London Airport Express
Every dedicated airport express train serving London — Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton — plus the Elizabeth line and DLR alternatives. Times, frequencies and the cheapest route to each airport.
Heathrow Express
Paddington ⇄ Heathrow T2/3 & T5
15 min · Every 15 min · Heathrow (LHR)
Gatwick Express
Victoria ⇄ Gatwick Airport
30 min · Every 15 min · Gatwick (LGW)
Stansted Express
Liverpool Street ⇄ Stansted Airport
47 min · Every 30 min · Stansted (STN)
Luton DART + Thameslink
St Pancras ⇄ Luton Airport Parkway ⇄ Luton Airport (DART)
32 min + 4 min · Every 8 min (DART) / 6–10 min (Thameslink) · Luton (LTN)
Elizabeth line to Heathrow
Paddington / Liverpool St / Abbey Wood ⇄ Heathrow T2/3, T4, T5
30–35 min from central · Every 4–7 min · Heathrow (LHR)
Other airports — what to take
FAQs
What are London's airport express trains?
Three dedicated express brands — Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express — plus the Luton DART (with Thameslink trains) for Luton Airport. The Elizabeth line is the cheapest fast option to Heathrow.
Is there an express train to London City Airport?
No dedicated express. London City Airport is served directly by the DLR (Docklands Light Railway), with a 3-stop ride from Canning Town and onward Jubilee line / Elizabeth line connections.
Which London airport express is the fastest?
Heathrow Express — 15 minutes Paddington to Heathrow T2/3 (and 21 min to T5). It is also the most expensive per kilometre.
Are airport express tickets included in Oyster / contactless?
Yes — all four (Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, Stansted Express, Luton DART) accept contactless and Oyster pay-as-you-go, though premium fares apply (no daily cap on these specific services).
What's the cheapest way to Heathrow from central London?
The Elizabeth line — Heathrow off-peak fare on contactless is roughly a quarter of Heathrow Express, with journey times of 30–35 minutes from central.