City guides
United Kingdom
England
Getting Around
London's legendary Tube network remains the quickest and easiest way to get around the city, though it is best avoided during rush hour. The famous red buses are a more pleasant, if slower, way to get around. The ubiquitous black cabs are excellent but Uber and other taxi apps are also popular.
London's main attractions are fairly close to one another; if the weather is nice, walking or taking a riverboat are good options. Driving is not a good option in central London, as parking is difficult to find and very expensive. A 'congestion charge' is also payable by those driving into central London from Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm.
Airports
London City
The airport is situated at the Royal Docks, 10 miles (16km) from the West End.
London City (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 to 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. Chauffeur services are also an option; mobile app based taxi services, such as 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 at a cost of 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 that include 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 £3.80 for the first 10 minutes, £16 for up to an hour, £21 for two hours, £30 for four hours, £60 for up to 12 hours and £60 per day. The long-term car park is £30 for up to four hours and £60 per day. Credit card facilities are available.
London Gatwick
The airport is situated 28 miles (45km) south of London.
London Gatwick (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, such as 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, such as Uber, are also available.
Transfer between terminals
The two terminals are linked by the Inter Terminal Transit train that leaves every few minutes.
Facilities
Both terminals have shops, restaurants, bars, bureaux de change, ATMs, 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 further away from the terminal building.
London Heathrow
The airport is situated 15 miles (24km) west of London.
London Heathrow (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 stop at the ranks outside each of Heathrow Airport's terminals; the journey time to central London is around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxis are metered and the fare from Heathrow Airport to Central London will cost around £48 to £90.
Transfer between terminals
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. Travellers should allow around 15 minutes for the journey time between terminals.
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.
London Luton
The airport is situated 32 miles (52km) northwest of London.
London Luton (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 to 25 minutes. 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, 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; travellers' cars will be taken away to another compound while they are away. Passengers who book in advance via the airport website get discounted parking rates.
London Stansted
The airport is situated 34 miles (55km) northeast of London.
London Stansted (STN)
Location
The airport is situated 34 miles (55km) northeast of London.Getting to the city
The Stansted Express rail service operates between central London 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. Taxis are available outside the terminal building and car rental is also available. Uber, and other mobile app based taxi services are also available.
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, Sixt, Europcar, Alamo, National, Enterprise and Hertz.
Airport Taxis
Many taxi services are available; the Stansted Airport recommended taxi service is 24x7, and a reservation desk is located in the international arrivals concourse.
Facilities
There are a number of popular restaurants, shops and bars in the terminal, both before and after security. Other facilities include ATMs, and a bureau de change. 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.
Southend Airport
The airport is situated 36 miles (58km) south of 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
Hertz and Enterprise operate in the terminal.
Airport Taxis
Taxis from Southend Airport are available outside the terminal building.
Facilities
There are places to shop, eat and drink, and there is 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.
Southampton Airport
The airport is located in Hampshire, a few miles outside of Southampton,
Southampton 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 eight minutes, while London is 67 minutes away. There are also buses to downtown Southampton, with the U1C running every 15 to 20 minutes; the journey takes roughly 35 to 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
Taxis will pick up customers from the main pick-up and drop-off area, which is located on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park. NikAlan Cars, Radio Taxis, West Quay Cars and Bitterne Cabs are among the taxi companies passengers can choose from.
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.