General Information » Getting Around » Air Travel

International flights to London arrive at either Heathrow (LHR), 15 miles west of London; Gatwick (LGW), 27 miles to the south; Stansted (STN), 35 miles north-east; Luton (LTN), 30 miles to the north; or City (LCY), which is by the Thames in east London.

Heathrow is the world’s busiest international airport and second busiest cargo port. More than 90 airlines have made it their base, and over 62 million passengers pass through the airport each year. Heathrow currently has four terminals, with a fifth terminal set to open in 2008. Terminals 3 and 4 handle transatlantic flights (the UK national airline, British Airways, uses Terminal 4). A shuttle bus operates between the terminals, and the Heathrow Express is free between terminals 1,2,3 and 4.

Gatwick is London’s second gateway and has two terminals, North and South. The airport has rapidly expanded in recent years and now has 21 scheduled flights to US destinations, as well as several charter flights, which use the South Terminal. A shuttle train operates between the terminals.

City, Luton and the state-of-the-art Stansted (designed by Sir Norman Foster), are mainly served by European airlines, and no-frills carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet.

London has excellent bus and train connections between its airports and the centre. Trains can be quick, especially the Gatwick and Heathrow Express services, but you’ll have to get yourself and your luggage to the carriage. Airport link buses (generally operated by National Express) may ease the luggage hassle and drop you closer to central hotels, but they’re at the mercy of London traffic. Taxis can be more convenient than buses, but are much more expensive.