London Airport Guide: London and Other UK Airports
London airports explained
This London airport guide covers Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend: where each airport is, which terminals it has, how long it takes to reach central London and what to expect at pickup. If you would rather skip trains, tubes and coaches, you can book a fixed-price airport transfer to or from any of them with ONE Airport Taxi.
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London airports at a glance: terminals and journey times
| Airport | Where it is | Terminals | Typical journey to central London |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow (LHR) | West London | T2, T3, T4, T5 | About 50 minutes |
| Gatwick (LGW) | South of London, West Sussex | North and South | About 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Stansted (STN) | North-east, Essex | One terminal | About 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Luton (LTN) | North-west, Bedfordshire | One terminal | About 1 hour 10 minutes |
| London City (LCY) | East London, Docklands | One terminal | About 35 minutes |
| Southend (SEN) | East, Essex coast | One terminal | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
Journey times are typical estimates and change with traffic, time of day and your exact destination.
Heathrow Airport (LHR): terminals, taxi transfers and tips
Heathrow is the UK's busiest airport and the main hub for long-haul flights. It sits on the western edge of London and has four terminals: T2, T3, T4 and T5. Check your booking or airline ticket for your terminal before you travel, because the terminals are some distance apart.
Good to know:
- T5 is mainly used by British Airways. T2, T3 and T4 handle most other airlines.
- Heathrow is well placed for west London, the M4 and M25 corridors, and the Thames Valley.
- Peak hours around the M4 and M25 can add noticeable time, so build in extra for early-morning and evening flights.
Gatwick Airport (LGW): terminals, taxi transfers and tips
Gatwick is London's second-largest airport and a major base for short-haul and leisure flights. It has a North Terminal and a South Terminal, linked by a short inter-terminal transit.
Good to know:
- Confirm whether your flight uses the North or South Terminal before you set off.
- Gatwick is the best choice for Surrey, Sussex and south London.
- The M23 is the main route in. Roadworks and incidents can affect the journey, so leave a comfortable margin.
Stansted Airport (STN): taxi transfers and tips
Stansted is a single-terminal airport to the north-east of London, popular with low-cost European routes. Its simple layout makes arrivals and departures quick to navigate.
Good to know:
- It suits Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and north-east London.
- Journey times to central London are longer than they look on a map, so plan for the full trip.
- Early-morning departures are common here, which makes a pre-booked taxi especially useful.
Luton Airport (LTN): taxi transfers and tips
Luton is a one-terminal airport north-west of London, used by many budget airlines. It is close to the M1 and works well for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and north London.
Good to know:
- The airport is compact, but the approach roads can be busy at peak times.
- Allow extra time on Friday and Sunday evenings and on bank holiday weekends.
London City Airport (LCY): taxi transfers and tips
London City is the closest airport to the centre, in the Docklands area of east London. It is small, quick to get through, and popular with business travellers heading to Canary Wharf and the City.
Good to know:
- Check-in and security are usually faster than at the larger airports, but arrive in good time anyway.
- It is the best option if you are staying in east or central London.
Southend Airport (SEN): taxi transfers and tips
Southend is a small, relaxed airport on the Essex coast. It is a convenient alternative if you live in Essex or east London and want to avoid the larger airports.
Good to know:
- It has a compact terminal and a quieter feel than the main London airports.
- Because it is further out, pre-booking your transfer gives you a fixed price for the longer distance.
Other UK airports: Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester
We also run fixed-price transfers to and from major airports outside London. Here is where each one is, how long it takes to reach its city centre and how far it is from central London.
| Airport | Where it is | Terminals | Typical journey to the city centre | Typical journey to central London |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham (BHX) | Solihull, east of Birmingham | One terminal | About 25 minutes to Birmingham | About 2 hours 25 minutes |
| Bristol (BRS) | South-west of Bristol, North Somerset | One terminal | About 30 minutes to Bristol | About 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Manchester (MAN) | South of Manchester, near the M56 | More than one | About 25 minutes to Manchester | About 3 hours 45 minutes |
Journey times are typical estimates and change with traffic, time of day and your exact destination.
Birmingham Airport (BHX): taxi transfers and tips
Birmingham is the main airport for the Midlands, in Solihull to the east of the city. It has one terminal, right next to the NEC and Birmingham International railway station, and is a short drive from the M42.
Good to know:
- It suits Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands.
- Big events at the NEC can make the roads around the airport busy, so allow extra time on event days.
- The M42 and M6 can be slow at peak times, so leave a comfortable margin for early-morning and evening flights.
Bristol Airport (BRS): taxi transfers and tips
Bristol is the main airport for the South West, on the A38 south-west of the city. It has one terminal and no railway station, so most passengers arrive and leave by road.
Good to know:
- It suits Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Gloucestershire and South Wales.
- The A38 is the main route in and can be slow at peak times, so build in extra time.
- With no rail link, a pre-booked taxi is one of the simplest ways to reach the terminal with luggage.
Manchester Airport (MAN): terminals, taxi transfers and tips
Manchester is the UK's busiest airport outside London and the main hub for the North of England, with short-haul and long-haul flights. It sits south of the city next to the M56, and has more than one terminal.
Good to know:
- Check your booking or airline ticket for your terminal before you travel.
- It suits Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and North Wales.
- The M56 and M60 can be busy at peak times, so allow extra time for early-morning and evening flights.
How to choose the right London airport
- Closest to your home or hotel: this usually saves the most time and money on the ground.
- Your airline and route: some airlines operate from only one or two airports.
- Your arrival time: very early or late flights make a pre-booked taxi more valuable than public transport.
- Your luggage and group size: a taxi is easier than trains and tubes when you travel with several bags, children or a larger group.
How your airport taxi pickup works
Book online with your pickup, drop-off, date and time, and see your fixed price before you pay.
We track your flight live, so your driver adjusts to delays and early arrivals.
Your driver meets you after you have landed and collected your bags, and takes you straight to your destination.
Free waiting time is included for airport pickups, so you do not need to rush through arrivals.
For drop-offs to the airport, leave plenty of time for traffic and check-in. Most airlines recommend arriving at least 2 to 3 hours before an international flight.
London airport travel tips
- Save your terminal number and flight details in one place before you travel.
- Check the airport's current drop-off and parking charges if you are being dropped at the terminal.
- Keep your phone charged and switched on so your driver can reach you if needed.
- Allow extra time during school holidays, bank holidays and major events.
London airport FAQs
Fixed-price airport taxi transfers to every London airport
Whether you are flying from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City or Southend, ONE Airport Taxi offers fixed prices, licensed drivers, live flight tracking and 24/7 UK support.
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