For business travellers, exhibitors and trade visitors, choosing the right London airport — and the right transfer — can shape the efficiency of the entire trip. London has six airports, each with distinct strengths for corporate travel, global connectivity, and proximity to key venues like ExCeL, the City and Canary Wharf. This guide compares them all from a trade and business perspective, and sets out fixed-price transfer fares so you can plan a smooth, punctual, expensable journey.
| Airport | Best For (Trade) | Distance to Central London | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London City | City & Canary Wharf meetings, quick turnarounds | ~10 miles | 30–50 min |
| Heathrow | Long-haul, global connections, most airlines | ~18 miles | 40–70 min |
| Gatwick | European & long-haul, south London/Sussex | ~28 miles | 45–90 min |
| Stansted | Budget European, Cambridge tech corridor | ~38 miles | 55–90 min |
| Luton | European business routes, private aviation | ~34 miles | 50–80 min |
| Southend | Quiet, fast processing, Essex trade parks | ~42 miles | 60–90 min |
Closest to the financial districts, London City is purpose-built for business travel. Fast check-in, short walks, and a schedule geared to short-haul European routes make it ideal for same-day meetings in the City or at Canary Wharf. It's also the nearest airport to the ExCeL exhibition centre.
The UK's primary long-haul hub with the widest intercontinental network — essential for global trade and international clients. Its five terminals mean confirming your terminal is important when arranging a transfer.
Strong European and growing long-haul coverage, and the natural choice for business in south London, Surrey and Sussex. Well-suited to exhibition and conference trips heading south of the river.
Stansted serves the Cambridge tech and life-sciences corridor with extensive budget European routes; Luton is a key hub for private and business aviation as well as scheduled European flights.
Small and fast to move through, Southend suits trade visitors to Essex business parks and anyone who values a stress-free, quick-processing airport over sheer route choice.
Indicative business fares below; your exact price depends on your destination postcode. All include meet & greet, flight tracking and free waiting.
| From | Saloon | Executive | MPV | 8-Seater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London City Airport | £91 | £101 | £103 | £111 |
| Heathrow Airport | £98 | £110 | £112 | £120 |
| Gatwick Airport | £123 | £142 | £146 | £158 |
| Luton Airport | £110 | £130 | £133 | £143 |
| Stansted Airport | £113 | £133 | £136 | £146 |
The most efficient trips start with matching the airport to the meeting, not just the cheapest flight. A slightly pricier London City arrival can save an hour each way versus a budget Stansted flight if your meeting is in the City. Factor in transfer time, peak-hour M25 congestion for the outer airports, and always build a buffer before critical meetings. For multi-leg trips, inter-airport transfers with flight tracking keep tight connections on schedule.
A: London City — closest and fastest, with quick check-in for short-haul European routes.
A: Yes — a fixed fare and clear receipt make transfers easy to expense.
A: Yes, between all six London airports, with flight tracking to manage tight connections.
A: London City is closest by far; Heathrow suits international exhibitors arriving long-haul.
A: At least 24 hours; for early or multi-leg trips, book as soon as your itinerary is confirmed.
For trade and business travel, match the airport to the trip and lock in a fixed-price, flight-tracked transfer. Reliability, productivity en route, and a clean expense trail matter as much as the fare itself — and the right choice can save you hours across a trip.
Fixed price, flight tracked, expensable — never late for a meeting.
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