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Airport guide Updated 22 October 2026 · 6 min read
Each London airport connects to the city in its own way. This airport-by-airport guide explains how to get from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend into central London, with typical train times, coach options and when a door-to-door transfer makes more sense.
London's Six Airports at a Glance
| Airport | Where it is | Fastest rail link | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | About 14 miles west | Heathrow Express to Paddington | 15 min |
| Gatwick | About 30 miles south | Gatwick Express to Victoria | About 30 min |
| Stansted | About 40 miles north-east | Stansted Express to Liverpool Street | About 47 min |
| Luton | About 35 miles north-west | DART, then train to St Pancras | From about 32 min |
| London City | Royal Docks, east London | DLR to Bank | About 25 min |
| Southend | Rochford, Essex | Train to Liverpool Street | About 52 min |
Distances from central London are approximate. Journey times by road vary with traffic.
Heathrow to Central London
Heathrow is London's busiest airport and the closest of the big three to the city, about 14 miles west. It has four terminals: 2, 3, 4 and 5.
- Heathrow Express: non-stop to Paddington in 15 minutes from Terminals 2 & 3, every 15 minutes. Terminal 5 adds about six minutes; from Terminal 4, take the shuttle to Heathrow Central first.
- Elizabeth line: every 10 minutes, around 27 minutes to Paddington, continuing through central London without a change.
- Piccadilly line: the slowest rail option, but usually the lowest cost.
- Drop-off charge: £7 for every vehicle entering a terminal drop-off area.
See our Heathrow airport transfers, or the guides for Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
Gatwick to Central London
Gatwick is about 30 miles south of London, near Crawley, with two terminals: North and South. All trains leave from the South Terminal, and a free shuttle links the two in about two minutes.
- Gatwick Express: non-stop to Victoria in about 30 minutes.
- Southern: also to Victoria, in around 38 minutes with stops.
- Thameslink: direct to London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras.
- Coach: National Express to Victoria Coach Station, in around 2 hours 10 minutes.
- Drop-off charge: £10 for up to 10 minutes.
For every route, read Gatwick to central London, or see our Gatwick airport transfers. Choosing between the two biggest airports? Compare Heathrow vs Gatwick.
Stansted to London
Stansted is about 40 miles north-east of London, in Essex.
- Stansted Express: to Liverpool Street in about 47 minutes, stopping at Tottenham Hale (about 33 minutes) for the Victoria line.
- Coaches: National Express runs routes into London with stops including Victoria Coach Station, Liverpool Street, Baker Street and Stratford.
Because Stansted is further out, a Stansted airport transfer is often the simplest option for families, groups and early flights, when trains may not suit your timing.
Luton to London
Luton is about 35 miles north-west of central London, in Bedfordshire. The terminal isn't on the main railway line, so the train journey has two parts.
- Luton DART and train: the DART shuttle takes about 4 minutes from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway station, where trains run to St Pancras in around 22 minutes. From terminal to St Pancras, that's from about 32 minutes.
- Coaches: National Express and Green Line run 24-hour services to Victoria Coach Station.
See our Luton airport transfers for a single journey with no change at Parkway.
London City Airport to Central London
London City Airport is the closest airport to central London, in the Royal Docks in east London. It's popular with business travellers heading to the City and Canary Wharf.
- DLR: the station is at the airport, with trains to Bank in about 25 minutes.
See our London City Airport transfers for door-to-door journeys.
Southend Airport to London
London Southend Airport is in Rochford, Essex.
- Train: from Southend Airport station to Liverpool Street in about 52 minutes, with a change possible at Stratford for the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines and the DLR.
See our Southend Airport transfers for a direct journey by road.
When a Door-to-Door Transfer Is Easier
Train times measure station to station. Your real journey also includes getting from the terminal to the platform, any changes, and the trip from a London station to your door. A pre-booked transfer is usually the easier choice when:
- you have heavy luggage, a pushchair or sports equipment;
- you're travelling as a family or group;
- you land late at night or fly out very early;
- your destination isn't close to the train's London terminus;
- you need help with mobility or access.
For a closer look at each type of transfer, read Exploring the Convenience of London Airport Transfers.
Transfers from every London airport
Banana Cars runs pre-booked transfers to and from all six London airports, with TfL-licensed drivers and flight monitoring when you add your flight number. Add Meet & Greet to be met in arrivals, and choose from saloons to 16-seat minibuses in our fleet.
Get Instant Fare QuoteAccessibility at London Airports
UK airports provide free special assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Request it through your airline, ideally at least 48 hours before you fly. If you book a transfer, add any access needs to your booking notes, such as a folding wheelchair or help with luggage, so the right vehicle can be arranged.
Frequently asked questions
London Airports to Central London FAQs
London City Airport, in the Royal Docks in east London. Of the larger airports, Heathrow is the closest, about 14 miles west of the centre.
The Stansted Express runs to Liverpool Street in about 47 minutes, stopping at Tottenham Hale. National Express coaches also run into London, and a pre-booked transfer takes you door to door.
Take the DART shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway (about 4 minutes), then a train to St Pancras (around 22 minutes), from about 32 minutes in total. Coaches run 24 hours to Victoria Coach Station.
Trains run from Southend Airport station to London Liverpool Street in about 52 minutes, and you can change at Stratford for other lines. You can also book a transfer by road.
The Heathrow Express, which reaches Paddington in 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3. If Paddington isn't near your destination, a door-to-door transfer can be quicker overall, depending on traffic.
Yes. We cover Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend. Every journey starts or finishes in London. Enter your journey to get an instant quote.
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