Where are London's airports?

Heathrow, west of London, is the UK's most important airport and one of the busiest in Europe for international traffic, with two runways and four terminals in use. It sits about 24 km from the city center and connects to London via the Heathrow Express, the Underground (Piccadilly line) and the Elizabeth Line. Gatwick, to the south, ranks second in passenger volume; it's about 45 km from the center and combines low-cost flights with long-haul routes to holiday destinations, with a direct train from Victoria station.

Stansted, about 64 km northeast, and Luton, about 45 km north, serve as the main bases for low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet, with express trains from Liverpool Street and St Pancras respectively. London City, by contrast, is the closest to the financial heart of the capital: it sits in the Docklands, about 11 km away, and its short, steep-approach runway limits it to small aircraft and short-haul flights. Southend, in east Essex at a distance similar to Stansted, rounds out the list with far less traffic and a service that has come and gone depending on which airline used it as a base.

For visitors to London, the choice usually depends on the airline and the final destination within the city: Heathrow and Gatwick concentrate traditional carriers and intercontinental flights, while Stansted and Luton are more convenient for low-cost travelers. Every airport except London City sits outside the city proper, so travelers should allow between 45 minutes and an hour and a half to reach the center, and check transport costs, which for the farthest airports can come close to the price of the plane ticket itself.