Everything you need to plan your trip to London.
Who enjoys arriving at the airport and getting stressed about how to get to the city? We don't. Plan your trip with our free tools.
Which airport should I fly to?
If you're currently looking at flights, and you have a choice of airports, lucky you! Use this table to help you decide which airport to fly to.
| Heathrow (LHR) | Gatwick (LGW) | Stansted (STN) | Luton (LTN) | City (LCY) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Long-haul and European destinations | Long-haul and European destinations | Low-cost airlines, European destinations | Low-cost airlines, European destinations | European business destinations |
| Closest to | Central & West London | South London, Brighton | North & East London, Cambridge | North London, Luton | Central & East London, Canary Wharf |
| How to get to London | Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line, Heathrow Express (£) | Gatwick Express (£) or National Rail | Stansted Express | Luton DART then National Rail | Docklands Light Railway (DLR) |
| Journey time to London by train | 15 min (Heathrow Express), or 33 min (Elizabeth line) to Paddington, 50 min (Piccadilly line) to Piccadilly Circus | 35-50 min to Victoria or London Bridge | 50 min to Liverpool Street | 45 min to St Pancras | 30 min to Bank |
| Cost (return to Zone 1) | £11.60-£14 (by Piccadilly line), £25.60 (by Elizabeth line), £39 (by Heathrow Express) | £27 (off-peak), £44 (peak), £48 (Gatwick Express) | £38 | £25-£43 | £3.80 |
| Pay with contactless | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Airport stress score | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Prices given are for information only and subject to change. Peak hours are usually Monday to Friday, 0630-0930. (£) = Incurs extra charges
Frequently asked questions
How do I pay for my train journey to London?
From Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City airports, you can pay with your contactless card, Apple/Google Pay or Oyster card. If you don't have one, you can buy a paper ticket at the airport station, which are typically much more expensive than the prices given here.
If you're using contactless, make sure you tap your card on the reader before you board the train and also on exit. Pay special attention to this if you're getting the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which doesn't have ticket barriers.
Do I need to queue for a ticket when I arrive?
You don't need to buy a paper ticket at Heathrow, Gatwick, and City airports. Save yourself the hassle and use your contactless payment card, Oyster or mobile payment.
How do I get a receipt for my travel if I'm using a contactless card?
If you need a receipt for your travel (for example, for claiming business expenses), you can download your journey history on the Transport for London website. Do it within 7 days of travel.
Which app is the best for getting around London?
We think the official TfL Go app is great. Citymapper is also a strong choice.