Is Gatwick or Stansted closer to London?

Gatwick Airport is closest. London Stansted Airport is 42 miles northeast of Central London. London Gatwick is 29.5 miles south of Central London.



In terms of raw geographical distance to Central London (measured from Charing Cross), Gatwick Airport is closer, situated approximately 28 miles (45 km) south of the city, while Stansted Airport is roughly 40 miles (64 km) to the northeast. However, for a traveler, "closeness" is often defined by transit time rather than miles. Gatwick is widely considered more convenient because it offers more diverse and frequent rail connections. The Gatwick Express reaches London Victoria in 30–35 minutes, and Thameslink trains provide direct access to London Bridge, Farringdon, and St. Pancras. Stansted is primarily served by the Stansted Express, which takes about 45–50 minutes to reach London Liverpool Street. While Stansted is a major hub for budget carriers like Ryanair, Gatwick's more central rail links and its status as the "second-largest" airport in the UK typically make it the preferred choice for those wanting the fastest access to the heart of the capital.

People Also Ask

Gatwick can be quicker to get to from London compared with Stansted. Where are you staying, one block off Holborn can mean anywhere in a large area. Gatwick is a much larger airport and maybe is more expensive to get to and further away.

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So, which airport will get you to Big Ben the fastest? Are you looking for a fast and easy connection to the city? Then, Heathrow and London City are the best options, especially if you're flying from the US.

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London-Heathrow is one of the busiest and most well-connected airports in the world, easily making it the main London airport. As of July 2023, a whopping 81 airlines operate flights from London-Heathrow to 218 destinations across 86 countries.

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Heathrow is much easier for car connections into London - maybe an hour nearer than Gatwick. Assuming you will be staying in central London, both airports offer a reasonably priced express train service connecting to central London stations.

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Despite being a bit farther from the city centre than Heathrow, Gatwick offers efficient and well-connected transportation options, making it a popular choice for both short-haul European flights and travellers heading to south coast destinations.

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The Gatwick Express train is by far the most preferred method of transportation to get to and from central London and Gatwick Airport. Non-stop trains run every 15 minutes, and take about 30 minutes (or 35 minutes on Sundays) between both pick-up points.

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Despite being a bit farther from the city centre than Heathrow, Gatwick offers efficient and well-connected transportation options, making it a popular choice for both short-haul European flights and travellers heading to south coast destinations.

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How much does the train from Gatwick Airport to London cost? Train tickets from Gatwick Airport to London can start from as little as $14.49 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.

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Getting to London from Stansted Airport is quite simple and there are a variety of options to choose from. Choose from a hassle-free private transfer to a direct train service on the Stansted Express route arriving in Liverpool Street Station.

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The average price of the transfer in Uber between London and Stansted is 40 pounds each way, 30% cheaper than normal cabs, so it comes out well priced if you travel in a group and divide your payment by not charging per person but per trip.

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Transfer from Gatwick Airport To London by Taxi: Gatwick Airport To London Transfer will cost approximately £80.00* for a normal saloon car, which can carry 4 passengers, 2 check-in luggage, and 2 hand luggage.

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We advise that you arrive at least two hours before your flight to allow plenty of extra time to check-in and pass through security.

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Generally, the journey from Gatwick Airport to London by train takes around 48 minutes, although the fastest services take just 28 minutes. As there are around 935 direct trains on this route every day, you don't need to make any changes during your journey.

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