Quick answer: airport to airport transfers between London airports are longer than most people expect. Heathrow to Gatwick is roughly 40 to 45 miles round the M25, and there is no direct train between Heathrow and any other London airport. The one direct rail link is Gatwick to Luton Airport Parkway on Thameslink. For a connection with luggage, a pre-booked taxi goes terminal to terminal with a fixed fare. Leave a generous gap between flights, especially if they are on separate tickets.
Flying into one London airport and out of another is common, whether it is a connection, a cheaper fare from a different airport or a holiday that starts at Stansted and ends at Heathrow. This guide covers the distances between London’s airports, which routes have a direct train, how much time to allow and how a pre-booked transfer works. For transfers to and from Camberley and Surrey Heath, see our airport transfers.
Distances between London airports
| Between | Road distance (roughly) | Direct train? |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow and Gatwick | 40 to 45 miles | No |
| Heathrow and Luton | 35 miles | No |
| Heathrow and Stansted | 60 miles | No |
| Heathrow and London City | 25 to 30 miles, through London | No |
| Gatwick and Luton | 65 to 70 miles | Yes, Thameslink to Luton Airport Parkway |
| Gatwick and Stansted | 70 to 75 miles | No |
| Luton and Stansted | 35 to 45 miles, depending on the route | No |
Road distances vary with the route taken, and journey times depend far more on traffic than on miles, especially on the M25.
Heathrow to Gatwick
This is the most common airport to airport transfer. By road it runs round the M25, usually around an hour or more depending on traffic. By public transport there are two choices:
- Coach. Scheduled coaches run between the two airports. They are the cheapest option, but you work to the timetable and the coach can be held up by the same M25 traffic.
- Train. There is no direct train. You travel into central London, change, then take a train out to Gatwick, with your luggage at every change.
A pre-booked taxi goes straight from your arrival terminal to your departure terminal. At Heathrow, check which of the four terminals you land at on Heathrow’s which terminal page, and at Gatwick whether you depart from North or South on Gatwick’s website.
Heathrow to Stansted and Luton
Both mean going round the north of the M25, and neither has a direct train from Heathrow. By rail, you travel into London and back out again: to Liverpool Street for the Stansted Express, or to a Thameslink station for Luton Airport Parkway and the DART. With cases, a direct car is much simpler. See our guides to Luton Airport taxis and Stansted Airport taxis for each airport.
Gatwick to Luton: the one direct train
Thameslink trains run directly between Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport Parkway, so you can make this connection without changing trains. From Luton Airport Parkway, the DART shuttle takes you to the terminal. For one person travelling light, it is a good option; with a family and luggage, a taxi avoids the crowds through central London.
How much time do you need between flights?
Add up each stage, then add a margin for traffic:
| Stage | Allow |
|---|---|
| Clear passport control and collect bags | Typically 45 minutes for short-haul, 60 minutes for long-haul arrivals |
| Drive between airports | From around an hour for Heathrow to Gatwick, more for Stansted and Luton |
| Check in and security at the second airport | As a general guide, 2 hours before short-haul and 3 hours before long-haul departures |
Add those up and even the shortest connection, Heathrow to Gatwick, needs several hours between landing and departure. Allow more at busy times, on Fridays and around bank holidays.
Separate tickets: why the gap matters
If your two flights are on separate bookings, no airline is responsible for the connection. If your first flight is late or the transfer is delayed and you miss the second flight, you are usually left to rebook at your own cost. That is the main reason to leave a generous gap and to book the transfer in advance.
How a pre-booked airport transfer works
- Book with both flight numbers, your arrival terminal and your departure terminal.
- Your arrival flight is tracked, so your pickup time moves with your actual landing time.
- Your driver calls or messages before pickup and meets you at the agreed point. Our guide to meet and greet pickups explains how it works.
- You go terminal to terminal, with your luggage in the boot the whole way and a fare that is fixed and agreed when you book.
Split trips from Surrey
If you live in Camberley or Surrey Heath, you might fly out from one airport and come home to another. That works well with a taxi: we take you to your departure airport and collect you from your arrival airport, each with a fixed fare. From Camberley, Heathrow is usually 30 to 35 minutes away and Gatwick about an hour. Our London airport transfers guide compares all six airports from Surrey.
Airport to airport transfers: FAQs
How far is Heathrow from Gatwick?
Roughly 40 to 45 miles by road via the M25. The drive usually takes around an hour or more, depending on traffic.
Is there a direct train from Heathrow to Gatwick?
No. By train you need to travel into central London and change. Scheduled coaches run directly between the two airports.
Is there a direct train between any London airports?
Yes, one: Thameslink trains run directly between Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport Parkway, with the DART shuttle to Luton’s terminal.
How much time do I need to transfer from Heathrow to Gatwick?
Several hours. Allow time to clear arrivals, the drive round the M25 and check-in at Gatwick, plus a margin for traffic.
How far is Heathrow from Stansted?
Roughly 60 miles by road round the M25, with no direct train.
What happens if I miss a connection on separate tickets?
No airline is responsible for a connection between separate bookings, so you are usually left to rebook at your own cost. Leave a generous gap.
Can you meet me at one airport and take me to another?
Yes. Give us both flight numbers and terminals, and we track your arrival flight so your driver is ready when you land.
How much is an airport to airport transfer?
It depends on the two airports, the vehicle and the time of travel. With Camberley Cars the fare is fixed and agreed when you book.
Book your airport to airport transfer
Fixed-fare transfers between Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and London City, terminal to terminal, with flight tracking on your arrival.
Prefer to talk? Call 01276 66888.
