London Airport Transfers: The Complete Airport-to-Airport Guide
Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City all serve London, but they are spread across a huge area. If your next flight leaves from a different airport, choosing the wrong transfer can cost hours. This guide compares trains, coaches, taxis and private transfers, explains baggage and self-connection rules and helps you plan the journey before you land.
There is no single “London airport transfer” solution. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City are in different parts of the region. Some pairs have direct coaches, Gatwick and Luton have a particularly useful direct rail link, while other journeys require travel through central London or a direct road transfer. If you are self-connecting between separate flight bookings, you must also allow time for immigration, baggage collection, the airport transfer, check-in and security.
London five major airports are very different
The word “London” in an airport name can be misleading for first-time visitors. These airports are spread across London and the surrounding counties rather than forming one connected airport campus.
Heathrow
West of London. Major global hub with four active passenger terminals.
Gatwick
South of London in West Sussex. North and South terminals.
Stansted
North-east of London with strong coach and Stansted Express links.
Luton
North of London. Rail passengers use Luton Airport Parkway plus the DART.
London City
East London. The most central airport, directly served by the DLR.
Never use the surface journey time as your connection time
A coach advertised as taking around 70 minutes from Heathrow to Gatwick does not mean you can safely book flights 70 minutes apart.
Heathrow specifically advises passengers changing airports to factor in passport control, baggage reclaim, check-in requirements, security, waiting time and possible road or public-transport delays.
If your first flight is delayed and you miss a separately booked second flight, the second airline may not be responsible for rebooking you.
The quickest way to understand your options
| Route | Useful public option | Indicative journey | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow ↔ Gatwick | Direct coach | About 70 mins scheduled | No direct train |
| Heathrow ↔ Stansted | Direct coach | About 80–90 mins scheduled | Rail requires London change |
| Heathrow ↔ Luton | Direct coach / rail via London | Coach from about 55 mins | Allow for terminal/DART connection |
| Heathrow ↔ London City | Elizabeth line + DLR/TfL | Approx. 60–75 mins public transport | No direct train |
| Gatwick ↔ Luton | Direct Thameslink + DART | Approx. 75–105 mins to Parkway | Strong rail option |
| Gatwick ↔ Stansted | Coach or rail via London | Coach roughly 2h45–3h30 by service | Large cross-London transfer |
| Gatwick ↔ London City | Rail + TfL/DLR | Varies by route | No direct airport shuttle |
| Stansted ↔ Luton | Coach or rail via London | Rail approx. 1h15–1h40 excluding DART | Check live timetable carefully |
| Stansted ↔ London City | Stansted Express + TfL/DLR | Varies by connection | No direct airport shuttle |
| Luton ↔ London City | Rail + DLR | Approx. 1h30–2h | Multiple stages including DART |
Times are indicative rather than connection guarantees. Timetables, traffic and engineering work can change, so always check the live journey for your travel date.
Heathrow to Gatwick Airport
Heathrow and Gatwick are approximately 42 miles, or 68 kilometres, apart by road. This is one of Britain's busiest airport-to-airport transfer routes.
Gatwick Airport advises approximately 1 hour 30 minutes for the rail journey to Heathrow via Farringdon, while direct coaches can take around an hour depending on the service.
Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and London City
Heathrow and Stansted are roughly 60 miles apart by road.
Heathrow and Luton are approximately 34 miles apart by road.
Heathrow lists public-transport options of approximately 60–75 minutes, depending on the chosen Elizabeth line, Underground and DLR combination.
This is one of the better rail connections between two London airports.
Gatwick to Stansted is a substantial cross-region transfer. Coach services are available, while rail normally requires travel through London.
Public transport generally requires either a coach or a rail connection through London.
London Luton Airport quotes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours by public transport, usually involving rail into London and the DLR towards London City Airport.
London City Airport states that there are no direct airport shuttles between LCY and London's other airports.
Train, coach, taxi or private airport transfer?
Train
Often fast when the rail route is straightforward. Best examples include Gatwick to Luton. Less attractive when several central-London changes are required.
Coach
Often the simplest direct public option between major airports, particularly Heathrow and Gatwick.
Road transfer
Door-to-door and particularly useful for families, groups and travellers carrying multiple suitcases. Traffic remains the main variable.
Overnight
Sometimes the safest option for separate tickets, very early departures or an airport change after a long-haul arrival.
What a self-transfer really involves
If your arriving and departing flights are on separate bookings and from different airports, you should normally think of yourself as ending one journey and starting another.
Always work backwards from your second airline's check-in and bag-drop deadline, not simply from its departure time.
What happens to checked baggage?
Your airline may transfer bags automatically where the connection is part of the same itinerary. Confirm this with the airline.
You will often need to collect checked luggage, take it with you to the second airport and check it in again.
Factor in stairs, lifts, platforms and station changes. What looks fastest on a map may not feel fastest with several large suitcases.
What if your first flight lands late?
This depends heavily on how the tickets were purchased.
If an airline sold the flights as one protected connection, contact the airline or its ground staff as soon as it becomes clear that the connection is at risk.
With separate bookings, your second carrier may treat you as a passenger who simply did not arrive before the check-in or boarding deadline.
That is why airport-to-airport self-connections deserve a much larger buffer than same-airport connections.
Prefer to go directly from terminal to terminal?
Sussex Airports Taxis is a Sussex-based pre-booked airport transfer company, providing 24/7 airport and long-distance journeys across South East England.
For passengers changing airports, a pre-booked private transfer removes station changes and keeps passengers and luggage together for the road journey. Road conditions and traffic still need to be allowed for, particularly around London and the M25.
When convenience matters more than the headline journey time
A route involving several trains may look faster on paper but become considerably less attractive when travelling with young children, elderly passengers, mobility needs or several suitcases.
Groups should also compare the total cost rather than the cost of one individual public-transport ticket. For several passengers travelling together, the difference between transport types can narrow significantly.
Do not assume daytime transport runs all night
London has extensive public transport, but frequencies and routes change overnight. Engineering work can also affect rail services, particularly at weekends.
If your arriving flight is late in the evening and your next departure is early in the morning, compare the cost and risk of an overnight airport transfer with staying at a hotel near the departure airport.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Heathrow to Gatwick?
No. Heathrow states that there is no direct rail service between Heathrow and Gatwick. Rail journeys require a change, commonly via Farringdon or central London.
Is there a direct coach from Heathrow to Gatwick?
Yes. Multiple coach operators provide direct services between Heathrow and Gatwick.
How far is Heathrow from Gatwick?
Heathrow lists the approximate road distance as 42 miles, or 68 kilometres.
Can I travel directly from Gatwick to Luton by train?
Yes. Thameslink operates through trains between Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport Parkway. The Luton DART then connects the railway station with the terminal.
Is there a shuttle between London City Airport and other London airports?
London City Airport states there is no direct airport shuttle to London's other airports. Passengers can use the DLR and wider TfL network or arrange road transport.
Do I need to collect my luggage when changing airports?
If the flights are separate bookings, you will normally need to collect checked baggage and take it with you to the second airport. Always confirm baggage arrangements with the airline.
How much time should I allow between different London airports?
There is no universal safe connection time. You need to include immigration, baggage reclaim, waiting for transport, the airport-to-airport journey, check-in, bag drop and security. Your airline's deadlines and the specific airports involved should determine the buffer.
What is the easiest London airport transfer with heavy luggage?
A direct coach or pre-booked road transfer can be easier than a multi-change rail journey because it reduces the number of times luggage must be moved between stations and platforms.
Can I take a taxi from Heathrow to Gatwick?
Yes. Taxi and private-hire journeys operate between Heathrow and Gatwick. Pre-booking can be useful when travelling on a fixed flight connection.
Does Sussex Airports Taxis provide airport-to-airport transfers?
Sussex Airports Taxis provides pre-booked airport and long-distance transfers, including journeys involving major airports in London and South East England, subject to availability.
What happens if my first flight is delayed?
If the flights are on one protected itinerary, contact the airline. If they were booked separately, the second airline may not be responsible for a missed departure, which is why self-transfers require a larger time buffer.
Which London airport is easiest to reach by public transport?
It depends on your starting point. Heathrow has the Elizabeth line, Gatwick has direct National Rail connections, Stansted has Stansted Express, Luton uses rail plus the DART, and London City is directly served by the DLR.
Last reviewed in 2026. Journey times, frequencies, fares, road conditions and airline check-in rules can change. Always verify your exact connection with the airport, airline and transport operator before travelling.