Flying to London

BullBauld

Hello all

I am considering going to London for a few nights over new years. I have never been before and so I'm wondering where is best to fly to from Dublin...gatwick/Heathrow/stanstead ect?

Which airport is the handiest to access the city. Are any just too far out to consider?

Any replys welcome.

aphex™

I have friends who fly to London a lot. They only go through Gatwick as they feel the security is less invasive there as opposed to Heathrow where it takes ages to get through security.

Then you could get the Gatwick express to Victoria station which runs 4 times an hour. Takes 30 mins.

dereko1969

I think Luton would be the only one to actively avoid, just too far out. Gatwick and Stansted are handy would echo the pain that is security at Heathrow but it does have the tube which is a cheaper way to get into the city.
use this site for planning your journeys into the city and around the city
http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en

Fratton Fred

It doesn't really make a lot of difference to be honest. I much prefer Heathrow and I usually fly with BMI who I find the best, but you can get very good deals to Stansted with Ryanair.

Some people love Gatwick, I hate it personally. Termianl one at Heathrow is quite quick for security I find and I usually fly at 5pm on a friday, a very busy time.

If you go to Heathrow you have four choices of getting into twon, Heathrow Express, Heathrow connect, tube or bus. If you are in a hurrey the Express is the best, it gets you into Paddington in 15 minutes but is about £25 return. The connect is cheaper but takes 35 minutes I think. The price for that depends on the time of day. Or the cheapest would be the tube, but it is a long very boring journey.

Stansted you have the express which takes 50 minutes and costs £24 return, or there are a number of buses (National Express or Easybus) which are cheap but take longer.

Gatwick, same as Stansted buses or Gatwick Express.

Luton you have the train, but you need to catch a bus to the train. It is nearer the city than Stansted, but because of the bus link takes longer.

Or there is London City, you will need to check cityjet or BA for flights to there, but then you are on theDLR which gets you into the centre quite quick.

My choice though, always, is Heathrow and the Heathrow Express. Paddington is on four tube lines as well so you can get anywhere quick.

Monkey61

If you don't mind spending a bit of money then Heathrow or Gatwick are much of a muchness really because the Heathrow and Gatwick expresses are very quick - very pricey though.

If you choose Heathrow you can just hop on the tube and go straight to your destination, which is very easy and costs £4 or (£3.80 if you get an oyster card).

I fly back and forth each week to Gatwick, because you can book an easybus for £2 each way - which drops you at Fulham Broadway. If you are staying far away though, the tube fare to your hotel, will cost extra. I'm a big fan of Gatwick airport though - pleasant, easy to negotiate etc.

Luton is too far and you can't get into central London from Stansted for less than £9 each way on the bus. Also Aer Lingus flies to Heathrow pretty much on the hour, similarly Ryanair does to Gatwick while flights to other airports are possibly less regular.

Alias B

Ryanair fly into Luton, Gatwick and Stansted at competitive prices, and of these Stansted is the most easily accessible in my experience! When you come out of arrivals you walk to the main exit which has the ticket terminal for the Stansted express which is £29 and this will take you direct to Liverpool St from which you can access most tube lines or, if someone is meeting you there its a good meeting point! You can also buy these express line tickets on board ryanair at a reduced cost. Its fairly hassle free so enjoy! Londons great!

Tabnabs

London City Airport every time. No throngs, no screaming kids, into the city within minutes and one of the most memorable landings of any airport in these parts. It will cost more (CityJet are usually cheapest) but worth every penny.

OPENROAD

BullBauld wrote: »

Hello all

I am considering going to London for a few nights over new years. I have never been before and so I'm wondering where is best to fly to from Dublin...gatwick/Heathrow/stanstead ect?

Which airport is the handiest to access the city. Are any just too far out to consider?

Any replys welcome.

When you say the City do you mean the Financial district or are you referring just to London in general. Where are you staying?

Personally I would go to Heathrow, fly with bmi British Midland, best airline out there and they can work out cheaper than Ryanair. From Heathrow it depends where you are staying, yes Heathrow Express is quick but it is not always the quickest, tube can be quicker and is cheaper.

If you provide bit more info where you are staying, sure we can give you some definite advise.

Davidth88

I flew into Gatwick for the first time in about 10 years recently ( usually use Heathrow ) , I totally agree about the security , its amazing what a smile can do.

Other airports should send their staff to Gatwick for lessons in civility.

Ponster

+1 London City Airport

Fratton Fred

Davidth88 wrote: »

I flew into Gatwick for the first time in about 10 years recently ( usually use Heathrow ) , I totally agree about the security , its amazing what a smile can do.

Other airports should send their staff to Gatwick for lessons in civility.

Gatwick security is great, but I always seem to get caugh up with the Palma flight and it seems to be full of the shell suit wearing/peroxide blondes and their girlfriends going for two weeks in Shagaluf

I've never flown from London City though, the trouble is when i fly, first thing Monday morning and friday evening, the flights from the are three times the price of a BMI flight to/from Heathrow.