{"id":20307,"date":"2019-07-29T11:02:46","date_gmt":"2019-07-29T15:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=20307"},"modified":"2019-07-29T11:02:46","modified_gmt":"2019-07-29T15:02:46","slug":"london-travel-transportation-airports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/29\/london-travel-transportation-airports\/","title":{"rendered":"London Travel and Transport from Airports to the City"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Don\u2019t forget to plan your transportation for your exciting trip to London! (Photo credit: Beverly Buckley via Pixabay)<\/p><\/div>\n

London<\/strong> is a bustling metropolis through which about 30 million visitors pass per year. Due to its many annual visitors, the city has to accommodate traffic from around the world with six different airports<\/strong> and the popular Eurostar<\/strong> train line through Europe! Don\u2019t let those numbers intimidate you, though\u2014air travel to London is exciting and relatively simple thanks to the city\u2019s comprehensive transportation system.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not sure where to start, we\u2019ve compiled a complete guide to London\u2019s airports and how to get from each airport to the center of the city. Plus, if you book a London furnished apartment<\/a> or vacation rental<\/a> with New York Habitat, you can be confident that you\u2019ll have a place to call home when you arrive in the city. Our licensed agents<\/strong> are available to connect you with your host in the event of any unexpected travel delays or cancellations, and before you even book, we conduct due diligence to ensure that rentals are legal and fit to host.<\/p>\n

Besides being fit to host, the London apartments<\/strong> in our inventory are integrated into the fabric of the city, near public transportation<\/strong> and attractions, and allow you to live like a local in this fabulous city! Ready to jet? Let\u2019s start with London\u2019s most popular airport, and one of the most famous airports in the world!<\/p>\n

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Heathrow Airport\u2019s extensive service to destinations around the world means it\u2019s almost always busy inside! (Photo credit: David Iliff)<\/p><\/div>\n

Heathrow Airport<\/strong> is a major international airport that\u2019s known around the world\u2014in fact, it\u2019s the second-busiest airport in the entire world for international traffic! As you can probably guess, if you\u2019re coming to London from abroad and outside of Europe, it\u2019s likely that you will be flying into Heathrow. The airport is the primary operating hub for British <\/strong>Airways and carries over 80 other airlines that fly to 185 destinations in 84 countries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Heathrow is also relatively convenient to London proper: the airport is only 14 miles west of Central London. Because it\u2019s relatively close, there are a variety of options to transport you from the airport to the city (including the famous London Underground<\/strong>!).<\/p>\n

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The Heathrow Express train is a convenient transportation option that brings travelers from Heathrow to Central London in about 20 minutes.<\/p><\/div>\n

The airport has its very own rail link between Heathrow\u2019s terminals and Paddington Station<\/strong> in the heart of London. This train, the Heathrow Express<\/strong>, is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get between the airport and Central London, as the train only makes three stops: Paddington, Heathrow Central<\/strong> (Terminals 2 and 3), and Heathrow Terminal 5<\/strong>. The express rail transports passengers from the airport to Central London in just 15-20 minutes! Tickets vary in price (advance online bookings can save you money), but are generally \u00a325 during rush hours and \u00a322 during off-peak times.<\/p>\n

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TfL Rail trains are another quick option with plenty of interior space for travelers\u2019 luggage.<\/p><\/div>\n

For travel to West London, TfL Rail<\/strong> from Heathrow may be your best bet. The rail line serves multiple stations in the suburbs of London, as well as making stops in Stratford<\/strong> and Liverpool Street Station<\/strong> in Central London. The train also stops at Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 4 at Heathrow, and journey time between the airport and the city is about 30 minutes. London Oyster Cards<\/strong> are accepted on TfL Rail.<\/p>\n

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Take a ride on the London Underground\u2019s Piccadilly Line for direct transportation to Heathrow Airport!<\/p><\/div>\n

For a true London experience, you can also take the London Underground<\/strong> directly to Heathrow! The Piccadilly Line<\/strong> on the Underground makes three stops at Heathrow Airport: Terminals 1, 2, and 3 (sharing one stop), Terminal 4, and Terminal 5. Though the Underground is a slower option than the express trains from the airport, it\u2019s the cheapest way to travel and makes more stops throughout the city (possibly preventing you from having to make an Underground transfer once you arrive at London\u2019s major train stations!).<\/p>\n

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You can hail a taxi to anywhere in London or Greater London at the terminals of Heathrow Airport.<\/p><\/div>\n

London taxis<\/strong> are also available for hire at taxi stands outside Heathrow\u2019s terminals. Make sure to only accept a ride from an official, licensed cab! While taxis can be a bit more expensive than public transportation (taxis are metered based on the distance of your journey and incur a gratuity for the driver), they can be a good option for people with disabilities, those traveling with a lot of luggage<\/strong>, or those staying in London\u2019s suburbs or other areas that are not as well-connected by public trains.<\/p>\n

Various coach bus services<\/strong> and public buses<\/strong> are also available at Heathrow Central bus station<\/strong> and vary in price and travel time depending on your destination.<\/p>\n

London Gatwick Airport (LGW)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Gatwick Airport is often overshadowed by Heathrow, but is a flexible option for travelers all over Europe and even the United States.<\/p><\/div>\n

Gatwick Airport<\/strong> is London\u2019s second busiest airport, and the ninth-busiest airport in Europe. Its claim to fame as a busy airport in Europe is partially due to the vast number of European cities to which flights from Gatwick connect, though the airport also offers regular stateside service to Orlando International Airport<\/strong> and JFK International Airport in New York City<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to save money on air travel, Gatwick might be a great choice\u2014the airport serves many low-cost airlines<\/strong> (including being a major hub for EasyJet<\/strong>), but is no less easy to access from London! Despite being a bit further away from Central London than Heathrow (29.5 miles, to be exact), the airport is well connected by train<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Gatwick Airport Rail Station is a well-served connection to Central London.<\/p><\/div>\n

Gatwick also has its own train station, Gatwick Airport Rail Station<\/strong>. The station serves several major rail lines that will connect riders with destinations around Southern England, most notably London (particularly to Victoria Station<\/strong> and London Bridge Station<\/strong>). The Gatwick Express departs every 15 minutes at peak times and connects riders with Victoria Station in just about 30 minutes. The rail station is accessible on foot from Gatwick\u2019s South Terminal, but transport is just as easy from the North Terminal. The airport\u2019s Inter-terminal shuttle<\/strong> is a people-mover that connects the two terminals for free!<\/p>\n

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Buses are a smart connection between London and Gatwick, or even Gatwick and another airport like Heathrow!<\/p><\/div>\n

Buses<\/strong> are also easy to catch at Gatwick. Besides offering connections to London, various bus services stop at the airport that will connect you with other airports (including Heathrow and Stansted), as well as cities and towns throughout the region like the popular day-trip destination<\/a> Oxford.<\/p>\n

London Stansted Airport (STN)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Stansted Airport doesn\u2019t offer as many destinations as Heathrow, but is still a popular hub for travelers from Europe and Africa. (Photo credit: Christopher Kern)<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s a bit of a distance from Central London (42 miles to the northeast), but Stansted Airport<\/strong> gives a mighty welcome to travelers from over 200 cities in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Like Gatwick, Stansted is a base for numerous low-cost airlines and also boasts modern facilities as the newest<\/strong> passenger airport in London.<\/p>\n

Like Gatwick and Heathrow, Stansted is well-connected by train. A Stansted Express train ride from Stansted Airport Railway Station<\/strong> will connect you with Liverpool Street<\/strong> in Central London in 50 minutes, as well as numerous other destinations in South England. The rail station is directly below the airport, a short walk from the terminals, and if you need to connect to the terminals from one of the airport\u2019s satellite buildings, transport on the Stansted Airport Transit System<\/strong> people mover is available. Bus service to Stansted is a lower-cost alternative, but will incur a longer travel time than taking the train.<\/p>\n

London Luton Airport (LTN)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Luton Airport Parkway is a convenient connection to St. Pancras Station in London. (Photo credit: mattbuck via Flickr)<\/p><\/div>\n

Luton Airport<\/strong> may be considered the happy medium and a minimal-fuss alternative to more busy airports like Gatwick and Heathrow. The airport mostly serves destinations in Europe, with a few exceptions in North Africa and Asia, and also only has one terminal, making it somewhat easier to navigate. Because it\u2019s smaller, Luton doesn\u2019t have a train station directly on the premises, but it\u2019s still easy to reach. Luton Airport Parkway<\/strong> is served by trains to St. Pancras Station<\/strong> in London. To reach the train station, you\u2019ll have to take a shuttle bus over the 1-mile distance, but fortunately, the bus ride is included with your train ticket! Coach bus service to Luton is also available\u2014be sure to check online for routes and pickup locations.<\/p>\n

London City Airport (LCY)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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London City Airport is a small airport within the city limits of London. (Photo credit: Ewan Munro)<\/p><\/div>\n

City Airport<\/strong> is somewhat of an outlier, not just in London, but among most major cities in the world. The small airport transports passengers directly within city limits, so if you fly here, you\u2019ll land right in London! Because the airport is so close to the heart of the city, it does come with certain restrictions, however. City Airport is mostly popular with holiday<\/strong> travelers to leisure destinations such as Palma de Mallorca and ski resorts in Zurich. The airport also has restrictions on aircraft size, and flights board directly on the tarmac.<\/p>\n

City Airport is about 7 miles east of the City of London<\/a>, and close to Canary Wharf<\/a> to the east. Due to its proximity to London\u2019s two major financial districts, business<\/strong> travelers are also popular arrivals to City Airport. Business travelers looking for corporate accommodations for business trips to London<\/a> can use New York Habitat to find an apartment in City<\/strong> or Canary Wharf<\/strong> to make arrivals to this small airport even easier.<\/p>\n

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City Airport is a direct stop on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) that serves East London. (Photo credit: Ben Brooksbank)<\/p><\/div>\n

City Airport\u2019s unique location puts it right on the route of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR)<\/strong>, so travel through East London and the city\u2019s business districts is a breeze. Travel time between the airport and Bank Station<\/strong> in City is about 20 minutes. The airport is also a stop on London city bus lines 473 and 474 (so you can take a red double-decker bus as your transportation from the airport!).<\/p>\n

London Southend Airport (SEN)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Southend Airport may be small, but it\u2019s one of the top-rated British airports.<\/p><\/div>\n

Like Stansted, Southend Airport<\/strong> is also a bit far from Central London\u201436 miles, to be exact\u2014but makes up for the journey in customer satisfaction. The small, single-terminal airport was voted the best in Britain for 3 years in a row from 2013 to 2015. Of course, this is only of concern to European travelers, as only intracontinental flights land here. However, the airport is occasionally used for diverted flights in the case of unpredicted weather events. Southend Airport railway station<\/strong> connects travelers with Liverpool Street Station in London via rail link, with 3 trains per hour. There are also 2 coach bus services directly to the terminal: First Essex Bus Services and Arriva Bus.<\/p>\n

Convenient accommodations in the heart of London<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This furnished studio in Camden Town is ultra-convenient to St. Pancras Station, a hub for airport trains and the Eurostar! (Rental ID: LN-1170)<\/p><\/div>\n

Travelers to London are fortunate to have a variety of options for their arrival between the city\u2019s six airports and the high-speed Eurostar line between St. Pancras Station in London, Paris, and the South of France<\/a>. Yes, London is well-connected, but that doesn\u2019t undermine the importance of having welcoming accommodations to receive you after a long plane<\/strong> or train<\/strong> journey into the English capital. When you book a furnished apartment<\/strong> or vacation rental<\/strong> with New York Habitat, you can be sure your accommodations will be squared away for your arrival to London!<\/p>\n

The assistance of a licensed agent can help you find an apartment ideally located along your travel route, and keep you updated in the case of any changes upon check-in. All of our apartment listings also conveniently come fully furnished and equipped with kitchens, eliminating the need to worry about bringing extras like linens or cookware that can take up space in a suitcase! If you\u2019re looking for convenient travel, consider synthesizing your London<\/strong> journey with New York Habitat. Start your search for an apartment online<\/a> or submit a request<\/a> for help finding an authentic apartment to welcome you!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

London is a bustling metropolis through which about 30 million visitors pass per year. Due to its many annual visitors, the city has to accommodate…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[34],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20307"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20307"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20307\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20328,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20307\/revisions\/20328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}