Compare London Airports, which is your preferred? - Heathrow, Stanstead, Gatwick?

[Anonymous]

I’ve only been to Heathrow via BA but I am considering the option to book a flight with Play airlines that goes to STN or Norse into Gatwick.

What do you love or hate about these?

[Anonymous]

We flew into Gatwick and it was surprisingly (to me at least) nice. I think it's just the scale is smaller so it's easier to deal with, and the train was easy to catch into London.

[Anonymous]

I do like Gatwick as it's smaller and more straightforward getting into central London. Plenty of trains.

Stanstead is popular for budget airlines but the catch is that it's some distance from London and requires a more expensive train/transfer. Budget flights usually have awful timing. That said, plenty of people fly out of Stanstead.

All in all, I'd go with the cheapest flight I was comfortable with and worry less about the airports. None of them are "better" than the other in terms of on-ground reliability or staffing or lack of strikes.

[Anonymous]

Just returned from a trip on Norse to Gatwick. It was very straightforward the way over, and the train to/ from the city is convenient (takes you to Victoria)
On the way back, check in lines were very long. They don’t appear to have a working online check in. The check in agent said it’s been much busier going from Gatwick to the US than the other way around because people use it as one leg of a multi city itinerary.
If you’re flying Norse, you’ll want to bring your own food. Gatwick has limited options to purchase so you’re better off stocking up before you head to the airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just returned from a trip on Norse to Gatwick. It was very straightforward the way over, and the train to/ from the city is convenient (takes you to Victoria)
On the way back, check in lines were very long. They don’t appear to have a working online check in. The check in agent said it’s been much busier going from Gatwick to the US than the other way around because people use it as one leg of a multi city itinerary.
If you’re flying Norse, you’ll want to bring your own food. Gatwick has limited options to purchase so you’re better off stocking up before you head to the airport.

Yes Gatwick is pretty similar convenience wise to Heathrow. There are also Thameslink trains into Farringdon and other central London stations every 15-20 minutes for around 10 pounds. Don't take the Gatwick Express- it's 20 pounds to Victoria and only 4 minutes faster than the Thameslink and Southern trains.

[Anonymous]

Heathrow is the closest to central London but all are accessible by train. Both Gatwick and Stansted have a lot of budget airlines so can have long lines. If it matters to where you are staying, Heathrow is most convenient to Paddington (west London), Stansted has a direct train to Liverpool Street (east London) and Gatwick to Victoria or London Bridge

[Anonymous]

Heathrow is thiefrow
Give it a pass if you can, nothing nice, unpractical to move from one area to another

[Anonymous]

Heathrow is pretty efficient. Gatwick can have long lines, even when it isn't that crowded (seemed very understaffed last time I was there, which was last October). The shopping and food options are better at Heathrow. But as others have said, it doesn't make much difference - just book the flight that makes sense.

[Anonymous]

I hate Heathrow. It’s gigantic and no less than 3 security checkpoints moving anywhere within, if traveling internationally.