Best Airport for Central London (time wise)

fugee

Hi,

I need to get to Fleet street for a morning meeting, and I was wondering what is the quickest airport to get there from?

Assuming I land about 8.15 at all airports, how long is the commute from each airport.

Cheers

mikedragon32

London City Airport is by far the quickest. Light Rail link to the central London and easy access by road too if you choose to take a taxi. Because the airport is so small you can be off the plane and on the platform (or in a cab) in about 5 to 10 minutes.

LHR has direct rail and tube links but you're prone to delays there. Train takes you to Paddington in about 15 minutes or so. Bear in mind you'll have a hell of a walk from the Gate to the platform.

Luton, the train takes about an hour to Kings Cross and the station is about 10 minutes from the terminal.

Gatwick, Gatwick express takes 30 - 35 minutes to Victoria station, but I've never been to Gatwick so don't know about the time it would take to get from plane to train.

Stanstead, the Stanstead express takes 45 minutes to Liverpool street. Again, Stanstead is prone to delays and it takes 15 - 20 minutes to get from plane to train.

brettmirl

I'd say London City too. Quickest plane to road route of all the London Airports.

Only problem with City, is that flight prices can be steep compared to the rest, as only CityJet fly there at the moment.

Weigh up flight cost + train/taxi to London to compare all.
Heathrow Express ain't cheap!

Then again, if you are not paying for the flights... :-)

BuffyBot

London City would appear to be a good choice if you're heading for Fleet Street.

If you're travelling after Jun 1st, BA will also by flying from Dublin to London City Airport

Jimoslimos

mikedragon32 wrote: »

Gatwick, Gatwick express takes 30 - 35 minutes to Victoria station, but I've never been to Gatwick so don't know about the time it would take to get from plane to train.

About 5-10mins max from baggage reclaim to train. No need to fork out for Gatwick express either, just get one of the Thameslink trains which only have two stops before London Bridge (only about 5 mins slower)

in order I'd consider quickest (and easiest)
1) London City
2) Gatwick
3) Heathrow
4) Stansted
5) Luton

Oh and try the Transport for London or National Rail websites for actual journey times

alpha2zulu

If its on expense account go to City airport,Otherwise i would say Gatwick. Plane to train took 15 min last time (hand baggage only) allow extra 10min if flying to the North terminal.Southern services to London Victoria are your best bet. Fair bit cheaper than the Gatwick express and modern rolling stock. Southern trains tend to be timetabled 3min after GatEx departures, journry times about 3-5 min longer.

Luton and Stansted dont cut the mustard. STN express usually took me 50min and the luton rail shuttle bus tends to drag out that journey to the bones of an hour to St.Pancras international

Heathrow express quick but rediculously priced and your much more likely to be delayed flying to LHR. The piccadilly line Underground takes around 50 minutes to central london but is nice and cheap.


Spot on Jimo!

in order I'd consider quickest (and easiest)
1) London City
2) Gatwick
3) Heathrow
4) Stansted
5) Luton

Naked Lepper

mick_irl wrote: »

Only problem with City, is that flight prices can be steep compared to the rest, as only CityJet fly there at the moment.

And so it shall remain to be only air france/city jet who fly there as only the BAe 146 (RJ) planes can land there due to their ability to descend in small urban areas.

brettmirl

Naked Lepper wrote: »

And so it shall remain to be only air france/city jet who fly there as only the BAe 146 (RJ) planes can land there due to their ability to descend in small urban areas.

As BuffyBot said, BA (operated by BA Cityflyer) will start flights into London City from Dublin from June.

Just took a quick look at flights on the BA website, flights in June are €40 each way plus tax.

Quick price comparison - flying out June 18th and back on the 19th:

CityJet - €265.87
BA - €179.71

highlydebased

Naked Lepper wrote: »

And so it shall remain to be only air france/city jet who fly there as only the BAe 146 (RJ) planes can land there due to their ability to descend in small urban areas.

No thats not it, its due to the steeper than usual glideslope at LCY.

mcic

Isn't BA starting an all business class flight from London City to New York in the next year, using an Airbus A318 with a stopover in Shannon (for refuelling)?

So obviously they can handle narrow body jets for short haul flights from LCY.

BuffyBot

LCY can take other aircraft than the BAE146/Avro that Cityjet use..but this is now becoming a conversation for the Aviation and Aircraft forum, so if anyone wants to continue it, please go there and allow this thread to go back on topic