Welcome To London, England (LON)

London is one of my favorite and most visited cities in my travels. I can talk about it all day long and never get tired at all. There is so much to see and do or just walk and wander aimlessly.

Here are some things about the city you may find helpful on your next visit.

Airport Information

The city is served by six airports. The two that most know of is London-Gatwick and London-Heathrow. But in the city’s center is London-City airport. The others are London-Stansted (STN), London-Luton (LTN) and London-Southend (SEN). Each airport is connected to Central London either via buses (coaches as they call them), municipal buses and trains.

I’ve written some articles about how to avoid the high departure tax in London. Take a look.

And if you’re stuck in Europe and trying to get back home, this article is for you.

London-Heathrow International Airport (LHR)

Heathrow is the UK’s largest and busiest airport. It’s located just about an hour by train in the western part of the country.

Home Airline

There are two home airlines here: British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS).

Airport To The City

London-Heathrow has several ways to get from the airport to the city. It just depends on how much time you have. The Heathrow Express is the fastest, but cost the most. My preferred method is the Piccadilly Line. It takes about an hour and you can tap your credit card or purchase an Oyster card at the Tube station at the airport.

You can find additional information here.

Airport Hotels

There are a few hotels in the airport itself (Hilton and the Sofitel) or within walking distance of the airport. The others are in the airport area and has a paid shuttle or accessible by the local bus. Depending on where the hotel is located, the bus ride may be free. Usually, if the hotel is on Bath Road, then the bus ride is free. Use this map to book hotels at Heathrow. The bus is available at the Bus Center in Terminal 3.

 

Scheduled Service Airlines Serving London-Heathrow International Airport (LHR)

Aegean Airlines (A3), Aer Lingus (EI), Aeromexico (AM), Air Algerie (AH), Air Astana (KC), Air Canada (AC), Air China (CA), Air France (AF), Air India (AI), Air Malta (KM), Air Serbia (JU), AirBaltic (BT), All Nippon Airlines (NH), American Airlines (AA), Asiana Airlines (OZ), Austrian Airlines (OS), Avianca (AV), Azerbaijan Airlines (J2), Beijing Capital Airlines (JD), Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG), British Airways (BA), Brussels Airlines (SN), Bulgaria Air (FB)

Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), China Airlines (CI), China Eastern Airlines (MU), China Southern Airlines (CZ), Croatia Airlines (OU), Delta Air Lines (DL), EVA Airways (BR), El Al Airlines (LY), Emirates (EK), Eqyptair (MS), Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Etihad Airways (EY), Eurowings (EW), Finnair (AY), Gulf Air (GF), Hainan Airlines (HU), Iberia Airlines (IB), Icelandair (FI), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Japan Airlines (JL), JetBlue Airways (B6), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), Kenya Airways (KQ), Korean Airlines (KE), Kuwait Airways (KU), LATAM (LA), LOT Polish (LO), Loganair (LM), Lufthansa German Airlines (LH)

Malaysia Airlines (MH), Middle Eastern Airlines (ME), Oman Air (WY), Qantas (QF), Qatar Airways (QR), Royal Air Morac (AT), Royal Brunei Airlines (BI), Royal Jordanian (RJ), RwandAir (WB), SAS (SK), Saudia Airlines (SV), Shenzhen Airlines (ZH), Singapore Airlines (SQ), SriLankan (UL), Swiss Airlines (LX), TAP Portugal – Star Alliance (TP), Thai Airways (TG), Tianjin Airlines (GS), Tunisair (TU), Turkish Airlines – Star Alliance (TK), United Airlines – Star Alliance (UA), Uzbekistan Airways (HY), Vietnam Airlines (VN), Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS), Vueling (VY), WestJet (WS).

London-Gatwick International Airport (LGW)

Gatwick is the London’s second largest airport. It’s located just about 45 minutes or  by train and is south of the city of London.

Home Airline

There are two home airlines here: easyJet (UK) and Ryanair (RK).

Airport To The City

London-Gatwick has several ways to get from the airport to the city. The Gatwick Express is the fastest, but cost the most. It plops you into Victoria station. If you wish to get to other London main stations, then take the Southwestern Trains. The times vary based on which station you use as well as the number of stops the train makes. You can tap your credit card or purchase a ticket at the train station at the airport. The Tube does not go to London-Gatwick.

You can find additional information here.

Airport Hotels

There are a few hotels in the airport itself (Hilton, Yotel, Sofitel and Bloc Hotel). The others are in the airport area and has a paid shuttle or accessible by the local bus. Use this map to book hotels at Heathrow. Courtyard by Marriott and Hampton by Hilton are both within walking distance depending on the Terminal you use.

 

Scheduled Service Airlines Serving London-Gatwick International Airport (LGW)

Aegean Airlines (A3), Air Arabia Maroc (3O), Air China (CA), Air Europa (UX), Air India (AI), Air Malta (KM), Air Mauritius (MK), Air Peace (P4), Air Transat (TS), AirBaltic (BT), Atlantic Airways (RC), Aurigny Channel Islands (GR), Azerbaijan Airlines (J2), BQ, British Airways (BA), China Eastern Airlines (MU), China Southern Airlines (CZ), Croatia Airlines (OU), Delta Air Lines – SkyTeam (DL)

Eastern Airways (T3), EasyJet Airlines (U2), Emirates (EK), Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Etihad Airways (EY), ITA Airways (AZ), Iberia Airlines (IB), Icelandair (FI), IndiGo Airlines (6E), JetBlue Airways (B6), Kenya Airways (KQ), Norse Atlantic UK Limited (Z0), Norwegian Air International (D8), Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY), Nouvelair Tunisie (BJ), Q4, Qatar Airways (QR)

Royal Air Morac (AT), Ryanair (FR), Saudia Airlines (SV), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Sky Express (GQ), SunExpress (XQ), Swiss Airlines (LX), TAP Portugal (TP), TOM, Tunisair (TU), Turkish Airlines – Star Alliance (TK), Turkmenistan Airlines (T5), UD, Uzbekistan Airways (HY), Volotea (V7), Vueling (VY), W9, WestJet (WS), Wizz Air (W6), Wizz Air UK (W4), XR

London-City International Airport (LCY)

City airport is a small airport located in the heart of London. It’s pretty nice flying in as you get an amazing view of the city of London The view differs depending on which direction you fly in.

Home Airline

None.

Airport To The City

London-City airport has the DLR (Docklands Light Rail) running right past it, and there is a stop with the same name. You can be in Central London in about 20 minutes. You can tap your credit card or purchase an Oyster card at the DLR train station at the airport.

You can find additional information here.

Airport Hotels

There are a no hotels at the airport itself. But the closest one , a Courtyard by Marriott, is just about a 10 minutes walk away.

 

Scheduled Service Airlines Serving London-City International Airport (LCY)

Aer Lingus (EI), Air Dolomiti (EN), Aurigny Channel Islands (GR), British Airways (BA), Etihad Airways (EY), ITA Airways (AZ), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), LOT Polish (LO), Loganair (LM), Luxair (LG), Swiss Airlines (LX).

London-Stansted International Airport (STN)

London-Stansted airport is located in the northeast of the city of London.

Home Airline

None.

Airport To The City

You can take the Stansted Express train from Liverpool Street Station or take a bus from the city.

You can find additional information here.

Airport Hotels

There are no hotels at the airport itself.

 

Scheduled Service Airlines Serving London-Stanstead International Airport (STN)

AJet (VF), AccessRail (9B), Air Algerie (AH), Aurigny Channel Islands (GR), British Airways (BA), EasyJet Airlines (U2), Emirates (EK), Etihad Airways (EY), FlyOne (5F), Helvetic (2L), Jet2.com (LS), Lufthansa German Airlines (LH), Pegasus Airlines (PC), Play (OG), Royal Air Morac (AT), Royal Jordanian (RJ), Ryanair (FR), Ryanair UK (RK), SunExpress (XQ), TOM, Transavia (HV).

London-Luton International Airport (LTN)

London-Luton airport is located in the north of London.

Home Airline

easyJet is the dominant carrier.

Airport To The City

You can take the Luton Express to the Luton DART from St. Pancras station to the airport. There are also several bus services available.

You can find additional information here.

Airport Hotels

The Holiday Inn Express is a 7-minute walk from the airport.

 

Scheduled Service Airlines Serving London-Luton International Airport (LTN)

Arkia Israeli Airlines (IZ), Dan Air (DN), EasyJet Airlines (U2), El Al Airlines (LY), Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Etihad Airways (EY), FlyOne (5F), Jet2.com (LS), Ryanair (FR), SunExpress (XQ), TOM, W9, Wizz Air (W6), Wizz Air UK (W4).

London-Southend International Airport (SEN)

London-Southend airport is in the eastern part of London near the coast. It’s the airport you perhaps have no idea that it exists.

Home Airline

None.

Airport To The City

You can take the train from Central London. Should take just under an hour.

You can find additional information here.

Airport Hotels

There are no hotels at the airport.

 

Scheduled Service Airlines Serving London-Southend International Airport (SEN)

Eastern Airways (T3) and EasyJet Airlines (U2).

Trains Serving The City

There are many train services in the city of London. Plus the Tube (London Underground) will take you almost everywhere. You can use https://www.nationalrail.co.uk to book your tickets.

Buses Serving The City

There are several bus companies that serve the London area. Most will go to Victoria Station. You can use https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/ for local buses and hhttps://www.nationalexpress.com/en for buses to cities outside of the Greater London area.

Currency

The currency of the United Kingdom is the British pound (GBP). I recommend getting money at an ATM. They won’t take USD for purchases. Use an ATM as opposed to currency exchange places.

Language

The Queen’s English with various regional accents.

Visa Information

No visa is required for U.S. citizens, but you do need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) before you leave the U.S. Give yourself about 2-3 days in case it takes longer than anticipated. I did this handy video to help you:

Plus your passport must be valid for your entire stay in the UK. Other citizens should check with the Irish consulate/embassy in your region for specifics. Alternatively, you can use the IATA Web site for visa/health requirements.

Things To Do In London

London has tons to do. I did this post about 100+ Free Things To Do In London to help you, plus I have a link to Viators so you can buy the tours there, I get a small commission, so thank you. And I’ll also list some things I like to do as well. Oh and here’s the itinerary I take when I get to London.

 

Places To Eat and Drink

London have tons of places to dine. You of course must visit a Pub as well as Markets such as Spitalfields Market for some delights.

Places Worth Seeing in London

London is a great city as there is so much to see and do. You can take a look my 100+ Free Things To Do In London article. Also check out this website that will give you 10 Things To Do In 24 Hours.

Portobello Market

Queen Elizabeth Park (Olympic Park)

Brick Lane Market

 

Recommend Hotels I’ve Stayed

London is quite expensive when it comes to finding a place to stay. But fear not as there is a place for every budget. I’ve stayed in low budget to five star luxury hotels in London and they each have their charm :-).

If you’re looking for low budget try Travellodge; they’re clean, but all you really get is a bed. I also like the IHG brand of hotels as they seem to be everywhere. I also recently stayed at a Virgin Hotel in Shoreditch and loved it. Simple and Sweet. The Hiltons are in good neighborhoods so you can;t go wrong as are the Marriotts. If you stay in the Earls Court area you can find some quaint bed and breakfasts. You may have to clim a few stairs though.

You can use his map to find hotels.

 

Have you been to London? What are your recommendations?