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# Choosing the Right Airport

The best London airport depends on route, price, airline, luggage, time of day, and where in London you need to be.

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## Best by travel need

| Need | Usually best options |
|---|---|
| Long-haul business or international connections | [Heathrow](page:532) |
| Long-haul leisure or south London access | [Gatwick](page:533) |
| Budget European flights | [Stansted](page:534), [Luton](page:535), [Gatwick](page:533) |
| Canary Wharf or City of London business trip | [London City](page:536) |
| North London or M1 corridor | [Luton](page:535) |
| Northeast London, Essex, or Cambridge | [Stansted](page:534) |
| East London or Essex with a matching route | [Southend](page:537) |

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## Decision checklist

1. Compare flights by total trip cost, including airport transport.
2. Check how early or late the flight is.
3. Confirm terminal and baggage rules.
4. Estimate door-to-door time to your exact London address.
5. Consider disruption risk and backup routes.
6. Compare your exact London destination using [Best airport by London area](page:62887).

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## Rule of thumb

Pick [Heathrow](page:532) for global connectivity, [Gatwick](page:533) for broad leisure and international choice, [Stansted](page:534) or [Luton](page:535) for budget European flights, [London City](page:536) for central business convenience, and [Southend](page:537) only when its specific route and timing work well.

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## Links here

- [London Airports](/smee-again/530-london-airports/en)
- [Ground Transport](page:538)