Closest Airports to London Heathrow Airport: Exploring Your Options
As one of the busiest airports in the world, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) serves as a critical hub for international travel. However, there are several other airports in close proximity that offer convenient alternatives. Each of these airports has its unique features and services, providing practical options for those looking to avoid the bustle of LHR or seeking closer access to specific destinations.
In the list below, we present the nearest 10 airports to LHR "as the crow flies," complete with an interactive map for easy navigation. Additionally, we provide driving distances and estimated drive times to major nearby cities. It's important to note that the information given is approximate and does not take into account variables like traffic, road conditions, or the need for additional transportation modes such as ferries. This guide aims to help you explore these alternatives, ensuring a smoother and more tailored travel experience.
Driving Distances From LHR Airport:
From London Heathrow Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
Nearby Cities
- London, England - 26 kilometers (Approx. 49 mins)
- Birmingham, England - 183 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 54 mins)
- Manchester, England - 317 kilometers (Approx. 3 hours 27 mins)
Other Landmarks
- Wembley Stadium in London, England - 23 kilometers (Approx. 33 mins)
Distances from LHR (London Heathrow Airport) to Nearby Airports:
- LCY (London City Airport) - 22 miles (36 km)
- LGW (London Gatwick Airport) - 25 miles (41 km)
- LTN (London Luton Airport) - 28 miles (46 km)
- STN (London Stansted Airport) - 42 miles (68 km)
- SEN (London Southend Airport) - 50 miles (81 km)
- BHX (Birmingham Airport) - 87 miles (141 km)
- BRS (Bristol Airport) - 97 miles (157 km)
- EMA (East Midlands Airport) - 101 miles (163 km)
- MAN (Manchester Airport) - 151 miles (244 km)
- LIL (Lille Airport) - 167 miles (269 km)
Services & Information: Alternative Airports Near LHR
London City Airport (LCY)
Located just 7 miles east of Central London, London City Airport serves as a key hub for travelers looking to explore the heart of the United Kingdom's vibrant capital city.
Quick Facts
- IATA Code: LCY
- Official Name: London City Airport
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Prominent Airlines: British Airways, KLM
- Popular Aircraft: Embraer 19X/17X, Bombardier Dash 8
- Top Destinations: Amsterdam (AMS), Netherlands; Edinburgh (EDI), Scotland; Glasgow (GLA), Scotland
- Transportation Options: London City Airport is well connected by public transport, including the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) which provides direct access to the London Underground. Private car services and taxis are readily available, and rideshare services like Uber operate in the area. There are also several private shuttle services that offer door-to-door service from the airport to hotels in London.
Driving Distances
From London City Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
- London, England - 14 kilometers (Approx. 34 mins)
- Birmingham, England - 219 kilometers (Approx. 2 hours 26 mins)
- Bristol, England - 257 kilometers (Approx. 2 hours 47 mins)
- The O2 Arena in London, England - 10 kilometers (Approx. 19 mins)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Conveniently located just 29.5 miles south of Central London, London Gatwick Airport is the second largest international airport in the UK and offers a wide range of services and amenities for travelers.
Quick Facts
- IATA Code: LGW
- Official Name: London Gatwick Airport
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Annual Passenger Volume: Approximately 46.5 million passengers per year
- Prominent Airlines: easyJet, British Airways
- Popular Aircraft: Airbus A380, Boeing 777, Airbus A350, Airbus A31X/32X, Boeing 737
- Top Destinations: Dublin, Guernsey, Belfast, Mauritius, Cape Town
- Transportation Options: London Gatwick Airport is well-connected by public transport, with direct train services to London and other major cities. Taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services like Uber are also available. Additionally, there are several private shuttle services providing transportation to and from the airport.
Driving Distances
From London Gatwick Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
- Brighton, England - 45 kilometers (Approx. 39 mins)
- London, England - 82 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 19 mins)
- Reading, England - 103 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 13 mins)
- Wembley Stadium in London, England - 95 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 10 mins)
London Luton Airport (LTN)
Conveniently located just 35 miles north of central London, London Luton Airport serves as an important hub for numerous airlines, offering a wide range of domestic and international flights.
Quick Facts
- IATA Code: LTN
- Official Name: London Luton Airport
- Location: Luton, England, United Kingdom
- Prominent Airlines: easyJet, Wizz Air UK
- Popular Aircraft: Airbus A31X/32X, Boeing 737
- Top Destinations: Amsterdam, Netherlands; Belfast, United Kingdom; Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Hurghada, Egypt; Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
- Transportation Options: London Luton Airport is well connected by bus, train, and taxi services. There are also car hire companies available at the airport. Rideshare services like Uber operate in the area, providing another convenient option for travelers.
Driving Distances
From London Luton Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
- London, England - 55 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 9 mins)
- Cambridge, England - 61 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 4 mins)
- Birmingham, England - 143 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 36 mins)
- Wembley Stadium in London, England - 48 kilometers (Approx. 40 mins)
London Stansted Airport (STN)
Located just 42 miles northeast of Central London, London Stansted Airport serves as a major hub for several European low-cost carriers and offers a wide range of amenities and services for travelers.
Quick Facts
- IATA Code: STN
- Official Name: London Stansted Airport
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Annual Passenger Volume: Not provided
- Prominent Airlines: Ryanair, Region-Avia
- Popular Aircraft: Boeing 777, Boeing 737, Airbus A31X/32X
- Top Destinations: Dublin, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dubai, Sharm el Sheikh
- Transportation Options: London Stansted Airport offers a variety of transportation options. These include taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Additionally, there are several private shuttle services that provide door-to-door service from the airport to various locations in London.
Driving Distances
From London Stansted Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
- Cambridge, England - 48 kilometers (Approx. 41 mins)
- London, England - 66 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 6 mins)
- Birmingham, England - 201 kilometers (Approx. 2 hours 11 mins)
- Wembley Stadium in London, England - 69 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 3 mins)
London Southend Airport (SEN)
Conveniently located approximately 36 miles east of Central London, London Southend Airport serves as a key gateway to the United Kingdom's vibrant capital city and its numerous attractions.
Quick Facts
- IATA Code: SEN
- Official Name: London Southend Airport
- Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex, United Kingdom
- Prominent Airlines: easyJet
- Popular Aircraft: Airbus A31X/32X
- Top Destinations: Amsterdam (AMS), Netherlands
- Transportation Options: The airport is well-connected by train, bus, and taxi services. Car rental services and rideshare options like Uber are also available. There are no domestic flights departing from Southend.
Driving Distances
From London Southend Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
- London, England - 66 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 12 mins)
- Colchester, England - 64 kilometers (Approx. 53 mins)
- Cambridge, England - 111 kilometers (Approx. 1 hour 26 mins)
- London Stadium in London, England - 61 kilometers (Approx. 58 mins)
Birmingham-UK Airport (BHX)
Located in the heart of England, Birmingham-UK Airport serves as a central hub for both domestic and international flights, providing easy access to the vibrant city of Birmingham and its surrounding attractions.
Bristol Airport (BRS)
Conveniently located just 8 miles southwest of Bristol city center, Bristol Airport serves as a major hub for travelers exploring the vibrant city of Bristol and the surrounding areas of the South West England.
East Midlands Airport (EMA)
Located conveniently near the heart of England, East Midlands Airport serves as a key gateway to the Midlands, with close proximity to major cities such as Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester.
Manchester Airport (MAN)
Located just 14 kilometers southwest of Manchester city center, Manchester Airport serves as a key gateway to the North West of England, offering a wide range of domestic and international flights.
Lille Airport (LIL)
Located just a short distance from the bustling city center of Lille, Lille Airport serves as a convenient gateway to the beautiful French region of Hauts-de-France, offering numerous connections to cities across Europe.