So, your trip to London is officially happening! You’ve locked in your flights, picked out a dreamy London hotel, and you’ve probably saved a few TikToks for your afternoon tea and Tower Bridge moments. But before the double-decker buses and West End nights begin, there’s one important detail to sort out: how do you actually get from the airport to central London?
Whether you’re landing at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, or London City Airport, this guide will walk you through the fastest, cheapest, and easiest ways to reach the city centre. From express trains and budget buses to stress-free private transfers, here’s everything you need to know to kick off your London adventure the right way.
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HEATHROW AIRPORT (LHR)
London’s busiest airport and closest major hub to the city. Located about 15 miles west of central London.
How to Get from Heathrow to Central London by Train
- Heathrow Express (£25-£37, ~15 min)
The fastest way to get into the city. Trains run every 15 minutes to London Paddington Station. If you book earlier you will get the cheapest fare! From Paddington, you can take the Tube or a taxi to reach other parts of the city. - Elizabeth Line (£13.30, ~30-35 min)
A great alternative that also goes to Paddington, but continues through central London – stopping at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, and Liverpool Street. It’s my favourite way to travel from Heathrow to Central London. You can tap your credit card or oyster card to travel - London Underground – Piccadilly Line (£5.60, ~50-60 min)
Direct Tube ride from Heathrow to central stations like Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and King’s Cross. It’s the cheapest option, but it can feel like it takes forever since it stops often and gets really crowded. Probably not the best choice if you’re traveling from overseas, but if you want to keep your budget low, go for it. You can tap your credit card or oyster card to travel
How to Get from Heathrow to Central London by Car or Taxi
- Black Cab – Around £80-£100 depending on traffic. You can find official black cabs at designated taxi ranks right outside all Heathrow terminals.
- Uber/Bolt – Around £45-£70 depending on the time of day. Uber drivers pick up passengers from specific locations in the Short Stay Car Parks so you have to get there first and follow the instructions on the app
- Private Transfer – Book in advance for door-to-door service (great for groups or lots of luggage). Book on GetYourGuide here , Kiwi Taxi here, Get Transfer here and Welcome Pickups here
You can also take a National Express coach ( book here ) to Victoria Station. It’s a bit more expensive than the tube (£8.40 one-way) and takes longer
GATWICK AIRPORT (LGW)
Located about 30 miles south of London – still very accessible!
How to Get from Gatwick to Central London by Train
- Gatwick Express (£20-£25, ~30 min)
Non-stop to London Victoria Station. Quick and easy – trains every 15 minutes. From Victoria, you can take the Tube or a taxi to reach other parts of the city. Pre book your ticket ( here ) ahead of time to cheaper fare - Thameslink or Southern Trains (£10-£15, ~35-50 min)
It’s a little slower than the Gatwick Express, but much cheaper. Thameslink stops at London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon, and St Pancras, while Southern stops at Clapham Junction and Victoria. You can get to the train station right after you exit the airport, where you’ll find a big timetable and clear platform signs. You can use your credit card or Oyster card to travel.
How to Get from Gatwick to Central London by Car or Taxi
- Black Cab – Can cost £100-£120. The taxi rank is located directly outside the arrivals area
- Uber/Bolt – Roughly £60-£90, depending on traffic. Uber drivers pick up passengers from the short-term car parks
- Private Transfer – Worth it for families or big suitcases! Book Kiwi Taxi here, Get Transfer here and Welcome Pickups here
You can also take a National Express coach ( book here ) to Victoria Station or Earls Court but it takes about 2h
STANSTED AIRPORT (STN)
Located northeast of London, about 40 miles from the city.
How to Get from Stansted to Central London by Train
- Stansted Express (£20-£25, ~45 min)
It goes to London Liverpool Street, which is great for East London stays. Trains depart every 15 minutes, and you can buy your ticket once you land or pre-book here. Liverpool Street has excellent connections to the city center, and you can easily catch the Tube from there.
How to Get from Stansted to Central London by Coach
- National Express or Airport Bus Express – (£10-£15, ~1.5 hours)
Cheaper than the train but much slower. Buses go to Victoria, Liverpool Street, or Stratford. You can find the buses directly opposite the main terminal entrance. Book here
How to Get from Stansted to Central London by Car or Taxi
- Taxi – £100+ depending on destination. The taxi rank is located directly outside the terminal’s arrivals area
- Uber/Bolt – Around £70-£100. Uber drivers pick up passengers from the Short Stay Car Park Orange
- Private Transfers – More comfortable and often cheaper than black cabs. Book on GetYourGuide here, Kiwi Taxi here, Get Transfer here and Welcome Pickups here
LUTON AIRPORT (LTN)
North of London, around 35 miles away.
How to Get from Luton to Central London by Train
- Luton Airport Express (£8-£15, ~35-45 min total)
Traveling from Luton Airport to central London is now much easier thanks to the new Luton DART, which replaced the shuttle bus connection. Definitely pre-book your tickets ( here ) as it’s much cheaper. Once you land, head to the train station, take the DART (shuttle train) to the main station, and from there, you can catch a train to King’s Cross, which has excellent connections to the rest of the city.
How to Get from Luton to Central London by Coach
- National Express or Green Line – (£10-£15, ~1.5-2 hours)
Budget-friendly but slow, especially during rush hour. You can find the buses right after you exit the terminal. Book here
How to Get from Luton to Central London by Car or Taxi
- Black Cab – £70-£100. Taxis are available just after you exit the terminal, located behind the bus area.
- Uber – £40-£100. To get an Uber, you’ll need to take the shuttle bus to the parking area.
- Private Transfer – Book Kiwi Taxi here, Get Transfer here and Welcome Pickups here
LONDON CITY AIRPORT (LCY)
The smallest and most central airport – located in East London. Great for business travelers or short weekend trips.
How to Get from City Airport to Central London by public transportation
- DLR + Tube (£3-£6, ~20-30 min)
Hop on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) from the airport and transfer at Bank or Canning Town to reach anywhere in the city.
How to Get from City Airport to Central London By Taxi or Uber
- Taxi – Around £40-£60.
- Uber/Bolt – Usually cheaper, especially off-peak.
Final Tips
- Use contactless or an Oyster card for trains, buses, and the Tube – no need to buy individual tickets.
- Download the CityMapper app – it’s a lifesaver for planning your route and checking delays.
- If you’re landing late at night or have lots of luggage, a private transfer or taxi can be worth the extra cost for a smooth arrival.
Whether you’re flying into Heathrow or hopping off a budget airline at Luton, there’s a transport option for every traveler. Now all that’s left to do is grab a cuppa, adjust your watch to London time, and get exploring!
