London

London City Airport (LCY)

Location

The airport is situated at the Royal Docks, 10 miles (16km) from the West End.

Getting to the city

Docklands Light Railway (DLR) departs from London City Airport every 8-15 minutes to Canning Town, Woolwich Arsenal and Bank. There are regular London buses from the airport to stations throughout London. Nearby National Rail stations are reached via the Jubilee line from Canning Town (a seven-minute DLR journey). Licensed taxis (black cabs) are available outside the terminal building, a taxi to the centre of London will take only 20 to 30 minutes and cost roughly £30. Car rental desks are situated on the ground floor. There are also chauffeur services available from Quay Cars. Mobile app based taxi services, like Uber, are available, as is car sharing through the DriveNow app.

Time

GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Car rental

Car rental desks are situated on the ground floor, rental companies include Avis, Europcar and Hertz.

Airport Taxis

Taxis from London City Airport can be hailed outside the Arrivals Hall and a taxi to the centre of London will take only 20 to 30 minutes and cost roughly £30. A taxi to Canary Wharf will cost £14.

Facilities

There are shops, bars and a restaurant at City Airport, other facilities include left luggage, a mother and baby room, tourist information and business facilities including Internet and fax. There are also ATMs, a bureau de change and Internet facilities. The disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should ideally inform their airline in advance.

Parking

Parking at London City Airport is located within easy walking distance of the terminal. Short-term parking starts at £3 for the first 10 minutes, £13 for up to an hour, £17 for two hours, £25 for four hours, £53 for up to 12 hours and £61 per day. The long-term car park is £23 for up to four hours and £53 per day. Credit card facilities are available.

Departure tax

None.

Website www.londoncityairport.com

London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Location

The airport is situated 28 miles (45km) south of London.

Getting to the city

The easiest and quickest way into London from Gatwick is on the Gatwick Express train, which takes 30 minutes to the central Victoria railway station. Local buses call at both terminals and run between Gatwick and key destinations including Crawley, Horley, Redhill and Horsham. Taxis are also available from the airport into town, while coaches take passengers to destinations including Heathrow, central London, Bristol and Brighton (ticket desks are in the North and South Terminals). Car rental companies operate from both terminals. Taxis and mobile app based taxi services, like Uber, are also available.

Time

GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Car rental

Car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz operate from both terminals.

Airport Taxis

Taxis from Gatwick Airport are available outside the Arrivals Hall and a taxi to London city centre will take roughly an hour to an hour-and-a-half as this road can be very busy. Mobile app based taxi services, like Uber, are also available.

Facilities

Both terminals have shops, restaurants, bars, bureaux de change, ATMs, an Internet café, baby changing rooms and children's play areas. There are lounges in both terminals that offer multiple services for both business and leisure, for a fee. In the South Terminal, there is a medical centre offering vaccinations and the Regus Express Business Lounge, featuring meeting rooms, refreshments, showers, a document station, high-speed internet and distraction-free private work spaces. Disabled facilities at the airport are good; those who require special assistance should contact their airline in advance.

Parking

Short-term and long-term parking is available and a free shuttle services the parking areas farther away from the terminal building.

Departure tax

None.

Website www.gatwickairport.com

The two terminals are linked by the Inter Terminal Transit train that leaves every three minutes.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Location

The airport is situated 15 miles (24km) west of London.

Getting to the city

The quickest way into London is on the Heathrow Express train, which leaves every 15 minutes for Paddington station, takes 15 minutes, and costs £22 if booked online or at a ticket machine, or £27 on-board, if travelling during off-peak times. Paddington has good connections to the other London railway stations and all parts of London via the London Underground. Heathrow is also on the Piccadilly underground line, which takes passengers into central London in around 50 minutes. The National Express coach service runs to central London and other towns and cities throughout the UK.

Time

GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

Car rental

Car rental options include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt.

Airport Taxis

London's black taxis service Heathrow Airport; the journey time to central London is around 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxis are metered, the fare from Heathrow Airport to Central London will cost around £48-£90. Taxis are available from outside each terminal.

Facilities

There are numerous shops, bars and restaurants, ATMs, currency exchange facilities, left luggage facilities, pharmacies and postal services in all terminals. A spa offering massages is located in Terminal 5. There are VIP Lounges in Terminals 2 and 3. There are multi-faith prayer rooms in each terminal and St George's Chapel is located close to the central bus station between Terminals 2 and 3. There are shower facilities located in Terminal 3.

Parking

Short-term parking is available adjacent to the airport. A free shuttle service links the terminals and the long-term and business car parks. Valet parking is also available at all terminals.

Website www.heathrow.com

Terminal 1 is no longer in use. Terminals 2 and 3 are within walking distance of each other, with an average walking time of 11 minutes from one end to the other. Terminals 4 and 5 are connected via the free Heathrow Express train. Allow around 15 minutes for the journey time between terminals.

London Luton Airport (LTN)

Location

The airport is situated 32 miles (52km) northwest of London.

Getting to the city

Trains leave regularly to Kings Cross, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge stations. Train journeys to central London take 20-25 minutes with providers such as East Midlands Trains and First Capital Connect. Tickets can be bought from the Onward Travel centre at the airport or online. Luton Airport Parkway Train Station is connected to the terminal by a free shuttle bus service. Green Line and National Express buses run daily between the airport and central London. Taxis operate from outside the airport terminal 24-hours a day and car rental is also available.

Time

GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Car rental

Car rental companies include Avis, Hertz, Europcar and National.

Airport Taxis

Taxis operate from Luton Airport 24-hours a day and can be hailed outside the Arrivals Hall. A taxi to central London will cost around £80 and will take approximately 2 hours.

Facilities

Facilities at the airport include shops, bars, restaurants, bureaux de change, ATMs, a children's play area and baby changing rooms. Facilities for the disabled are good; those with special needs are advised to contact their airline or travel agent in advance.

Parking

There is short-term parking next to the terminal. Long-term (valet) parking operates near the terminal - your car will be taken away to another compound while you are away. Passengers who book in advance via the airport website get discounted parking rates.

Departure tax

None.

Website www.london-luton.co.uk

London Stansted Airport (STN)

Location

The airport is situated 34 miles (55km) northeast of London.

Getting to the city

The Stansted Express rail service operates between London's Liverpool Street station and the airport, taking approximately 45 minutes. There are also bus and coach services to Victoria Coach Station, Heathrow and Gatwick airports, among other London and national destinations. The bus and coach station is opposite the main terminal entrance. Coach tickets are available from the ticket desk in arrivals and at the station; a ticket to Victoria costs around £10. Taxis are available outside the terminal building and car rental is also available. Uber, and other mobile app based taxi services are also available, although there have been licensing issues as of late.

Time

GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Car rental

Car rental companies available at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Alamo, National, Enterprise and Hertz.

Airport Taxis

Many taxi services are available, the Stansted Airport recommended taxi service is 24x7, a reservation desk is located in the international arrivals concourse. A taxi to central London from Stansted Airport will cost in the region of £100.

Facilities

There are a number of popular restaurants, shops and bars in the terminal, both before and after security. Other facilities include ATMs, a bureau de change and Internet cafe. There is a VIP lounge for travellers in the main departure lounge, which can be booked via the airport's website. There are also shower facilities at both arrivals and departures, with towels and access available for a small fee at the airport information desk. There are multi-faith prayer rooms, accessible after security. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline or travel agent in advance. Stansted is a smoke-free airport, and there are no smoking facilities past security.

Parking

The short-term parking is located next to the terminal building. Long-term parking is further away and is linked to the airport by a free shuttle bus. The mid-stay parking lot is free for the first hour, a five-minute courtesy bus ride from the terminal. The airport also offers valet parking. Travellers who pre-book on the Stansted Airport website receive discounted car parking.

Website www.stanstedairport.com

London Southend Airport (SEN)

Location

The airport is situated 36 miles (58km) south of London.

Getting to the city

London Southend Airport is easily reached via the regional bus and coach networks of Essex such as First Essex Buses and Arriva Bus. Main locations include Stansted, Chelmsford, and central Southend. Conveniently, the closest bus stops are only a quick stroll from the terminal.

Taxis and ride-hailing services are available outside the terminal, while it's also possible to rent a car. Taking the train is also an option: a train to Liverpool Street Station will take around 52 minutes, while a train to Stratford Station will take around 44 minutes.

Time

GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Car rental

Europcar is a car rental company that operates in the terminal.

Airport Taxis

Taxis from Southend Airport are available outside the terminal building.

Facilities

There are places to shop, eat, and drink, as well as a duty free. Services and facilities include currency exchange, car hire and parking, ATMs, medical care, toilets, baby change facilities, and a lounge.

Parking

Short-term and long-term parking is available, both with extremely short walks to the terminal.

Departure tax

None.

Website southendairport.com

Southampton International Airport (SOU)

Location

The airport is located in Hampshire, a few miles outside of Southampton,

Getting to the city

The airport is conveniently connected to Southampton Central and other parts of England via several train services. The journey to Southampton Central takes approximately 8 minutes, while London is 67 minutes away. There are also buses to downtown Southampton, with the U1C running every 15-20 minutes; the journey takes roughly 35-40 minutes.

Time

GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Car rental

The Car Rental Reception Centre is located near the short-term car park, opposite the terminal building. Car rental companies include Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, National, Alamo, and Enterprise.

Airport Taxis

Checker Cabs are available 24 hours a day from the taxi desk in the main concourse, near the exit. Prices are fixed in advance, and bookings can be made online or by calling +44 (0) 2380 651 110.

Facilities

Airport facilities include a duty-free shop, ATMs, currency exchange, internet access, cafes, and several restaurants both before and after security.

Parking

Short-term and long-term parking is available.

Website www.southamptonairport.com