How Many Airports Are There in London, UK? All 6 London Airports Explained
London has six main commercial airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend. All six handle international flights, although Heathrow and Gatwick carry most long-haul traffic to destinations such as the USA, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. Together, London’s six airports handled around 179.2 million passengers in 2025. This makes London one of the world’s largest airport systems. However, not every airport suits every traveller. Your best choice depends on your airline, budget, destination in London, luggage and arrival time. Several airports carry the London name but are located outside Greater London. Gatwick is in West Sussex, Stansted and Southend are in Essex, and Luton is in Bedfordshire. They are still classed as London airports because they serve the capital’s travel market.
TL;DR
- London has six main airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend.
- Heathrow is the busiest and best for long-haul international flights, while Gatwick offers a strong mix of leisure and business routes.
- Stansted and Luton are usually best for budget flights, but transfers into central London can take longer.
- London City Airport is closest to central London and suits business travellers heading to Canary Wharf, Docklands or the City.
- Southend Airport is the smallest and quietest option, with direct trains to London Liverpool Street.
- Always compare the total trip cost, including airport transfers, before booking the cheapest flight.
What Is London Heathrow Airport Like?
London Heathrow Airport, or LHR, is the busiest airport in the UK and the largest airport in the London system. It is around 20 miles west of central London and has four operating terminals: Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
Heathrow handled around 84.5 million passengers in 2025. It is the main airport for long-haul services and a major base for British Airways. Virgin Atlantic also operates a large number of long-haul routes from Heathrow.
Heathrow is usually the best choice for travellers flying from North America, Asia, Australia, Africa or the Middle East. It also works well if you are staying in Paddington, Kensington, Hammersmith, Chelsea or west London.
The main ways to reach central London from Heathrow are:
- Heathrow Express: Paddington in around 15 minutes; advance fares can start from about £10.
- Elizabeth line: Paddington in around 28 minutes, with direct links to Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street.
- Piccadilly line: Usually the cheaper option, taking about 50 minutes to central London.
A useful Heathrow update is that passengers can now keep laptops and liquids in their cabin bags at security. Liquids can be carried in containers of up to two litres, although airline hand-luggage rules still apply.
What Is London Gatwick Airport Like?
London Gatwick Airport, or LGW, is around 28 miles south of central London. It is the second-busiest airport in the UK and handled approximately 42.8 million passengers in 2025.
Gatwick has two terminals: North Terminal and South Terminal. They are connected by a free shuttle service, so check your terminal before you travel. easyJet is Gatwick’s largest airline, while British Airways, TUI, Norwegian and several long-haul carriers also operate there.
Gatwick is a sensible choice if you are flying on a European holiday route, travelling with easyJet, or staying in south London. It also offers many long-haul options, so it should not be viewed as only a budget airport.
The airport railway station is next to the South Terminal. From there, you can travel directly into London using Gatwick Express, Southern or Thameslink services.
Gatwick is especially practical for:
- Travellers staying near Victoria, London Bridge, Blackfriars or St Pancras.
- Passengers flying with easyJet or British Airways.
- Holidaymakers travelling to Europe, the Caribbean, North America or selected Asian destinations.
- Visitors who want a strong alternative to Heathrow.
What Is London Stansted Airport Like?
London Stansted Airport, or STN, is located around 40 miles north-east of central London. It handled about 29.8 million passengers in 2025, making it London’s third-busiest airport.
Stansted has one main passenger terminal, which makes it relatively easy to navigate. It is best known as a major Ryanair airport, with a large number of low-cost flights to European cities, islands and holiday destinations.
For travellers focused on a cheap flight, Stansted can be a strong option. However, it is important to include the cost and time of getting into London before deciding that it is the cheapest overall choice.
The Stansted Express travels directly to London Liverpool Street in about 48 minutes. Advance tickets can start from around £9.90, but flexible tickets bought close to departure can cost more. Coaches to Victoria, Stratford and Paddington are also available and can be cheaper, although traffic may make the journey longer.
Stansted is best for travellers who:
- Are flying with Ryanair or another low-cost European airline.
- Are staying near Liverpool Street, Shoreditch, Stratford or east London.
- Have booked an early flight and want simple terminal access.
- Are happy to allow extra time for the airport transfer.
What Is London Luton Airport Like?
London City Airport, or LCY, is the closest airport to central London. It sits in the Docklands area, about 6 miles east of the city centre and close to Canary Wharf.
London City handled around 3.7 million passengers in 2025. It is smaller than the other London airports and mainly serves UK and European business routes. British Airways CityFlyer, KLM and other European carriers operate services from the airport.
The airport is popular with business travellers because it is close to Canary Wharf, the City of London, Excel London and east London. Its compact terminal can also make arrivals and departures feel quicker than at Heathrow or Gatwick.
London City Airport has its own Docklands Light Railway station directly outside the terminal. The DLR connects with Bank, Canning Town and Stratford. A journey to Bank usually takes around 20 to 25 minutes, with a typical contactless or Oyster fare of roughly £3 to £5 depending on the time of travel.
London City Airport is a strong option when:
- You are travelling for business in Canary Wharf, Docklands or the City.
- You have a short-haul European flight.
- You want the closest airport to central London.
- You are travelling light and value speed over the widest choice of routes.
What Is London Southend Airport Like?
London Southend Airport, or SEN, is around 41 miles east of central London in Essex. It is the smallest of London’s six major airports by passenger numbers, handling about 720,000 passengers in 2025.
Southend can be a good option for travellers who prefer a quieter terminal and shorter queues. Its routes are more limited than those from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton, and some services operate seasonally.
The airport’s biggest advantage is its rail connection. Southend Airport railway station is directly opposite the terminal, making it easy to transfer after landing. Greater Anglia trains reach London Liverpool Street in around 53 minutes, with advance fares often starting from about £13.40.
Southend is worth considering if you are staying in Essex, Stratford, east London or near Liverpool Street. It can also suit travellers who want a calmer airport experience and have found a convenient direct flight.
Which London Airport Should You Choose?
There is no single best London airport for every trip. The right airport depends on your destination, airline, budget and onward journey.
- Choose Heathrow for long-haul flights, wide airline choice and direct Tube or Elizabeth line access.
- Choose Gatwick for a broad range of European and long-haul routes, especially if you are staying in south London.
- Choose Stansted or Luton when flight price is your main priority.
- Choose London City for business travel, Canary Wharf and the quickest access to central London.
How Do You Get from London Airports to Central London?
Public transport is available from all six main London airports. The best route depends on where you are staying, not simply which train is fastest.
Train prices change based on booking time, railcards, peak travel, ticket flexibility and service availability. Check live rail information before travelling, especially during engineering works or strike periods.
For families, groups, late-night arrivals or travellers with several large bags, a licensed pre-booked airport transfer can be easier than changing trains. This is particularly useful from Stansted, Luton and Southend, where the journey into central London is longer.
Are There Other Airports Near London?
Yes. There are other airfields and private aviation airports around London, including Biggin Hill and London Oxford Airport. However, they are not normally counted among the six main London commercial airports because they do not operate the same scheduled passenger network.
When people search for “how many airports are in London”, they usually mean Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend.
Final Thoughts
London has six main airports, each serving a different type of traveller. Heathrow is the main long-haul hub, Gatwick offers a broad route mix, Stansted and Luton suit budget flights, London City is ideal for fast business access, and Southend offers a smaller alternative.
The cheapest flight is not always the cheapest overall journey. Check your airport transfer time and cost before booking, especially when flying into Stansted, Luton or Southend. Planning this part early can make your arrival in London much smoother.