London Airports

London is served by several airports with very different locations and onward journeys. Check the airport code on your ticket before booking a hotel or transfer: a low airfare can be offset by a long cross-city journey. Schedules and fares change, so confirm them with each airport and operator before departure.

Heathrow (LHR)

Heathrow is west of central London and has the widest range of long-haul connections. The Heathrow Express runs to Paddington; the Elizabeth line serves several central stations and continues across London; the Underground Piccadilly line offers a lower-cost route with more stops. Which option suits you depends on your hotel, terminal, luggage and budget. See Heathrow’s official transport information.

Gatwick (LGW)

Gatwick is south of London. Its station is by the South Terminal, with a free shuttle linking the North Terminal. Gatwick Express runs to Victoria; Southern and Thameslink trains connect to other London stations and destinations. Compare the final station with your accommodation rather than automatically choosing the fastest advertised train. Check Gatwick rail options.

Stansted (STN)

Stansted is northeast of London. Stansted Express connects the airport with Liverpool Street, while coach operators serve a range of central and outer London stops. Rail is less exposed to road traffic; a coach may stop nearer your destination or cost less when booked ahead. Check the official Stansted to London options.

Luton (LTN)

Luton is north of London. Mainline trains run from Luton Airport Parkway; the automated Luton DART links that station with the terminal. When booking, choose a ticket that includes the airport connection if that is what you need, and allow time for the interchange. See the Luton Airport transport guide.

London City (LCY)

London City is in the Docklands, east of central London. Its DLR station connects with the Underground, Elizabeth line and National Rail at interchange stations. It is particularly convenient for east London, Canary Wharf and some business itineraries, although its route network is smaller than Heathrow’s or Gatwick’s.

London Southend (SEN)

Southend Airport is farther east in Essex and has a smaller, changeable passenger schedule. Check that the route operates on your travel dates using the Southend Airport destination list, then review the airport’s onward transport page before booking. Do not assume that “London” in a flight listing means a central location.

Choosing the right airport

Compare the fare, walking distance, number of changes and service at your arrival time. A flight's airport name does not establish a convenient journey to a particular hotel. Use the operator links below for the chosen route.

Late arrivals and early departures

Check the actual timetable for your arrival day, including overnight and weekend services. If public transport does not fit, use official taxi ranks or arrange a reputable transfer, confirming its pickup point and delay policy. Airport hotels vary: verify shuttle hours and whether the property is walkable from a terminal.

Compare London airport hotels on Booking.com if a night near the airport makes your itinerary easier. For city connections, read the London Transportation Guide, London Travel Tips and Hotels in London.

Affiliate disclosure: Photos4Travel may earn a commission if you book through the Booking.com link on this page.

Airport transfers to your neighbourhood

For a hotel near Paddington, Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line may reduce transfers; for central stations east of Paddington, the Elizabeth line can be more direct. Gatwick services reach Victoria, London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras, depending on operator. Stansted Express serves Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale. For Stratford, plan a change at Tottenham Hale rather than assuming the airport train runs there directly. Luton rail reaches St Pancras and Thameslink stations after the DART connection. Compare the station at the end of the airport leg with your hotel rather than comparing airport-to-centre claims alone.

See the operator’s Stansted–Stratford journey details for the interchange. Compare the complete route to your hotel, including the onward leg from the London station.

Airport-to-airport transfers

If your itinerary connects airports, allow a large buffer for immigration, baggage, rail changes and road traffic. A train journey across London may require changing stations, and tickets are not always interchangeable. A coach may offer a direct airport link but can be affected by congestion. Check the transfer operator’s terms and the airline’s minimum connection rules; separately booked flights are generally your responsibility if a delay causes a missed flight.

Accessibility and luggage

Check step-free access across the full route, including the airport station, interchange and hotel. Lift outages can alter an otherwise simple journey. Families with strollers and travellers with bulky bags may prefer fewer changes even if the route takes longer. Request airport or rail assistance in advance where required.

Heathrow terminals and transfers

Heathrow has multiple terminals, and the terminal on the booking can change or differ for a connection. Check the airline’s current terminal information and follow airport signs for the correct train or Underground station. The Elizabeth line and Underground call at different terminal groupings; confirm which service serves your arrival point. Heathrow Express is designed for Paddington connections and does not serve every London destination directly.

Stansted and Luton timing

Stansted’s rail station is adjacent to its terminal, while the coach station is a short walk outside. Luton uses a separate automated DART connection between the terminal and Luton Airport Parkway. The ticket station names matter: make sure the fare covers the airport section you plan to use. At both airports, timetables differ by day and engineering work.

Official pages to check

• Heathrow transport
• Gatwick trains
• Stansted to London
• Luton airport transfers

Transfers by taxi and private car

Official taxi ranks are available at the major airports, but a road transfer can take much longer during peak traffic. If you pre-book a car, confirm the terminal meeting point, waiting allowance, passenger and luggage capacity, child-seat arrangements and how delays are handled. Avoid drivers who solicit passengers inside arrivals. For a group, a licensed larger vehicle can simplify luggage and reduce the number of separate bookings. Use the London Travel Guide for the full trip overview.

Choosing a Heathrow service

Heathrow's rail guide lists the three main options. Heathrow Express takes about 15 minutes between Terminals 2 & 3 and Paddington, excluding the walk, wait and hotel transfer. Choose it when Paddington is genuinely useful. The Elizabeth line serves central stations such as Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Farringdon; a direct station near your hotel may outweigh the express train's shorter rail time. The Piccadilly line can suit a smaller budget and a hotel near its route, with a longer journey.

For a Covent Garden stay, compare the Piccadilly route with an Elizabeth line arrival and onward street or Tube journey. For a Paddington stay, compare Express and Elizabeth line fares against the time you actually save. Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 arrangements differ from Terminals 2 & 3, so select the terminal in the planner.

Research and update: Photos4Travel planning guide, updated 30 September 2026. Official visitor, venue and transport sources are linked where relevant. Suggested routes and visit allowances are editorial planning examples; live schedules, menus and access conditions come from the linked providers.