{"id":1013,"date":"2025-04-18T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=1013"},"modified":"2025-04-22T12:00:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T12:00:38","slug":"the-cheapest-and-most-convenient-ways-to-get-to-the-uks-major-airports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/18\/the-cheapest-and-most-convenient-ways-to-get-to-the-uks-major-airports\/","title":{"rendered":"The cheapest (and most convenient) ways to get to the UK\u2019s major airports"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Planning your route to the airport is an overlooked part of travelling (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You\u2019ve booked your hotel, sorted your flights<\/a> and even picked a seat<\/a> \u2013 but have you figured out how you\u2019re getting to the airport?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a part of travel planning that\u2019s easily overlooked, yet the journey to and from the airport can be insanely expensive \u2013 sometimes even pricier than a ticket to Spain<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While booking last-minute trains or relying on Ubers<\/a> might be convenient, there are usually much cheaper (and faster) options available.<\/p>\n

Metro <\/strong>has investigated the most budget-friendly routes to the UK\u2019s major airports \u2013 so you can save your hard-earned cash for the other side.<\/p>\n

Gatwick\u00a0Airport<\/h2>\n

This West Sussex airport handles over 40 million passengers a year and serves over 200 destinations around the world. But it\u2019s not exactly the easiest \u2013 or cheapest \u2013 to reach from central London. <\/p>\n

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Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re looking to save money, the best way to get from London to Gatwick<\/a> is by coach.<\/p>\n

National Express tickets from Victoria coach station to Gatwick\u2019s North Terminal start from \u00a36 one-way. The journey takes just over two hours and comes with a guaranteed seat reservation.<\/p>\n

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The cheapest way to reach Gatwick from central London is by coach (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re travelling from central London via rail, Off-peak travel using an Oyster card or contactless is the cheapest option via any station on the Thameslink line. <\/p>\n

This will set you back just \u00a310.10. Off-peak fares are usually valid after 9:30am on weekdays and all day on weekends. The maximum peak fare to Gatwick Airport using contactless or Oyster is \u00a322.10.<\/p>\n

Trains run directly to Gatwick from key central stations including St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars, and London Bridge. The journey ranges from 35 to 50 minutes, depending on where you board.<\/p>\n

The priciest option is the Gatwick Express service from London to Victoria. A one-way ticket starts from \u00a321.50, while a return starts from \u00a336.90 when booked online. The direct train takes just 30 minutes.<\/p>\n

It might be the most convenient option, but booking a taxi or Uber can be significantly more expensive. You can expect to pay between \u00a360 and \u00a3100 depending on the time of day and your travel point in London.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tInterested in flying in style? Metro reviews Aer Lingus business class\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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Metro<\/strong>\u2019s Lifestyle Editor,\u00a0Kristina Beanland<\/a>, recently flew business class from\u00a0London<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0Chicago<\/a>\u00a0with\u00a0Aer Lingus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It was her first time travelling outside economy, and the experience was a world away from the flying she\u2019s accustomed to.<\/p>\n

From take-off champagne to pillows and metal spoons, you can read her honest review here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Heathrow\u00a0Airport<\/h2>\n

With 83 million passengers passing through each year, Heathrow is the UK\u2019s biggest and busiest airport. And getting there isn\u2019t as much of a hassle as you might think.<\/p>\n

The cheapest way to get to Heathrow<\/a> from London is via Tube<\/a>. Travel on the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow\u2019s four terminals starts from \u00a35.80 at all times of day, starting from Zone 1. The journey can take 50 minutes or longer, depending on where you board.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Travelling on the Elizabeth Line<\/a> costs slightly more, starting from \u00a312.80 for a journey to or from Heathrow Airport from Zone 1. The journey takes around 30 minutes.<\/p>\n

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Travellers can spend \u00a35 to reach Heathrow Airport on the tube (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Heathrow Express is another option; the direct train service connects Heathrow to London Paddington Station within 15 minutes. Advance tickets start from \u00a310 for a one-way Standard Class journey. While Standard tickets purchased on the day cost \u00a325.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, National Express coach tickets from Heathrow to London Victoria cost \u00a38.40 one way, with the journey time taking 35 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Booking a taxi or Uber remains the most expensive option at around \u00a360-\u00a3100. The journey time could also work out longer, between 45-60 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Luton Airport<\/h2>\n

Despite having just one passenger terminal, Luton is one of the busiest airports in the UK and serves as a major hub for low-cost airlines, with over 18 million passengers passing through last year. <\/p>\n

To get from Luton Airport Parkway to Luton<\/a>\u2019s terminal, passengers must take the four-minute DART service, which costs \u00a34.90 one-way.<\/p>\n

The cheapest single from London St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway currently starts from \u00a35.50 with the journey time taking around 40 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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@emsbudgettravel<\/a> <\/p>\n

my new fave stansted airport hack! #stansted<\/a> #airport<\/a> #holidays<\/a> #travel<\/a> #budgettravel<\/a> #travelhacks<\/a> #cheaptravel<\/a> #traveltiktok<\/a> #holidayidea<\/a> #lowbudgettravel<\/a> #budget<\/a> #annualleave<\/a> #30before30<\/a> #travelling<\/a> #holiday<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c Au Revoir \u2013 Sweet After Tears<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Passengers can also get to Luton via the National Express coach. The journey takes 35 minutes from its Golders Green Station and starts from \u00a37. If you\u2019re travelling from central, the London Victoria to Luton Airport service starts from \u00a36 and takes an hour and a half.<\/p>\n

Manchester Airport<\/h2>\n

Manchester Airport is the busiest northern UK airport, and connects major cities to over 200 international destinations.<\/p>\n

Stagecoach operates several bus routes between Manchester City Centre and Manchester Airport<\/a>. Tickets start from \u00a32, but the journey time is one hour and 20 minutes. <\/p>\n

The train is much quicker, with Northern train services starting from \u00a33.20 for a 15 to 20-minute journey from Manchester Piccadilly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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There are several ways to reach Manchester City Centre from the airport (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you want to travel by taxi or Uber, you can expect to pay less than you would for a London airport transfer. A taxi from Manchester airport to the city centre generally costs between \u00a325 and \u00a335.<\/p>\n

Stansted Airport<\/h2>\n

Stansted is London\u2019s third busiest airport (after Heathrow and Gatwick) and is a favourite for budget travellers. But while it\u2019s well connected to popular holiday destinations, it\u2019s a bit of a trek from central London. <\/p>\n

The quickest way to get to central London and Stansted Airport<\/a> is by train. The Stansted Express departs every 15 minutes and takes around 50 minutes.<\/p>\n

Advanced tickets start from \u00a39.90, but for tickets on the day, you can expect to pay \u00a325.<\/p>\n

Passengers can pay slightly less for a 50-minute service between the airport and Stratford via the Airport Bus Express. Prices start from just \u00a38.<\/p>\n

If you want to get a taxi or Uber into London, you\u2019ll have to leave some holiday money aside. It costs an average of \u00a367 to get to central London from the Essex-based airport \u2014 that can soar to over \u00a3100 depending on traffic and time of day.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Planning your route to the airport is an overlooked part of travelling (Picture: Getty Images) You\u2019ve booked your hotel, sorted your flights and even picked a seat \u2013 but have you figured out how you\u2019re getting to the airport? It\u2019s a part of travel planning that\u2019s easily overlooked, yet the journey to and from the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1015,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1013"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1013\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1020,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1013\/revisions\/1020"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1013"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}