Airports in and around London
Most people think that London Heathrow is the only airport in London, but in fact London City Airport is the most central to the City of London with London Gatwick Airport and Stansted Airport also easily accessible via road or public transport.
Heathrow and Gatwick
At London Heathrow Airport there are five terminals with the 5th only opened in 2008. Each terminal is a separate building so if travelling from terminal to terminal at Heathrow plenty of time should be allowed for transfers and the use of public transport. Almost all the flights from Heathrow are scheduled flights travelling to thousands of different destinations around the world and there is easy road access from the M25 and M4 motorways to this west London airport. The drive from Heathrow to Central London is about 50 minutes without traffic and the Heathrow Express underground service between Paddington and Heathrow Terminals 1,2 3 takes 15 minutes with travel to Terminals 4 and 5 taking 20 minutes.
Gatwick airport is just outside of the M25 to the south of London and situated next to the M23 motorway. Originally a charter flight airport, just as many scheduled flights now depart Gatwick which has two terminals, North and South. The Gatwick Express train runs regularly between London Victoria train station and Gatwick South terminal in a journey time of just 30 minutes. There is a satellite train service that runs between the North and South terminals. The driving time between central London and Gatwick airport is 1 hour without traffic.
London City and Stansted airport
London City Airport is in the East End of London close to Canning Town and the Excel Centre, Canary Wharf and the O2 Stadium. By road the journey from central London is about 35 minutes without traffic with the alternative being the London Underground which connects with the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Known as a business airport, 10 airlines fly from London City Airport to other airports in the UK and Europe.
Stansted Airport is north east of Central London and a drive of about 90 minutes via the M11 motorway without traffic. Trains run from London Liverpool Street station to Stansted Airport regularly in about 45 minutes, although trains and taxis can also be taken to the airport.
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