Airports in London: 8 Spots For Quick Access To The London

London boasts many airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City, and Southend—making it one of the busiest air travel hubs in the world. These airports in London cater to millions of travelers, offering flights to domestic and international destinations. Whether you’re flying on a budget or seeking a premium experience, London’s airports provide modern facilities, efficient transport links, and a wide range of airlines. With excellent connectivity and world-class services, London ensures a smooth and hassle-free travel experience for all passengers.

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8 Airports In London

Airports in London are very conveniently located for both international travel and domestic flights. Following are the 8 airports located in London:

1. Heathrow Airport

Aerial view of London Heathrow Airport with runways, terminals, and parked aircraft.

Photo: Olivia Anne Snyder / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Heathrow Airport is the biggest airport in London. It serves more than 80 million passengers annually. The airport has five passenger terminals. All terminals have shops, restaurants, and lounges. Heathrow connects London to more than two hundred locations around the world. As London’s primary airport, Heathrow serves as a British Airways hub. Heathrow is identified by the London airport code LHR, which is shown on tickets and luggage tags. Heathrow has remarkable transport connections to central London.

Location: Longford, Hounslow, TW6, United Kingdom
Nearby Attractions: Windsor Castle, Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace

2. Gatwick Airport

The exterior view of Gatwick Airport’s terminal building, surrounded by roadways.

Photo: M J Richardson / Wikimedia Commons

Gatwick Airport ranks second busiest of all airports in London. It has two terminals which are North and South. The London airport code for Gatwick is LGW. Gatwick is used by more than 46 million passengers every year. More than 200 destinations in 90 countries are served by the airport. Gatwick has become a favourable hub for budget and charter airlines. This airport is served extensively by EasyJet. This airport can be reached from Victoria Station using the Gatwick Express, which takes 30 minutes. Also, regular trains go to London Bridge and St Pancras stations.

Location: Crawley, West Sussex, RH6 0NP, United Kingdom
Nearby Attractions: Brighton Beach, South Downs National Park, Nymans Garden

3. Stansted Airport

View of London Stansted Airport, showing terminal buildings and extensive runways.

Photo: Richard Humphrey / Wikimedia Commons

Stansted Airport further cements its place as the city’s third busiest international airport in London. Its London airport code is STN. Ryanair uses Stansted as its primary London hub. This London Stansted Airport offers more than 200 destinations in and around Europe. Stansted means non-stop travel for about 28 million people every year. It takes 47 minutes to board the Stansted Express train to reach Liverpool Street Station. From there, drivers can access parts of London. The terminal has restaurants, shops, and currency exchange businesses.

Location: Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 1QW, United Kingdom
Nearby Attractions: Cambridge University, Hatfield Forest, Audley End House

4. Luton Airport

View of Luton Airport , one of the most renowned airports in London

Photo: Rocker Sta / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Budget travellers visiting London find Luton Airport as a popular gateway. The London airport code of Luton is LTN. Luton Airport has a single terminal building. Luton Airport handles around 18 million passengers annually. Airlines such as EasyJet, Wizz Air and Ryanair have bases in Luton. It has more than 130 destinations in Europe and other continents. A shuttle bus connects the terminal to the station, from where one can reach Luton Airport Parkway from Central London in 25-40 minutes. Apart from lounges, the airport also has shopping stores and restaurants. Luton is located 35 miles north of Central London.

Location: Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 9LY, United Kingdom
Nearby Attractions: Whipsnade Zoo, Luton Hoo Estate, Wardown Park Museum

5. London City Airport

View of London City Airport’s terminal area, with aircraft parked near the terminal.

Photo: Hotolmo22 / Wikimedia Commons

Located in Sandy Bay, London City Airport is the closest airport for citizens living in Central London. The London airport code is LCY. This airport has one runway as well as a single terminal. London City serves about 5 million passengers annually. The airport mainly serves business travellers. London City Airport is located just 7 miles from the city of London. The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) can connect the centre of London to the airport in less than 22 minutes.

Location: Royal Docks, Newham, London E16 2PX, United Kingdom
Nearby Attractions: Canary Wharf, The O2 Arena, Greenwich Maritime Museum

6. Southend Airport

Southend Airport’s modern terminal building showcases glass facades and walkways.

Photo: Chris j wood / Wikimedia Commons

Southend Airport has become one of the international airports in London. Southend Airport’s code is SEN. It has a modern terminal that was opened in 2012. EasyJet and Ryanair operate flights from Southend, serving more than 40 destinations in Europe. About 2 million people use the airport every year. The train station is just a two-minute walk from the terminal. The train takes about 53 minutes to reach Liverpool Street Station from Southend Airport. Shops, cafes and an executive lounge are available for customers at Southend Airport.

Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6YF, United Kingdom
Nearby Attractions: Southend Pier, Adventure Island, Hadleigh Castle

7. London Oxford Airport

View of flights standing during sunset at the London Oxford Airport

Photo: Yeray Sánchez/ Unsplash / image For Representation Only

London Oxford Airport is a relatively small airport serving the London area. Unlike most airports in London, the airport has no official IATA code, but it is sometimes referred to as OXF. The airport operates primarily for private and business aviation. The airport is located about 60 miles northwest of Central London. The facility has one runway and a terminal building. The airport also offers helicopter services. Business and meeting rooms are available at the terminal, and a VIP lounge is offered for private jet passengers.

Location: Kidlington, Oxfordshire, OX5 1RA, United Kingdom
Nearby Attractions: Oxford University, Blenheim Palace, Cotswolds villages

8. Biggin Hill Airport

View of travellers walking through the halls of Biggin Hill Airport of London

Photo: Maëva Vigier/ Unsplash / image For Representation Only

Biggin Hill Airport is a dedicated business aviation facility near London. It has an interesting history as the RAF was based here during World War II. As of now, the airport is used as a runway for jets and other private business planes. It is better known as an aviation facility and is located about 12 miles from London. It does not have a three-letter code like the major international airports in London. Business travellers are served flawlessly at the airport, which handles about 50,000 people every year.

Location: Biggin Hill, London, TN16 3BH, United Kingdom
Nearby Attractions: Down House (Darwin’s Home), High Elms Country Park, Chartwell House

Airports in London serve as vital gateways to the UK and the world, offering a range of options for travellers, from budget-friendly flights to premium international routes. With six major airports—Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City, and Southend—each catering to different needs, London ensures seamless connectivity. Whether traveling for business or leisure, these airports provide efficient transport links, modern facilities, and diverse flight options. So book your trips now with TripXL!

Cover Photo: Daniel Lim / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Airports In London: A Complete Guide To Getting To The UK’s Capital