The best way to London from the airports

There are 6 airports that are called ‘London’ airports, but 4 are at least 50km (31 miles) from the centre of London.

This means that taxis from airports can be expensive. As a guide, expect to pay £40-£60 to central London from Heathrow, for example. However, public transport is very good from most of the airports and can be faster (travelling by road can be very slow).

These are the public transport options from each airport to central London. The prices shown here are standard prices. Sometimes you can save more by buying advance tickets.

Note: Services marked with [*] can be paid with a London Travelcard or special London transport app, which can also save money.

London City. This airport is 14km (9 miles) from central London.

• DLR (Docklands Light Railway)*: <£5, takes 21 minutes to Bank underground station.
• Bus 474, then 115*: <£2, takes 60 minutes to Aldgate East station.

London Heathrow. This airport is 27km (17 miles) from central London.

• Heathrow Express train: from £22, takes 15-20 minutes to Paddington.
• TfL Rail*: from £10, takes 31-49 minutes to Paddington.
• Underground train*: >£5, takes 34 minutes to Earl’s Court (Piccadilly line) or about 30 minutes to Paddington, (Elizabeth line, £12.20).
• National Express coach: from £5, takes 40 minutes to Victoria Coach Station.

London Gatwick. This airport is 50km (31 miles) from central London.

• Gatwick Express train*: from £16, takes 27-30 minutes to London Victoria.
• Normal train*: from £16, takes 27-33 minutes to London Victoria.
• Normal train*: from £11, takes 44-62 minutes to St Pancras International.
• Normal train*: from £11, takes 28-47 minutes to London Bridge.
• Normal train*: from £12, takes 25 minutes to Clapham Junction.
• National Express coach: from £5, takes 80-110 minutes to Victoria Coach Station.

London Luton. This airport is 53km (33 miles) from central London.

• Normal train (take a bus to the train station, Luton Airport Parkway): from £15, takes 48-56 minutes to London Bridge.
• Normal train (take a bus to the train station, Luton Airport Parkway): from £15, takes 24 minutes to St Pancras International.
• National Express coach: from £11, takes 43-78 minutes. To Baker Street Station.

London Stansted. This airport is 64km (40 miles) from central London.

• Stansted Express train: £17, takes 47 minutes to London Liverpool Street.
• National Express coach: from £8, takes 84-133 minutes to Marble Arch.

London Southend. This airport is 69km (43 miles) from central London.

• Normal train: from £17, takes 53 minutes to Liverpool St.
• Normal train: from £14, takes 44 minutes to Stratford.

Image: Tomas Anton Escobar/Unsplash