The city of London is served by six main airports which are Stansted , Luton , Heathrow , Gatwick and London City Airport . Southend On Sea Airport is also one of the popular London airports to reach the British capital, and although it is a bit further from the center than the other airports, it is quite easy to get to central London from Southend. Here we leave you all the information you need to know about London airport transfers.
Each airport operates flights from different companies and with different schedules and prices, so we recommend that you compare what it would cost to fly to one airport or another before buying your tickets, since the savings can be significant.
Currently, most people who travel to London usually do so with low-cost companies, such as Ryanair or Easyjet, since they offer more and more flights from the main airports in Spain, although if you travel from Madrid or Barcelona, you can also fly with British Airways even if it costs a bit more.
Any of the airports have direct connections to central London, but except for London City Airport and Heathrow, the others are outside London transport zones, so it is not possible to get to the center by tube.
When you are clear about which airports you can fly to from your city, remember to check the different options to get to your hotel if you have several options, to make sure that the transport from the airport to the hotel is as simple as possible.
What will you find in this article?
- Transfers from London airports to central London
- Private Taxi Transfers from London Airports to the center and Vice versa
- Shared Taxi Transfers from London Airports to the center and Vice versa
- Direct transfers from one airport to another in London
- Train transfers from London Airports to central London and vice versa
- Bus transfers from London Airports to central London and vice versa
- Transfers from London airports to the city center
- London Stansted Airport Transfers to Central London
- Transfers from London Luton airport to central London
- Transfers from Gatwick airport to central London
- Heathrow airport transfers to central London
London airport transfers to central London
Private Taxi Transfers from London Airports to the center and Vice versa
To book a private transfer from one of the London airports to central London or vice versa, we usually recommend making the reservation through a minicab service comparator, on one of the best-known websites in the United Kingdom.
A minicab in London is a taxi that can be booked in advance, and in this way you pay a fixed amount that has been established at the time of booking instead of depending on a meter, so even if there is traffic you will not pay more than the agreed. This is the option that we usually choose if we want to go to the airport by minicab.
Shared Taxi Transfers from London Airports to the center and Vice versa
One of the increasingly popular options is to book the transfer option from one of the London airports to the city center (or vice versa) in a shared transfer. Basically, it is a taxi or a kind of minibus from a private transfer company that makes numerous trips from the airports to the center throughout the day. If there are more passengers who have booked this option, you will share the trip with them, but it may also be that at the time you need the transfer there is no one else. The driver will drop off passengers at the door of each hotel in central London. It is also possible to book this option from the hotel to the airport.
Direct transfers from one airport to another in London
Sometimes when London is not our final destination, but we land in London to continue our trip, it is necessary to go from one airport to another without having to go through the center of London. For this you can book a minicab or see if there is a bus that makes the route you are interested in.
Train transfers from London Airports to central London and vice versa
From London’s Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted airports there is an express train that runs directly from each airport to central London. The trains in question are the Gatwick Express , the Stansted Express and the Heathrow Express , but I will explain each of them in more detail below.
In addition to the Express trains, there are normal trains that usually make the same routes, but they usually have several stops before reaching central London and take longer, but the price of the journey on these trains is usually cheaper than the express train. You can take a look at our step-by-step guide to buying train tickets .
Do not forget that the round trip train tickets will be worth you for the 2×1 discounts in London.
Bus transfers from London Airports to central London and vice versa
Several bus companies run routes from the different London airports to the city center.
The National Express bus company is a major UK bus company that runs daily from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports to central London. They offer comfortable coaches, with a luggage compartment and free Wi-Fi on board.
The Terravisión bus company makes daily trips from Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports to central London, and is one of the cheapest airport transport companies.
Transfers from London airports to the city center
Here is a guide with the different transfer options from the different airports to central London.
London Stansted Airport Transfers to Central London
Stansted Airport is located about 50 kilometers north of central London, outside the London transport zones , so it is not possible to get from Stansted Airport to central London by tube. It is possible to get to central London from Stansted Airport using other methods of public transport, such as the train or bus, or using a private or shared transfer method.
Train from Stansted Airport to Central London
Stansted Airport Train Station is right at the airport, and it’s very easy to get to. You simply have to follow the signs indicating trains once you have left the arrival terminal.
Stansted Express
The fastest train to get to central London from Stansted Airport is the Stansted Express . It departs every 15 minutes from Stansted Airport and arrives at Liverpool Street Station in London, stopping first at Tottenham Hale Station in London. Both stations are located in zone 1 of London and from both it is possible to take the tube to get to the nearest tube stop to your hotel.
The Stansted Express takes 36 minutes to reach Tottenham Hale and 47 minutes to reach Liverpool Street Station. You can buy the Stansted Express ticket for a specific day, without having to set a specific time, and get on the train that suits you best. If you buy a return ticket, the return ticket will be valid for one month from the departure date. You will need to enter the reference code at one of the self-service machines at the train station to collect your train tickets. These train tickets will help you get 2×1 discounts on some London attractions.
Bus from Stansted Airport to Central London
National Express
The National Express coach company runs the bus from Stansted to central London, with destinations in central London including Liverpool Street Station , Victoria , Paddington , Stratford and Waterloo . Each passenger can carry two suitcases of up to 20 kg in the trunk of the bus plus one piece of hand luggage. For comfort and luggage capacity, it is really the most recommended option to travel by bus from Stansted airport to central London.
Terravision
The Terravisión bus company also runs from Stansted to central London, with stops at Baker Street , Liverpool Street Station, Stratford and Victoria . It is one of the best known companies for the cheapest airport transfers.
Private Transfers from Stansted Airport to Central London
The best way to book a taxi from any of the London airports to the city center is by booking a minicab. When reserving a minicab you pay a fixed fee in advance. This way you will not depend on a taximeter, traffic, etc. You have the option to pay in advance online, so you don’t have to worry about carrying extra pounds in cash for the journey. This is the option that we prefer if we want to go to the airport by minicab.
Shared Transfers from Stansted Airport to Central London
The shared transfer from the airport to the city center is one of the increasingly popular airport transfers. It is a taxi or a kind of minibus from a private transfer company that makes numerous trips from the airports to the center throughout the day. If there are more passengers who have booked this option, you will share the trip with them, but it may also be that at the time you need the transfer there is no one else. The driver will drop off passengers at the door of hotels needed by passengers in central London. It is also possible to book this option from the hotel to the airport.
London Luton airport transfers to central London
Luton Airport is located about 60 kilometers north of central London, outside the London Transport Zones , so it is not possible to get from Luton Airport to central London by tube. It is possible to get to the center of London from Luton airport using public transport such as train or bus or using a private or shared transfer method.
Train from Luton Airport to Central London
Luton Airport Parkway train station is located outside Luton airport, specifically about 10 minutes by bus from the airport terminal, so it is necessary to take a bus called “shuttle bus” that directly connects the airport with the station. train.
From this Luton Airport Parkway train station there is a Thameslink train that leaves every 10 minutes and takes about 40 minutes to reach King’s Cross – St Pancras train station in central London. It also stops at Farringdon, City Thameslink and Blackfriars stations, so getting off at one station or another will depend on where your hotel is located. All stations are in zone 1 of London and have an underground connection.
Do not forget that if you buy round-trip train tickets, they will be valid for 2×1 discounts in different attractions in London.
Bus from Luton Airport to Central London
National Express
The National Express bus company runs the bus route from Stansted to central London, with destinations Victoria and Paddington. It is an important British coach company that offers very comfortable coaches for transfers from the different airports to central London, from 6 pounds per person each way. Each passenger can carry two suitcases of up to 20 kg in the trunk of the bus plus one piece of hand luggage. The bus from Luton Airport to central London takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, but will always depend on traffic.
Routes National Express Luton – London
Terravision
The Terravisión bus company also runs from Stansted Airport to central London, with stops at Bricket Wood, Brent Cross, Baker Street, Finchley Road, Marble Arch and Victoria . It is one of the best known companies for the cheapest airport transfers.
Private Taxi Transfers from Luton Airport to Central London
The best option to book a taxi from any of the London airports to the city center is by using a minicab. When booking a minicab you pay a fixed cost. So you don’t depend on a taximeter and the traffic. You also have the option to pay in advance online, so you don’t have to worry about carrying extra pounds in cash for the journey. This is the option that we usually choose if we want to go to the airport by minicab.
Shared Transfers from Luton Airport to Central London
The shared transfer from the airport to the city center is one of the increasingly popular airport transfers. It is a taxi or a kind of minibus from a private transfer company that makes numerous trips from the airports to the center throughout the day. If there are more passengers who have booked this option, you will share the trip with them. It may also be that at the time you need the transfer there is no one else. The driver will drop off passengers at the door of hotels needed by passengers in central London. It is also possible to book this option from the hotel to the airport.
Gatwick airport transfers to central London
Gatwick Airport is located about 45 kilometers south of central London, outside the London transport zones , so it is not possible to get from Gatwick Airport to central London by tube. To get to the center of London from Gatwick airport there are different options, such as trains, buses and taxis, as explained below:
Train from Gatwick Airport to Central London
Gatwick Express
The Gatwick Express train is the direct high-frequency express train from Gatwick Airport to Victoria Station in central London. There is a Gatwick Express train every 15 minutes and the journey takes around 30 minutes. London Victoria station is in zone 1 of London, and here there is a connection with the tube and buses. If you buy a return ticket, the return ticket is valid for 1 month. The ticket price for the Gatwick Express train is around £35 return, but the price can vary depending on the date. You can use the ticket for the Gatwick Express at any time of the day you have chosen, without having to worry about your flight being early or delayed when you arrive in London.
Southern Trains
Every 15 minutes a train leaves Gatwick airport for London Victoria station in London zone 1 with stops at East Croydon and Clapham Junction. The price is usually around £30 per person return, but the price can vary depending on the date. The Southern company train usually takes 5-10 minutes longer to reach London Victoria station than the Gatwick Express.
Thameslink Trains
Every 15 minutes there is a train from Gatwick Airport to St Pancras, stopping at East Croydon, London Blackfriars, City Thameslink and Farringdon stations. All these stations are in zone 1 of London and have a connection with the underground. This journey can take approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. The price is usually around £20 per person return.
All train tickets from Gatwick Airport to the city center, both Gatwick Express high-frequency train tickets and regular train tickets, are valid for 2×1 discounts at some London attractions.
Use oyster card for train from Gatwick to central London
Although London Gatwick Airport is outside the London Transport Zones, it is possible to use the Oyster Card for the train from the airport to the center and back. You can find detailed information about this here: Oyster card for train from Gatwick to the center .
Bus from Gatwick Airport to Central London
National Express
The National Express bus company runs the Gatwick Airport – London Victoria route, with a bus every 15 minutes. Along the way it makes the following stops: Lower Kingswood, Banstead, Belmont, Sutton Rail Station, Sutton Centre, Rosehill, Mitcham, Streatham, Stockwell and Vauxhall. It is an important British coach company that offers very comfortable coaches for transfers from the different airports to central London, from 6 pounds per person each way. Each passenger can carry two suitcases of up to 20 kg in the trunk of the bus plus one piece of hand luggage. You can buy the ticket for the National Express bus for a specific day, without having to indicate the time. This way you won’t have to worry if your flight is delayed.
Private Transfers from Gatwick Airport to Central London
As I mentioned before, the best way to book a taxi from any of the London airports to the city center is by booking a minicab. When reserving a minicab you will pay a set fee in advance, without relying on a meter and traffic, and you have the option to pay in advance online, so you won’t have to worry about carrying extra pounds in cash for the journey. This is the option that we usually choose if we want to go to the airport by minicab.
Shared Transfers from Gatwick Airport to Central London
The shared transfer from the airport to the city center is one of the increasingly popular airport transfers. It is a taxi or a kind of minibus from a private transfer company that makes numerous trips from the airports to the center throughout the day. If there are more passengers who have booked this option, you will share the trip with them, but it may also be that at the time you need the transfer there is no one else. The driver will drop off passengers at the door of hotels needed by passengers in central London. It is also possible to book this option from the hotel to the airport.
Heathrow airport transfers to central London
Heathrow airport is located less than 30 kilometers south of central London, and is located in London zone 6 , so the easiest option to get from Heathrow airport to central London is by using the service of subway. In addition to the tube, it is possible to reach central London by train, bus and taxi.
Heathrow Airport Tube to Central London
The Piccadilly Line underground line is the one that arrives at Heathrow airport in London, with stops at the different airport terminals. Once you leave the arrivals terminal, you simply have to follow the “Underground” signs that will take you to the metro station, which is located inside the airport itself. At the tube station you can buy both a single ticket, an oyster card or a travelcard to get to central London. If you buy a London transport card, be it an oyster card or a travelcard, you can use this card during your stay in London.
Train from Heathrow Airport to Central London
Heathrow Express
The Heathrow Express train is a high-frequency fast train bound for London Paddington railway station in central London. The journey time is about 20 minutes (much less than by metro) and trains leave every 15 minutes.
Heathrow TFL Rail (Formerly Heathrow Connect)
The TFL Rail Heathrow train also runs the Heathrow – Paddington route but with a few stops along the way: Hayes & Harlington, Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing and Ealing Broadway. The total journey time is approximately 30 minutes, but it is considerably cheaper than the Heathrow Express, especially if you buy your train tickets a few weeks in advance. To buy tickets online you simply have to enter Heathrow Airport as the departure station, and Paddington as the arrival station, and we recommend taking the Anytime Return option , which is usually the cheapest and allows you to take the Heathrow TFL Rail at any time of the day. and the return is valid for 1 month. Both the Oyster Card and the Travel Card can be used.
Bus from Heathrow Airport to Central London
The UK National Express coach network provides a coach service from Heathrow Airport to central London. They are very comfortable and spacious coaches, and allow you to carry two suitcases of up to 20 kg and one piece of hand luggage per person.
Private Transfers from Heathrow Airport to Central London
As we have mentioned, the best way to book a taxi from any of the London airports to the center is by reserving a minicab. When reserving a minicab you will pay a fixed price, without depending on a taximeter and traffic. You have the option to pay in advance online, so you don’t have to worry about carrying extra pounds in cash for the journey. This is the option that we usually choose if we want to go to the airport by minicab.
Shared Transfers from Heathrow Airport to Central London
The shared transfer from the airport to the city center is one of the increasingly popular airport transfers. It is a taxi or a kind of minibus from a private transfer company that makes numerous trips from the airports to the center throughout the day. If there are more passengers who have booked this option, you will share the trip with them. But it may also be that at the time you need the transfer there is no one else. The driver will drop off passengers at the door of hotels needed by passengers in central London. It is also possible to book this option from the hotel to the airport.