Comparing the UK's two biggest airports — location, terminal experience, transfer times, and which airlines fly where.
Choosing between Heathrow and Gatwick can have a big impact on your travel experience. Both serve London but are very different in character.
Location
Heathrow is west of London, about 15 miles from the city centre. Gatwick is south, about 28 miles away. For most central London destinations, Heathrow is closer — but Gatwick is better for south London and Surrey.
Airlines
Heathrow hosts BA's main hub and is the primary entry point for long-haul routes. Gatwick is strong on European routes and budget carriers like easyJet and Norwegian.
Transfer Times
From Heathrow to central London: 45-60 minutes by car. From Gatwick: 55-75 minutes. Both can take longer in traffic.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Heathrow is closer for most central London destinations — about 15 miles west of the city compared to Gatwick's roughly 28 miles to the south. For destinations in south London or Surrey, Gatwick can actually be the shorter run.
Yes — allow 45-60 minutes from Heathrow to central London by car versus 55-75 minutes from Gatwick, though both can run longer in heavy traffic. If your hotel is south of the river, the gap narrows.
Heathrow is the UK's main long-haul hub and hosts British Airways' primary base, so if you have flight choice, Heathrow often has more long-haul route options. Gatwick is stronger for European and budget-carrier routes with airlines like easyJet.
Yes, distance is one of the main factors in transfer pricing, so a Gatwick-to-central-London transfer is typically priced higher than the equivalent Heathrow route, reflecting the longer distance and journey time.
Yes — we run private transfers from both Heathrow and Gatwick to central London and beyond, with fixed pricing agreed before you travel regardless of which airport you land at.
Both routes can be affected by traffic, particularly around the M25 and the approaches into central London during rush hour. Neither airport is reliably faster at peak times — book a wider arrival window if you're travelling during rush hour from either.