London has several airports, with the busiest being Heathrow and Gatwick; Stansted, Luton, and London City Airport are smaller.
So, how do you make your way to/from these airports? Fortunately, there is a host of options, with the easiest (but most expensive) being a door-to-door private transfer just for you (get in touch for quotes), to London Underground, airport express trains, and inexpensive buses.
To book, email sales@britishtips.com or call 021 975 2047. (Please note that British TIPS charges a service fee per booking.) Rates below are valid 01 April 2023 – 31 December 2023, subject to major rate changes.
Heathrow – Gatwick direct connection (Speedlink)
There’s only one direct public transport option between these airports, and that’s by National Express Speedlink bus. These buses depart several times per hour in either direction, and take around 1.5 hours to make the journey. It is recommended to allow at least 4 hours in order to make this journey, however, as traffic conditions can affect journey time.
Price per person*
Adult (16+): From R 715 one way
Child (3 – 15 years): From R 360 one way
Heathrow Airport – London
HEATHROW EXPRESS TRAIN
- Train between Heathrow Airport and London Paddington
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Every 15 – 20 minutes
- Non-stop train with seating and plenty of luggage space, at-seat power points to charge your devices, and on-board WiFi.
- Level platform access, wheelchair accessible
- No time reserved – take any Heathrow Express
Price per person standard class*
Adult (16+): From R 745 one way
Child (0 – 15 years): Free of charge
Price per person first class*
Adult (16+): From R 895 one way
Child (0 – 15 years): Free of charge
NATIONAL EXPRESS BUS
- Bus between Heathrow Airport and London Victoria Coach Station.
- Duration: One to one-and-a-half-hours
- Up to 48 direct buses daily
- Comfortable seating and ample luggage space
- Time reserved
Price per person*
Adult (16+): From R 265 one way
Child (3 – 15 years): From R 135 one way
Infant (0 – 3 years): Free of charge
London Underground
Take the London Underground using your London Visitor Oyster Card. Hop on the Piccadilly Line or Elizabeth Line to get you into central London. This will take around 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the time you travel (for example, morning and evening rush hours are very busy and take longer). This may cost around 12 – 15 GBP (correct at time of writing).
Gatwick Airport – London
GATWICK EXPRESS TRAIN
- Train between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria
- Duration: 35 minutes
- Departs every 15 minutes
- Non-stop train with seating and plenty of luggage space, at-seat power points to charge your devices, and on-board WiFi.
- Level platform access, wheelchair accessible
- No time reserved – take any Gatwick Express
Price per person standard class*
Adult (16+): From R 540 one way
Child (5 – 15 years): From R 155 one way
Infant (0 – 4 years): Free of charge
Price per person first class*
Adult (16+): From R 810 one way
Child (5 – 15 years): From R 415 one way
Infant (0 – 4 years): Free of charge
NATIONAL EXPRESS BUS
- Bus between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria
- Duration: Two-and-a-half-hours to three hours
- Up to 17 direct buses daily
- Comfortable seating and ample luggage space
- Time reserved
Price per person*
Adult (16+): From R 305 one way
Child (3 – 15 years): From R 155 one way
Infant (0 – 3 years): Free of charge
Stansted Airport – London
STANSTED EXPRESS TRAIN
- Train between Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street, Tottenham Hale, or Stratford International
- Duration: 50 minutes
- Every 15 – 30 minutes
- No time reserved, take any Stansted Express
Price per person standard class*
Adult (16+): From R 690 one way
Child (5 – 15 years): From R 425one way
Infant (0 – 5 years): Free of charge
NATIONAL EXPRESS BUS
- Bus between Stansted Airport and London Victoria
- Duration: Two hours
- Over 50 buses daily
- Comfortable seating and ample luggage space
- Time reserved
Price per person*
Adult (16+): From R 425 one way
Child (3 – 15 years): From R 215 one way
Infant (0 – 3 years): Free of charge
Luton Airport – London
LUTON TRAIN
- Train between London St Pancras and Luton Airport
- 50 – 60 minutes, changing at Luton Parkway
- Approximately half-hourly
- Standard commuter train
- No time reserved – take any train on this route
Price per person standard class*
Adult (16+): From R 712 one way
Child (5 – 15 years): From R 438one way
Infant (0 – 4 years): Free of charge
NATIONAL EXPRESS BUS
- Bus between Luton Airport and London Victoria
- Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Around 35 buses daily
- Comfortable seating and ample luggage space
- Time reserved
Price per person*
Adult (16+): From R 318 one way
Child (3 – 15 years): From R 160 one way
Infant (0 – 3 years): Free of charge
London City Airport – London
This journey is by Docklands Light Rail (DLR) Overground Train and can only be purchased in London. The London City Airport DLR station connects to Canning Town (seven minutes), Woolwich Arsenal, and Stratford International (17 minutes). Trains depart every eight to 15 minutes.
You may use your London Visitor Oyster Card to get to London City Airport on the DLR as it is in Zone 3.
*All rates are valid until 01 June 2023, and subject to major currency fluctuations.
IMPORTANT: All times provided are estimates based on normal weekly schedules and are subject to change. Remember to leave sufficient time between flights to get from one airport to the other, especially if changing flight providers, or from the airport to attractions or other connections. Always bear in mind that delays can and do happen, either at the airport or on the transport itself, particularly problematic during rush hour or peak holiday periods.
