London Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

London is served by more airports than any other city in the world. Instead of relying on a single hub, air traffic is spread across several airports located in Greater London and neighbouring counties. Each airport serves different airlines, routes, and traveller needs, and they vary significantly in distance from the city centre.

Understanding which airport and terminal you are using is critical when planning transport, accommodation, and connection times. This guide explains every airport that serves London, including IATA codes, terminal layouts, and clear, plain-English explanations of how to get to and from each one.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Overview: Heathrow is London’s primary international airport and the busiest airport in the United Kingdom. Located approximately 23 km (14 miles) west of Central London, it is the main hub for long-haul flights and full-service airlines.

Terminals:

• Terminal 2 (The Queen’s Terminal): Primarily Star Alliance airlines
• Terminal 3: Many long-haul international airlines across multiple alliances
• Terminal 4: A range of international long-haul carriers
• Terminal 5: British Airways hub and selected partner airlines

Getting to and from Heathrow:

• Heathrow Express (non-stop airport train):
  A premium rail service running directly between Heathrow and London Paddington. Journey time is around 15 minutes and it is the fastest option.
• Elizabeth line (commuter train):
  A cross-London rail service connecting Heathrow with Central London and East London. Slower than Heathrow Express but cheaper and more convenient for many destinations.
• London Underground – Piccadilly line (metro/subway):
  The most affordable rail option. Trains run directly from Heathrow into Central London, but the journey takes longer.
• Taxi / ride-hailing (road transport):
  Door-to-door travel, with journey times heavily affected by traffic conditions.

Best for: Long-haul flights, premium travel, global airline choice, and international connections.

London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Overview: Gatwick is London’s second-busiest airport, located about 45 km (28 miles) south of Central London. It handles a large mix of European routes and long-haul leisure flights.

Terminals:

• North Terminal
• South Terminal

The two terminals are connected by a free, automated shuttle train.

Getting to and from Gatwick:

• Gatwick Express (non-stop airport train):
  Direct train service between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria. Typical journey time is around 30 minutes.
• Southern (regional commuter train):
  Regular trains connecting Gatwick with London Victoria and parts of South London. Slower than Gatwick Express but usually cheaper.
• Thameslink (cross-London commuter train):
  Trains that run north–south across London, serving London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and St Pancras International without requiring a change.
• Coach / long-distance bus:
  Budget-friendly services to Central London and other UK cities, with longer journey times depending on traffic.

Best for: European flights, long-haul leisure routes, and travellers staying in South or Central London.

London Stansted Airport (STN)

Overview: Stansted Airport is located northeast of London in Essex, around 64 km (40 miles) from the city centre. It is strongly associated with low-cost airlines and short-haul European travel.

Terminals:

• Single passenger terminal

Getting to and from Stansted:

• Stansted Express (airport train):
  Direct train service between Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street. Journey time is typically 45–50 minutes.
• Coach / long-distance bus:
  Frequent services to Stratford, Liverpool Street, Victoria Coach Station, and other areas of London.
• Car:
  Road access primarily via the M11 motorway.

Best for: Budget European flights and travellers based in East London.

London Luton Airport (LTN)

Overview: Luton Airport is situated approximately 56 km (35 miles) north of Central London and serves mainly low-cost and leisure airlines.

Terminals:

• Single passenger terminal

Getting to and from Luton:

• Train + airport connection:
  Trains run from Luton Airport Parkway station to London St Pancras International in around 25–30 minutes. A dedicated airport shuttle or automated people mover connects the station to the terminal.
• Coach / long-distance bus:
  Direct bus services to Central London and other destinations.
• Car:
  Easy access via the M1 motorway.

Best for: Low-cost European routes and travellers staying in North London.

London City Airport (LCY)

Overview: London City Airport is the most centrally located airport, situated in the Docklands area near Canary Wharf and the City of London. It is designed for speed and efficiency, making it popular with business travellers.

Terminals:

• Single passenger terminal

Getting to and from London City Airport:

• Docklands Light Railway (urban light rail):
  Direct services to Bank, Canary Wharf, and Stratford, with easy connections to the London Underground and Elizabeth line.
• Taxi / ride-hailing:
  Very quick access to nearby business districts and Central London outside peak traffic hours.

Best for: Short-haul business travel and fast access to Central London.

London Southend Airport (SEN)

Overview: Southend Airport is the smallest airport marketed as serving London. It is located about 68 km (42 miles) east of Central London and offers a quieter alternative on limited routes.

Terminals:

• Single passenger terminal

Getting to and from Southend:

• Train (regional rail):
  Direct services to London Liverpool Street with typical journey times of 55–60 minutes.
• Car:
  Road access via the A127 and A13.

Best for: Travellers seeking a quieter airport experience on selected European routes.

Which London Airport Should You Choose?

Choosing the right London airport depends on your airline, destination, and where you will be staying in the city. Heathrow offers the widest global connectivity, Gatwick provides a strong mix of European and long-haul leisure routes, Stansted and Luton are best for low-cost airlines, London City is ideal for fast business trips, and Southend suits travellers prioritising a calmer airport experience.

Always double-check your airport and terminal before travelling, as London’s airports are widely spread and ground transport times can vary significantly.

Airport Transfers Between London Airports

London’s airports operate as completely separate facilities. There are no direct airside connections or sterile transit zones between airports, meaning any traveller changing airports must fully enter the United Kingdom, clear immigration, collect checked baggage, and travel across the city using public transport or road-based options.

Because London airports are widely spread out, airport-to-airport transfers can be time-consuming and require careful planning.

Is it safe to book flights between different London airports?
In most cases, transferring between different London airports is not recommended unless you have a long buffer between flights. Delays at immigration, baggage reclaim, rail disruptions, and road congestion can all result in missed onward flights.

However, there are limited exceptions. In some cases, British Airways sells itineraries on a single ticket that require an airport change in London. This typically occurs when a long-haul flight arrives at Heathrow but the onward short-haul flight operates only from Gatwick.

When this happens, the airport change is built into the ticket, and the connection time is typically designed to be achievable under normal conditions. Even so, travellers must still enter the UK, collect baggage, and make their own way between airports.

As a general rule, travellers should allow a minimum of 5–6 hours between flights when changing London airports. On a single ticket, airlines may schedule shorter connection times, but these are still vulnerable to disruption.

Typical transfer times between London airports:

• Heathrow ↔ Gatwick: Around 60–90 minutes by train or coach, longer by car in peak traffic
• Heathrow ↔ Stansted: Around 90–120 minutes using a combination of train and metro services
• Heathrow ↔ Luton: Around 75–105 minutes by train
• Gatwick ↔ Stansted: Around 90–120 minutes by train
• Gatwick ↔ Luton: Around 90–120 minutes by train
• Any airport ↔ London City: Roughly 45–90 minutes depending on the starting airport and time of day

These journey times are estimates only and do not include time spent clearing immigration, waiting for baggage, re-checking in, or passing through security at the next airport.

Transport options for airport transfers:

• Train combined with metro or light rail:
  Usually the fastest and most predictable option. Transfers typically involve airport rail services together with the London Underground, Elizabeth line, or Docklands Light Railway.
• Coach or long-distance bus:
  Often cheaper and sometimes direct between major airports, but journey times vary widely depending on road traffic.
• Taxi or private transfer:
  Door-to-door convenience, but usually the most expensive option and highly affected by congestion, especially during rush hours.

Immigration and baggage when changing airports:
All travellers transferring between London airports must enter the United Kingdom and pass through passport control. In British Airways airport-change itineraries, baggage handling instructions may vary by route and ticket type, and passengers should follow airline guidance closely.

When changing London airports makes sense:

• You are travelling on a single ticket issued by an airline such as British Airways that includes the airport change
• You have a long layover or overnight stay in London
• You are prepared for additional complexity and potential delays

When to avoid changing London airports:

• Tight same-day connections on separate tickets
• Short layovers with checked baggage
• Peak travel periods, strikes, or severe weather

Bottom line: Whenever possible, book flights that use the same London airport. Airport changes add complexity and risk, even on a single ticket. If an airport transfer is unavoidable, plan conservatively, allow generous buffer time, and closely follow your airline’s instructions.