. For many travelers, the cheap flights are worth the extra inconvenience—just ensure you allow sufficient time to reach the airport.

The Stansted Airport train station is conveniently situated directly beneath the terminal, providing excellent connections to stations throughout the UK—especially if you’re traveling north. For getting into London, public transport remains your best option:

Luton Airport – LTN

Similar to Stansted, London’s fourth largest airport serves as a hub for low-cost carriers operating routes across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. In 2023, Luton Airport welcomed just over 16 million travelers heading to and from 122 destinations across 37 countries. Much like Stansted, reaching it can be quite inconvenient.

Luton Airport has recently undergone a significant and much-needed renovation. With a new executive lounge, numerous shops and restaurants (who doesn’t enjoy a pre-flight Benito burrito?), and a more streamlined layout, navigating the airport has become much easier. These improvements, coupled with its affordable flights, have made it the fastest-growing airport in London in recent years.

LTN airlines

Primarily serving budget airlines, EasyJet stands as the largest carrier at Luton Airport, offering nearly 70 destinations. Other multi-destination airlines include Ryanair and Wizz Air, while Fly One, Dan Air, and El Al each operate flights to just one destination.

While there are no flights to or from the US, Luton is worth considering for inexpensive travel to lesser-known destinations across Europe.

LTN location

Located 28 miles from Buckingham Palace and central London, Luton is more of a neighboring airport than a true London airport. Its distance has made it a favored choice for drivers looking to park. Unfortunately, a significant multi-story car park fire in late 2023 has reduced available parking spaces for the foreseeable future.

With the considerable distance from London leading to high taxi fares, public transport remains the most convenient option for travel:

City Airport – LCY

City Airport is the closest airport to central London and is particularly favored by business travelers. While it is small compared to other London airports, it offers unmatched convenience for flying in, though it is restricted to European and domestic routes. In 2023, just under million travelers used its single terminal, covering 36 destinations in 18 countries.

Among all London airports, City is the easiest to navigate due to its small size. The introduction of new security scanners in 2023 has streamlined the security process significantly. With this new technology, you can keep liquids, laptops, and tablets in your carry-on, greatly speeding up security checks.

LCY airlines

City Airport is served by eight airlines, with BA being the largest, offering flights to 30 destinations. Swiss Air and Luxair each operate flights to two destinations, while ITA Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, and Loganair each serve just one destination.

LCY location

Situated in the Royal Docks, right in the financial center of London, City Airport is the most convenient airport to access. It features its own underground station on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) line. Due to its prime location, taxis are relatively affordable, though they remain slower and more expensive than the underground.

Southend Airport – SEN

Southend Airport stands out as it is located far east of central London, in the town of Southend-on-Sea. It qualifies as a London airport due to its accessibility for travelers coming from and going to east London, nearby counties, and the coast. As the smallest of the London airports by passenger traffic, it accommodates around three million passengers each year at its peak.

Focusing exclusively on European destinations, it currently serves 11 routes across eight countries but has ambitious plans for expansion. With just a handful of flights each day, the single terminal rarely feels crowded. However, it offers enough amenities to keep you stocked with coffee and duty-free options until your flight departs.

SEN airlines

Only three budget airlines operate from Southend Airport. EasyJet is the primary carrier, offering flights to eight destinations, while BHAir and Aeroitalia each service one route. The airport organizes its flights into summer and winter schedules, featuring special seasonal destinations like Finland on select dates.

SEN location

Which is the best London airport to arrive at?

When flying to and from London, it often comes down to Gatwick versus Heathrow, especially for long-haul destinations like the US. However, for European or nearby Middle Eastern and African flights, London's smaller airports can be a superior choice. Their cheaper fares and wider selection of destinations can make the extra travel time worthwhile.

With airports located to the north, east, south, and west of London, your choice can also depend on your accommodation. Gatwick is the most convenient and well-connected, particularly due to its excellent rail links. Heathrow is handy for London itself, but if you’re heading to other parts of the UK, you'll likely need to travel into the city for connecting transport.

For business travel, London City Airport is the ideal choice due to its location and convenience, although it offers a limited range of routes. For quick trips to Europe, Stansted, Luton, and Southend provide affordable flights to fantastic destinations.

Conclusion

No single airport in London stands out as the best; each serves a unique purpose and offers access to an astonishing variety of destinations. Collectively, they link the English capital to every corner of the globe. For more information on airports in those locations, check out other Dinogo Airport guides.

How this guide was created

Having lived and worked in London for over a decade, I frequently return to the city. I've flown countless times from all six airports, gaining insights on their distinct features over time. I know which security lanes are typically quicker, which restaurants are worth the visit, and how long it truly takes to reach the furthest gate.

This guide encapsulates those experiences to assist you in making an informed choice about which airport to use, taking into account practical aspects like your starting point and destination.