The best London airport depends on route, price, airline, luggage, time of day, and where in London you need to be.
Best by travel need
| Need | Usually best options |
|---|---|
| Long-haul business or international connections | Heathrow |
| Long-haul leisure or south London access | Gatwick |
| Budget European flights | Stansted, Luton, Gatwick |
| Canary Wharf or City of London business trip | London City |
| North London or M1 corridor | Luton |
| Northeast London, Essex, or Cambridge | Stansted |
| East London or Essex with a matching route | Southend |
Decision checklist
- Compare flights by total trip cost, including airport transport.
- Check how early or late the flight is.
- Confirm terminal and baggage rules.
- Estimate door-to-door time to your exact London address.
- Consider disruption risk and backup routes.
- Compare your exact London destination using Best airport by London area.
Rule of thumb
Pick Heathrow for global connectivity, Gatwick for broad leisure and international choice, Stansted or Luton for budget European flights, London City for central business convenience, and Southend only when its specific route and timing work well.