How do I get to central London from the 5 Airports of London?

London is served by six major airports, each with various transport options to central London. Whether you’re arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, or London City, this guide will help you navigate your way to the heart of the city.

1. Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Heathrow Express – Paddington Station

The Heathrow Express train is the fastest way to get to central London, departing every 15 minutes. It takes you directly to Paddington Station in just 15 minutes. However, it is the most expensive. Each terminal of the airport has clear signs to the Express, with Terminals 2, 3, and 5 being the most convenient. Terminal 4 requires a bit more walking.

Time: 15 minutes

Cost: £25 (£16.67 with a railcard)

London Underground: Elizabeth Line & Piccadilly Line

The London underground is a more affordable option, running frequently, and take you to various stops in central London. However, the Piccadilly Line is a bustling commuter line, often quite crowded. Therefore, it could make travel difficult for those with large suitcases. You can pre-purchase an Oyster Card or tap a contactless card to enter the station.

Time: 45-70 minutes

Cost: £13.30 for Elizabeth Line, £5.60 for Piccadilly Line

2. London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Gatwick Express – London Victoria

The Gatwick Express train takes you directly to London Victoria Station in 30 minutes. However, it’s expensive, even when booked in advance, costing £23.

Time: 30 minutes

Ticket price: £23

National Rail: Thameslink & Southern Railway

The National Rail also serve Gatwick Airport and provide a cheaper alternative. The Thameslink Railway goes to several central London stations including London Bridge, Blackfriars, and St Pancras International. While the Southern Railway takes you directly to Victoria Station.

Time: starting around 35 minutes depending on your destination

Ticket price: starting around £13 depending on your destination

Tips

Book tickets in advance on Trip.com to get cheaper fares!

3. London Stansted Airport (STN)

Stansted Express – London Liverpool Street

Time: 45 minutes

Price: £23

Bus & Coaches: National Express, Megabus & Airport Bus Express

The National Express, Megabus, and Airport Bus Express all provide a budget-friendly option, with services to several pickup points in central London and key London underground stations. It is a great option for those with budget and less strict time constraints.

Time: 60-90 minutes, depending on your destination and traffic

Price: £5.00-£15.00 depending on your destination and booking time

4. London Luton Airport ()

National Rail: Thameslink

Thameslink trains run from Luton Airport Parkway station to several central London stations, including St Pancras International, Farringdon, and London Bridge. There’s the DART shuttle bus running regularly every 4 minutes at peak times from the airport to Luton Airport Parkway station.

Time: starting around 35 minutes

Price: starting around £17 depending on your destination

Bus & Coaches: National Express & Megabus

Time: 60-90 minutes, depending on your destination and traffic

Price: starting around £12.00 depending on your destination and booking time

5. London City Airport (LCY)

Docklands Light Railway (DLR)

Time: around 30 minutes

Price: starting from £3.70 depending on your destination

Bus

Local London doubledecker buses also operate regularly from London City Airport to all over the city for a very reasonable price.

Price: £1.75

Travel Tips

• Pre-purchase your train tickets on Trip.com for a cheaper fare!
• If you plan to travel frequently by train in London, a Railcard can save you a significant amount on fares. Get your railcard on Trip.com now!
• Always check train times and routes in advance, especially if traveling late at night or early in the morning.
• You can use promo code M1 to get a 20% Railcard, which saves you 1/3 on train fares for a year. You can also use M2 or M3 to get up to 5% off train tickets.

Safe travels and enjoy your time in London!