We already have guides to when to leave for Heathrow and when to leave for Gatwick. This guide covers London's other three main airports, which are very different from each other.
A quick comparison
| Airport | Distance from Central London | Typical drive | Leave Central London about… |
|---|---|---|---|
| London City | About 7 miles east | 30 to 60 minutes | 2 to 2½ hours before departure |
| Luton | About 35 miles north | About 1 to 1½ hours | 3½ to 4 hours before departure |
| Stansted | About 40 miles north-east | About 1¼ to 1¾ hours | 4 hours before departure |
For international flights with checked bags, from the West End or Westminster. Add time for rush hour, Friday afternoons, bank holiday weekends and school holidays, and always follow your airline's own advice.
London City Airport
London City is small and quick: it sits in the Docklands, about 7 miles from the West End and very close to Canary Wharf and the City. Security is usually fast, which makes it popular with business travellers. The roads to it, however, run through some of London's busiest areas, and journey times from the West End vary a lot with the traffic. Since January 2026, London City has charged for drop-offs at the terminal, about £8 for five minutes.
Luton Airport
Luton is about 35 miles north of Central London, reached by the M1. Many of its flights are early-morning departures with low-cost airlines, which often close bag drop 40 minutes or more before departure and are strict about it. Luton charges for using its terminal drop-off zone, about £7 in 2026. Meet & Greet is optional at Luton; without it, pickups use the airport's designated collection areas.
Stansted Airport
Stansted is about 40 miles north-east of Central London, in Essex, and is the furthest of the main London airports from the West End. The Stansted Express runs from Liverpool Street in about 50 minutes, which is quick if you are staying near the City, but slower once you add the journey across London to the station. Stansted's terminal drop-off charge is about £10 in 2026. Meet & Greet is optional at Stansted.
Very early flights
Many flights from Stansted and Luton leave between 6am and 7am. That can mean leaving Central London around 2am or 3am, when public transport is limited or not running. A pre-booked car is often the only practical option. Our guide to overnight and early-morning airport transfers has more advice.
Our tips
- Check in online and know your airline's bag-drop closing time. It is often earlier than people expect.
- Give us your flight number, not just the time, so we can check the terminal and any schedule changes.
- Travelling with children, a wheelchair user or lots of luggage? Add 30 minutes.
- Ask whether the airport drop-off charge is included in your quote. We confirm the full price before you travel.
Questions we are often asked
How early should I leave Central London for Stansted?
For an international flight with checked bags, about four hours before departure is a sensible rule, more at peak times. The drive is usually 1¼ to 1¾ hours.
Is London City Airport quicker?
Usually, yes. It is only about 7 miles from the West End and security is fast, so many travellers leave two to two and a half hours before departure. Traffic in East London can still be heavy at rush hour.
Do London airports charge for drop-offs?
Yes. In 2026 the terminal drop-off charges are roughly £7 at Luton, £8 for five minutes at London City and £10 at Stansted, and they change regularly. Ask whether your transfer quote includes them.
Can you take us to the airport at 3am?
Yes. We run transfers around the clock. Book in advance for very early pickups so a driver and vehicle are allocated.
Is the price per person?
No. Our prices are per vehicle and agreed before you travel.