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London Airports: How to Get from the Airport to London

Last updated: May 28, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 15 Comments

If you’re visiting London from abroad, the chances are that you’re going to be arriving at one of London’s airports. London has six airports, and a question folks often have is how to get to central London from the airport.

Obviously the answer to this question will vary depending on which London airport you arrive at.

In this post, we’re going to share with you all the transport options that you have for getting into the centre of London from each of London’s six airports.

We’re going to try and cover options for all budgets, and give an indication of cost for each option, although do always check the referenced websites for most up to date pricing and timetable information.

I’ve also not mentioned hire cars in this post as I don’t feel London is best experienced with a car, but if you feel differently, all the airports have car rental counters if you’d prefer to drive.

One other point of clarification on terminology before we get started. In the UK we refer to “coaches” and “buses”.

A “coach” is a large, more comfortable bus used for longer distance transport, normally between cities, that normally has fewer stops. A “bus” usually refers to an inner-city service with many stops.

If you’ve not travelled in London before, you might also find the following useful as references for your visit:

• A guide to public transport in London
• Tips on how to buy and use the Oyster card in London
• Advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London

Now, all you have to do is scroll down to the airport you need information on, or click on each link to go directly to the entry for that airport. As well as tips for getting from each airport to London, we’ve also included some recommended hotel options at each airport for your convenience.

Once you’re done, head to the end of the post for some further reading to help you plan your trip to London.

Table of Contents:

List of London Airports

London has six airports, which are, in order of passenger numbers:

• Heathrow Airport
• Gatwick Airport
• Stansted Airport
• Luton Airport
• London City Airport
• Southend Airport

London Airport Distances from London

London’s airports are geographically diverse, with some located very close to the city, and others quite far out. Here’s a list of all the airports in order of distance from London:

• London City Airport – in London
• Heathrow Airport – 14 miles from London
• Luton Airport – 29 miles from London
• Gatwick Airport – 33 miles from London
• Stansted Airport – 40 miles from London
• Southend Airport – 40 miles from London

Closest Airports to London by Travel Time

Distance of course doesn’t tell the whole story. You will probably be more interested in how long it actually takes to get from each London airport to London.

For this, I will use the fastest travel time in each case. Obviously, London is quite big so travel times will vary depending on your destination. In addition, slower options will also be available which may cost less, see each airport entry for more details.

• Heathrow Airport – 15 minutes by Heathrow Express train to London Paddington
• London City Airport – ~20 minutes to most destinations in London
• Gatwick Airport – 30 minutes by Gatwick Express to London Victoria
• Luton Airport – 35 minutes by train + shuttle bus to London St. Pancras
• London Stansted – 47 minutes by Stansted Express train to London Liverpool Street
• Southend Airport – 55 minutes by train to London Liverpool Street

As you can see, journey times vary quite a lot. The closest airports to London by travel time are Heathrow Airport and London City Airport, although this will depend on where you want to be in the city.

Which Airports Can I Travel to With an Oyster Card?

If you have an Oyster card, you can use it to travel to the following airports:

• Heathrow Airport on the Tube, Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express
• Gatwick Airport on Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink train services
• London City Airport on the DLR

See more on using an Oyster card here , and the best ways to pay for travel in London here .

You can buy a regular Oyster card in person in London, or you can buy a visitor Oyster Card in advance of your visit here.

How to Get from Heathrow Airport to London

London Heathrow is London’s busiest airport, handling half of London’s passengers. It’s situated 14 miles west of the centre of London, and has a variety of options for getting into the city. These are as follows.

1. London Underground (aka Tube) from Heathrow Airport

Our favourite way of getting from Heathrow Airport to central London is to take the Tube, London’s underground train system. It’s also one of the cheapest options. The Piccadilly Line runs from three locations in Heathrow Airport, and services all the major terminals.

The Tube runs right into central London, plus you can change onto the other lines and thus reach pretty much anywhere in London. There is a 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays from Terminals 1,2,3 & Terminal 5. During the week, trains begin departing from around 5.10am (5.50am on Sundays) with the last service at 11.45pm (11.30pm on Sundays).

Cost: A ticket costs £5.60 to zone 1 using Oyster or Contactless.

Journey time: Approximately 50 minutes to central London

Tips: Our suggestion would be to either buy a visitor Oyster card in advance, buy an Oyster card in person at the station, or to use your contactless card. Read our advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London for more information on your options.

2. Bus from Heathrow Airport

The Heathrow Central Bus Station is found between Terminals 2 and 3. The public buses operating from here primarily service areas of outer London rather than central London.

You can of course get to central London by bus during the day, but it will require a number of changes and will take at least a couple of hours, so we would advise the tube is going to be a better option if you want to take public transport.

However, if you arrive into London Heathrow late at night on a weekday, the Tube will not be running. You are not out of luck when it comes to public transport though – there is a night bus from London Heathrow to Trafalgar Square. The N9 departs from Terminal 5 and the Heathrow Central Bus Station (Terminals 2&3).

The N9 is a direct bus service that starts at around 23.35 (11:35PM). You can see the full timetable here – select your stop and day for the correct time. It’s by far the cheapest option for getting into central London for Heathrow.

Cost: A ticket costs £1.75. Journeys cannot be paid in cash; you must have a contactless card or an Oyster card.

Journey time: Just over an hour, depending on which stop you go to.

Tips: Again, our suggestion would be to either buy a visitor Oyster card in advance, buy an Oyster card in person at the station, or to use your contactless card. Read our advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London for more information on your options.

3. Coach from Heathrow Airport

There are a number of coach transfer services (see note on the difference between coaches and buses at the beginning of the post) from London Heathrow to central London. These can be more convenient than the Tube or the bus if you have a lot of luggage that you don’t want to struggle with loading on and off public transport.

Two of the main coach operators from Heathrow are National Express and Megabus . The main route for coach operators terminates at Victoria Coach Station. Coaches start at around 4.15am and run until around 10pm, although check timetables for your dates.

Cost : Tickets start at around £6 per person.

Journey Time: Varies, typically 45 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the route and time of day.

Tips: Coach fares vary based on demand and when you book, so you should always book in advance to guarantee a spot and the lowest price.

4. Train from Heathrow Airport

There are two main train services to central London which operate from Heathrow Airport – Heathrow Express, and the Elizabeth line (formerly TfL Rail). The central train station can be found at terminals 1, 2 and 3, with Terminals 4 & 5 also served by the both the Elizabeth Line and Heathro Express.

The fastest train option, and also the fastest way to central London from Heathrow Airport, is the Heathrow Express. This takes fifteen minutes to get to London Paddington from the airport, and leaves every fifteen minutes from around 5am (6am on Sundays) until just before midnight.

A generally cheaper (and slightly slower) option is the Transport for London (TfL) Elizabeth Line service. This takes 25 minutes to London Paddington. It also continues on to other major destinations in London including Liverpool Street train station, Stratford and Canary Wharf, making it a very convenient option for many central London stops.

Cost: Heathrow Express tickets are £25 peak if booked on the day of travel. You can also use your Oyster card or contactless card on Heathrow Express, and the prices are the same as the off-peak and peak fare. Note these fares to not count towards daily or weekly caps. If you book in advance, prices start as low as £5.50.

Elizabeth Line tickets from Heathrow Airport to Paddington are £12.80 (as of March 2024), and Oyster cards are accepted. Elizabeth line fares also count towards your Oyster card / contactless cap limit, which means further journeys can be more cost effective.

There are a number of websites for booking UK train tickets online. We recommend  The Trainline for train bookings. They also let you book tickets for destinations all across Europe, and so are a handy one stop shop for all your ticket needs. You can also book tickets for the Heathrow Express on the official Visit Britain shop here .

You can see the full price table for Heathrow Express  here .

Journey Time: 15 minutes for Heathrow Express (+ a few minutes from Terminals 4&5), 30 minutes with Elizabeth Line. Heathrow Express terminates at London Paddington train station, Elizabeth Line continues onto multiple stops throughout the city and beyond.

Tips: The Heathrow Express can be a fast and economical option if you book well in advance. Otherwise it’s only ten minutes slower by Elizabeth Line. You can buy your tickets in advance and then collect them at the station from ticket machines to make your life easier. Check prices and book online here .

5. Taxi from Heathrow Airport

A ride in a London black cab is a quintessential part of any trip to London, and this is certainly an easy way to get from the airport and straight to your hotel. This is a great option if you have a lot of luggage, or you are a group of more than two people as it can work our fairly cost effectively.

There are a number of black taxi ranks at Heathrow, you can see a map here .

There are also minicab services operating from London Heathrow. These can be booked on the day from the official taxi desks, or you can compare prices and book in advance here . These will be fixed price trips, which can offer peace of mind.

Uber is another option for an on-demand taxi service, and if you’ve not used them before you can save on your first ride with this link.

Cost: Black cabs are metered, so fares vary depending on factors including traffic and time of day. Expect to pay in the region of £45 – £70. Minicabs will also vary, but you can book in advance for a fixed fare, which will likely start in the region of £45. Uber is usually slightly cheaper than a standard taxi, but will vary depending on distance.

Journey time: Will vary according to traffic, time of day, and your destination in London. Likely 45 – 90 minutes, door to door.

Tips: Always use either a black cab from an official stand, or a reputable minicab booked through an online service or at an official airport desk. Do not use unauthorised drivers who solicit your attention at the airport. We recommend Minicabit for comparing prices and getting a good deal on advance bookings.

6. Airport Transfer from Heathrow Airport

If all of the above sounds like too much effort, worry not. You can book a direct airport transfer from Heathrow Airport to your central London destination.

There are a few different options depending on the size of your group and budget.

One of the lower cost options is this shared transfer option which has you sharing a shuttle service. This is lower cost, but might take a bit longer.

If you don’t want to share the ride or are in a group, this private transfer option works for individuals and groups.

Cost: Current cost of a direct airport transfer starts at around £20 per person for a share option and rises, depending on service.

Tips: This is definitely one of the most hassle-free way of getting to central London from Heathrow Airport, and can work out fairly cost effectively depending on group size and transport option

Where to Stay Near Heathrow Airport

Here are some recommended hotels near Heathrow Airport should you wish to stay overnight. You have two main options – you can stay at the airport itself, or you can stay at one of the hotels reached by shuttle or public bus, usually within 10 minutes of the airport. The latter tend to be a little less expensive.

• Hilton Garden Inn – found on site at Terminals 2&3, this is a great option if you don’t want to worry about shuttle buses. Rooms are all en-suite and there’s an on-site restaurant.
• Aerotel T3 – found on-site at Heathrow Terminal 3, this hotel offers en-suite rooms and a restaurant
• Novotel London Heathrow – found about a 10-minute drive from Heathrow airport, this offers great value comfortable rooms. A shuttle bus is available for a fee, alternatively, you can use London Buses for free as the hotel is within the Heathrow Free Travel Zone

If you are staying at the airport, you might be planning on leaving a car there too. Check out the official Heathrow airport parking website for parking information and prices.

How to Get from Gatwick Airport to London

Gatwick is London’s second busiest airport, and can be found 33 miles south of the city centre. Unlike Heathrow, it is not connected to the Tube network; however, there are still multiple options for getting to London from Gatwick airport.

1. Coach from Gatwick Airport

There are a number of coach services that offer transfers from Gatwick airport to central London. The most popular options are the National Express service and the easyBus service, which operate from both the north and south terminals at Gatwick Airport.

Both services terminate at London Victoria and services run through the night, so you should usually be able to find a coach at any time of night.

Cost: easyBus tickets are available from £2 one-way. National Express tickets are available from £6 one way (£5 + £1 booking fee) if you book 30 days in advance. Flexible tickets that let you get the next available National Express service are £10, available here .

Journey time: It takes around 90 minutes from London Gatwick to London Victoria

Tips: Depending on the ticket you buy, you may be committed to travelling only on the bus you specify. So do leave yourself plenty of time to get through customs and immigration and to collect your luggage. Tickets are cheaper the further in advance you book.

2. Train from Gatwick Airport

Gatwick has one major train station with a number of routes running into central London. The fastest option is the Gatwick Express, which takes 30 minutes to travel non-stop to London Victoria. Trains run every day from 5am to 00.30am, with departures every fifteen minutes.

Two other train operators also run trains from Gatwick – Thameslink and Southern. These are slightly slower and cheaper, but also service different stops.

You can buy tickets at the station or online for all of these services. In addition, all these services accept Oyster cards or contactless cards for payment. For Gatwick Express it is usually cheaper to book online than to use Oyster. For Thameslink and southern services, the Oyster card will usually be the cheapest option.

We recommend  The Trainline for train bookings.

Cost: Gatwick Express single tickets are £19.90 in person at the station, but can sometimes be bought online for a reduced fee. Check the Gatwick Express website for prices, as well as the this train ticketing website . Tickets for Thameslink and Southern start at around £8.10 for a single using an Oyster or contactless card. You can also compare prices and book tickets on all trains from Gatwick including Gatwick Express here .

Journey time: Varies depending on destination, but will be between 30 and 60 minutes for most trips.

Tips: Booking in advance and checking for offers will usually save you money on the Gatwick Express. On Thameslink or Southern, an Oyster card or contactless will usually offer the cheapest prices. You can either buy a visitor Oyster card in advance, buy an Oyster card in person at the station, or use your contactless card. Read our advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London for more information on your options. It’s also really important that you make sure you get on the right train, as tickets are often only valid for the operator you purchase for.

3. Taxi from Gatwick Airport

Gatwick is outside the range of London black taxis, however you can arrange a taxi in advance or at the taxi kiosks in both terminals. You can see the official page here for Gatwick taxis. Alternatively, you might find pre-booking a minicab is a cheaper option – check prices here .

Cost: A taxi through the recommended Gatwick taxi company to central London will cost from £60. Minicabit prices start from around £55.

Journey time: This will vary depending on traffic, time of day and destination, but will generally be 60 – 90 minutes.

Tips: A taxi or minicab for four or five people usually makes reasonable economic sense, plus it will take you directly to your destination.

4. Airport Transfer from Gatwick Airport

As with Heathrow, you can also book a direct airport transfer from Heathrow Airport to your central London destination.

This will be a more expensive option, but is certainly going to be hassle free. We found this option for you to consider.

Cost: Current cost of a direct airport transfer starts at around £100 for a group of three

Tips: This is definitely one of the most hassle free way of getting to central London from Gatwick Airport but is also likely to be a more expensive option.

Where to Stay Near Gatwick Airport

Here are some recommended hotels near Gatwick Airport should you wish to stay overnight. As with Heathrow Airport, you have two options – you can stay at the airport itself, or you can stay at one of the hotels reached by shuttle or public bus, usually within 10 minutes of the airport.

Gatwick actually has quite a few hotel options on site, so we’d suggest one of these would be the easiest option. There are two terminals at Gatwick, so we’d suggest picking a hotel in the terminal you will be using.

• BLOC Hotel – found in the south terminal of London Gatwick, this hotel offers en-suite rooms with king size beds. We’ve stayed here, and whilst the rooms are small, they were very comfortable and the location is excellent.
• YOTELAIR – also in the south terminal, this hotel offers a similar setup to BLOC, with small rooms that feature everything you need. Prices are very reasonable and the location is also perfect.
• Sofitel London Gatwick – this four star hotel is found just a short walk via a covered walkway from Gatwick’s North Terminal. Room’s are all comfortably sized en-suite, with soundproofing. There are three on-site restaurants and two bars to choose from.
• Premier Inn London Gatwick – this three star hotel offers excellent value accommodation a minute’s walk from the North Terminal entrance. Rooms are en-suite and there’s an on-site restaurant.
• Hilton London Gatwick – a four star Hilton just a few minutes walk from the North Terminal. We’ve stayed here, and rooms were comfortable. The on-site restaurants were also appreciated.

How to Get from Stansted Airport to London

If you’re flying with a low-cost carrier within Europe, chances are that you will arrive at London Stansted. This is London’s third biggest airport, and is found 40 miles north of London.

1. Train from Stansted Airport

There are two main train options for journeying from Stansted airport to central London. The first is the Stansted Express , a high speed train service which takes 45 minutes to London Liverpool Street and runs approximately every fifteen minutes. Times vary depending on the day of week, but usually start from 4.10am – 4.40am, and run until 23.25 – 00.30pm.

This service is operated by Greater Anglia, and goes via Tottenham Hale, where you can change for trains to Stratford.

Note that Stansted Airport is outside of the Oyster card system, so even if you have an Oyster card you will still need to purchase a train ticket.

Journey time: 47 minutes to London Liverpool Street

Cost : A standard Stansted Express ticket costs from £19 depending on destination, however, you can save by booking in advance, with tickets available from £9.70. Group discounts are also available. See this website for tickets and fares.

2. Coach from Stansted Airport

There are three major coach operators servicing Stansted airport, with services available 24 hours a day. The operators are National Express , Terravision and easyBus . Services run to London Victoria, with stops along the way including Liverpool Street and Stratford.

Cost: easyBus has tickets starting at £2 if booked in advance. National Express has tickets at £6 (£5 +£1 booking fee).  Terravision has buses for £9 to London Liverpool Street and £10 to London Victoria.

Journey time: varies depending on route, time of day and destination, but generally 50 – 90 minutes.

Tips: Definitely book in advance to get the best price.

3. Taxi from Stansted Airport

There are no taxi ranks at Stansted Airport, so the only option is to book a car, either in advance through a minicab booking service like minicabit , or on arrival at the taxi kiosk in the terminal. Rates will be set in advance.

Cost : Prices will vary depending on destination, but the cost will likely be £70 – £100 plus.

Journey time : It’s around a 1 hour drive from Stansted to central London

Tips: Skip the queues and get the best prices by booking online, we recommend minicabit .

Where to Stay Near Stansted Airport

Here are some recommended hotels near Stansted Airport should you wish to stay overnight. There are a couple of recommended options a couple of minutes walk from the hotel terminal, and a couple of options where you will need to take a shuttle.

• Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted – two minutes walk from Stansted Airport terminal, this well-located 4* hotel offers comfortable en-suite rooms. There are also three restaurants on site.
• Hampton by Hilton – just a few minutes walk from the terminal building, this 3* hotel offers great value comfortable en-suite rooms, as well as a bar.
• Premier Inn London Stansted Airport – a 10 minute (paid) shuttle ride from Stansted Airport, this budget 3* hotel offers comfortable en-suite rooms with desks and tea/coffee facilities. There’s also an on-site restaurant.
• Holiday Inn Express London Stansted – 5 minutes (paid) shuttle ride from Stansted Airport, this is a great value 3* hotel. En-suite rooms include work desks and tea/coffee making facilities. There’s also a restaurant on site serving breakfast and dinner.

How to Get from Luton Airport to London

Another popular airport for low-cost airlines (easyJet are headquartered here), London Luton airport is 29 miles north west of London. There are a number of options for getting from Luton Airport to central London.

1. Train from Luton Airport

Two companies operate trains between London Luton and central London – Thameslink and East Midlands Trains.

The primary port of call for these trains is London St. Pancras International, which gives you access to the Tube network, as well as buses and taxis at St. Pancras. Trains run throughout the night, although there are no trains between 1am and 3am.

The train station is called Luton Airport Parkway. However, you will want to get a ticket to “Luton Airport”, as then the 10 minute shuttle from the train station to the airport is included in the fare. From Luton Airport Parkway there is a cash-only fee payable for the shuttle transfer, which is £2.10 at time of writing.

Luton Airport is outside the Oyster card zone so you must purchase a ticket prior to travel even if you have an Oyster card.

Cost : Train fares start at around £13 one way for an off-peak journey.

Journey time: 10 minute shuttle ride, then around 25 minutes to St. Pancras

Tips : As with all train journeys, the best prices usually come when booking in advance. Check prices and book online here .

2. Coach from Luton Airport

There are three coach operators with service between Luton airport and central London. They are National Express , easyBus, and Green Line .

Services operate through the night to a variety of destinations in London including to Finchley Road, Baker Street, Marble Arch, and Victoria.

Cost: easyBus has tickets starting at £2 if booked in advance. National Express has tickets at £6 (£5 +£1 booking fee). Green Line tickets start at £11.

Journey Time: Depends on time of day and destination, but typically 60 – 90 minutes. Note the Green Line is the slowest service and is not direct.

Tips: Book in advance to get the best price.

3. Taxi from Luton Airport

As Luton airport is outside the London black taxi area, only pre-booked vehicles are available. You can book a taxi either in advance before arrival with Addison Lee , or on site when you arrive at the Addison Lee desk.

You can also use minicabit to compare prices for minicabs – check prices here .

Cost: Around £100 with Addison Lee, depending on destination. Minicabit prices start around £65.

Journey time: Approximately an hour into central London by car

Tips: Pre-booking with a private mini cab firm will usually be the cheaper option.

Where to Stay Near Luton Airport

Here are some recommended hotels near Luton Airport should you wish to stay overnight. There are no hotels within the terminal buildings, however, the closest hotel is only a 10 minute walk from the terminal building, or a short shuttle ride.

Some of the hotels offer free shuttles, whilst others charge a small fee. You can see the shuttle timetables and prices here .

• Holiday Inn Express London Luton Airport – found just 10 minutes walk from Luton Airport, or a short free shuttle ride, this is the closest hotel to Luton Airport. Rooms are all en-suite with work desks and there’s an on-site restaurant and bar.
• Holiday Inn London Luton Airport – another minute or so walk past the previous hotel,  this is another great value option. Rooms feature tea/coffee facilities, en-suite, and there’s an on-site restaurant and bar.
• ibis London Luton Airport – this budget oriented hotel is just a little past the previous two hotels, and also accessible via a shuttle bus for a small fee. Rooms are small but have everything you need. Breakfast is available and there is a cafe, but no full service restaurant.

How to Get from London City Airport to London

London City Airport is the closest airport to London. It is in fact inside the city, in London’s docklands. It is only capable of handling smaller aircraft due to its location, however a lot of UK and European flights do come here, and it is popular with business travellers. Being so central, it’s easy to get to the rest of London.

1. DLR from London City Airport

The DLR, or Docklands Light Railway, is an automated light metro system which serves the docklands area of London. It connects to both rail and Tube stops in London, and is the easiest way to get to London from London City Airport.

Services run from around 5.30am until midnight.

Cost: It’s currently £3.30 with an Oyster card or contactless card to travel from the London City Airport DLR station to Zone 1 in London, which is where most travellers will be heading.

Journey time: Depends on where you are going in London, most journeys will likely be between 15 minutes and an hour.

Tips: Definitely use an Oyster card or contactless payment card for this journey. You can either buy a Visitor Oyster card in advance, buy an Oyster card in person at the station, or use your contactless card. Read our advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London for more information on your options.

2. Bus from London City Airport

Two London bus routes service London City Airport – the 473 and 474. Neither of these go directly to central London, so you will have to change buses depending on your destination. The bus is definitely the cheapest option, but might not be the most convenient from London City Airport depending on your destination.

Cost: A ticket costs £1.50. Journeys cannot be paid in cash, you must have a contactless card or an Oyster card.

Journey time: will depend entirely on your destination, time of day and traffic.

Tips: Our suggestion would be to either buy a Visitor Oyster card in advance, buy an Oyster card in person at the station, or to use your contactless card. Read our advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London for more information on your options.

3. Taxi from London City Airport

There is a black cab rank outside London City Airport, where you can catch a black cab anywhere inside London which will be on a metered fare. You can also prebook a minicab with minicabit .

Cost: Prices will vary depending on destination, but expect to pay £35 – £45 to get to central London with a black cab, and roughly the same with a minicab.

Journey time: Depends on time of day and destination, but 20 – 40 minutes in most cases.

Tips: Prebooking a service will give peace of mind at busier times of day, but there are usually plenty of black cabs available in London.

Where to Stay Near London City Airport

One of the main benefits of flying into London City Airport is that it brings you right into London, with good transport links across the city. As a result, there’s less need to stay at an airport hotel, as there are a great many hotels across London to choose from!

However, if you have an early morning flight or arrive late in the evening, you might appreciate a hotel closer to the airport, so we recommend the following options:

• London City Airport Hotel – just 3 minutes walk from London City Airport, this is definitely the most convenient hotel for London City Airport. Rooms are comfortable with en-suite facilities, work desk and tea/coffee making facilities. Definitely the best option if proximity to the airport is key.
• Holiday Inn Express London ExCel – this hotel is a few minutes walk from the London ExCel centre, which is handy if you are visiting for a show at this large exhibition centre. It’s around a six minute taxi ride, or 22 minutes on the DLR from the airport. The hotel offers en-suite rooms with breakfast included, as well as a restaurant and bar.
• Hampton By Hilton London Docklands – a similar distance from the airport as the Holiday Inn Express, this 3* hotel offers good value en-suite rooms which include tea/coffee making facilities. Breakfast is included and there’s a restaurant on site.

How to Get from London Southend Airport to London

Located 40 miles east of London, Southend airport is the least busy of London’s six major airport. However, the airport has undergone expansions, and is used by a number of airlines which service primarily European destinations. It has fewer transport options than the other airports.

1. Train from London Southend Airport

Up to eight trains an hour operated by Greater Anglia connect London Southend airport with London’s Liverpool Street station, and the train station is on site at the airport, so easy to find. Trains run from 4.05am until 11pm.

Cost: Prices start at £12.10 to Stratford, and £15.10 to London Liverpool Street.

Journey time: 45 minutes to Stratford, 55 minutes to London Liverpool Street

Tips: None really, the train is an easy way to get from Southend airport to central London, and our recommended option.

2. Taxi from London Southend Airport

Being outside London’s black taxi area means you’ll need to book a private hire car or minicab. The official taxi firm for Luton Airport is Addison Lee . You can also pre-book a minicab with minicabit.

Cost: Approximately £100 into central London. It is also possible to split the taxi with other people for a fixed fare of £100 to London Liverpool Street. Minicabit prices start from around £62 into central London.

Journey time : Depends on time of day and destination, but likely 60 – 110 minutes.

Tips: We’d suggest the train if possible. For a group booking, a taxi might be cheaper if booked in advance.

Where to Stay Near London Southend Airport

There’s one hotel on site at London Southend Airport, which is the hotel we’d recommend if you are wanting to spend the night near the airport.

The airport is not far from Southend itself, and there are also many hotels to choose from in the city if you would prefer some other options.

• Holiday Inn Southend – this airport in on-site at the airport, and is the closest hotel to Southend Airport. It’s also just a 10 minute walk from Southend Airport Railway Station. Rooms are all en-suite, and feature tea/coffee making facilities.
• Southend Airport Bed and Breakfast – if you’re looking for a budget B&B near the airport, this is a very well rated option. Rooms feature shared bathrooms, free continental breakfast, and it’s less than a kilometre to the airport.

Further Reading for your visit to London

And that’s it for our advice on getting to central London from all of London’s airports. Before you go, here are some resources you might find useful for planning the rest of your trip.

• To help you plan your time in London effectively, check out our itineraries for 1 Day in London , 2 Days in London , 3 Days in London and 6 Days in London
• We have a complete guide to all our favourite hotels in London , with over 60 recommendations across all the main areas in London we recommend.
• A full review of the London Pass which can help you figure out if the pass would help you save you money on your trip to London.
• A guide to public transport in London , tips on how to buy and use the Oyster card in London , plus advice on the best way to pay for public transport in London .
• We have detailed guides to visiting the Tower of London and the London Eye which includes information on planning your visit and how to save money on these popular attractions
• Tips on finding the best Photography Locations in London that I put together
• For the Harry Potter fans amongst you, take a look at our guide to the key Harry Potter filming locations in London
• Our guide to 8 Things to Do in Kensington , London, in case you wanted to focus more on a specific region of the city
• Our experience taking a full day walking tour of London , in case you like the idea of a fully guided day
• We have a complete guide to the best food tours in London , which also details all the food and drink you might consider trying when in the capital
• If you are interested in day trips from London, we have posts on a Stonehenge, Bath & Cotswolds day trip , and tips on planning a Oxford day trip.
• Travelling on from London and looking to visit Edinburgh? Check out our guide to getting from London to Edinburgh . You can even take a private jet !
• How about heading to Paris from London? We have a detailed guide to the best way to get from London to Paris to help you plan
• The Eyewitness Travel Guide to London , which has all sorts of information within, including more itineraries and ideas for your trip
• Rick Steve’s London  guide, the #1 bestseller on Amazon for UK travel guides, and always an excellent source of relevant information

And that’s it! We hope you found our post useful for your visit to London. If you have any questions – let us know in the comments below!

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There are 15 comments on this post

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30th September 2023 at 7:32 am

Of course my flight into Heathrow Terminal 4 has to be on a day of a strike. I have to get to Park Plaza Riverbank London and am thoroughly confused. I don’t want to spend the earth and as it’s so close to my visit 4th Oct. I haven’t the option of staying at an airport hotel. Even if the strike doesn’t go ahead I’m still quite confused. I understand the nearest station? Metro? Underground? and bus/coach depot is Vauxhall. Can you help please?

Laurence Norah says

1st October 2023 at 8:57 am

First of all let me say that I entirely sympathise, I recently had a similar issue arriving into Gatwick on a rail strike day, which made onward travel planning much more complicated!

Heathrow is thankfully a little easier as it is better connected by more means of transport. If you are arriving on the 4th October, then there are tube strikes, however buses and the Elizabeth line will be running.

So your best option is going to be to take the Elizabeth line into central London, and then take a bus to your hotel. So for example, you can take the Elizabeth line to Paddington train station, and from there you can take a bus such as the 344.

Alternatively, once you arrive at Paddington you could take a taxi or Uber to your hotel.

I hope this helps! If I’ve got your date wrong let me know 🙂

Safe travels!

1st October 2023 at 9:10 am

Thank you for finding this info for me Laurence. I’m likely to be thoroughly lost, not a good way to start a trip but I’m sure once I actually arrive I’ll be spellbound!! Yep date is correct. regards. Carol

1st October 2023 at 9:22 am

No worries. So Google Maps has pretty good public transport routing which is normally kept up to date with strikes. You do need data to use it, but Heathrow and Paddington both have free WiFi so you can get connected and plan your route in real time if you don’t have cellular data.

Enjoy your time in London 🙂

Lorena says

24th March 2023 at 5:02 pm

Hello there! Thank you so much for your research! I am traveling to London with an 11-year-old. I was planning to use contactless for my travel fees, but I thought it would be convenient if my daughter had her own card. I have missed the window to order her an oyster card before our trip. Your blog said it was possible to buy an oyster card in London? Do you know the locations? The TFL website was vague about this; they made it seem like oyster cards had to be purchased in advance. Also, can she have a discounted youth oyster card without me also having an oyster card? We will be traveling together, but I prefer not to have a prepaid card. I welcome other suggestions for how best to travel with her. Thanks again!

24th March 2023 at 6:32 pm

You can definitely easily buy Oyster cards in person in London, pretty much all the tube stations have Oyster card vending machines and you can also normally get them at TfL ticket counters including at Gatwick and Heathrow airports. For the Young Visitors discount (well worth getting) I don’t believe you need an Oyster card as well, they should be able to load it onto her card. You just need to go to a ticket desk and ask them to add it for you.

Have a great time and let me know if you have any more questions!

Ashlee says

17th April 2022 at 9:44 am

Hi! Very helpful post 🙂 I’m visiting London in June for 7 days and was considering purchasing a 7 day Travelcard for the unlimited travel instead of paying per trip with the Oyster card. I noticed the travelcard doesn’t include the airport transport if you get Zone 1-2, so would you recommend paying for the train/tube with contactless then using the Travelcard after that? Or would it be cheaper to just use the Oyster card/contactless the whole time? It can be very confusing trying to work this out so your expertise would be much appreciated!

17th April 2022 at 10:19 am

Thanks Ashlee!

So you are correct, Heathrow is in Zone 6, so the 1-2 zone travelcard wouldn’t cover that. A 7 day travelcard which covers zones 1-6 would be £70.30, compared to £38.40 for one that covers Zones 1-2.

A single fare on Oyster or Contactless would be £5.50 peak (6.30am – 9.30am), and £3.50 the rest of the time.

You can use either Oyster or Contactless to pay for the fare. If are ok to charge up the Oyster card with the fare then I would do that, it won’t affect your Travelcard which will only apply to journeys in zones 1 & 2.

I hope this answers your question, but let me know if it’s still not clear! I appreciate it can be rather a confusing system 🙂

Cynthia Koomas says

7th March 2022 at 11:12 pm

Your site is wonderful and full of useful information. I’m really enjoying reading it and taking notes for our upcoming visit from Montreal. What I didn’t see was the transportation options from London or the airports to Southampton to board a cruise. Can you make any suggestions which are easy, rapid and within budget. Thanks

8th March 2022 at 11:01 am

Hi Cynthia,

Thanks very much! So this article is primarily focused on getting into central London from the various airports, rather than other destinations in the UK. For Southampton though it’s quite easy, I’d say the best option would be to take a train. There are direct trains from London Waterloo station which take just over an hour, and that would be my recommended option. There are also direct trains from London Gatwick Airport. So it will depend a bit on where you plan to come from, but it is definitely an easy route to do. Have a great time in London and an awesome cruise!

Shirley says

23rd January 2020 at 5:22 pm

Hello . . . Thanks for sharing London’s tips & advice. My aunt is 82, one of her bucket list is London. Do u know the city is Handicap friendly? I like to bring a folderable wheelchair? Or, Do you have any senior activities I should add to my planner for March 2020? Many Thanks! Shirley

25th January 2020 at 4:04 pm

Hi Shirley,

For the most part London is very accessible, with the majority of attractions and museums being accessible. In terms of transport, all the public buses are accessible. The only area I would advise caution is the underground or metro, as this is an old network and there are not that many step free underground stations, particularly in central London. Installing elevators into 100 year old stations has proven to be a bit of an engineering challenge! There’s some good information on the TfL website about accessibility across the London transport network here: https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/

Have a great trip and let me know if you have any more questions 🙂

David Lloyd says

24th May 2018 at 9:39 pm

That was quick. Many thanks.

David Llolyd says

24th May 2018 at 5:23 pm

I like your comprehensive descriptons of travel from London’s airports into town. I am sure you have noted that TFL is now operating a train service from Heathrow to Paddington which sounds good and avoids the costly Heathrow Express. It would be very helpful f you would add this to your list.

24th May 2018 at 9:05 pm

Thanks very much David – I hadn’t seen that the TfL Rail service had launched to replace Heathrow Connect. I’ve updated the post accordingly – much appreciated!

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The best ways to get from Heathrow Airport into London

Editor's Note

After a long flight, you just want to get from the airport to your hotel in the easiest (and, ideally, the most cost-effective) way possible.

With an airport as vast as London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) — the biggest and busiest flight hub in the United Kingdom — achieving that goal can seem daunting even though it's only 16 miles from central London.

There are several options for getting from Heathrow to the city center, depending on your flexibility, the amount of luggage you're carrying, your budget or your time constraints. You can choose between taxis, the Tube, Uber, dedicated train services and even the bus.

Here are the best options for traveling from Heathrow to London — along with how long they take and other pros and cons — so that you can start your trip off on the right foot.

London Underground (aka the Tube)

Heathrow is on the London Underground's Piccadilly line. To spot it, simply look out for the dark blue line on any Tube map.

The popular service — run by the Transport for London (or the TfL for short) — connects the airport to plenty of central city locations. Often, you won't even need to transfer once you've made it to the city center.

If you're looking for the cheapest option to get you from Heathrow into the city, this is likely it. However, it may not be the most comfortable if you are carrying lots of luggage or traveling during peak commuter hours — especially during summer.

Depart from : Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5; the latter two have Underground stations in Zone 6.

Possible destinations : The Piccadilly line directly serves Hammersmith, Gloucester Road, South Kensington, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Holborn and King's Cross St. Pancras, among other stops. The first and last stops on the line are Uxbridge (Zone 6) and Wood Green (Zone 3).

When does it run? Typically, you can expect Tubes to run from all terminals from around 5 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.; nighttime services from stations in Terminals 2, 3 and 5 run on Fridays and Saturdays. You can check the timetable from all stations here .

Transit time : This will obviously vary depending on your final destination. As a guide, it takes approximately 50 minutes to reach Piccadilly Circus from Heathrow's Terminal 5 or an hour to reach King's Cross St. Pancras.

Estimated cost : Single journeys from Heathrow to destinations in Zone 1 (such as Piccadilly and King's Cross) cost 5.60 British pounds ($7.09) if you pay contactless or with an Oyster card. Buying a ticket to central London at a machine will cost around 6.70 pounds (about $8.29) per person. Children under 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

If you're going outside of Zone 1 (such as to Hammersmith, in Zone 2), then you're looking at a smaller fare of 2.10 pounds (around $2.60) during peak times and 3.40 pounds (around $4.21) at off-peak times.

Paying for your trip : You can pay as you pass through the gates or by buying a ticket. The most convenient method is to use your contactless payment card by touching it on the yellow card readers found at Tube entrances and some platforms.

Note: The card readers aren't always connected to gates and are sometimes free-standing. Keep an eye out for them. If you don't tap in and out at the start and end of your journey, you'll get charged for traveling through Zones 1 to 9.

You can also tap in using a prepaid Oyster card, which is available to buy at all Tube and Overground stations, plus most Elizabeth Line stations, for 7 pounds (about $8.69); they're also available at some newsstands and visitor centers throughout London.

After purchasing an Oyster card, you can add money to the card using the ticket machines found inside Underground stations. You can then purchase daily or weekly travel cards covering various zones.

Alternatively, you can buy paper tickets from the ticket machines at each Tube, Overground and Docklands Light Railway station. One-way, return, daily and weekly travel cards are available.

Some stations also have staffed kiosks instead of ticket machines; you can ask for advice here on the best tickets to buy or routes to take.

Related: The best lounges at London Heathrow — and how to get inside

Elizabeth Line

A relatively recent addition to the TfL network, the Elizabeth Line opened in 2022. It is one of the fastest and cheapest options for traveling into central London from Heathrow Airport.

While not as cheap as the Tube, the Elizabeth Line trains are newer, roomier, air-conditioned and equipped with Wi-Fi. It's not quite as fast as the Heathrow Express (more details below), but it is more affordable.

Depart from : Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 railway stations.

Possible destinations : The Elizabeth Line travels direct from Heathrow to Abbey Wood, serving Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf. You can see the full map on TfL's website .

There are no direct services between Canary Wharf and Terminal 5 except for some early morning and late evening services; instead, you must go via Paddington or transfer at Terminal 4. Trains arriving at Heathrow from Canary end at Terminal 4.

When does it run? Times vary by terminal and whether you're traveling during a weekday or weekend. Typically, the first trains leave between 5:15 and 6:05 a.m., and the last trains leave the airport between 11:46 p.m. and 12:13 a.m. Depending on your destination or starting point, you may find trains start slightly earlier or run marginally later. Find specific timing here .

Transit time : It depends on where you're headed. As a guide, Terminal 5 station to Paddington takes around 35 minutes, while traveling from stations in Terminal 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street takes about 45 minutes.

Estimated cost : Heathrow claims journeys to or from the airport that start or end in Zone 1 cost up to 12.80 pounds ($15.83) per person. However, if you use contactless payment or Oyster, TfL's single fare finder shows a single journey from Terminal 5 to Paddington on the Elizabeth Line costs 12.20 pounds ($15.44).

A journey from stations in Terminals 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street costs 13.30 pounds ($16.45). These prices only apply to contactless payments or Oyster payments. Buying a paper ticket via station ticket machines costs a small amount more — as discovered by TPG recently when we paid 14.30 pounds for an off-peak ticket from Liverpool Street to Heathrow via the Elizabeth Line.

Generally speaking, while savings are only minor, it's better to pay by contactless or Oyster card. Children under the age of 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

Heathrow Express

The direct train, Heathrow Express, is the fastest option to get from Heathrow to Paddington. The trains are relatively modern and, despite the short distance between its sole stop, they also have luggage racks and plugs for charging phones — handy if you're boarding after a long journey.

For onward journeys, Paddington is well connected to multiple Tube lines. Do note, however, that the Heathrow Express is more expensive than all other rail options.

Depart from : Terminals 2 and 3 station and Terminal 5 railway station; you'll need to take a free connecting shuttle to the station if you land in Terminal 4.

Possible destinations : Paddington station; for an extra cost, you can add connecting Tube travel.

When does it run? It typically operates from around 5 a.m. until midnight. Trains run every 15 minutes. See the full Heathrow Express timetable here .

Transit time : It takes 15 minutes to get to Paddington from Terminals 2 and 3 or 20 minutes from Terminal 5.

Estimated cost : A single Heathrow Express journey from Paddington to Heathrow usually costs 25 pounds ($31.65) per person, but you can sometimes pay less if you book in advance. If you're from Great Britain and have a National Railcard, you could pay as little as 16.50 pounds ($20.89).

Alternatively, you can sometimes find discounts online by searching for Heathrow Express vouchers or coupon codes.

The trains also have Business First Class carriages that start around 32 pounds ($40.51) for a single journey. This may not seem worth it given the short distance and travel time. However, Heathrow Express Business First Class ticket holders are also eligible to use Heathrow Airport's fast-track security service — it may be worth it if you're in a rush.

While the Heathrow Express is more expensive than other options, it can sometimes be a good deal for families; children under 15 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

If you are returning to the airport within one month of your ticket, an anytime ticket is cheaper overall than booking two single journeys, which start at 32 pounds ($40.51).

Frequent travelers can also save by buying carnets — starting at six tickets for 109.80 pounds ($138.99) for standard class or 160 pounds ($202.54) for Business First class.

If public transport isn't your thing or you need to travel between Heathrow and central London when other transport isn't running, you can easily book Uber rides. Naturally, this will cost more than a Tube or train ride.

Depart from : Short-stay parking lot in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5; the app will tell you where to go once you've requested a ride and your driver is confirmed, depending on the terminal you're in.

You can typically find Uber pickup spots in the following locations:

• Terminal 2: Level 4, Row H (Short Stay Car Park 2)
• Terminal 3: Level 3, Row A (Short Stay Car Park 3)
• Terminal 4: Level 1, Private Hire Pickup
• Terminal 5: Level 1, Row R (Short Stay Car Park 5)

Possible destinations : You can use Uber to go wherever you like.

When does it run? In theory, you can get an Uber at any hour, but be wary of long waits during peak times.

Transit time : It varies depending on traffic, destination and other factors. (Pay attention to rush hour and commuting times.) As a rough guide, it typically takes approximately 50 minutes to reach Paddington by car or one hour to reach Piccadilly Circus from Terminal 5 (on a good day).

Note that despite its convenience, Uber isn't necessarily the quickest way to reach Heathrow from most locations.

Estimated cost : The cost of an Uber depends on traffic, your destination and other factors. As an example, it can cost 59 British pounds ($74.69) from Terminal 5 to Paddington or 63 British pounds ($79.75) to Piccadilly Circus for UberX rides, excluding tips.

Do note that groups of four or more with more than small suitcases will need to order either a larger car or multiple cars. Expect to pay more for an Uber Lux or Comfort journey.

Related: Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you

Taxis (including black cabs, WeKnow and Addison Lee)

Beyond Uber, there are plenty of other taxi services in London. Options include hailing an iconic London black cab, prebooking an electric car from Heathrow's private hire transfer service WeKnow or arranging a pickup from a company such as Addison Lee.

The latter two options provide a meet-and-greet service to help get you and your luggage straight into the car.

If booking with Addison Lee, you'll be required to share your flight number at booking so the driver can adjust your ride in case of a delay.

Again, this mode of transport will be more expensive than using public transport.

Depart from : The relevant taxi rank outside Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 for a black cab; other services will specify the pickup location when you book, or the driver will meet you at the terminal.

Possible destinations : You can use this option to go wherever you'd like.

When does it run? In theory, you should be able to arrange a taxi or car transfer anytime.

Transit time : As with Uber, it varies depending on traffic, destination and other factors. Terminal 5 to Paddington will typically take around 50 minutes while heading to Picadilly Circus will usually take roughly one hour.

Estimated cost : Prices vary depending on the taxi service you opt for and traffic. Some estimates are below.

• Black cab : The meter starts when your ride begins. TfL — which manages London's black cabs — says trips from Heathrow to central London cost between 52 pounds ($65.83) and 97 pounds ($122.79). More information about black cabs is available here .
• WeKnow : Prices are fixed, so you'll know what you're paying when you book. Terminal 5 to Paddington or Piccadilly Circus typically costs 70 pounds ($88.61) to 94 pounds (around $118.99), depending on the car booked. A meet-and-greet service costs 9.99 pounds (about $12.65) extra. Book here .
• Addison Lee : Like WeKnow, prices for Addison Lee rides are fixed. A sample Terminal 5 to Paddington journey (leaving ASAP) was quoted online as 94.32 pounds ($119.40) or up to 122 pounds ($154.44), depending on the car size needed. The meet-and-greet is included in both prices. For an exact quote, visit Addison Lee's website and input your flight number and journey details.

Coach (including National Express and Megabus)

From Heathrow, National Express and Megabus coaches can drop you off at Victoria Coach station. They're usually inexpensive and often have Wi-Fi and power outlets. They can also carry your luggage in the hold. Here's where you can find Megabus luggage allowances and National Express luggage allowances .

While cheap, buses are not the quickest way to reach central London, as times fluctuate considerably depending on traffic, time of day and other factors.

Depart from : Heathrow's Central Bus Station between Terminals 2 and 3 is the quickest departure point for both National Express and Megabus coaches. From Terminal 4, you'll need to take the free shuttle to the bus station. You can also board a coach from Terminal 5 (look for arrivals level stops 13, 14 and 15 for the Megabus).

Possible destinations : You can use these modes of transportation to reach Victoria Coach station, which is a short five-minute walk from the Victoria Line at Victoria station. This line stops at Green Park, Oxford Circus, Warren Street and King's Cross.

When does it run? National Express coaches run throughout the day, with a service gap between 1 and 3:45 a.m. You can check times and prices here . For Megabus times, head here .

Transit time : From Terminals 2 and 3, National Express coaches take between 55 minutes and one hour and 20 minutes to reach Victoria Coach station. Megabus takes between 45 and 55 minutes for the same journey.

From Terminal 5, National Express coaches can take anywhere from one hour and 20 minutes to one hour and 35 minutes.

Estimated cost : National Express coach rides start from 6 pounds ($7.60) per person. For Megabus coaches, a single journey starts from 8 pounds ($10.13).

Other travel options

The 285 bus from Heathrow's Central Bus Station (serving Terminals 2 and 3) will take you to Feltham train station — it's 16 stops away. From there, you can take a 30- or 45-minute train to Waterloo via Clapham Junction.

London bus hopper fares cost 1.75 British pounds ($2.22), and train tickets start from 8.60 pounds ($10.89) per person. The hopper fares allow you to take unlimited journeys from one hour of tapping in.

This is probably the cheapest option from Heathrow to central London, but it is a long-winded option.

There are several local bus routes from the airport for those traveling somewhere in Greater London rather than central London. View them here .

Bottom line

The best route from Heathrow to central London depends on your budget, the amount of luggage you're traveling with and the amount of time and hassle you are willing to put up with.

The Elizabeth Line and Tube are our top picks to avoid street traffic and save money. If speed is your primary concern, then consider the Heathrow Express.

Need to get away from dragging luggage around or just want the absolutely simplest path from point A to point B? Consider an Uber or taxi.

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The Ultimate Guide to London Airports

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Travelers considering a trip to London have no shortage of airports to choose from. These range from London-Heathrow (LHR) airport — one of the busiest airports in the world — to London-Southend, which served fewer than 90,000 passengers in 2022.

All of these London airports can be confusing. Let's break down what you need to know about the airports in London, how to get from these airports to the city center, and which is best for your trip.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Major airports in London

In 2022, four of the airports in London served more than 10 million passengers: London-Heathrow, London-Gatwick, London-Stansted and London-Luton. While much smaller than the others, London-City is also worth mentioning as it's perhaps the most convenient London airport.

London-Heathrow

London-Heathrow is one of the busiest and most well-connected airports in the world, easily making it the main London airport.

As of July 2023, a whopping 81 airlines operate flights from London-Heathrow to 218 destinations across 86 countries.

A vast majority of those destinations are served by British Airways , followed by Virgin Atlantic . American Airlines (with 11 routes) and United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Aer Lingus (all with eight routes) round out the top six airlines currently operating from London-Heathrow.

Despite being the main London airport, London-Heathrow is located pretty far west of the center of London. As the crow flies, the airport is only around 13 direct miles from Trafalgar Square. However, whether you take a taxi or the train from Heathrow to central London, it takes at least 40 minutes — and often over an hour.

Travelers have three options to get from Heathrow to central London by train: the Underground (also known as the "Tube"), the Elizabeth Line and the Heathrow Express.

Of the three options, the London Underground Piccadilly Line is the most cost-effective, with fares starting around $7 (5.50 pounds) for the 50-minute journey. For a slightly faster travel time, take the Elizabeth line into central London for around $16 (12.80 pounds) each way.

If time is of the essence, take the Heathrow Express. You'll zip between the London-Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 station and London Paddington in just 15 minutes.

If you buy your ticket at the last minute, you'll pay as much as $32 (25 pounds) each way. However, you can pay as little as $7 (5.50 pounds) each way by booking your tickets far in advance.

London-Gatwick

London-Gatwick is the second-largest airport in both London and the U.K. Despite often being overshadowed by London-Heathrow, London-Gatwick is also one of the top 10 busiest international airports in the world.

During July 2023, 47 airlines connected London-Gatwick with a combined 193 destinations in 60 countries.

British Airways is a major airline at London-Gatwick, operating 60 routes during July 2023. However, low-cost airlines generally dominate this airport. EasyJet serves the most destinations with 120 routes in July 2023. Wizz Air and Vueling (18 routes each) along with Norse Atlantic Airways (11 routes) round out the top five airlines at London-Gatwick.

» Learn more: Which cheap European airlines are worth flying?

Several airlines have routes that connect London-Gatwick with 10 U.S. destinations: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Orlando, San Francisco, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

London-Gatwick is located around 25 miles south of Trafalgar Square, farther from central London than Heathrow. However, the train from Gatwick can often be quicker than the train from Heathrow.

The Gatwick Express takes just 30 minutes to reach Victoria, while Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern trains connect London-Gatwick to various destinations in central London in 30 to 45 minutes.

London-Stansted

Located around 30 miles northeast of central London, it may seem like a stretch to even say that Stansted airport is located in London. But it's where many low-cost airlines decided to operate flights to and from the capital. Despite being the third-largest airport in London, Stansted virtually tied Manchester as the third-busiest airport in the U.K. in 2022.

In July 2023, 17 airlines connected London-Stansted to 192 destinations across 37 countries — almost exclusively in Europe. The longest flight serves Dubai in just about seven hours. That means this airport is mostly going to be relevant for Americans looking for a cheap flight between London and a destination in Europe, North Africa or the Middle East.

Ryanair (and its subsidiaries) is by far the largest airline at London-Stansted. Jet2 is the other major airline at the airport, with all other airlines serving five or fewer routes.

» Learn more: Vueling vs. Ryanair: Which is better?

As with Heathrow and Gatwick, London-Stansted is served by an express train — the Stansted Express. Trains depart every 30 minutes and take 50 minutes to reach London Liverpool Street station. Fares vary but generally cost around $28 (21.90 pounds) each way.

Taking a bus from London-Stansted to central London will take longer but is much more affordable, with one-way fares starting around $6 (5 pounds).

London-Luton

Despite being in distant fourth place, London-Luton still connects London travelers with 125 destinations in 37 countries — almost entirely limited to Europe, with a few northern Africa and Middle East destinations as well.

Like at London-Stansted, low-cost carriers dominate operations. EasyJet, Wizz Air and Ryanair operate almost all flights from London-Luton with SunExpress, El Al and Fly One operating the few remaining flights.

» Learn more: Should you fly international budget airlines?

The cheapest way to get from London-Luton to central London involves taking a National Express bus starting around $6 (5 pounds) one-way — although close-in bookings will cost more. The journey takes around 50 minutes by bus, beating the generally more expensive connecting train option.

Which London airport is best?

The best London airport for your trip will depend on where you're flying from and what part of London you're planning to visit.

Despite the many airports in London, you have just two options if you're flying from the U.S. to London. Currently, all transatlantic flights involve flying to either London-Heathrow or London-Gatwick.

If you're visiting central London, the better option of the two likely depends on the price of the flight, as the best way to get from Gatwick or Heathrow to London involves taking a train ride of similar length.

Americans who are combining a trip to London with a visit to Europe should consider flying in (or out) of London-City airport. This small airport is located much closer to the center of London than the other main London airports, making it more convenient. Plus, the airport's compact size means a shorter walk from the Tube to your gate.

As of the time of writing, nine airlines operate flights between London-City and a combined 35 short-haul destinations throughout the U.K. and Europe. While cash fares from London-City may be higher than other London airports, this airport is ideal for booking cheap points flights within Europe .

With four major airports — plus several additional smaller airports — travelers have plenty of choices when flying to and from London.

Flights between the U.S. and London are generally limited to London-Heathrow and London-Gatwick. However, London-Stansted, London-Luton and London-City can all be useful for flights between London and mainland Europe.

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How to travel from Heathrow to London (all options compared)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: July 21, 2024

Landing at Heathrow Airport and unsure how to get to your accommodation in London? Find out all the options in this practical guide to how to get from Heathrow to London.

London Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest airports, and unless you are being picked up by friends, relatives, or for business, the first question for many visitors is how to actually get from Heathrow into London.

Heathrow airport is around 15 miles to the west of London and, depending on the time of flight arrival, travel time into the city can vary considerably. 

Travel between Heathrow Terminals may also be required before travelling into the central areas of London.

You may feel overwhelmed by the different options and wonder which is the best, cheapest, quickest, easiest, or simply the best way for you to get from Heathrow into London.

In this article, we cover ALL of the options to help you choose the best way for you to make the transfer. Read on for all the info!

Best option? Book a private transfer with our partner Riz of XFA Cars . Read the fabulous reviews Riz and his team have received from previous clients and hear Riz chat all about his fabulous transfer services to London and beyond on the UK Travel Planning Podcast .

London Heathrow Airport has 5 terminals

How to get from heathrow to london – quick guide, factors to consider when choosing the best option for you:, option 1 – tube train from heathrow airport, option 2 – heathrow express from heathrow airport, option 3 – bus from heathrow airport, option 4 – private car transfer from heathrow airport, option 5 – taxi cab from heathrow airport, option 6 – uber, enjoy your trip to london, london travel guide & itinerary planner (+ 4 bonus ebooks).

Looking for a place to stay in London? If you are not sure where to stay in London our neighbourhood guide to the best places to stay in London is the best place to start. It includes information about each area plus recommended accommodation options for all budgets and travel styles.

Or are you arriving late in the day? Or flying out early morning? Check out our guide to the best Heathrow hotels.

FAQs – Heathrow Airport

• Terminal 1 (T1) is no longer used.
• Close to T3, around 10 mins walk via a moving walkway.
• Free shuttle bus between T2 and T4.   
• Four free trains run also, and takes around 20 mins.
• From the Heathrow Central station, Heathrow express train to T5 takes about 20 mins.
• Close to T2, around 10 mins walk via a moving walkway.
• Free shuttle bus between T3 and T4.  
• T2 and T3 free shuttle bus, takes around 20mins.
• T5 -Go to bus stop 7, take bus number 482 or 490 showing a destination ‘Heathrow Terminal 5’ – free service (no cost). Takes around 20 mins.
• T2 and T3 – Free Heathrow Express train service to Heathrow Central Station. Takes around 20 mins.
• T4 – Bus stop 7, take Bus 482 (destination ‘Southall town Hall’) or Bus 490 (Destination ‘Pools on the Park’).

What are the various options available to travel from Heathrow Airport to London?

Personal taste, circumstances and budget will mainly determine the ‘best’ way to travel from Heathrow Airport into the city of London.

• Where in the city you are travelling to?
• How many in your travel party?
• The age/ mobility/ energy levels of your travelling party.
• The day/time of the day you plan to travel.
• Underground (subway) – Piccadilly underground line (dark blue colour on the London Underground map), journey time – approx. 60 mins, often no more than 10 -20 mins wait between trains, depends on time and day of the week.
• Heathrow is situated in Zone 6 on the London Underground zones.
• Discounted tickets with the visitor Oyster card, maximum day fare caps may apply.
• A London Travel card may be an option and can include tube travel costs
• Read more about using public transport in London including the Tube.

Factors to consider

• Can be difficult if you have a lot of luggage.  Can be a lot of walking on/off the tube and changing tube trains.
• Tube trains can get very full.
• Can be a challenge for small children, the elderly or for anyone with mobility issues.
• Can be a cheaper option.

• Non-stop trains, every 15 mins departure to London Paddington train station.  Journey time, 15 – 20 mins.
• Trains run from around 5 AM to around 11 – 11.30 PM (depends on the day of the weeks, and around planned engineering works or weather impact.
• Plenty of space to store luggage. 
• Easy trains access. 
• Consider that connections to tube trains or London Overground trains may involve a lot of walking.
• Depending on the day/time of travel, trains can be nearly empty or very full.
• Train is fast.
• Not expensive for Heathrow Express tickets
• Good selection of value hotels in close proximity to London Paddington station for ongoing journeys.  Great option if you have an early flight the following morning.
• The bus N9 runs from Heathrow’s central bus station.
• Consider this option when the tube is not operating, such as night time.
• Bus runs into central London. 
• Travel time is variable on the traffic congestion. 
• Note: London traffic can be heavy, all day and sometimes into the night.
• National Express coach/bus – Costs approximately £6 single journey.  Coaches run Heathrow to London Victoria central bus station. Each journey is around 30 mins depending on traffic but can increase to over 2 hours.
• Frequency depends on the time of day, ranges from 1 to 4 coaches an hour.
• Operates from around 4 AM to around 10 PM.
• Plenty of space to store luggage on National Express. 
• Limited space on buses.
• Buses/coaches give a good view of the city and good fun for children. 
• Not expensive.
• Journey time can be variable depending on traffic, roadworks and weather.

• Obviously depends on your destination but can start around £50.
• Useful for groups of around 4 and if any of the group find mobility challenging.
• Duration depends on traffic and the final destination.

➡️ CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PRIVATE TRANSFER

• No flat rate charges, fare is based on a taxi meter and based on the length of the journey as to the overall incurred cost.
• As per the app quoted fares.
• Fares dependent on:
• Day/Time of travel.
• Number of people in the travel group.
• Easy option. 
• Good view of the city and good fun for children. 
• Can be expensive if based on a taxi meter.

I am sure this article has helped you decide which of the many options is best for you to get from Heathrow into London and to your accommodation Read my guide to the best areas of London for your stay here.

Whether you decide to book a private transfer , take the bus or make plans to catch the Tube, Heathrow Express, cab or Uber it will be easier and less stressful to sort this out before you arrive.

Getting from any airport to our destination is always something I plan very carefully. This alleviates stress when we land and ensures we are absolutely clear about what we are doing. There is nothing worse than landing at a strange airport after a long flight and having no idea how to get to the accommodation!

Need help planning your trip? My UK Travel Planner will guide you step by step.

Looking for suggestions of what to do and see in London? Read my London Travel Guide which contains tips, resources and more to help plan your itinerary.

These best booking sites for UK travel will also help when you plan your trip.

$81 Find Cheap Flights to London

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight to london departing on 3/4. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to london.

Save 22% or more Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track prices Not ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Filter your deals Choose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Bundle and save Save money when you bundle your flight + hotel.

Cheap Flight Deals to London

Flights to london - travel insights & trends, get data-powered insights and trends for flights to london to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., what is the cheapest flight to london.

In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight to London was $81 for a one-way ticket from New York and $276 for a round-trip. The most popular route searched for by our users was for flights from Los Angeles to London and the best round-trip deal found in the last 3 days was $358.

How much is a flight to London?

On average, a flight to london costs $590. the cheapest price found on kayak in the last 2 weeks cost $90 and departed from new york john f kennedy intl airport. the most popular routes on kayak are new york to london which costs $550 on average, and san francisco to london, which costs $717 on average., see prices from:, what is the cheapest day to fly to london, based on kayak data, the cheapest day to fly to london is wednesday where tickets can be as cheap as $783. on the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is saturday, where prices are $855 on average., what is the cheapest month to fly to london, the cheapest month for flights to london is october, where tickets cost $591 on average for one-way flights. on the other hand, the most expensive months are june and july, where the average cost of tickets from the united states is $898 and $772 respectively. for return trips, the best month to travel is september with an average price of $528., what is the cheapest time of day to fly to london, the cheapest time of day to fly to london is generally in the afternoon, when flights cost $497 on average. the most expensive time of day to fly to london is generally in the morning, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $627., what is a good deal for flights to london, if you’re looking for cheap airfare to london, 25% of our users found tickets to london for the following prices or less: from new york john f kennedy intl airport $221 one-way - $471 round-trip, from los angeles $346 one-way - $602 round-trip, from tampa $446 one-way - $652 round-trip., how far in advance should i book a flight to london, to get a below average price, you should book around 2 weeks before departure. for the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 178 days before departure., which is the cheapest airport to fly into in london, prices will differ depending on the departure airport, but generally, the cheapest airport to fly to in london is london southend airport, with an average flight price of $129., which airlines fly to london, airlines flying the most to london from united states are british airways, american airlines and virgin atlantic. see the amount of flights per week for popular airlines flying to london., which airline offers the most flights to london, of the 5 airlines that fly to london, british airways offers the most flights, with around 452 per week, followed by easyjet with 319 flights per week., how many airports are there in london, there are 6 airports in london: london heathrow airport (lhr), london gatwick airport (lgw), london stansted airport (stn), london luton airport (ltn), london city airport (lcy) and london southend airport (sen). the busiest airport is london heathrow airport (lhr), with 44% of all flights arriving there., how long is the flight to london, the duration of your flight to london depends on your departure and arrival airports. obviously any flights that include a layover will also be longer. the most popular routes to london on kayak are from boston , which takes 6h 20m, new york , which takes 6h 50m, miami , which takes 8h 25m, and san francisco , which takes 10h 19m., how many direct flights to london are there each day, there are around 136 direct flights from within united states to london every day. most flights depart in the evening, with 6:00 pm the most common departure time and 53% of flights departing in the evening., how many long-haul flights are there to london each week, each week, there are 874 long haul flights (6-12 hour flight duration) and 77 medium-haul flights (3-6 hour flight duration) to london. there aren't any short-haul flights (up to 3 hour flight duration)., how many cities have direct flights to london, from the united states, there are direct flights to london from 30 cities. the city with the most direct flights is new york, with 252 direct flights each week., good to know, when to book flights to london, faqs - booking london flights, how many terminals does heathrow airport have.

Heathrow Airport (LHR) has four terminals: Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5. Travelers can walk through the pedestrian underpass from terminals 2 to 3 and vice versa. You can use the free shuttle trains or underground London services when connecting to other terminals. Moving from one airport terminal to another takes about 20 minutes.

Which airport is closest to Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is recognized worldwide as home to the royal family. The state rooms are open to the public for ten weeks during the summer and selected days during winter and spring. London City Airport (LCY) is the closest to the palace, 9.2 miles away. Heathrow Airport (LHR) is 15 miles, London Gatwick Airport (GBR) is 34 miles, London Luton Airport (GBR) is 34.3 miles, and London Stansted Airport (STN) is 39.5 miles from the palace.

How do I get to the city from London City Airport (LCY)?

There are various ways to get into the city from London City Airport (LCY). First, you can take a public bus which takes 50 minutes to the city and will cost £5 (about $6). A Taxi ride costs £41 ($50) and takes 15 minutes. A train ride costs £5 (about $6) and takes 21 minutes and lastly, a shuttle ride costs £58 (about $50) and will take you 21 minutes.

What services are there for business travelers in Heathrow?

Heathrow has bookable meeting rooms, such as its Regus Express business lounge, which can be rented by the hour. Along with their premium lounges, business travelers can also rent cell phones and pre-order foreign currency in advance, ensuring that the required currency will be available upon arrival. These services further enhance the convenience for business travelers.

Which London airport is closest to downtown?

London City Airport (LCY) is the closest in terms of physical proximity to the downtown area and can be reached via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and city buses. However, most of its flights are short hauls to mainland Europe. If your flight to London originated across the Atlantic, chances are that Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the best airport option for quick access to the city.

Which London airport offers good services for families traveling with children?

Both Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (GBR) have excellent facilities for families and children. Heathrow’s Stay & Play is available in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 and features slides, play spots, and separate areas for babies and young children. At Gatwick, there are Kids zones in both the North and South Terminals, both of which provide play areas and free TV for young travelers.

Can I store my luggage at Heathrow Airport (LHR)?

Layovers are frequent at Heathrow Airport (LHR). The airport has excellent luggage storage facilities managed by Excess Baggage Company, where storage duration determines charges. Baggage and luggage can be stored for a few hours or up to 90 days. 0-3 hours will cost you £7.50 and 3-24 hours will cost you £12.50.

Are there good restaurants in Heathrow?

Heathrow Airport (LHR) has an expansive restaurant selection, ranging from fine dining to quick bites. Additionally, you can even order your food in advance from participating restaurants via the LHR London Heathrow Airport app. Furthermore, many restaurants in Heathrow offer 15-minute menus, as they understand that every minute counts during your travels.

Which London airport is closest to central London?

Out of the 6 airports in London, London City is the nearest to the city center (8 miles). You'll travel 14 miles to reach the center of London if you land in London Heathrow Airport, 24 miles if you land in London Gatwick Airport, and 28 miles if you arrive in London Luton Airport.

On average, a flight to London costs $590. The cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks cost $90 and departed from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights to London?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to London.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket to London?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to London is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights to London?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to London with an airline and back with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight to London?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to London up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

How many direct flights to London are there each week?

Each week there are around 951 direct flights from within United States to London. The most common day for departures is Friday, with 15% of flights taking off on this day.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to London

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest London flight deals.
• Landing at any of the six international airports in London guarantees an excellent travel experience. These airports have passenger assistants to help travelers navigate through the airports and special assistance programs for those who require extra help. Programs such as the Sunflower Lanyard at London Luton Airport (GBR) and London Southend Airport (SEN), as well as the Blue Badge scheme at Heathrow Airport (LHR), assist airport employees in identifying travelers who may need additional assistance.
• Inter-terminal movements are often unavoidable at Heathrow Airport (LHR). If you land at the airport, you will need to obtain a free inter-terminal ticket from one of the machines at the station in order to use the airport shuttles. However, if you have a connecting flight at Heathrow, you won't need to use the shuttles. The airport provides frequent flight connections and buses to take you to the next terminal without leaving the passenger-only area.
• Flights to London can land you in any number of airports serving the greater London area . Six international airports service London and, in terms of number of passengers served, they rank as follows: Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (GBR), London Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (GBR), London City Airport (LCY) and London Southend Airport (SEN). Lucky travelers flying to London have a plethora of options.
• The most popular airport, Heathrow Airport (LHR) easily connects to the London Underground and can be reached via the Piccadilly Line. Travel time should be under an hour and a single-way fare will be upwards of £6 (around USD $8.00). Heathrow has three separate stations on the London Underground: one for terminals 2 and 3 and one each for terminals 4 and 5.
• Landing at London Gatwick Airport (GBR)? There are several popular ways to reach the city from the airport. Trains run to London Bridge and Victoria, and many locations around the city are reachable from London Blackfriars. As if that weren't enough, coaches and shuttle buses also offer services to numerous other locations across the city.
• When traveling with a lot of luggage and flying to Heathrow Airport (LHR), you can request porter services available at the airport. You can hail a porter in the baggage halls, and they will assist you with your luggage. Porters charge £30 for 1-8 bags and operate from 6 am to 9 pm.
• If you love animal therapy, you should consider landing at London Southend Airport (SEN). The airport has partnered with Essex Therapy Dogs to provide therapy dogs. These dogs roam around the airport's terminals seeking to ease the anxiety and stress travelers face.
• The No1 Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3 is a serene refuge in one of the world's busiest airports, perfect for travelers on long layovers . It features snack machines, cozy seating, and complimentary buffet-style food options. The fully stocked bar offers a wide selection of premium beverages. The lounge provides various seating areas, including a mini cinema, a bistro with high tables for work and snacks, a lounge area with comfortable sofas, and private meeting spaces.
• Are you landing at Heathrow Airport (LHR)? If you would like a quiet place to meditate , take advantage of the multi-faith prayer rooms available. You can find the rooms at Terminal 2 Gate A21, Terminal 3 Gate 24, Terminal 4 Mezzanine Level, Terminal 4 Gate4, and Terminal 5 Gates A8, B34, and C52. The prayer rooms are open from 7 am to 7 pm.
• If duty-free shopping is one of the perks you enjoy while traveling, then Heathrow Airport (LHR) is definitely the airport to visit. Not only do they offer an extensive range of luxury stores and products, but you can also save time by pre-ordering purchases a day in advance, allowing you to skip the lines. Additionally, Heathrow Reward members earn points with every purchase, which can later be redeemed for miles and various other perks.

Prefer to fly non-stop to London?

Find which airlines fly direct to London, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Nonstop departures

United States to London

ANA, AccesRail, Aegean Airlines, +121 more

ANA, AccesRail, +122 more

ANA, AccesRail, Aegean Airlines, +122 more

ANA, AccesRail, +123 more

ANA, AccesRail, Aegean Airlines, +120 more

ANA, AccesRail, +121 more

ANA, AccesRail, Aegean Airlines, +127 more

ANA, AccesRail, +128 more

ANA, AccesRail, Aegean Airlines, +128 more

ANA, AccesRail, +129 more

Nonstop returns

London to United States

Top 5 airlines flying to london.

7 hour delay for mechanical reasons Handled badly by crew and delta personnel

In thirty years of traveling, mostly with Delta, this was the worst day ever.

The flight was so late that I had to change connecting flights, turning a five-hour trip into a fourteen-hour nightmare.

I am so shocked at the service in first class. We were not greeted or offered a beverage for 45 minutes into the flight. She did however have time to write a long note. I just wanted a snack and something to drink. We were never offered coffee and the snacks came after dinner? It was the oddest flight I have ever been on. The gentleman next to me got up and gave our dinner box’s to the flight attendant and asked for a second glass of wine for each of us. Our dinner boxes sat on our tray for 20 minutes. She was rather distracted. He then asked another flight attendant for wine… finally we had a second glass. I was trying to give her some grace, she also told the man next me we couldn’t have any more wine because we drank it all… after landing the seasoned traveler next me ask for her employee number. Then it was a mutiny! She was refusing and it got tense. The captain came and asked what was happening, the flight attendants totally gave a biased account of the fact. The captain told the police the man I was seated next to was intoxicated! That was completely inaccurate and it really escalated things. I policeman found me at the luggage carousel to verify the facts. The flight attendants made false accusations that he touched them! That never happened. It was a very poorly trained crew. I am so anngry and shock by the entire experience! It was terrible service! I would like a refund for what I paid to be in first class and the most uncomfortable flight ever. I always fly Delta, it has been wonderful. I was so flustered by the entire experience! Please give me an update on this matter! Thank you, Kelle Myers

It was reported to the passengers that Delta failed to schedule the crew properly. This error caused the pilot to show up about 30 minutes late. All in all Delta's inability to take care of this basic function resulted in about an hour delay.

Food was not the best. Too many items had sauce pm them with a lot of spices The seat was not comfortable especially when you lay down

Late departure due to large number of wheel chair patrons. Used to having a box of snacks to select from in comfort plus. The flight attendant just rattled off what was available and asked us to pick. Felt rushed and uncomfortable. Seat was great. Prefer having the screen on the seat in front of me instead of having to pull it up from the seat side. Lots of room for my carryon under the seat in front of me.

The airplanes were so old and out-dated it was terrifying to fly on them.

It’s was good. There’s so much room for improvement though. Since the plane was small, there was no entertainment but for years now, the most jarring aspect of travel is the lack of tasty snacks.

The important things including boarding and the flight being on time and safe were excellent. The disappointment comes from the comfort and amenities. Was misled by the "availability" of inflight internet- there is an extra cost. The tray table was broken, the bathroom door stuck and flight attendants were competent but not very friendly.

My only complaint is that the pocket in front of me was ripped and my things, like iPad and airline magazines, kept slipping to the floor.

Flight delayed yet again. Crew apathetic and unhelpful re affect on connecting flight.

I think Virgin is one of the best flying experiences, especially from/to the UK. The staff are so helpful and fun, the food is good, seats comfortable, goof entertainment and great value. Check in and boarding is pretty pain free. I also find that the other passengers are generally so kind and considerate than when I've flown other airlines.

Cabin crew on our flight showed lack of any customer service gruff and acting annoyed if you asked anything and I mean anything Example a man on the seat over dropped his beer on my husbands blanket We asked if we could switch out blankets cabin crew Said. No we don’t have any extras OK well can you take the wet one Cabin crew looked disgusted and annoyed Took it no OK or yes just a growl

Quick flight. But cabin crew were very noisy and talking too much, especially when we were seated at the back of the plane trying to sleep through the night .

My ticket was for Premium Economy and all the seats were taken, I was placed in Economy class and I’m looking for a refund.

Unfortunately delayed 2 hrs due to faulty tyre.. which had to be changed, but better safe than sorry.

The delay was an issue. Other than that. Every thing good

Hi vergin Atlantic service was good but the flight ticket agent travel up charge me extra 57 pounds as a airport charges, actually I refuse to pay but they say if I not pay £57 then they say you will not be able to travel from Heathrow to goa ,so for me there was no option and it was just 3 day before my departure so i paid, so please look in to the matter. And I have a receipt of £ 57 as well .thanks

Staff didn’t check cabin well for landing seemed more interested in chatting to each other. Food was poor and differed from pre order.

The flight was delayed till next day ! They kept delaying every 30 minutes then after 3 hours they delayed it till next day. We kept waiting in line standing more than an hour to get the hotel and meal vouchers. There was no communication at all. Everything was bad

Flight was on time, no drinks served on the two short flights. Comfortable seats.

This flight was fine but had no time to breathe as the connection was late from Sea to ORD.. Super stressful. If we checked bags, the trip would have been very distressed.

The one gate agent was very abrupt and rude. Not a good look for American for the day

It was late, then the bathroom was inoperable plus it was very hot as well. Plane was very old

Other than Charlotte airport being crowded and a mush of people at the gate and even through the priority lane, the flight was great.

3 hour delay on run way, not even a drink offered, staff seemed rude and rushed, felt unwell so asked twice for paracetamol and was told to wait, never got it

not enough crew for business class and not great service as a result. underwhelmed overall

The crew was very helpful and the aircraft was clean. More attentiveness to us in business class.

Crew never smiled, never helped , told me to make my own bed ( in Upper class), never offered a drink

The movies were super old. The crew did not offer WATER???? 5 hours os flight and did not get WATER? Norse is the worst company I ever used and never will use again.

Why call us to board if we’re going to be made to stand in the tunnel for 20 minutes. Really hard for people with little children. Plus it took me ages to check in because my seat in Premium was overbooked so I didn’t actually have a seat. I did end up receiving my seat in Premium but there was a lot of stress and confusion beforehand. Hope is it possible to overbook seats? Especially in Premium!

We flew one way from Gatwick, London to JFK NY For 2 people $1200 and no food offered not even water. You had to buy food. Norse advertises as a low fare transatlantic airline, they may want rethink that. Crew, flight was fine. Ironically we flew American from JFK to Heathrow for $1000 (2people) and included food and drinks.

Longest check in line I have ever seen- brutal and airline personnel hustled me about the size of my bag even though I showed them that it measured exactly to the measurements posted on their site. Just super annoying- I get it - it’s a budget airline and you get what you pay for. Most of the flight were young people who seemed to have never experienced international travel. It’s worth paying for a seat otherwise you will be uncomfortable.

We flew premium on the way TO London but went back to economy for this flight. The differences I note here may be colored by changing service. The crew was professional and polite but cold on this flight and class of service. They seemed to want to have as little to do with us as possible, beyond providing the basic services in economy. The aircraft was still good though, and the pitch was about as tight as expected - manageable but no extra personal space to spare. Overall I would certainly fly Norse Atlantic again, given the opportunity.

The crew really made the difference. Some of the friendliest cabin crew I have ever encountered- they seemed genuinely happy to be there, and took pride in their airline and aircraft. The Dreamliner was quieter than legacy aircraft and while meals weren’t to our preference, they were at least something to keep us going!

I loved the ability to upgrade my seat which was worth it. The large seat and ability to recline made it comfortable to fall asleep. My only two complaints were entertainment (movie selections were old) and approx 30 mins before landing the crew started to collect the blankets despite the cabin air temperature remaining cold. Maybe wait for passengers to get off the plane before collecting the blankets.

Excellent! Although it stinks to pay extra for leg room and then have no screen option.

Very much dislike: Airline requires check-in at the Airport Airline does not work with TSA PreCheck

Overall a great experience. Only complaint was the movie selection was pretty limited, but that's pretty minor in the grand scheme of things and easy to overcome.

They denied us boarding on our scheduled flight and experienced significant disruption to our travel plans because of overbooking the flight!

Didn’t even get on the flight!! BA had a system crash and knocked many peoples boarding passes back for the connecting flight which we all would have made but ended up missing due to being refused past the barrier. There was one member of staff on and when he shift swapped the new staff member called us liars and that we were going to be too late for our flight hence the knock back which was false. I was an hour and ten minutes early for my connection flight at the time of scanning the boarding pass. Waited for three hours and ended up having to book a train home myself which was 4 hours long! Staff were useless and entire experience was an inconvenience. I had been travelling for three months and of course it was when I was back in my home country that I had the first muck up! Will not be touching BA to fly again

I’ll fly with any other airline. Besides all the fees and not being able to change a flight even to a later flight without paying £150 charge. Or that the last flight the WiFi didn’t work, the food was so bad, and ran out of options. Seat didn’t recline. And the headset jack didn’t work. This isn’t my first flight with them, and on every flight there is always something wrong that makes the long 10 hours feel like an eternity. Never flying them again.

On this flight I was in BA business class. I am used to flying United Airlines Polaris class and I was underwhelmed by BA’s business suite class. A few things: - the lounge at LAS was very basic and crowded and the LHR/T3 lounge a bit better, but still not like the Polaris lounges - boarding was chaotic, no one knew what group was supposed to board - the suites were nice, but the padding was not really made for sleeping on - crew were friendly, but only really one tray/serving for the dinner service. None of “drink first, then dinner with 1-2 pourings of wine, then dessert”. UA might not be known for the best service in the industry, but compared to BA they are super attentive. During the BA flight there was no one checking in on you after you got your one tray. - arrival at LHR was busses taking us back to the terminal, surprising for a long flight. Once again chaotic. The bus for First/Business was completely packed with anyone who could get on and the driver was screaming at passengers to get every inch packed before he drove to the terminal. By the time I arrived I felt like BA had sold me a superior flight experience and delivered a mediocre economy class experience just because they can and do not really care about their customers. Very disappointing.

Flight left late and we missed our connection in London requiring an 8 hour wait in Heathrow for the next available flight. One of flight attendants was not helpful with my husband’s necessary crutches.

Pretty good flight in general. Connection in London was extremely slow. The security was slow and understaffed. It took 35 minutes to get through and it was not even crowded.

These 777 planes really shouldn’t have 3-4-3 seats in economy. Very little leg room and the aisles were tiny. It was very uncomfortable for a 7 hour flight. (These same planes used to be 3-3-3 for seats until 2018).

Due to a cyber attack at the SeaTac airport ALL of the airport computers at the airport were down. This seriously impacted every airline at the airport and the resulted in our flight leaving a hour later than scheduled. This delay caused us to miss our connecting flight from Heathrow to Edinburgh. I was amazed to have British Airways staff meet us at the gate as we left our flight. They quickly provided us with new boarding passes for a flight going to Edinburgh later the same day. Problems sometimes happen but they handled the situation in first class style.

They canceleld the flight and i found out only hours before the flight

Flight crowded - no leg room. Made me put tote bag under seat in front of me so no room for feet. Attendant helped me and put it up. Crew fine. Also British Airways changed our flights without notifying us resulting in a lot of confusion getting through Heathrow - our boarding passes wouldn't scan and we had no idea why. Ended up missing our flight and having to reschedule hours later after a flight from San Francisco. I have the app from BA and never received any notification. Very confusing and staff at Heathrow had no idea what problem was and only one person could resolve and huge line as several canceled flights. What a pain!

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How Do I Get From Gatwick Airport to London?

Gatwick is located approximately 30 miles to the south of central London . London Gatwick (LGW) is the second largest airport in the UK after Heathrow. The two terminals, North and South, are linked by an efficient monorail service, with a journey time of two minutes.

Traveling by Train between Gatwick Airport and Central London

The Gatwick Express is the quickest way into central London . The station is in the South Terminal and linked to other parts by escalators and lifts. Gatwick Express operates four trains per hour to and from London Victoria, with a journey time of 30 minutes. There is no service between 12:32 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. from London and between 1:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. from Gatwick. Other rail operators run services through the night. Fares are from £17.80 for a single ticket. Note that you can no longer buy your ticket on the train, but instead you can book online and use the self-service machines to print your ticket.

Since the start of 2016, you can also use contactless payment  (by touching a bank card with the contactless payment symbol on the card reader) or Oyster card for pay as you go travel between Gatwick Airport and London on the Gatwick Express.

Editor's note: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, operations on the Gatwick Express are currently suspended. Please check the site directly for the latest rates and schedule.

These "pay as you go" options give you the most flexibility if you are in a rush as you don’t need to queue to buy a ticket. Do remember to touch your card (Oyster card or accepted bank card) on the yellow card reader at the start of your journey, and use the same card to touch out again at the end. You will automatically be charged the right fare for the trip you’ve made (deducted directly from your bank account or Oyster card's balance).

If you are making a return journey, it is cheaper to buy a paper return ticket online and then print it out at the self-service vending machines.

• Thameslink  operates up to six trains per hour to and from four central London stations. Tickets cost from £12 and journey time is 30 minutes on average. An hourly service operates through the night. (First Capital Connect stopped working on this route in 2014.)
• Southern also runs a rail service to London Bridge and Victoria, with four trains an hour. The journey to Victoria takes about 30 minutes and costs from £17.60 for a single ticket.

Coach Services between Gatwick Airport and Central London

• National Express operates an hourly coach service to and from Victoria Coach Station. The fastest journey time is around two hours. Fares are from £8.
• easyBus operates from 3 a.m. to 11:25 p.m. and Gatwick (North and South Terminals) from 4:25 a.m. to 1:10 a.m. The journey time is around 65 minutes. Online fares are always better than paying the driver. Prices start at £2 for a single ticket. Editor's note: due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this route is also suspended. Please check the easyBus site for schedules in real time.

Private Shuttle between Gatwick Airport and Central London

There is a choice of private shuttle options. If you need a larger vehicle, to be able to carry 6-8 passengers, this larger vehicle airport shuttle option is best. If you need a standard-size vehicle airport shuttle, this company can offer a 24-hour service. If you would like to arrive in style, there are private executive transfers available. And if you'd want a set-price shared transfer from the airport to your hotel that's available too. All can be booked through Viator.

Taxi from Gatwick Airport to Central London

You can usually find a queue of black cabs at both terminals. The fare is metered but watch for extra charges such as late night or weekend journeys. Tipping is not compulsory, but 10-15 percent is considered the norm. Expect to pay at least £100 to get to Central London. Only use a reputable mini-cab and never use unauthorized drivers who offer their services at airports or stations.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Severe delays hit London Underground line due to staff shortage

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If you’re heading out and about on the London Underground Central line tonight, brace yourself for disruption.

This is because the busy Tube line has severe delays due to a staff shortage.

A large chunk of Central line has severe delays because of ‘unavailability of control room staff.’ The stretch between White City and Leytonstone has minor delays, the latest TfL update says.

Meanwhile in Manchester, passengers should brace themselves for hours of chaos after a tram derailed in Manchester .

It is expected to wreak havoc on Friday journeys all day and into the evening after the incident this morning at Cornbrook station.

• 5h ago Central line hit by delays
• 5h ago Delays on the M25 after crash

Live coverage wraps up

Thank you for following our live travel and transport blog today.

Tune back in tomorrow for more updates.

Delays on Chiltern Railways trains

All railway lines have been blocked between West Ruislip and High Wycombe after a trespasser on tracks.

This means trains could be delayed by up to 45 minutes, with disruption expected until 11pm.

Here is the affected service.

• Trains between London Marylebone and High Wycombe / Oxford / Banbury / Stratford-upon-Avon / Birmingham Snow Hill

Passengers can your their tickets on Avanti West Coast trains between Birmingham New Street, Milton Keynes Central and London Euston.

We’re sorry for the delay to your journey. If you have been delayed by 15 minutes or more, then you are likely to be entitled to compensation. Claims can be made via this web link: https://t.co/c8iH2onTKX pic.twitter.com/W37AaqpXzG — Chiltern Railways (@chilternrailway) September 13, 2024

Serial brick thrower wreaking havoc buses

Serial brick thrower wreaking havoc in random attacks across transport network

Central line part suspended after an incident

Along with severe delays on the Tube line, it has been partially suspended after an emergency incident.

There is no service westbound between Leytonstone and White City due to the incident.

The rest of the line has severe delays, TfL says.

Evening disruption on Great Northern trains

If you’re taking a late evening train to New Southgate, north London, brace for changes to the route.

A problem with the station lighting means cannot stop at New Southgate, National Rail said.

The issue is expected to be resolved by 11pm.

It is affecting Great Northern trains between London King’s Cross, Moorgate and Welwyn Garden City.

Central line hit by delays

The London Underground has coped well this rush hour, but now Central line is experiencing severe delays in east London.

It has severe delays between Leytonstone and Hainault via Newbury Park due to the unavailability of control room staff, a TfL status update shows.

The rest of the Tube line has minor delays.

Delays on the M25 after crash

Drivers should prepare for slow traffic and queues on the M25 in Essex.

One traffic hotspot is between J28 and J27 anticlockwise after a crash which has closed one lane.

Traffic appears to be moving although at a slow speed.

Normal traffic conditions are expected by 8.30pm, National Highways incident alert says.

Elsewhere on the M25, queues are also forming between J24 and J26 in both directions due to congestion.

Traffic is also struggling with the rush hour volume in Surrey between junctions J12 and J10.

Disruption between London Paddington and Heathrow

It could be an eventful rush hour for passengers travelling between Paddington, Heathrow and Reading after lines have been blocked.

A power supply has failed in the Paddington area, meaning trains are unable to run on some lines.

Elizabeth line , Heathrow Express and Great Western Railway services could be cancelled, delayed or revised, National Rail said.

The disruption is expected to last until 5.30pm, but this could be revised until later.

Update on Manchester tram nightmare

The disruption caused by the earlier derailed tram at Cornbrook station is not expected to be solved anytime soon.

Transport for Greater Manchester said: ‘This disruption is expected to continue until the late evening, and will affect journeys home after work.’

Engineers are working hard to get the tram from this morning re-railed and returned to the depot. Once the track has undergone further inspection, we will provide an update regarding service changes on the network. Disruption is expected to continue until the early evening. pic.twitter.com/VkEKcCqACR — Bee Network (@BeeNetwork) September 13, 2024

No compensation for passengers on ‘Stanley Johnson flight’

In June, a BA flight at Gatwick had been grounded, causing 16 diversions. One impacted flight was jetting out of Malaga and bound for Gatwick, but instead landed in Heathrow.

Three people left the plane – including Boris Johnson’s father, Stanley – after the pilot asked if anyone wanted to disembark. The roughly 200 riders remaining landed in Gatwick about three hours later.

Now BA has confirmed the airline won’t compensate passengers for the inconvenience.

‘The plan was to refuel, and the aircraft was given a slot to fly to Gatwick,’ passenger Richard Davenport told the Independent of the June 28 flight.

‘However, as Stanley Johnson decided he wanted to get off – along with another passenger – we subsequently missed the slot.’

He added: ‘With a car parked at Gatwick, we didn’t have to option to just leave at Heathrow. It left 99.5 per cent of passengers with a bitter taste.’

BA told customers that they were refused compensation as they ‘reached their destination within three hours’.

Double-whammy of issues hit Manchester’s tram network

The Bee Network has issued a fresh update – and it’s not the best.

Two different issues impacting the tram network mean disruption will go well into this evening.

‘Due to a tram derailment at Cornbrook, multiple lines are experiencing disruptions and delays,’ the update says.

‘Additionally, we are currently experiencing a communications fault on the Altrincham line which is impacting services.

‘This disruption is expected to continue until the early evening and will affect journeys home after work this evening.

‘Services are currently operating as follows:

• Altrincham – Old Trafford
• Ashton – Crumpsall
• Bury – Etihad
• East Didsbury – Firswood
• Eccles – MediaCityUK
• Manchester Airport – Firswood
• Rochdale – Piccadilly
• Trafford Centre – Wharfside.’

M6 latest motorway to see delays

A power cable fault sparked traffic chaos along the M6, the longest motorway in the UK.

Police were forced to close junctions 17 and 18 when the cable fell ‘adjacent to the M6’.

Both have since been reopened – but that doesn’t mean driver’s headaches are going anytime soon.

The #M6 in Cheshire has now reopened in both directions between J17 ( #Sandbach ) and J18 ( #Middlewich ) following the earlier incident. Delays of approx. 90 minutes and 12 miles of congestion remain on approach, please allow time for these delays to clear. pic.twitter.com/0lEb1ZqCfg — National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) September 13, 2024

Motorists are facing delays of about 20 minutes on the M6 northbound and southbound between junctions J15 and J16, National Highways says.

Traffic has come to a standstill as far down as J16 and as north as J19. The paralysis is having a knock-off effect on the A50, A54 and A500.

Even more delays reported on the M25

A road traffic collision on the M25 has caused further congestion clockwise between junctions J21A and J22.

Normal traffic conditions aren’t expected to return until 1pm, though traffic cameras show logjams stretching far along the motorway.

A2 by Dartford Crossing reopened following accident

A multi-vehicle collision involving a lorry and two cars paralysed the A2 near the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent earlier this morning.

One person was treated at the scene and taken to hospital.

The A2 coastbound was closed after the 7am incident, causing rush hour delays of up to 30 minutes.

But highway officials are no longer reporting any delays.

‘Severe’ congestion clogging up the M25

National Highways says a road traffic collision has caused ‘severe’ congestion clockwise between junctions J24 and J25.

The traffic should let up by 1.45pm, with delays of about 10 minutes to journeys expected.

Congestion piled up to three miles long earlier.

Minor delays on Jubilee line

TfL is reporting minor delays on the entire Jubilee line ‘due to a track obstruction’.

Tram disruption will ‘last several hours’, say city transport officials

A TfGM spokesperson told Metro.co.uk just now: ‘At 08.00am today we received reports of a derailed tram leaving Cornbrook. The derailment is currently causing disruption across the Metrolink network with no services between Old Trafford, Firswood, Wharfside, Media City and City Centre.

‘Ticket acceptance is in place on selected bus services between Eccles, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport, Altrincham, Trafford Centre, Rochdale and Bury.

‘The re-railing work will take several hours, so disruption is likely to last into the afternoon peak.’

‘Boy do I wish I worked from home’

Friday 13th, unlucky for some. Mainly those of us who happened to be between Deansgate and Cornbrook pic.twitter.com/ryXl3yz8kd — Ryan Sidle (@Sidler28) September 13, 2024

Commutes can already be a tad soul-crushing – so riders weren’t really in the mood for their tram being derailed this morning.

Photographs posted by commuters on social media show people disembarking from the tram onto the tracks.

‘Boy do I wish I worked from home,’ said Ryan Sidle, a writer.

A MEN reporter at the scene said maintenance workers told commuters lingering at the platform to ‘not bother waiting’.

‘Nothing will be moving here for at least an hour, if not the whole morning,’

Tram derailment in Manchester causing travel chaos

The Bee Network has issued a travel alert for ‘severe disruption’ after a tram derailed at about 8am.

‘Due to a tram derailment at Cornbrook, multiple lines are experiencing disruptions and delays.

‘We expect that it will take several hours for this issue to be resolved, so please continue to check this webpage or our  twitter/X feed  for the latest updates.

• Trafford Centre – Wharfside

‘We are currently working hard to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

‘To complete your journey, please see the information below on how to use you tram ticket on local bus services in the affected area.’

Overground trains ‘may be cancelled’ after signal fault fixed

A small stretch of the London Overground was suspended this morning due to a signalling system daily at New Cross Gate.

Engineers have since fixed the issue but ‘trains running between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace/West Croydon may still be cancelled whilst service recovers’, National Rail says .

Normal service should resume by 10.30am.

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Miami, Las Vegas, D.C., and Austin Are Getting More Flights to London — What to Know

British Airways will fly more flights than ever across the pond next year.

sborisov/Getty Images

As the summer travel season comes to a close, many travelers are getting a jumpstart on next summer's travel planning.  British Airways recently revealed it will operate its highest number of flights from North America to London in the summer of 2025, which will make it easier than ever for travelers to fly across the pond.  The carrier will increase the volume of flights by 28 extra flights per week, bringing the total from North America to London to over 400. British Airways offers 26 direct routes from different United States cities to London.

Some of the highlights include an extra seven flights per week from Miami, FL, to London, including the opening of a brand new lounge at Miami International Airport in 2025. The airline will also launch an extra six flights per week from Austin, Texas to London, three more per week from Las Vegas, and seven more from Washington, D.C. (IAD).  “We continue to grow our network and these additional services across the US reflect the growing demand for travel to and from London. We are committed to providing our customers with greater choice and convenience, and we are excited to offer more opportunities for them to experience our world-class service,” British Airways' Chief Planning and Strategy Officer Neil Chernoff said in the release.  British Airways confirmed all of the flights are now available for booking on their website .  The news comes as British Airways recently announced a partnership agreement with Alaska Airlines, where both airlines will sell each other's tickets and make it easier to book a journey. Frequent flyers will also get reciprocal loyalty benefits, as British Airways are both members of the Oneworld Alliance.  Traveling to the United Kingdom next year will be slightly more expensive, as the government will launch a £10, or approximately $13.05, fee associated to the new Electronic Travel Authorization program. 

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Air Canada passengers from London and elsewhere advised to start making alternate arrangements

Time is running out on a potential work stoppage by Air Canada pilots - that means passengers flying from London International Airport or Toronto Pearson Airport may have to start considering alternate travel plans.

Wallaceburg resident Dorothy MacDonald arrived early to London Airport Friday for her flight to Toronto, to catch an Air Canada flight to Halifax. She said she has not been informed of any contingency plans by the airline.

“But, if I can’t get back, I have to find another mode of transportation, right?” she questioned.

Flying out is one thing, but being able to return without disruption or headaches is quite another.

“It’s a little unnerving, just the inconvenience of feeling stranded,” said another passenger, who spoke to CTV News.

Air Canada says some services like cargo or vacation packages will begin being affected as of Friday. A full shutdown could happen by September 18, as the runway runs out on the labour dispute between the airline and the Air Line Pilots Association.

The airline and pilots’ association will on Sunday be in a position to issue a three-day notice for a strike or a lockout. That’s when the airline says it will begin its plan for a wind-down.

Air Canada third party carriers like Jazz will continue flights.

The regional carrier has three flights departing London daily. Many London Jazz passengers ultimately connect with Air Canada. London International Airport CEO Scott McFadzean said that Air Canada is working with other carriers to accommodate passengers.

“In the event Air Canada Pilots do go on strike and the schedules are impacted, Air Canada is going to do their best to connect passengers with other Star Lines partners or other airlines,” explained McFadzean. “That may not be possible, hence why I’m advising anyone traveling to really stay in touch with the airlines and check schedules on a regular basis,” he said.

With no guarantees, insurance expert RATESDOTCA says passengers that have already purchased Air Canda tickets should review their travel insurance policies.

Key points to look for:

• What situations does the travel insurance policy accept for trip cancellation insurance? Some policies will cover trip cancellations if a strike prevents a carrier from getting a passenger to their destination within 24 consecutive hours from the originally scheduled arrival time. Others will cover the costs of planned tours that are cancelled due to the strike.
• Does your insurance policy cover trip delays? If so, you may be able to claim meals, hotel stays and other eligible expenses incurred during the delay. You may also be able to claim reimbursement for a portion of the trip you’ve missed.
• Does your insurance policy cover travel interruptions? If the strike causes you to miss 50% of your trip or more, you may be entitled to reimbursement for that portion of the trip.

Source: RATESDOTCA

As for traveler Dorothy MacDonald, her return Air Canada flight from Halifax is scheduled for September 23. For now, she’s taking it in stride.

“I don’t have an option, but you know I try not to let things like that bother me,” said MacDonald. 

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