Can Mason & Green help me choose the best airport transfer option?

Yes. Mason & Green can recommend the right vehicle, timing and pick-up arrangement based on your airport, flight number, passenger count, luggage and child seat requirements.

Airport Comparison · Travel Planning · Private Transfers

London Airport Comparison

Compare Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Stansted and Luton so you can choose the right airport and plan a calm, reliable Mason & Green transfer.

Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Stansted and Luton
Meet & Greet guidance
Transfer timing considerations
Best airport by journey type
Family and business travel planning
Fixed-price private transfers

Email Quotation WhatsApp Us

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 Rating on Google Read our reviews

Compare London’s main airports and plan a professional door-to-door transfer.

Service overview

Choose the right London airport for your journey

Each airport offers a different experience. Location, airline choice, terminal rules, walking distances and transfer arrangements can all affect how smooth your arrival or departure feels.

Convenience

Understand which airport best suits central London, west London, Canary Wharf or longer-distance travel.

Meet & Greet

See where terminal pick-ups are mandatory, optional or unavailable before you travel.

Transfer planning

Plan around passenger flow, luggage, child seats, waiting time and the right vehicle size.

Airport comparison

London airports at a glance

Use this guide to compare the practical differences between Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Stansted and Luton.

Airport comparison table

Airport	Distance to London	Best For	Meet & Greet	Travel Experience
Heathrow	Approx. 15–20 miles	Long-haul, premium airlines	Mandatory	Large, busy, global hub
Gatwick	Approx. 28 miles	European & long-haul leisure	Mandatory	Efficient, high passenger volume
London City	Approx. 7 miles	Business travel	Mandatory	Fast, compact, city-focused
Stansted	Approx. 40 miles	Low-cost & European routes	Optional	Single terminal, longer walking distances
Luton	Approx. 35 miles	Low-cost & charter flights	Not available	Functional, restricted access

Distances and arrangements are a planning guide. Airport rules and access arrangements can change, so confirm any special requirements when booking.

Airport breakdowns

Which London airport suits your journey?

Each airport has advantages depending on your airline, destination, luggage, passengers and onward travel plans.

Heathrow Airport

Heathrow is the UK’s largest airport and a major international hub. It offers the widest choice of airlines and long-haul destinations but can be busy and complex to navigate.

Best for: Long-haul, premium and international travel.

View Heathrow transfer details

Gatwick Airport

Gatwick serves a broad mix of European and long-haul leisure routes. It operates efficiently but involves longer travel times into London.

Best for: Leisure and holiday travel.

View Gatwick transfer details

London City Airport

London City is designed for speed and convenience, located close to Canary Wharf and the City of London.

Best for: Business and short-haul European flights.

View London City transfer details

Stansted Airport

Stansted focuses on low-cost carriers and European destinations. The terminal is modern but parking distances can be long.

Best for: Budget-focused European travel.

View Stansted transfer details

Luton Airport

Luton primarily serves low-cost and charter flights. Access is more restricted, and Meet & Greet services are not available.

Best for: Budget and charter travel.

View Luton transfer details

Need a recommendation?

Share your flight details, destination, passenger numbers, luggage and child seat needs. Mason & Green can recommend the most suitable transfer plan.

Best for: Families, business travellers and complex itineraries.

Request a quotation

Pick-up planning

Meet & Greet and airport collection rules

Airport collection arrangements vary. Planning the right meeting point helps avoid confusion, delays and unnecessary waiting charges.

Mandatory Meet & Greet

Heathrow, Gatwick and London City Airport normally require Meet & Greet arrangements for arrivals.

Optional at Stansted

Stansted can be arranged with optional Meet & Greet, depending on your preference and journey requirements.

Luton collection areas

Luton pick-ups use designated collection areas and Meet & Greet is not available.

Flight tracking

Provide your flight number and landing time so the driver timing can be planned around live arrival information.

Waiting time

Airport pick-ups include up to one hour of complimentary waiting time after landing, with extra waiting or parking handled clearly where needed.

Special requirements

Tell us about lounge use, child seats, mobility requirements, large luggage or unusual arrival plans when booking.

FAQs

Quick answers

Useful answers for choosing and planning London airport transfers.

Which London airport is closest to central London?

London City Airport is usually the closest major airport to central and east London, especially Canary Wharf and the City. Heathrow is also convenient for west London.

Which London airport is best for long-haul flights?

Heathrow is generally the strongest choice for long-haul and premium international flights because of its wide airline and route network.

Do all London airports offer Meet & Greet pick-ups?

Meet & Greet is mandatory at Heathrow, Gatwick and London City Airport, optional at Stansted, and not available at Luton Airport where designated collection areas are used.

Can Mason & Green help me choose the best transfer option?

Yes. Share your airport, flight number, landing time, destination, passenger count, luggage and child seat requirements. We can recommend the right vehicle and timing.