London Airports

London City Airport (LCY)

Location: The airport is situated at the Royal Docks, 10 miles (16km) from the West End. Time: GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +44 (0)20 7646 0088. Transfer to the city: An airport shuttle bus leaves regularly from the front of the Terminal to Canning Town, Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street, all on the London Underground network. Canning Town Station is the closest, just five minutes away, from where travellers can catch either the Jubilee Line or the Docklands Light Railway into the centre of London. The Docklands Light Railway extension connects the airport to the city and Canary Wharf and is the quickest way to reach central London. Car rental: Car rental desks are situated on the ground floor, rental companies include Avis, Europcar and Hertz. Facilities: There are shops, bars and a restaurant at City Airport, other facilities include left luggage, a mother and baby room, tourist information and business facilities including Internet and fax. There are also ATMs, a bureau de change and Internet facilities. The disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should ideally inform their airline in advance. Parking: Both short and long-term car parking is adjacent to the Terminal. Prior booking can be done on the airport website. Departure tax: None. Website:www.londoncityairport.com

London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Location: The airport is situated 28 miles (45km) south of London. Time: GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +44 (0)870 000 2468.
Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are linked by the Inter Terminal Transit train that leaves every three minutes. Transfer to the city: The easiest and quickest way to London is on the Gatwick Express train that leaves regularly and takes 30 minutes to the central Victoria railway station, single tickets cost £15. Buses and taxis are also available. Car rental: Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz operate from both terminals. Facilities: Both terminals have shops, restaurants, bars, left luggage, bureaux de change, ATMs, an Internet café, baby changing rooms and children's play areas. In the South Terminal there is a post office, a medical centre offering vaccinations, and the BAA Conference and Business Centre, which provides meeting rooms, videoconferencing, fax, photocopy, Internet access and secretarial services. Disabled facilities at the airport are good; those who require special assistance should contact their airline in advance. Parking: There is short-term car parking next to each terminal. Long-term parking is available further away; a shuttle bus runs between the car parks and the terminals. Passengers can book parking at least four days in advance on the airport website. Departure tax: None. Website:www.gatwickairport.com

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Location: The airport is situated 15 miles (24km) west of London. Time: GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +44 (0)8700 000 123. Transfer between terminals: Transfer between the five terminals is free on the Heathrow Express train. Transfer to the city: The best way to London is on the Heathrow Express train, which leaves every 15 minutes for Paddington station taking 15 minutes. Tickets can be booked at www.heathrowexpress.co.uk and cost £14.50. Paddington has good connections to the other London railway stations and all parts of London via the underground (the tube). Dot2Dot is an airport transfer service provided by National Express that transports customers between central London hotels, offices and residences and both Heathrow and Gatwick airports. There is also a Dot2Dot service from the airport to Canary Wharf. Prices start from £17.50. Heathrow is on the Piccadilly underground line, which takes passengers into central London in around 40 minutes; it is a slower way to travel, but much cheaper. London's black taxicabs also service Heathrow Airport, the journey time to central London varies from 20 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic. Taxis are available from outside each terminal. Car rental: Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt each operate at all terminals. Facilities: There are numerous shops, bars and restaurants, ATMs and currency exchange facilities in all terminals. Each terminal also has a left luggage facility and postal services. A pharmacy is available in Terminal 1. Disabled facilities are good; those requiring special needs are advised to contact their airline in advance. Parking: Short-term parking is available adjacent to the airport. A free shuttle service links the terminals and the long-term and business car parks. Parking can be booked on 0870 850 2825 or via the airport website. Valet parking is also available at all four terminals. Motorbikes can park free of charge at designated areas at each terminal. Departure tax: None. Website:www.heathrowairport.com

London Luton Airport (LTN)

Location: The airport is situated 32 miles (52km) northwest of London. Time: GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +44 (0)1582 405 100. Transfer to the city: Trains leave regularly to Kings Cross, London, and on to Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge stations. Luton Airport Parkway train station is connected to the terminal by a free shuttle bus service. Tickets can be bought from the onward travel centre at the airport or online. Easybus, Green Line and National Express buses run daily between the airport and central London. Taxis operate from the airport 24-hours a day. Car rental: Avis, Hertz, Europcar and National Alamo are all represented at the airport. Facilities: Facilities at the airport include shops, bars, restaurants, bureaux de change, ATMs, a children's play area and baby changing rooms. Facilities for the disabled are good; those with special needs are advised to contact their airline or travel agent in advance. Parking: There is short-term parking, and 'executive' parking next to the terminal. Long-term (valet) parking operates near the terminal - your car will be taken away to another compound while you are away. Passengers who book in advance via the airport website get discounted parking rates. Departure tax: None. Website:www.london-luton.com

London Stansted Airport (STN)

Location: The airport is situated 34 miles (55km) northeast of London. Time: GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +44 (0)870 0000 303. Transfer to the city: The Stansted Express rail service operates between London Liverpool Street station and the airport. There are also coach services to Victoria Coach Station, Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Taxis are also available at the terminal building. Car rental: Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz all operate from the airport. Facilities: There are restaurants, shops and bars in the terminal. Other facilities include ATMs, a bureau de change, business lounge and Internet cafe. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline or travel agent in advance. Parking: The short-term parking is located next to the terminal building. Long-term parking is further away and is linked to the airport by a free shuttle bus; passengers should allow an extra 30 minutes to access the terminal from the car parks. Travellers who pre-book on the Stansted Airport website receive discounted car parking. Website:www.stanstedairport.com