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 five airports.
Whether you are flying from or to Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, or London City, 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 ahead is crucial to get things right according to your travel budget, duration and itinerary. So, dive into London’s top airports and 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 London airport bus services available to travel to and from 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
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.
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Website: https://www.uber.com/gb/en/ride/
Ratings: 3.2 out of 5 with 23,153 reviews
Social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Bolt
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.
Electric cars are the second best option to reduce the transport sector’s environmental footprint. The first is fewer cars on the road.
Learn all you need to know about electric cars from this blog post to make the switch with confidence. https://t.co/aYRaFTAG7l
— Bolt (@boltapp) December 4, 2023
Website: https://bolt.eu/
Ratings: 2.0 out of 5 with 4,264 reviews
Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
Gett
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.
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Website: https://www.gett.com/uk/
Ratings: 1.1 out of 5 with 406 reviews
Social Media: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn
London Heathrow
Train Options:
The London Underground/Tube
The London Underground Piccadilly Line is the most cost-effective, with fares starting at around £5.50 for the journey within zone 1. The Tube connects right into central London, and you may get to absolutely any place in the capital by moving to other lines. Terminals 2,3,4 and 5 provide 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays. Trains run from 5.10 am and on Sunday from 5.50 am to 11.45 pm (Wednesday: 11.30 pm), with the final service departing at 5.10 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 service Terminal 4.
Website: https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/by-rail-or-train/london-underground
Ratings: 3.8 out of 5 with 362 reviews
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 £12.80.
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Website: https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/by-rail-or-train/elizabeth-line
Ratings: 1.4 out of 5 with 134 reviews
Social Media: Instagram
Heathrow Express
The Heathrow Express is the fastest option, with trains running every 15 minutes and taking only 25 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 into the nation’s capital following your flight is via Heathrow Express.
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Website: https://www.heathrowexpress.com/
Ratings: 1.4 out of 5 with 113 reviews
Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
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 £25 per day, but this can vary depending on the season, the duration, and the extras. You can also book a taxi or a private transfer from Heathrow Airport to your destination, but this can be quite costly, especially during peak hours.
Taxi
The average price for a licenced taxi from Heathrow to central London is between £56.00 – £105.00, 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. The average price for a private transfer from Heathrow to central London is around £40, but this can vary depending on the service, the vehicle, and the number of passengers.
Car Parking
The official Heathrow parking website offers a variety of parking solutions to suit different needs and budgets, from short stay, long stay and business to meet and greet, POD and valet parking. You can book online in advance and save up to 77% compared to the on-the-day price. 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.
Bus Options:
National Express
A one-way National Express bus ticket to Heathrow Airport starts from £10. Heathrow Airport takes up to 35 minutes. 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 of luggage is allowed on the bus per person, and you can even get an option to select between premium and standard seat reservations.
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Website: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
Ratings: 4.2 out of 5 with 60249 reviews
Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
Megabus
The Megabus runs front terminal 4, which starts from £8 and takes up to 40 minutes, the fastest time. It will drop you at Heathrow Airport terminus no. 2&3. Megabus always gives a fair deal, but they have special offers on their website. Booking an online ticket can be an advantage for you instead of standing in a queue. One piece of luggage is allowed in general reservations up to 20 kg weight.
Ratings: 3.2 out of 5
Reviews: 15471
Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
To book a bus service for Heathrow Airport, you can visit the official websites of the bus companies or use online platforms like Omio.
London Gatwick
Train Options:
Gatwick Express
The Gatwick Express runs every 15 minutes and takes 30 minutes to reach Victoria Station, with fares starting from £19.50 for a single journey.
Ratings: 1.8 out of 5 with 61 reviews
Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Thameslink
The Thameslink service runs every 10 minutes and takes 41 minutes to reach London Bridge Station or 52 minutes to reach St Pancras International Station, with fares starting from £13.50 for a single journey.
Ratings: 1.4 out of 5
Reviews: 308
Social Media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
Southern Train
You can also take a Southern train to Victoria Station or a Great Western Railway train to Paddington Station, but these are slower and less frequent than the other options. Fares start from £13.50 for a single journey.
Ratings: 1.4 out of 5
Reviews: 718
Social Media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
Car Options:
Car Rental
You can rent a car from Gatwick Airport from various companies, such as SUVs, convertible cars, family cars, electric vehicles, and luxury cars. The Lowest price in sedan cars starts from £95.22, 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 £120 for a saloon car £4.07 per mile. 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 parking website offers four parking options: short stay, long stay, premium and valet parking. 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.
Bus Options:
EasyBus
They offer low-cost services to and from London Gatwick Airport. The fares start from £8.80 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.
— easyBus London Bus (@easyBus) October 22, 2018
Website: https://www.easybus.com/
Ratings: 1.1 out of 5 with 703 reviews
Social Media: Twitter, Facebook
National Express
This coach service travels up to 32 times a day from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria Coach Station, priced from £8 one-way. The fastest journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes and stops at Heathrow Airport, Hammersmith, and Earl’s Court.
London Stansted
Train Options:
Stansted Express
The Stansted Express runs every 15 minutes and takes 47 minutes to reach Liverpool Street Station or 36 minutes to reach Tottenham Hale Station, with fares starting from £9.90 for a single journey.
Ratings: 1.2 out of 5 with 199 reviews
Social Media: Twitter, Facebook
Greater Anglia Service
The Greater Anglia service runs every 30 minutes and takes 56 minutes to reach Liverpool Street Station or 45 minutes to reach Stratford Station, with fares starting from £21.90 for a single journey.
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Website: https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/
Ratings: 1.6 out of 5 with 536 reviews
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Car Options:
Car Rental
You can rent a car from Stansted Airport from various companies, such as Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. The average price for a compact car is around £19.82 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 to London Bridge station, but this can be quite costly, especially during peak hours. The average price for a taxi from Stansted to central London is around £157.41, 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. The average price for a private transfer from Stansted to central London is around £70.
Car Parking
The official Stansted parking website also offers a range of parking options, including long stay, mid stay, short stay, meet and greet and JetParks. You can pre-book online and save up to 68% 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.
Bus Options:
Airport Bus Express
They offer frequent services to and from London Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street, running every 30 minutes from 06:00 am to 02:00 am. The fares start from £16 and can be booked online. The coaches have toilets, Wi-Fi, power sockets and air conditioning. They offer two routes: A21 to Liverpool Street via Stratford, and A41 to Baker Street via Golders Green.
Ratings: 3.9 out of 5
Reviews: 98
Social Media: Facebook
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.
EasyBus
They offer low-cost services to and from London Stansted Airport. The fares start from £2 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.
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.
Happy birthday to the @LondonDLR which began operations 31 years ago today. On that opening day there were 15 stations along 8 miles of track and carried 4,000 passengers on the first day. Today the DLR carries 350,000 passengers per day to 45 stations over 24 miles of track. pic.twitter.com/Ir9V9gX5iv
— The Lambeth Walker (@London_Nut) August 31, 2018
Website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/dlr/
Ratings: 2.5 out of 5 with 1076 reviews
Social Media: Twitter
Car Options:
Car Rental
There are several car hire options at London City Airport. You can book online in advance or at the airport when you arrive. Some car hire companies available are Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. You can find the car hire desks near the baggage reclaim area in the terminal building. You will need a valid driver’s licence and a credit card to rent a car. The average cost of car hire at LCY is £23/per day, but prices may vary depending on the car type, the company, and the booking time. Some of the cheapest car hire companies at LCY are Green Motion, Europcar, and SIXT. Car hire companies at LCY may have different policies for returning the vehicle, such as arranging a drop-off time or returning during office hours. Some companies, such as Avis, offer a 24-hour return service on-site. The best time to collect a car hire at LCY is during the week, in the morning or early afternoon, when most of the car hire offices are open and have more availability.
Taxi
You can book a taxi with 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 black cab and the fare is £75 from London City Airport to central London and from the airport, by Minicabit the lowest price cab is £42.75 from central London to London City Airport and from welcome-pickups it will charge £93. Taxi fares to or from London City Airport are depending 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. JustPark costs £10/per day and £107.90/per month and PurpleParking gives you £6.75/per day and £54/per week these are affordable parking at present. The London Weekender is a special offer for weekend travellers. 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.
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.
London Luton
Train Options:
Thameslink
The Thameslink service runs every 10 minutes and takes 40 minutes to reach St Pancras International Station or 55 minutes to reach London Bridge Station, with fares starting from £12 for a single journey.
East Midlands Railway
The East Midlands Railway service runs every 20 minutes and takes 25 minutes to reach St Pancras International Station, with fares starting from £12 for a single journey. However, both services require you to take a shuttle bus from Luton Airport Parkway station to the airport terminal, which costs £2.50 and takes 10 minutes.
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Website: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/
Ratings: 1.6 out of 5 with 291 reviews
Social Media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
Car Options:
Car Rental
There are several car rental options at London Luton Airport. SIXT offers luxury cars, 4x4s, minibuses, estates, sports cars, convertibles, and compact cars. Prices start from £66.97 per day for a compact 4-5-door car with space for 3 bags. National Car Rental offers economy cars, compact cars, intermediate cars, standard cars, full-size cars, premium cars, and SUVs. Prices start from £34.22 per day for an economy 2-4-door car with space for 1 bag. Skyscanner compares deals from various car hire providers at London Luton Airport, including Drivalia, Easirent, Green Motion, InterRent and Firefly. Prices start from £23 per day for a compact 4-5-door car with space for 3 bags.
Rentalcars.com compares deals from all the major car hire companies at London Luton Airport, such as Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget and Enterprise. Prices start from £18.39 per day for a mini 2-3-door car with space for 1 bag. Carrentals.co.uk compares deals from over 25 car hire providers at London Luton Airport, including Alamo, Enterprise, Avis, Keddy by Europcar and National Car Rental. Prices start from £40.95 per day for a mini 2-4-door car with space for 1 bag.
Taxi
You can book Luton Airport Taxis LTD, a cheap and reliable service that offers pre-booking, live flight monitoring, fixed rates and 24-hour customer support. You can get a quick quote and book online at http://www.lutonairporttaxis.co.uk/ saloon car starting from £68. Airport Taxis UK is a professional service that specialises in airport transfers for individuals and groups. You can get an instant online quote and make a booking at https://www.airporttaxis-uk.co.uk/Luton saloon car starting from £90. UK Airport Taxi is a convenient service that allows you to book your taxi to Luton by phone, website or app. You can also benefit from free cancellation, free waiting time and free meet and greet. You can book online at https://www.ukairporttaxi.co.uk/luton-taxi.aspx taxi starting from £105.
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 book online in advance and save up to 70% compared to the on-the-day price. You can also cancel for free up to 24 hours before your arrival if you must. It will charge up to £46.49/per day. Mid-stay car parking is also another option for contact-free, self-parking, here you can keep your keys with you. It’s just a 10-minute talk to the terminal and charges you £31.49/per day and last is Long Stay Car parking which has the lowest price of all and it’s on-site parking. It will charge £24.49/per day.
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 fair starts from £5.00 to travel to various locations in the UK.
Stagecoach
This service runs to Milton Keynes and stops at Luton Station, Luton town centre, Central Milton Keynes, and Milton Keynes rail station. You can find coach times and book tickets on their website.
Great to get our Regional Director North, Janine Summers, out with some of our fanastic engineering apprentices to mark International Women in Engineering Day today👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/ii61VxZP1C
— Stagecoach Group (@stagecoachgroup) June 23, 2022
Website: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/
Ratings: 1.3 out of 5 with 2036 reviews
Social Media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
Busway
This service runs to Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Luton Station, and Vauxhall. You can find bus times and ticket information on their website.
Ratings: 3.2 out of 5 with 15,471 reviews
Social Media: LinkedIn
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 £10.00 one-way when you book in advance.
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!
