You might not see the difference in airports if you aren’t an avid traveller. But if you often have to catch a flight you should be vigilant on the choice of airport. When you have to fly, you do not want your travel experience to become compromised.
From travel packing to the destination everything is done keeping many factories in mind. But when you have to choose the airports, you need to research well.
In London, Heathrow and Gatwick airports are known for being the best ones with updated facilities and everything you need including the reliable airport transportation. However, if you don’t know the difference between these two airports i.e, London Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW), this post should help.
Let’s first check out the key points such as transportation options, distances, flight system etc.
London Heathrow Airport
Heathrow airport is not only the busiest airport in London but also one of the most prominent one. Being the major global hub, here you get extensive flight options to many destinations from/to all over the world. It’s situated about 14 miles west of central London.
Talking about the environments, Heathrow airport has reliable and the best transportation option with superior amenities, dining facilities, shopping and more.
Distance and transportation choice
If you talk about the journey from zone 1 to Heathrow, it would take approximately 45 minutes. Passengers can effortlessly access all the five terminals and three tube stations in zone 6, where it takes 45 minutes from Zone 1 to Heathrow.
Transportation options are pretty much diverse including the famous black cabs. Heathrow also offers bus and coach service plus passengers can opt for card or contactless payment for smart interaction. The taxi service London is reliable if you want a direct and seamless journey to and from the airport.
Transport Options
- Heathrow Express: 15 minutes to London Paddington
- Elizabeth Line: 30-45 minutes to Central London
- London Underground (Piccadilly Line): 50-60 minutes
- Taxis/Ride-Share: Around 40-60 minutes (traffic-dependent)
London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick airport is another quite famous international airport in London. It has 2 terminals North and South whereas the overall layout is pretty compact and easy for passengers to navigate and explore.
For facilities and services, Gatwick airport is advanced where you get high-end retail and a wide range of dining options. Also the diverse and premium lounges, including airline-specific options are there. For extras, you have spa services, business centres, and family-friendly facilities.
The popular destinations of Gatwick airports are major European cities (e.g., Barcelona, Paris, Rome) for long haul.
Distance and transportation choice
It’s located about 28 miles south of central London. It’s well-connected and offers all the facilities for sure. Now let’s talk about the transportation options at Gatwick airport.
Transport Options
- Gatwick Express: 30 minutes to London Victoria
- Thameslink Trains: 30-45 minutes to multiple central locations
- Southern Rail: 35-45 minutes to London Victoria
- Taxis/Ride-Share: Around 60-90 minutes (traffic-dependent)
Which Airport To Choose
And now, the most important question- which airport to choose when you have to finalize the choice. To keep the travel highly seamless, here are a few points to bear in mind when looking for taxi service near me.
The peak travel season is something that matters the most. For peak travel season, both Heathrow and Gatwick airports are best but crowded, obviously. Therefore you should plan the trip accordingly to wisely tackle the delays and crowded areas.
For non-European union, at Heathrow airport, you can expect longer queues at immigration. However, Gatwick is a rather less busy airport for immigration lines due to automatic gates. For cost, both Heathrow express and Gatwick express are a bit costly. Therefore choosing affordable service would be reliable such as a taxi.
Gatwick airport offers affordable flights as compared to Heathrow plus you get added convenience of few deals of flight. It’s easy to navigate due to the small size of the airport. Gatwick airport is exclusively ideal for budget travellers and its home to many low-cost carriers.
Since Gatwick airport London offers a mix of budget-friendly and premium options, it becomes a versatile choice for a wide range of travellers.
Conclusion
While it depends on many factors to choose the best airport, you still need to do proper research when it’s up to you. However, Heathrow airport can be the better selection if you talk about its ample and seamless global connectivity. As you want to choose the best London airport transfer, choose the airport that is affordable and offers facilities.
Also the luxury and glorious lounges help passengers to sit and explore more. For those looking forward to a less crowded place, Gatwick airport can be ideal and for travellers heading to south coast destinations.
Another advantage of Gatwick airport is that you can travel directly by train to over 120 stations without having to change. Travellers can also reach more than 700 stations within one change.
