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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.
Getting to the city: Docklands Light Railway (DLR) departs from London City Airport every 8-15 minutes to Canning Town, Woolwich Arsenal and Bank. There are regular Transport for London buses from the airport to stations throughout London. Nearby National Rail stations are reached via the Jubilee line from Canning Town (a seven-minute DLR journey). Licensed taxis (black cabs) are available outside the terminal building, a taxi to the centre of London will take only 20 to 30 minutes and cost roughly £20. Car rental desks are situated on the ground floor. There are also chauffeur services available from Quay Cars.
Car rental: Car rental desks are situated on the ground floor, rental companies include Avis, Europcar and Hertz.
Airport Taxis: Taxis from London City Airport can be hailed outside the Arrivals Hall and a taxi to the centre of London will take only 20 to 30 minutes and cost roughly £20. A taxi to Canary Wharf will cost £12.
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: Parking at London City Airport is located within easy walking distance of the terminal. Short-term parking starts at £4.20 for the first half hour, £8.40 for up to an hour, £12.60 for two hours, £18.90 for four hours, £29.20 for up to 12 hours and £45 per day. The Main Stay car park starts at £14.70 for up to four hours, £25.20 for up to 12 hours, and £40 per day. Credit card facilities are available.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.londoncityairport.com
See full guide to London City Airport

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.
Getting to the city: The easiest and quickest way into London from Gatwick is on the Gatwick Express train, which takes 30 minutes to the central Victoria railway station and costs £15. Local buses call at both terminals and run between Gatwick and key destinations including Crawley, Horley, Redhill and Horsham. Taxis are also available from the airport into town, while coaches take passengers to destinations including Heathrow, central London, Bristol and Brighton (ticket desks are in the North and South Terminals). Car rental companies operate from both terminals.
Car rental: Car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz operate from both terminals.
Airport Taxis: Taxis from Gatwick Airport are available outside the Arrivals Hall and a taxi to London city centre will take roughly an hour to an hour-and-a-half as this road can be very busy. The cost can be anything between £60 and £90.
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: Short-term parking at London Gatwick starts at £1 for 15 minutes, £2.50 for 30 minutes, £5.20 for an hour, and £11.30 for three hours up to a daily limit of £30. Long-term parking, slightly farther from the terminal buildings, is charged at £11.50 per day and is served by a free shuttle.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.gatwickairport.com
See full guide to London Gatwick Airport

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: Terminals 1 and 3 are within walking distance of each other, with an average walking time of 11 minutes from one end to the other. Terminals 4 and 5 are connected via the free Heathrow Express train. Allow around 15 minutes for the journey time between terminals. Alternatively, Terminal 4 can be reached via the 555 bus, leaving every 19 minutes, while Terminal 5 is serviced by the 441 and 724 buses, which take 10 and 20 minutes respectively. Terminal 5 is also connected by the N9 night bus between 23:55pm and 4:55am. Terminal 2 is closed for renovations, scheduled to reopen in 2014.
Getting to the city: The quickest way into London is on the Heathrow Express train, which leaves every 15 minutes for Paddington station and takes 15 minutes with one-way tickets starting at £16.50 if purchased online, £18 at the station, and £23 if purchased onboard. Paddington has good connections to the other London railway stations and all parts of London via the London Underground (the tube). The National Express coach service takes passengers to central London and other towns and cities throughout the UK. Heathrow is on the Piccadilly underground line, which takes passengers into central London in around 50 minutes and costs £4. The N9 night bus departs to central London every 30 minutes from the central bus station. Taxis are available outside each terminal, and mini-cabs can offer more competitive prices than the black cabs but must be booked in advance - call +44 (0)208 574 0868. Car rental companies operate from all terminals.
Car rental: Car rental companies operating from all terminals include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt.
Airport Taxis: London's black taxis service Heathrow Airport; the journey time to central London varies from 30 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic. Fares are metered and depend on distance and duration of travel; fares to central London will not cost less than £50. Taxis are available from outside each terminal. Private mini-cabs can offer more competitive prices but must be booked in advance - call +44 (0) 208 574 0868.
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, and a spa offering massages and other treatments is located in Terminal 5B. There are VIP Lounges is Terminals 1-4, with online booking available at the airport's website. Disabled facilities are good; those requiring special needs are advised to contact their airline in advance. There are multi-faith prayer rooms in each terminal, and St George's Chapel is located between Terminals 1 and 3 near the central bus station. There are shower facilities located past security in Terminal 4.
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.
Airport hotels: There are several hotels connected directly to the airport, including the Sofitel London Heathrow, which connects to Terminal 5, and the Hilton London Heathrow Airport near Terminal 4. Terminal 4 also offers Yotels, Japanese-inspired capsule hotel rooms with ensuite bathrooms, internet access and entertainment centres. Prices start at £25 for four hours. The Hotel Reservation Centre has desks in each terminal, and assists with bookings and transportation.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.heathrowairport.com
See full guide to London Heathrow Airport

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.
Getting to the city: Trains leave regularly to Kings Cross, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge stations. Train journeys to central London take 20-25 minutes with providers such as East Midlands Trains and First Capital Connect. Tickets can be bought from the Onward Travel centre at the airport or online. Luton Airport Parkway Train Station is connected to the terminal by a free shuttle bus service. Easybus, Green Line and National Express buses run daily between the airport and central London. Taxis operate from outside the airport terminal 24-hours a day and car rental is also available.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Hertz, Europcar and National Alamo.
Airport Taxis: Taxis operate from Luton Airport 24-hours a day and can be hailed outside the Arrivals Hall. A taxi to central London will cost anywhere between £60 and £90 and will take approximately 2 hours.
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
See full guide to London Luton Airport

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)844 335 1803.
Getting to the city: The Stansted Express rail service operates between London's Liverpool Street station and the airport, taking approximately 45 minutes. There are also bus and coach services to Victoria Coach Station, Heathrow and Gatwick airports, among other London and national destinations. The bus and coach station is opposite the main terminal entrance. Coach tickets are available from the ticket desk in arrivals and at the station; a ticket to Victoria costs £10.50. Taxis are available outside the terminal building and car rental is also available.
Car rental: Car rental companies available at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Alamo, National, Enterprise and Hertz.
Airport Taxis: Checkercars is the only taxi company permitted to operate from Stansted Airport. Taxis can be reserved from the counter in the Arrivals Hall. A taxi to central London will cost around £99.
Facilities: There are a number of popular restaurants, shops and bars in the terminal, both before and after security. Other facilities include ATMs, a bureau de change and Internet cafe. There are VIP lounges for international travellers at gates 16 and 49, which can be booked via the airport's website. There are also shower facilities at both arrivals and departures, with towels and access available for a small fee at the airport information desk. There is a multi-faith chapel near Check-in Zone J, accessible after security. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline or travel agent in advance. Stansted is a smoke-free airport, and there are no smoking facilities past security.
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. The airport also offers valet parking. Travellers who pre-book on the Stansted Airport website receive discounted car parking.
Website: www.stanstedairport.com
See full guide to London Stansted Airport

Southampton International Airport (SOU)

Location: The airport is located in Hampshire, a few miles outside of Southampton,
Time: GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Contacts: +44 (0)23 8062 0021
Getting to the city: The airport is connected to Southampton Central and other parts of England via several train services, including South West Trains and CrossCountry. The journey to Southampton Central takes approximately 8 minutes, while London is 67 minutes away. There are also buses to downtown Southampton, with the U1C running every 15-20 minutes; the journey takes roughly 35-40 minutes.
Car rental: The Car Rental Reception Centre is located near the short-term car park, opposite the terminal building. Car rental companies include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, National, Alamo, and Enterprise.
Airport Taxis: Checker Cabs are available 24 hours a day from the taxi desk in the main concourse, near the exit. Prices are fixed in advance, and bookings can be made online or by calling +44 (0) 2380 627 100.
Facilities: Airport facilities include a duty-free shop, currency exchange, internet cafes, and several restaurants both before and after security.
Parking: Short-term parking is available at rates of £2.70 for 30 minutes, £3.80 for 1 hour, £6.40 for 2 hours and £23.70 for 24 hours, but the first ten minutes are free. Long-term parking costs £10.50 per day, but the minimum stay is three days.
Airport hotels: The Premier Inn Southampton is located adjacent to the airport, and there are a number of hotels in the immediate vicinity, inluding the Star Hotel and the Dolphin Hotel.
Website: www.southamptonairport.com
See full guide to Southampton International Airport

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