London serves six major airports, each presenting unique challenges for travelers. Understanding which airport actually makes sense for your departure—and how long professional transportation realistically takes—prevents missed flights and expensive last-minute disasters.
- Heathrow Airport (LHR): The Closest Major Hub
Distance from Central London: 15-20 miles
Typical Journey Time: 45-90 minutes (heavily traffic-dependent)
Peak Traffic Hours: Avoid 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM weekdays
Rough Cost Range: £80-150 for standard sedan, £120-200 for luxury SUV
Heathrow’s five terminals sit west of London via M4 motorway or A4 road. Morning westbound traffic from central London moves relatively smoothly, but eastbound return journeys during evening rush hours become parking lots. Terminals 2, 3, and 5 handle most international flights; confirm your specific terminal when booking.
Smart timing: Depart central London 3 hours before international flights, 2.5 hours for domestic. Add 30 minutes during rush hour or bad weather.
- Gatwick Airport (LGW): The Southern Option
Distance from Central London: 28-30 miles
Typical Journey Time: 60-120 minutes
Peak Traffic Hours: M23/M25 junction congestion weekday mornings
Rough Cost Range: £100-180 for sedan, £140-220 for SUV
Located south of London, Gatwick requires navigating M25 orbital motorway—Britain’s notorious circular car park during peak times. North and South terminals serve different airlines; verify which terminal before departure to avoid cross-terminal shuttle delays.
Smart timing: Allow 3.5 hours before international flights from central London, particularly during morning rush. Evening departures offer slightly better traffic flow.
- Stansted Airport (STN): The Northeast Gateway
Distance from Central London: 35-40 miles
Typical Journey Time: 60-100 minutes
Peak Traffic Hours: M11 motorway congestion during weekday commutes
Rough Cost Range: £110-190 for sedan, £150-230 for SUV
Stansted sits northeast via M11 motorway, primarily serving European budget carriers. The single terminal simplifies navigation but distance makes timing crucial. Traffic flows better than Heathrow and Gatwick routes, though roadworks frequently impact M11 journey times.
Smart timing: 3 hours before departure provides comfortable buffer for check-in and security.
- Luton Airport (LTN): The Northern Alternative
Distance from Central London: 30-35 miles
Typical Journey Time: 60-110 minutes
Peak Traffic Hours: M1 motorway congestion, particularly northbound mornings
Rough Cost Range: £100-180 for sedan, £140-220 for SUV
Northwest of London via M1 motorway, Luton serves budget carriers with single terminal operations. The airport shuttle from car park to terminal adds 10 minutes but limousines access direct drop-off points, eliminating this hassle.
Smart timing: 3 hours before international flights accounts for variable M1 traffic conditions.
- London City Airport (LCY): The Business Traveler’s Choice
Distance from Central London: 6-10 miles
Typical Journey Time: 25-45 minutes
Peak Traffic Hours: Minimal impact due to proximity
Rough Cost Range: £60-100 for sedan, £80-130 for SUV
Located in Docklands, City Airport offers closest proximity to central London and fastest security processing. Limited to smaller aircraft serving primarily European business destinations. The compact single terminal means quick processing times.
Smart timing: 2 hours before departure suffices for this efficient airport.
- Southend Airport (SEN): The Forgotten Option
Distance from Central London: 40-42 miles
Typical Journey Time: 70-120 minutes
Rough Cost Range: £120-200 for sedan, £160-250 for SUV
Far east of London, Southend serves limited European budget routes. Only consider if significantly cheaper fares justify the extended journey time.
Booking Smart
Compare London Limousine Companies through DotLimo.com, requesting quotes specifying your exact pickup location, airport terminal, and departure time. Professional drivers familiar with optimal routes for specific times of day make critical differences in journey reliability.
Remember: London traffic is unpredictable. Always budget extra time—arriving early beats missing flights.
