Arriving in London: Everything You Need to Know About London’s 6 Airports
Moving to London to study English is a huge adventure! But before you can start practising your “sorry” and “cheers,” you have to actually get into the city. London has six major airports, and choosing the right one can save you a lot of time and money.
Whether you’re landing for the first time or planning a weekend getaway to Europe during your course, here is the Speak Up London guide to navigating the London airports in 2026.
Start Your London Adventure with Confidence! Before you even touch down at the airport, make sure you’re ready to navigate the city like a local. At Speak Up London, our General English courses are designed to give you the real-world communication skills you need – from ordering a coffee to mastering the London Underground. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to polish your fluency, our central London campus is the perfect place to learn.
1. London Heathrow (LHR) – The Global Giant
Heathrow is the largest and busiest airport in the UK. If you are flying from outside Europe, this is likely where you’ll land.
Best For: International students and long-haul flights.
The Vibe: Modern, massive, and very busy.
Travel Tip: As of 2026, Heathrow has scrapped the 100ml liquid rule! You can now carry larger containers of liquids and keep your laptop in your bag during security.
Getting to School: The Elizabeth Line is the best balance of speed and price. You can also take the Piccadilly Line (Tube) for a cheaper journey directly into Central London.
2. London Gatwick (LGW) – The Great All-Rounder
Located south of London, Gatwick is the second-largest airport. It’s a mix of big international airlines and low-cost carriers like easyJet.
Best For: A balance of price and convenience.
Getting to School: The Gatwick Express takes just 30 minutes to reach Victoria Station. For a cheaper option, use the Thameslink or Southern trains—you can pay with your Contactless card or Oyster!
3. London Stansted (STN) – The Budget Traveler’s Hub
If you want to explore Europe on your weekends off from Speak Up London, you’ll become very familiar with Stansted. It’s the main base for Ryanair.
Best For: Cheap flights to Europe.
Getting to School: The Stansted Express goes to Liverpool Street. Pro tip: If you’re heading to East London, get off at Tottenham Hale and hop on the Victoria Line!
4. London Luton (LTN) – The Easy Access Choice
Luton is another favourite for budget airlines. It’s located north of London and has seen major improvements recently with the DART shuttle.
Best For: Low-cost flights to Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Getting to School: Take the Luton DART (a quick shuttle) from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway station, then catch a train to St Pancras International.
5. London City (LCY) – The VIP Experience
This is the closest airport to Central London, located right in the Docklands. You can go from the plane to the train in 15 minutes!
Best For: Speed, convenience, and business travelers.
Getting to School: Just hop on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). It connects directly to the Tube network.
6. London Southend (SEN) – The Quiet Outlier
Southend is the furthest away, located on the coast of Essex. While it has fewer flights, it’s often much more peaceful than the others.
Best For: Avoiding crowds if your specific route flies here.
| Airport | Distance to Central London | Top Transport Option | Est. Time |
| Heathrow | 15 miles | Elizabeth Line / Tube | 45–60 mins |
| Gatwick | 28 miles | Gatwick Express | 30 mins |
| Stansted | 40 miles | Stansted Express | 50 mins |
| Luton | 35 miles | Train via Luton DART | 40 mins |
| London City | 7 miles | DLR | 20 mins |
Speak Up London’s Top Travel Tips:
Book in Advance: Train tickets are significantly cheaper if you buy them weeks before you fly.
Use Contactless: For Heathrow, Gatwick, and City, you don’t need a paper ticket – just tap your bank card or phone.
Check the Terminal: Heathrow has 4 active terminals. Always check your ticket so you don’t end up on the wrong side of the airport!
Don’t Just Visit London — Live It! Now that you know how to get here, it’s time to find your voice. Our General English courses at Speak Up London offer flexible schedules, a central location on Oxford Street, and a vibrant international community. Whether you want to improve your speaking for travel, work, or fun, we have a class for you.
