London airport transfers: choose the right train or coach
Compare Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton arrivals, including current contactless rules and the separate DART connection.
Put your accommodation address beside the airport booking before buying a transfer. Reaching a famous central station quickly may still leave you crossing London with a suitcase. The useful comparison is the full trip to your door.
Start with the correct airport
| Airport | Rail options to compare | Detail that changes the choice |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow, LHR | Piccadilly line, Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express | Terminal, London destination and the specific service fare |
| Gatwick, LGW | Thameslink, Southern, Gatwick Express | Which London station is closest to your accommodation |
| Stansted, STN | Stansted Express | Contactless is accepted; Oyster is not valid at the airport |
| Luton, LTN | Train to Luton Airport Parkway, then DART | A Parkway-only rail ticket is different from a through airport ticket |
An airport named Gatwick is LGW, not Heathrow. Check the code as well as the city name on your booking.
Compare Heathrow by destination
Heathrow’s rail guide explains the three services. The Piccadilly line takes around 50 minutes to central London, depending on the station. It can be convenient for a direct journey to an address along the line.
The Elizabeth line reaches other central stops. Its fare between Heathrow and Zone 1 is £15.50. Use the same eligible card or device to touch in and out, and check the exact station fare if your destination is elsewhere. Heathrow Express is a separate product; compare its full price plus onward travel rather than assuming it is always the best choice.
Match Gatwick to the London station
Thameslink serves stations including London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras. Southern and Gatwick Express offer different services, including Victoria options. The railway station is at the South Terminal, with the terminal shuttle needed for some arrivals.
Choose by your actual address, travel date and ticket conditions. A headline fastest time is not a promise for every station or departure.
Keep Stansted and Luton payment rules clear
Stansted Express accepts contactless bank cards and mobile wallets. Oyster is still invalid at Stansted Airport. Railcard discounts do not apply to contactless fares, so compare a valid ticket if you have a Railcard. Touch in and out with the same card or device.
At Luton, the DART takes about four minutes between Airport Parkway station and the terminal. Add the wait and the main train journey. Read your ticket’s destination and inclusions; a ticket only to Parkway does not automatically include the terminal connection.
Check the first and last useful departure
Allow for baggage, immigration where applicable and the walk to the station or coach stop. Coaches may be useful for your London address, but their road time and final stop matter. For an early flight, work back from the airline’s arrival guidance and check engineering work before paying for a tightly timed plan.