How Many Airports Are There in London? A Complete Guide to All Six Airports and the Heliport

London is served by six main airports, plus the Battersea heliport for private flights. Those six are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend. Together they handle more than 170 million passengers a year and connect the capital to almost 400 international destinations, which makes London’s network the busiest city airport system in the world. The airports sit between 7 and 45 miles from the centre, each with its own airlines, terminals and transfer options. This guide walks through every one, then shows how Westway Ride moves you between any of them and central London. We hold TfL Private Hire Operator Licence 73850301 and run a chauffeured fleet 24 hours a day.

Knowing which airport you fly into changes how you plan the trip. A flight into London City lands you minutes from Canary Wharf. A flight into Stansted leaves you 40 miles out in Essex. The distance, the transport links and the cost of getting in all shift depending on the airport, so it pays to know them before you book.

Airports in London: An In-Depth Look

Each of the six airports below serves a different kind of traveller, from long-haul international passengers to budget short-haul flyers. The heliport adds a seventh option for private charter. Here’s what each one offers and how far it sits from the centre of town.

1. Heathrow Airport: London’s Largest International Hub

Heathrow sits about 25 miles west of central London and handles more international passengers than any other UK airport. It runs five terminals, though Terminal 1 closed in 2015, so you’ll arrive at T2, T3, T4 or T5. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and Emirates all fly from here, covering long-haul routes to almost every continent. The airport opened in 1946 and now serves more than 80 airlines.

Getting in is straightforward. The Heathrow Express reaches Paddington in 15 minutes, the Elizabeth Line and the Piccadilly Line both stop at the airport, and Westway Ride runs door-to-door airport transfers for travellers who’d rather skip the platforms. Nearby you’ll find Windsor Castle, Legoland and Kew Gardens. Heathrow suits anyone after the widest choice of international flights or a premium arrival.

2. Gatwick Airport: A Major Gateway to Europe

Gatwick lies roughly 28 miles south of London and ranks as the second-busiest airport in the network. It splits across two terminals, North and South, linked by a free shuttle that runs every few minutes. EasyJet, British Airways, Norwegian and Wizz Air operate a mix of European short-haul and long-haul routes, so the airport draws both holidaymakers and long-distance travellers.

The Gatwick Express runs direct to Victoria, and regular trains and buses serve the rest of the city. From Gatwick you can reach Brighton Beach, Lewes and Ashdown Forest within a short drive. Our Gatwick transfers cover central London and the south coast, useful if your final stop is outside the city. Gatwick works well for European destinations and for anyone wanting a calmer alternative to Heathrow.

3. Luton Airport: Budget-Friendly Travel

Luton sits 30 miles north of the centre and built its name on budget airlines and short-haul routes. It runs a single terminal and serves Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet and TUI Airways, so fares tend to be cheap even if the airport itself is further out. Cost-conscious flyers pick Luton for exactly that reason.

Trains, buses and taxis all link Luton to London, though the journey takes longer than the closer hubs. Woburn Safari Park, Whipsnade Zoo and Luton Hoo are all within reach. Westway Ride runs affordable Luton transfers so the savings on your flight don’t disappear into a stressful trip in. Luton is a solid pick when the flight price matters more than the location.

4. Stansted Airport: Ideal for Low-Cost European Flights

Stansted lies about 40 miles northeast of London in Uttlesford, Essex, and serves as Ryanair’s largest base. It runs one terminal and fills it with low-cost carriers: Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2.com and Wizz Air, almost all flying European routes. Budget travellers heading to the continent pass through here in huge numbers.

The Stansted Express links the airport to Liverpool Street, and buses and taxis cover the gaps. Colchester Castle, Audley End House and Hatfield House sit nearby for anyone with time to spare. Because Stansted is one of the further hubs, a fixed-fare chauffeur transfer removes the guesswork on a long inbound trip. Stansted is built for cheap European flights and travellers who plan their transfer in advance.

5. London City Airport: Business Travel and Short-Haul Flights

London City is the closest airport to the centre, just 7 miles east in the Docklands. It runs a single compact terminal, and you can often get from plane to train in 15 minutes. British Airways, KLM and CityJet fly short-haul European and domestic routes from here, aimed squarely at business travellers. The DLR connects the airport to Bank and Canary Wharf in under 20 minutes.

One thing to note: the airport sits inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, so arriving by car can carry a charge. Canary Wharf, the Docklands and the O2 Arena are all on the doorstep. Our London City transfers give quick access to the financial district without the change at Bank. London City is the obvious choice for business trips that need speed over flight choice.

6. Southend Airport: A Gateway to Regional and Holiday Destinations

Southend sits about 45 miles southeast of London on the Essex coast and ranks as the smallest of the six. It runs one terminal and focuses on regional and holiday routes, with easyJet among the carriers using it. After a quiet spell, the airport has been rebuilding its schedule and remains known for fast, low-stress processing.

A direct rail line links Southend to Liverpool Street, and buses and taxis serve the town. Southend-on-Sea, Clacton-on-Sea and Hadleigh Castle are all close by. Westway Ride provides transfers to and from Southend for travellers heading to the coast or beyond. Southend suits holiday and regional flights, especially if you value a quick walk through the terminal.

7. London Heliport: Exclusive and Luxurious Transfers

The London Heliport in Battersea is the capital’s only licensed heliport and handles private and charter helicopter flights. It sits beside the Thames, close to Battersea Park and Chelsea, and offers a level of privacy the six airports can’t match. Westway Ride arranges luxury helicopter transfers and the ground travel that connects to them.

Private transfers and taxis serve the heliport, and our chauffeur service handles the road leg before or after a flight. The heliport is for travellers who want speed and exclusivity above everything, with the rest of the journey handled door to door.

Comparing Airports in London: Which One Suits Your Needs?

Six airports, six different answers depending on where you’re going and what you’re flying for. The table below lays out distance, main airlines and the traveller each airport fits, so you can match your trip to the right hub before booking.

Heathrow wins on international choice. London City wins on speed to the centre. Luton and Stansted win on flight price but cost you more time on the ground, since both sit well outside the city. Southend fits regional and holiday routes, and Gatwick lands in the middle with a broad mix of short-haul and long-haul. Once you’ve picked the airport, the next decision is how to get into town.

Choosing the Right Airport Transfer and Taxi Service

Picking your airport is half the job. How you travel the last leg into London decides whether the trip starts smoothly or with stress. A few things shape that choice.

Look first at where you’re staying. A closer airport like London City can save real time and money, but the shortest distance isn’t always the fastest in London traffic, so weigh the route, not just the miles. Check your budget next: a cheap flight into Stansted can lose its edge once you add the cost of getting in. Then think about timing. A late-night arrival needs a service that runs around the clock, which rules out some train and bus links.

Public transport works well for the closer hubs, but it means changes, luggage and crowds. A private transfer takes you door to door with a fixed fare agreed before you travel, so a delayed flight doesn’t change the price. Westway Ride tracks your flight, adjusts the pickup if you land late, and covers every London airport and the heliport. That’s the difference between guessing and knowing your ride is sorted.

Why Choose Westway Ride for London Airport Transfers?

Westway Ride runs chauffeured transfers to and from all six London airports and the Battersea heliport. We operate under TfL Private Hire Operator Licence 73850301 from our base at 50 Browning Road, London E12 6QZ, and you can reach the team on +44 20 8044 0939. Here’s what sets the service apart.

Our fleet is built for comfort and occasion. You can book a Mercedes E-Class for business, an S-Class for full luxury, a V-Class for group travel, a Range Rover Autobiography, or a Rolls-Royce for the headline trips. Every car is maintained to a high standard and driven by a vetted chauffeur who knows London’s roads and the quickest way through them.

Reliability runs through everything. We track flights so an early landing or a two-hour delay doesn’t leave you waiting or paying extra. Pricing is fixed and quoted upfront, with no meter and no surge after a long flight. The service runs 24 hours a day, every day, and booking takes a couple of minutes through the website or over the phone. You can browse the full range on our fleet page or book a chauffeur directly.

Conclusion

London’s six main airports and the Battersea heliport cover every kind of journey, from a long-haul arrival at Heathrow to a quick business hop into London City or a budget flight from Stansted. Each has its own distance, airlines and transfer links, and the right one depends on where you’re headed and what you’re flying for. Whichever airport you use, Westway Ride handles the road leg with a fixed fare, flight tracking and a chauffeured fleet, so the journey in matches the trip itself.

How many airports are there in London?

London has six main airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend. There’s also the London Heliport in Battersea for private helicopter flights, giving seven aviation gateways in total.

Which is the biggest airport in London?

Heathrow is London’s largest and busiest airport. It handles more international passengers than any other UK airport and runs five terminals, of which four are in use today.

How far is Heathrow from central London?

Heathrow sits about 25 miles west of central London. The Heathrow Express covers the trip to Paddington in 15 minutes, while a chauffeured transfer takes you straight to your address.

Which London airport is closest to the city centre?

London City is the closest, just 7 miles east of the centre in the Docklands. The DLR links it to Bank and Canary Wharf in under 20 minutes, which is why business travellers favour it.

Which London airport is best for budget flights?

Stansted and Luton carry the most budget routes. Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air dominate both, though the saving on the fare is partly offset by longer transfers from further out.

How many international airports does London have?

Four airports handle the bulk of London’s international traffic: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and London City. Luton and Southend add further international routes, mostly short-haul to Europe.

Can I book a Westway Ride transfer for any London airport?

Yes. Westway Ride covers all six London airports and the Battersea heliport, with door-to-door transfers run under TfL Licence 73850301. Call +44 20 8044 0939 or book online.

What cars does Westway Ride offer?

The fleet includes the Mercedes E-Class, S-Class and V-Class, the Range Rover Autobiography and the Rolls-Royce. Each suits a different trip, from solo business travel to group transfers and luxury arrivals.