London is served by more airports than almost any other city in the world, which is wonderful for choice but confusing when you are booking a flight. Six airports carry the London name, each in a different part of the region, serving different destinations and airlines, and picking the right one can save you time, money and a great deal of hassle on both ends of your journey. The nearest airport to your final destination is not always the cheapest to fly into, and the cheapest flight can land you a long way from where you actually need to be. This guide answers the question of which London airport you should fly into, comparing the main five, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City, on their location, the destinations they serve, their transport links and their cost, so you can weigh up the trade-offs for your trip. It also covers the easy way to get to and from whichever one you choose. Whether you are flying for business, a holiday or a visit to the capital, here is how to pick the London airport that suits you best.
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Heathrow is the giant of the group and the busiest airport in the UK, sitting around 15 miles west of central London. It is the country's main long-haul hub, offering by far the widest choice of destinations and airlines, so if you are flying intercontinental, connecting through London, or simply want the most options, Heathrow is usually the answer. With four passenger terminals and full-service carriers alongside the airlines' premium cabins and lounges, it is geared up for international travel on a grand scale. Transport into the city is excellent, with the Elizabeth line and the fast Heathrow Express reaching central London quickly, plus the Piccadilly line for a cheaper, slower route. The trade-offs are that fares are often higher than at the budget airports, and the sheer size means longer walks and busier terminals. For long-haul flights, premium travel and the greatest choice of routes, Heathrow is the natural pick. Whichever terminal you land at, a dedicated Heathrow chauffeur service can meet you and take you straight to your destination in comfort.
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Gatwick is London's second-busiest airport, lying around 28 miles south of the city in West Sussex. It strikes a useful balance, offering a broad mix of long-haul routes, short-haul European flights, charter services and package holidays, often at more competitive fares than Heathrow. This makes it a favourite for holidaymakers and anyone travelling to Europe or popular sunshine destinations, while still serving a good number of long-haul routes. Its two terminals are well organised, and transport into London is strong, with the fast Gatwick Express to Victoria plus Thameslink and Southern services reaching a range of central stations. Being south of the city, it is especially convenient for travellers heading to south London or the south coast. The main consideration is the distance, as it is further from the centre than Heathrow, though the express trains make the journey quick. For holidays, European trips and good-value fares with plenty of choice, Gatwick is an excellent option. A pre-booked Gatwick chauffeur service makes the transfer to or from the airport smooth, whatever the hour of your flight.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Stansted sits around 40 miles north east of central London in Essex and is the home of low-cost European travel, dominated by budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet. If you are chasing a cheap flight to Europe, there is a good chance it departs from Stansted, which offers an enormous range of short-haul routes across the continent at very low fares. The single, modern terminal is efficient and straightforward, and the Stansted Express train runs directly to Liverpool Street in central London. The main trade-off is the distance, as Stansted is the furthest of the main airports from the centre, so you need to factor in the journey time at both ends. It is best suited to budget-conscious travellers heading to Europe who are happy to trade a longer transfer for a cheaper fare. For low-cost short-haul flights and a wide choice of European destinations, Stansted is hard to beat on price. A reliable Stansted chauffeur service takes the effort out of the longer journey to and from the airport.
Luton Airport (LTN)
Luton is another of London's budget-focused airports, located around 35 miles north of the city in Bedfordshire. Like Stansted, it is a base for low-cost carriers such as easyJet and Wizz Air, serving a wide range of European and short-haul destinations at competitive prices, along with plenty of holiday routes. Its compact terminal is easy to get around, and the airport is connected to central London by train to stations such as St Pancras, with a quick automated shuttle linking the airport to the nearby Luton Airport Parkway station. This makes the journey into the city reasonably swift despite the distance. Luton suits travellers looking for affordable flights to Europe and holiday hotspots, particularly those in north London or heading north, for whom it can be more convenient than the southern airports. The main considerations are the transfer from the terminal to the rail station and the distance from the centre. For budget European and holiday travel with a straightforward, compact airport, Luton is a practical and often cheaper choice worth considering.
London City Airport (LCY)
London City is the smallest and most central of the capital's airports, tucked into the Docklands just 7 miles east of the city and right beside the Canary Wharf financial district. Its great advantage is location and speed: it is by far the closest airport to the City of London, and its compact size means quick, hassle-free check-in and short walks, so you can go from kerb to gate in minutes. It is served by the Docklands Light Railway, giving a fast, direct link into the financial district and central London. The airport specialises in short-haul European flights and some domestic routes, and it is hugely popular with business travellers heading to the City and Canary Wharf who value the time saved. The trade-offs are a more limited choice of destinations and generally higher fares than the budget airports. For business trips to the City, short-haul European travel and the fastest, most central airport experience, London City is in a class of its own, and unbeatable for convenience if it flies where you need to go.
A word on London Southend
The sixth airport to carry the London name is Southend, sitting further out on the Essex coast, well to the east of the city. It is the smallest and least central of the group, and its route network is more limited, focused on a modest range of budget and leisure destinations that changes over time. Its appeal is a small, quick and stress-free terminal with a direct train line towards central London, which suits travellers living in that part of Essex or heading to the coast. For most visitors to London, however, the main five airports offer far more choice and more convenient connections, so Southend is best considered only if it happens to serve your specific route or is close to where you are staying. It is worth a quick check when comparing fares, but it rarely beats the bigger airports on choice.
How to choose the right airport
With five main airports to weigh up, the best choice comes down to balancing a few key factors for your particular trip:
- Destination: Heathrow for the widest choice and long-haul, Gatwick for holidays and a broad mix, Stansted and Luton for budget European routes, London City for short-haul and business.
- Cost: the budget airports at Stansted and Luton usually offer the cheapest fares, while Heathrow and City tend to be pricier.
- Location: think about where you are actually going, as the closest or best-connected airport to your final destination can save hours.
- Transport links: all five have good rail connections, but the journey time and cost into the city vary.
- Experience: City and Luton are quick and compact, Heathrow and Gatwick are large but well equipped for international travel.
The cheapest flight is not always the cheapest trip once you add the transfer time and cost at both ends, so weigh the fare against the convenience. A good rule is to start with your destination and your budget, then consider which airport leaves you closest to where you need to be with the least hassle getting there. It also helps to think about the time of day you land, since a late-night arrival at a distant airport can make the transfer harder, and about who you are travelling with, as families and groups with luggage value a short, simple journey far more than a saving of a few pounds on the fare. Balance those factors and the right London airport for your journey usually becomes clear.
Getting to and from your airport
Whichever London airport you choose, the journey to and from it shapes the start and end of your trip, and it is the part most worth getting right. Trains are quick but involve connections, luggage and crowds, while driving means parking costs and the stress of the roads. A chauffeur removes all of it: the car collects you from your door, takes you straight to the correct terminal in good time, and on your return meets you at arrivals, tracking your flight so the timing is right even if you land early or late. With the airports spread from the west at Heathrow to the east at London City and as far out as Stansted, a door-to-door car that handles the distance and the luggage is often the easiest option of all, especially for early flights, groups or anyone with heavy bags. A licensed airport transfer service covers every London airport at a fixed fare agreed in advance, so the cost is settled whatever the traffic does. You can choose the right vehicle for your party and luggage from the executive fleet, from a saloon for a solo traveller to a minibus for a group. Sort the transfer when you book your flight, and both ends of the journey take care of themselves.
London's six airports give travellers an enormous choice, and picking the right one comes down to matching your destination, your budget and your onward journey. Heathrow leads for long-haul and choice, Gatwick balances holidays and value, Stansted and Luton win on budget European fares, and London City offers unbeatable speed and convenience for the City. Weigh the fare against the transfer at both ends, and the best airport for your trip usually becomes clear. Whichever you choose, Westway Ride runs a licensed, fixed-fare chauffeur service to and from every London airport, tracking flights and meeting you at arrivals, with a fleet from the executive saloon to a 16-seat minibus. Book the transfer with your flight, and travel through London the easy way.
How many airports does London have?
London has six airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend. The main five for most travellers are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City, each serving different destinations and parts of the region, which is why choosing the right one for your trip matters.
Which London airport should I fly into?
It depends on your destination, budget and where you are heading in the area. Choose Heathrow for long-haul and the widest choice, Gatwick for holidays and a broad mix, Stansted or Luton for cheap European flights, and London City for short-haul and business trips to the City. Match the airport to your trip.
Which is better, Heathrow or Gatwick?
Heathrow is better for long-haul and choice, Gatwick for holidays and value. Heathrow is the UK's main long-haul hub with the most destinations, closer to the west of the city, while Gatwick offers a good mix of routes, competitive fares and strong links to the south. Pick based on your destination and budget.
What is the closest airport to central London?
London City Airport is the closest, around 7 miles east of the centre. Located in the Docklands beside Canary Wharf, it offers the fastest access to the City of London via the Docklands Light Railway, which makes it especially popular with business travellers who value the time saved.
Which London airport is cheapest to fly from?
Stansted and Luton usually offer the cheapest fares. Both are bases for budget airlines serving a wide range of European destinations at low prices. Remember, though, that they sit further from the centre, so factor the transfer time and cost into the overall trip before assuming the cheapest flight is the cheapest journey.
Which airport is best for long-haul flights?
Heathrow is the best airport for long-haul travel. As the UK's main international hub, it offers by far the widest choice of intercontinental routes and airlines, along with premium cabins, lounges and full-service carriers. If you are flying long-haul to or from London, Heathrow is almost always the natural choice.
Which London airport is best for business travel?
London City is the top choice for business travel to the City. Its central Docklands location, compact size and quick check-in save valuable time, and the DLR links straight to the financial district. Heathrow also suits business travellers needing long-haul routes and premium services with the widest global connections.
How do I get from a London airport into the city?
By train, or more comfortably by a pre-booked car. Each airport has good rail links, such as the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express, the Gatwick and Stansted Express services, and the DLR at City. For a door-to-door option with your luggage, a chauffeur transfer takes you straight to your destination without changes.
Which airport is best for a holiday to Europe?
Gatwick, Stansted and Luton are the best for European holidays. Gatwick offers a broad mix of routes and charter flights, while Stansted and Luton specialise in low-cost European destinations. Between them they cover most holiday hotspots, so the right one depends on your destination and the fare you find.
Is it better to fly into the nearest airport or the cheapest?
Weigh the fare against the transfer, as the cheapest flight is not always the cheapest trip. A low fare from a distant airport can be outweighed by the time and cost of a long transfer, while a slightly pricier flight into a closer airport may work out easier and cheaper overall. Consider the whole journey.
Can a chauffeur meet me at any London airport?
Yes. A chauffeur transfer covers all the London airports, from Heathrow in the west to London City in the east and Stansted to the north east. The driver tracks your flight, meets you at arrivals and takes you door to door, which is ideal for early flights, groups or anyone with heavy luggage.
Which London airport is easiest to travel through?
London City and Luton are the quickest and most compact to pass through. Their smaller size means short walks and fast check-in, so you spend less time in the terminal. Heathrow and Gatwick are larger and busier but well equipped, with more facilities to match their scale of international travel.
