Tool
London airport selector
London has six commercial airports and they are not interchangeable. The cheapest fare is sometimes into Stansted or Southend, but the total cost including onward train/bus to your final destination is often higher. This tool works out the cheapest airport for your specific arrival plan.
What this solves
Londoners and repeat visitors know that you pick your airport by where you're staying, not by ticket price. Heathrow is the obvious answer if you're in West or Central London; Gatwick is better for the South; Stansted and Southend serve the East and Essex. City Airport is fastest for City of London, Docklands and East London. Luton is awkward for almost everyone except North London and the Midlands. This tool gives you a concrete verdict rather than six paragraphs.
How to read the result
- Best: ranked top-flight match with total time + estimated onward cost.
- Also good: viable, may be slower or pricier but reasonable.
- Avoid: more than 90 minutes by train or double transfer.
- Late-night: most trains stop at 00:30–01:00 — only Heathrow/Gatwick have reliable onward late options.
What it doesn't cover
- Long-stay parking cost.
- Coach (National Express) options — usually slower than rail but cheaper for families.
- Manston / Lydd — extremely niche.
FAQ
Why is Stansted so much further out?
Stansted was opened in 1991 to relieve Heathrow. It sits 35 miles northeast of central London and only really works for East London, Cambridge and East Midlands. From Stansted it's typically 47 minutes on Stansted Express to Liverpool Street.
Which airport is cheapest?
Often Luton, Stansted and Southend have the cheapest published fares — they host low-cost carriers like easyJet and Wizz Air. Add £20–30 onward rail and it can become expensive.
Is Heathrow Express worth £25?
Heathrow Express is 15 min to Paddington. The Elizabeth line takes 36 min for £12.70. If you have lots of luggage, Heathrow Express is worth it. If you don't mind ~25 min longer, the Elizabeth line is 60% cheaper.
When do London airports run out of transport?
Most National Express coaches and the Stansted Express run last services at 23:30–00:30. Luton has night coaches but no night train. After midnight you need a licensed minicab.
Sources
- TfL — Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line timetable and fare tables.
- Gatwick Express / Thameslink — published fares 2024/2025.
- Stansted Express / Greater Anglia — fare tables.
- Luton DART / Thameslink — published fares.