London is one of the most popular UK cities and destinations in the world, but it can also be a bit daunting to plan a trip to and from its six airports.
London stands as the world’s largest aviation hub by passenger traffic, boasting international airports that collectively handled over 177 million passengers in 2024.
Whether you are flying from or to Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City, or Southend, you need to consider the best travel options available at each airport by train, car, bus, taxi, or public transport to get to your final destination.
Because there are so many options to consider for London air travellers, we share some useful tips and insights to consider before you plan your London trip by plane.
To make your London journey as smooth as possible, planning is crucial to get things right according to your travel budget, duration and itinerary. So, dive into London’s top airports and learn how to navigate all the travel options most effectively!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post was correct at the time of publication, but may be subject to change.
To and From London Airports by Train
The train is often the fastest and most convenient way to get from London airports to the city centre or other destinations in the UK. However, train fares can vary depending on the time of day, the type of ticket and the operator. You will also need to check in advance if there are travel disruptions, and such information can be found on tfl.gov.uk or apps like Citymapper. Below, we cover the main train options for each airport along with their pricing in more detail.
To and From London Airports by Bus
Another option is to use the London airport bus services available to travel to and from the London airports. This might be a good choice for people living near the dedicated bus stops or who prefer a more affordable option that allows them to get to the airport without interchanges. We list the best services, their pricing and service times for each airport below. Bus tickets can be booked online or at the airports.
To and From London Airports by Car
Using a car is another option to travel to and from London airports, but it is not recommended unless you have a lot of luggage, you are travelling with a group, or you need to reach a remote location. Driving in London can be stressful, expensive, and time-consuming, as you must deal with traffic, congestion charges, parking fees and tolls. We cover some of the main car hire and car parking options for each airport below in more detail.
The other option is to hire a taxi, which can be the quickest and most convenient way to travel to and from the airport. We cover several taxi options for each airport below, but generally, these trusted taxi or hail ride apps are available all over London:
Uber – 4.9 Stars with 13.2M App Store Ratings
Website: https://www.uber.com/gb/en/ride/
A well-known ride-sharing app that lets you choose your price, car type and payment method. You can also track your driver and share your ETA with others.
Social media:
Bolt – 4.7 Stars with 158.4K App Store Ratings
Website: https://bolt.eu/
A ride-hailing app that offers protection for drivers and passengers. You can also pay with a card or cash and get discounts for frequent rides.
Social Media:
- Instagram: 119K Followers
- Facebook: 1.9M Followers
- X: 56.4K Followers
- LinkedIn: 289K Followers
- TikTok: 77.8K Followers
Gett – 4.7 Stars with 13.7K App Store Ratings
Website: https://www.gett.com/uk/
An app that allows you to book traditional London black cabs. You can pay by meter or fixed price and get rewards for loyal customers.
Social Media:
London Heathrow
Train Options:
The London Underground/Tube
The London Underground Piccadilly Line is the most cost-effective, with fares starting at around £5.80 for the journey within zone 1. The Tube connects right into central London, and you can get to absolutely any place in the capital by transferring to other lines. Terminals 2,3,4, and 5 provide 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays. Trains run from 5:02 am and on Sunday from 5:47 am to 11:40 pm (Wednesday: 11.30 pm), with the final service departing at 5:12 am. Regular operating hours for the line are 5:00 to 23:30; however, on Friday and Saturday nights, an all-night ‘Night Tube’ is available. Keep in mind that the Night Tube does not serve Terminal 4.
Website: https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/by-rail-or-train/london-underground
The Elizabeth Line
The Elizabeth Line (also known as Crossrail) is a new service that connects Heathrow to central, East and West London. Numerous additional travel options are available via the Elizabeth Line, which connects Paddington to Heathrow, the West Country, and East and West London. When commuting via Zone 1 or starting, ending, or departing from Heathrow Airport, the Elizabeth line fare is £13.90.
Website: https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/by-rail-or-train/elizabeth-line
Social Media:
- Instagram: 416K Followers
Heathrow Express – 3.8 Stars with 1.6K Tripadvisor Reviews
The Heathrow Express is the fastest option, with trains running every 15 minutes and taking only 15 minutes to reach Paddington Station. Still, it is also the most expensive, with tickets costing from £25 for a single journey and £32 for a single business first. One of the easiest methods to get to the nation’s capital following your flight is via the Heathrow Express.
Website: https://www.heathrowexpress.com/
Social Media:
Bus Options:
National Express – 4 Stars with 68K Trustpilot Reviews
A one-way National Express bus ticket to Heathrow Airport starts from £8.80, although prices may vary depending on the boarding terminal and time of travel. National Express bus tickets are sold straight from the coach station, but if you purchase online, you can obtain better deals and seats than if you buy at the coach station.
20 kg or 1 rucksack or large suitcase, each measuring no more than 75 cm x50 cm x32 cm, luggage is allowed on the bus per person, and you can even get an option to select between premium and standard seat reservations. The journey from Heathrow Airport’s Terminals 2 & 3 to Oxford’s Gloucester Green Bus Station takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with fares starting from £25.00.
Website: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
Social Media:
To book a bus service for Heathrow Airport, you can visit the official websites of the bus companies or use online platforms like Omio.
Car Options:
Car Rental
You can rent a car from Heathrow Airport from various companies, such as Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. The starting price for a compact car is around £45.02 per day, but this can vary depending on the season, the duration, and the extras.
Taxi
The average price for a licensed taxi from Heathrow to central London is between £64 – £120, but this can vary depending on the traffic, the distance, and the time of day.
A private transfer can be cheaper if you book in advance and compare different providers, such as Blacklane, Welcome Pickups or Suntransfers.
Car Parking
The official Heathrow Airport parking website offers a range of parking solutions to suit different needs and budgets, including Short Stay, Long Stay, Business, Meet and Greet, POD, Valet, and Park & Ride options. Prices may vary depending on the booking date and time, and bookings often offer lower rates.
- Park & Ride Terminals 2 & 3 – Pre-booked price: £33.80
- Short Stay Parking Terminal 2 – Pre-booked price: £73.20
- Short Stay Fast Track Parking Terminal 2 – Pre-booked price: £90.00
For added convenience, Meet and Greet Parking is priced at £138.60 per day, and POD Parking is available at a daily rate of £57.60. You can book online in advance.
You can also cancel for free up to two hours before your arrival if your plans change. The website also provides a handy tool to compare the different parking options and find the best one for you based on your terminal, duration, and preferences.
London Stansted
Train Options:
Stansted Express – 4.2 Stars with 2.7K Trustpilot Reviews
The Stansted Express runs every 15 minutes and takes 48 minutes to reach Liverpool Street Station or 35 minutes to reach Tottenham Hale Station, with average fares of £25 for a single journey. Discounted rates are available when you book early.
Website: https://www.stanstedexpress.com/
Social Media:
Greater Anglia Service – 1.9 Stars with 797 Trustpilot Reviews
The Greater Anglia service runs every 15 minutes and takes 46-58 minutes to reach Liverpool Street Station or 45 minutes to reach Stratford Station, with average fares of £25 for a single journey.
Website: https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/
Social Media:
Bus Options:
Flibco – 4.2 Stars with 2.3K Trustpilot Reviews
Flibco is a public transportation company that manages short to medium-distance bus lines to airports, especially in Europe. They recently launched a bus to Stansted Airport and back from Stratford and Liverpool Street, running every 30 minutes 24/7. The fares start from £13.99 and can be booked online with the option to book an open day ticket, which is valid for the whole day the booking is made.
Kids under 3 travel free (one child per paying adult), and up to 40% can be saved by booking a return ticket online. They offer different packages for varying luggage requirements. The coaches are modern and have toilets, Wi-Fi, power sockets and air conditioning.
Website: https://www.flibco.com/
Social Media:
National Express
They offer over 200 daily services to and from London Stansted Airport on four routes: A6 to Victoria via Marble Arch, A8 to Bethnal Green via Liverpool Street, A9 to Stratford direct, and A10 to Paddington via Baker Street.
The fares from London Stansted Airport to London Victoria non-stop start from £17 and can be booked online. The coaches have leather seats, toilets, power sockets and air conditioning.
Airport Bus Express – 3.6 Stars with 133 Trustpilot Reviews
They offer frequent services to and from London Stansted Airport from various London locations, running every 30 minutes 24/7 – you can find all their Stansted Airport routes here.
The fares start from £17 and can be booked online, where up to 50% discounts are available for early bookings. The coaches have toilets, Wi-Fi, power sockets and air conditioning.
Website: https://www.airportbusexpress.co.uk/
Social Media:
EasyBus – 2.3 Stars with 550 Tripadvisor Reviews
They offer regular transport services to and from London Stansted Airport. The fares start from £17 and can be booked online. The buses have limited luggage space and no toilets.
They offer multiple routes to various destinations in London such as Victoria, Waterloo, Baker Street and Earl’s Court.
Website: https://www.easybus.com/
Car Options:
Car Rental
You can rent a car from Stansted Airport from various companies, such as Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. The average starting price for a compact car is around £45.02 per day, but this can vary depending on the season, the duration, and the extras.
Taxi
You can also book a taxi or a private transfer from Stansted Airport. A private transfer can be cheaper if you book in advance and compare different providers, such as Blacklane, Welcome Pickups or Suntransfers. The average price for a private transfer from Stansted to central London is around £101.87.
Car Parking
The official Stansted parking website also offers a range of parking options. Prices may vary based on the date and time of booking, with lower rates often available for advance reservations.
- Long Stay: from £129.99 (for 5 days and more)
- Mid Stay: from £111.99 (for 3 days and more)
- Short Stay Green MultiStore: from £84.99 (for 1 day)
- Meet and Greet: from £109.00 (for 2 days or more)
You can pre-book online and save up to 80% compared to the on-the-day price. You can also cancel for free up to one hour before your arrival if you need to. The website also has a useful guide to help you choose the best parking option for you based on your travel needs and budget.
London Gatwick
Train Options:
Gatwick Express – 3.4 Stars with 742 Tripadvisor Reviews
The Gatwick Express runs every 30 minutes and takes 31 minutes to reach Victoria Station, with fares starting from £21.50 for a single journey. From Gatwick Airport to Brighton takes 31 minutes, with fares from £13.70. The service includes train facilities and first-class options.
Website: https://www.gatwickexpress.com/
Social Media:
Thameslink – 1.5 Stars with 478 Trustpilot Reviews
The Thameslink service runs every 10 minutes and takes 29-48 minutes to reach London Bridge Station or 44 minutes to reach St Pancras International Station from Gatwick airport, with fares starting from £15.10 for a single journey. The journey from Gatwick Airport to London Terminals takes between 31 to 34 minutes, with fares starting from £14.40.
Website: https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/
Social Media:
Southern Train – 1.6 Stars 871 Trustpilot Reviews
You can also take a Southern train to Victoria Station, the fare starts from £16.00 and takes 31 to 34 minutes. Or a Great Western Railway train to Paddington Station, but these are slower and less frequent than the other options. Fares start from £24.80 for a single journey towards London Bridge(LBG).
Website: https://www.southernrailway.com/
Social Media:
Bus Options:
EasyBus
They offer low-cost services to and from London Gatwick Airport. The fares start from £10.50 and can be booked online. The buses have limited luggage space and no toilets. They offer multiple routes to various destinations in London such as Victoria, Waterloo, Baker Street and Earl’s Court.
Social Media:
National Express
This coach service travels up to 32 times a day from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria Coach Station, priced from £6.30 one-way. The fastest journey takes 2 hours and stops at Heathrow Airport, Hammersmith, and Earl’s Court.
Car Options:
Car Rental
You can rent a car from Gatwick Airport from various companies, such as SUVs, convertibles, family cars, electric vehicles, and luxury cars. The lowest price for a compact car starts from £32 per day, but this can vary depending on the season, the duration, and the extras.
Taxi
You can also book a taxi or a private transfer from Gatwick Airport to your destination, but this can be quite costly, especially during peak hours. The average price for a taxi from Gatwick to central London is around £159.50 for a saloon car. In this, you can get a maximum of 3 people, 2 luggage and 2 cabin bags, but this can vary depending on the traffic, the distance, and the time of day.
A private transfer can be cheaper if you book in advance and compare different providers, such as Blacklane, Welcome Pickups or Suntransfers.
Car Parking
The official Gatwick Airport parking website offers a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets. Prices may vary according to the date and time of booking, with lower rates often available when booked in advance.
- Short Stay: £52.00
- Premium Short Stay: £72.80
- Mid & Premium Mid Stay: £47.00
- Long Stay: £37.00
You can book online in advance and save up to 60% compared to the on-the-day price. You can also cancel for free up to 24 hours before your arrival if you want to. The website also has a handy calculator to help you compare the different parking options and find the best one for you based on your terminal, duration, and preferences.
London City Airport
Train Options:
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
Travellers have a handy means of transportation via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which links immediately to London City Airport. This direct connection guarantees quick and easy transport from the airport to central London, improving accessibility and allowing travellers to travel without problems. It will be a maximum 40-minute journey. The fares from the DLR station to Victoria Underground Station start at just £3.10.
Website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/dlr/
Social Media:
- X: 127 Followers
Bus Options:
As City Airport is the most central airport in London, not many bus services can be booked and using public transport, including local buses, will be faster and more sustainable.
Car Options:
Car Rental
You can rent a car from London City Airport from companies including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt. For a compact car, prices start from around £35.36 per day, although rates may vary depending on the season and rental duration.
Taxi
You can book a taxi using 1ST Airport Taxis. They offer online and app booking, licensed drivers, and reasonable fares with no price increase. They have a list of estimated prices for taxis to London City Airport from different locations on their website.
You can book a cab from the airport, by Minicabit, the lowest price cab is £36.49 to central London. Taxi fares to or from London City Airport depend on the destination.
Car Parking
There are different options for car parking at London City Airport, depending on your needs and budget. The official on-site parking is contact-free, secure, and close to the terminal. The Pick Up zone costs: Prices can vary depending on the date and time of booking, with lower rates often available for advance bookings.
- Official Premium Car Park: £81.50
- Official Pre-Book Main Car Park: £64.50
- Official Valet Meet & Greet: £81.50
You can also find cheaper alternatives by booking with third-party providers, such as London City Parking or Hertz London City Airport – Car Parking Yard. Another option is to park at hotels near London City Airport, which may offer lower rates and free shuttle services.
London Luton
Train Options:
Thameslink
The Thameslink service runs every 10 minutes and takes 34-44 minutes to reach St Pancras International Station or 59 minutes to 1 hour 8 minutes to reach London Bridge Station, with fares starting from £12.70 for a single journey. The journey from Luton Airport to London Underground Zone 1-6 takes approximately 34 minutes to 59 minutes, with fares from £29.90.
East Midlands Railway – 1.7 Stars with 562 Trustpilot Reviews
The East Midlands Railway service runs every 20 minutes and takes 34 minutes to 57 minutes to reach St Pancras International Station, with fares starting from £11.60 for a single journey. However, both services require you to take a shuttle bus from Luton Airport Parkway station to the airport terminal.
Website: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/
Social Media:
Bus Options:
National Express
This service runs to various destinations across the UK, such as London, Oxford, Birmingham, Coventry, Northampton, Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick, and Milton Keynes. You can find coach times and book tickets on their website. The fare starts from £14.00 to travel to various locations in the UK.
Terravision – 4.5 Stars with 4.2K Trustpilot Reviews
This airport transport service runs from Luton Airport to London Victoria for £13.00, with stops at Bricket Wood, Brent Cross, Baker Street, Finchley Road, and Marble Arch.
Website: https://www.terravision.eu/
Social Media:
Arriva – 1.3 Stars with 3.7K Trustpilot Reviews
This service operates to various destinations across the UK. The journey from Luton Airport Bus Station to Victoria Station takes approximately 1 hour 39 minutes, with an adult single fare of £13.00.
Website: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/
Social Media
Instagram: 8.3K Followers
EasyBus
EasyBus, in partnership with GreenLine.co.uk coaches, offers an airport transfer bus service between Luton Airport and London Victoria coach station from only £13.00 one-way.
Car Options:
Car Rental
There are several car rental options at London Luton Airport, such as SIXT, National Car Rental, Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Enterprise, Drivalia, Easirent, Green Motion, InterRent and Firefly. The average starting price is £35.28 per day for a compact car, but the price may vary depending on the duration, season & extras.
Taxi
Luton Airport Taxis LTD offers a reliable and affordable service with pre-booking, live flight monitoring, fixed rates, and 24-hour customer support. Saloon car fares start from £68, and you can get a quick quote and book online. You can also get an instant online quote and book with UK Airport Taxi, which is another convenient way to travel from Central London to Luton Airport.
Car Parking
The official Luton parking website has three official car parks to choose from: Terminal Car Park 1, which is a multi-story car park just a short walk from the terminal; mid-stay car park, which is a 4-minute walk to the terminal; and long-stay car park, which is a 10-minute shuttle bus ride to the terminal. You can also cancel for free up to 24 hours before your arrival if you must. Prices may vary depending on when you book, with lower rates often available for early reservations.
- Long Stay Car Park: £29.49
- Terminal Car Park 1: £60.49
- Mid Stay Car Park: £34.49
London Southend
Train Options:
Greater Anglia Service
Trains from Southend Airport to London Liverpool Street operate with fares from £21.90 each way, covering the journey in an average time of 54 minutes. The first train departs at 04:35, with the last service running at 23:59. Passengers can travel from Southend Airport to London Victoria, which takes 1 hour and 26 minutes at a fare of £21.90.
Car Options:
Car Rental
You can rent a car at London Southend from Green Motion. The starting price for a compact car is around £32.25 per day, but this can vary depending on the season, the duration, and the extras.
Taxi
Andrews Taxis serves as the official taxi provider at London Southend Airport and can be contacted on +44 (0) 1702 200 200. They operate a late-night taxi share scheme offering direct services to London Liverpool Street at £27.50 per person, with a minimum of 4 passengers required. There are other taxi service providers available to travel to and from London Southend Airport to Central London, such as Minicabit & British Car Transfer.
Car Parking
Official onsite parking can be pre-booked to secure spaces at the best rates. Prices may vary based on the date and time of booking, with lower rates often available for advance reservations.
- Mid Stay: £40.00
- Long Stay: £42.38
- Premium: £47.72
- Short Stay: £74.75
Pick-up and drop-off services are available at the same rates. Bookings can be amended free of charge up to 24 hours before arrival, with flexible bookings offering full refunds within the same timeframe.
Happy London Airport Journeys!
Now you should know the best London airport transport options for each of the five airports serving London. Remember to compare the different options closer to the time of your London travels and plan your journey accordingly to ensure a smooth and comfortable trip. Happy travels!
If you want us to add a suggestion here based on your experience, please get in touch with us!
