London has several airports, and the best route depends on the airport, terminal, time of day, luggage and final destination. Heathrow has Underground and Elizabeth line services, Luton connects by rail through Luton Airport Parkway and the Luton DART, and London City Airport is served directly by the DLR. Gatwick and Stansted have separate rail and coach options.
Quick airport comparison
| Airport | Main public transport options | Best starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | Piccadilly Line, Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express and coaches | Check your terminal and compare speed, price and luggage convenience |
| Gatwick | National Rail and coach services | Use the Gatwick guide |
| Stansted | Stansted Express, National Rail and coaches | Use the Stansted guide |
| Luton | Train to Luton Airport Parkway, then Luton DART, plus coaches | Allow time for the airport transfer after the train |
| London City | DLR, buses, taxis and onward TfL connections | Use DLR for central and east London connections |
Choose by destination, not only by airport
Heathrow is often convenient for west and central London, London City works well for the City and Docklands, and Luton, Gatwick and Stansted require a rail or coach connection before the Underground. Check the final station before booking because the fastest airport route is not always the cheapest or easiest with luggage.
Airport payment and fare planning
Compare the complete journey, including airport supplements, rail sections and transfers. The Oyster, Contactless and Travelcard comparison explains the main payment choices. For the latest fare rules, use the official TfL fare finder and the airport or rail operator’s own ticket page.
Airport guides
- Heathrow to London: compare Piccadilly, Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express.
- Luton to London: understand the train and Luton DART transfer.
- London City Airport to central London: use the DLR and TfL connections.
- Gatwick to London and Stansted to London: compare rail and coach options.
Airport travel with luggage or accessibility needs
Check station access, lifts, walking distances and platform changes before choosing a route. Heathrow’s rail options stop at different terminals. Luton requires a transfer between the mainline station and the terminal. London City’s DLR station is next to the airport, but confirm current lift and assisted-travel information before departure.
Review date and official sources
Reviewed September 2026: Transport times, fares, terminals and engineering works change. Confirm the final route with TfL Journey Planner, the relevant airport operator and the train or coach operator before travelling.
Related guides
Start with the first-time London Tube guide, London fare zones and Night Tube guide.
