London Airports: All 6, distances, and transport to the city centre
Which are London's airports, how far are they from the centre, what transport options are there to the city, and which is best for you depending on your flight and hotel.
Από Travelo Team
London is one of Europe's most significant capitals, welcoming a multitude of visitors each year for both business and leisure.
To accommodate all these visitors, the city of London boasts 5 main airports.
Flight prices to London depend on the airport you land at and, of course, on the airline you choose.
The most advantageous airline for flights to London from Greece is Easyjet, which offers cheap flights throughout the year.
[ See transfers from the airport to the city centre at the best price here! ]
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Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport is the 2nd busiest airport in the world and, of course, the most popular in Europe. Heathrow Airport serves 90 airlines with 170 destinations worldwide.
From Greece, it serves direct flights only from Athens with British Airways and Aegean Airlines.
Heathrow Airport is located 32 km from the centre of London.
If you land at Heathrow Airport, there are many ways to reach the centre of London.
By Tube, using the Piccadilly line which starts from all terminals, it will take you from 50 to 60 minutes to reach central London.
The Heathrow Express train is the fastest way, as the journey takes just 15 minutes. It departs every 15 minutes heading to Paddington Station in Westminster, central London.
The Heathrow Connect train also goes to Paddington Station but makes several intermediate stops. It departs every half hour from Heathrow station.
London taxis are another way to get from Heathrow Airport to central London, but the fare will cost you at least 50 British pounds.
[ See transfers from the airport to the city centre at the best price here! ]
City Airport
London City Airport is the closest to the city centre. It is the only London airport that operates only during the day.
City Airport is only 19 km from central London, and the best way to cover this distance is by train.
City Airport receives flights mainly from European cities as its runway is small and cannot accommodate large aircraft.
No Greek airline offers direct flights to this airport. It is more likely that you will land at City Airport if you are travelling to London from another European city or if you are travelling with a connecting flight.
[ See transfers from the airport to the city centre at the best price here! ]
Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is located 56 km from central London and is London's 2nd busiest airport after Heathrow.
From Greece, Cobalt Air and Aegean Airlines land at Gatwick Airport from Athens. Easy Jet operates flights to London from both Athens and Thessaloniki.
If you land at Gatwick Airport, you can reach central London by taking the Terravision bus – this is probably the most cost-effective option for your transfer to and from the airport.
Terravision buses, in cooperation with the Gatwick Express train, have daily routes departing from Gatwick Airport station according to the schedule:
The first routes of each day run at 4:35, 5:20, 5:50, 6:05, 6:20, 6:35, 6:50 and then throughout the day every 15 minutes until 00:50 and 1:35, which are the last 2 routes, always heading to London Victoria Station.
If you book return tickets, keep in mind that you will save money as Terravision provides a good discount on your ticket and you won't have the stress of finding transport to take you to the airport for your departure from London.
[ See transfers from the airport to the city centre at the best price here! ]
Stansted Airport
Stansted Airport is located 63 km northeast of the city of London and is the airport for low-cost airlines.
Flights from Greece to London landing at Stansted Airport are operated only by Ryanair from Thessaloniki and Macedonia Airport.
To get from Stansted Airport to central London, you can book your tickets with Terravision buses, which run approximately every 20 minutes.
There are two routes, and you can choose the one that suits you best:
- Stansted Airport – Stop at Baker Street – London Victoria Station
The journey takes approximately 120 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 10 British pounds, while a return ticket costs 18 British pounds.
On the Terravision website, you can book your tickets that will take you from Stansted Airport to Victoria Station in central London.
- Stansted Airport – Stop at Stratford Station – Liverpool Street Station
This journey takes 85 minutes and costs 16 pounds for a return ticket, while a one-way trip costs 9 British pounds.
[ See transfers from the airport to the city centre at the best price here! ]
Luton Airport
Luton Airport is located 56 km north of central London and is London's fastest-growing airport.
WizzAir operates flights from Athens to Luton Airport in London. Through Travelo, you can find cheap flights Athens London with Wizzair and all airlines that operate this route!
To get from Luton Airport to central London, you can use the affordable Terravision buses.
Terravision buses depart from Luton Airport approximately every 20 minutes and make 6 stops until the final destination, which is Victoria Station.
Specifically, the stops made are in order:
Luton Airport- Bricket Wood – Brent Cross – Baker Street – Finchley Road – Marble Arch – Victoria Station
The journey duration is from 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Return tickets cost 17 British pounds, while a single journey costs 11 British pounds.
[ See transfers from the airport to the city centre at the best price here! ]
A concise comparison of London airports
| Airport | Distance from city centre | Main transport | Time to city centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow (LHR) | approx. 25 km west | Piccadilly line underground, Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express | 15 to 55 minutes |
| Gatwick (LGW) | approx. 45 km south | Gatwick Express train and trains to London Bridge | 30 to 55 minutes |
| Stansted (STN) | approx. 60 km northeast | Stansted Express, National Express coaches | 50 minutes to 1 hour 40 |
| Luton (LTN) | approx. 55 km north | DART monorail and train, buses | 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 |
| London City (LCY) | approx. 11 km east | DLR | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Southend (SEN) | approx. 65 km east | train to Liverpool Street | 55 minutes to 1 hour 15 |
Times refer to journeys to central stations and do not include baggage check or waiting time. Ticket prices change frequently, so check them before your trip.
Which airport to choose
If your hotel is in the city centre and you are travelling with luggage, Heathrow is the most convenient option, as it connects to the Tube and two train lines. For low-cost flights, Gatwick usually offers the best balance of price and travel time. Stansted and Luton have the cheapest tickets, but transport adds time and cost, so compare the total cost and not just the flight price. London City is suitable for business travel to the City and Docklands, while Southend is only worthwhile when the flight price is significantly lower.
Night arrival and travelling with children
Trains from Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton become much less frequent after midnight and are sometimes replaced by buses. If your flight arrives late, check the last departure to the station that suits you and consider a night bus or taxi as alternatives. With children and lots of luggage, pre-booked private transfer from Stansted or Luton often works out cheaper than a train plus taxi for four people.
Guides by airport
For step-by-step instructions, tickets, and journey times for each airport, see the detailed guides below.
Frequently asked questions
How many airports does London have?
Six serve the city: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City, and Southend. The first five cover almost all flights from Greece.
Which London airport is closest to the centre?
London City, approximately 11 kilometres east, with DLR connection in 20 to 30 minutes. Heathrow follows, but it has the most and fastest connections.
Which airport do flights from Athens arrive at?
Mainly Heathrow and Gatwick with Aegean and British Airways, and Stansted, Luton, and Gatwick with low-cost airlines. Always check the airport before booking a hotel.
How much does transport from the airport to the city centre cost?
From Heathrow, the Tube is the most economical solution, express trains from Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted cost significantly more, while buses are the cheapest but take longer. Check current prices before your trip.
Can I change flights between two London airports?
Yes, but allow at least four hours, as transfers between airports take from 60 to 120 minutes. The two flights are separate bookings, so there is no cover for delays.
Is there a connection throughout the night?
Heathrow is served on Saturdays and Fridays by the night Tube and daily by night buses. At Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton, there are few night departures with long waiting times.
Which airport is best when travelling with children?
Heathrow, because it has the most options, lifts, and shorter travel times. If the flight arrives at Stansted or Luton with children, prefer a pre-booked private transfer.
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