Flights to London

Heathrow arrivals

Heathrow has four terminals, numbered 2 to 5. After passport control, follow the signs for the Heathrow Express to Paddington, about 15 minutes away, or the Elizabeth line, which runs through Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street without a change. The Piccadilly line is slower but cheaper and stops across west and central London. Black cabs and pre-booked cars wait outside each terminal, and if you're meeting someone, each arrivals hall has cafés and a short-stay car park close by.

Gatwick and the other airports

Gatwick Express trains reach Victoria in about half an hour, and Thameslink services run through London Bridge, Farringdon and St Pancras. Stansted Express trains serve Liverpool Street, the DART shuttle links Luton with Luton Airport Parkway station, and London City sits on the DLR in the Docklands, a few stops from Canary Wharf.

Getting around the city

Tap a contactless bank card or phone on the Underground, buses and most trains, and daily fares are capped automatically, so there's no need to buy an Oyster card. Buses don't accept cash, and the Elizabeth line also runs east to Canary Wharf and Abbey Wood. Black cabs can be hailed in the street, and riverboats on the Thames link Westminster, the South Bank and Greenwich.

Sights worth your time

Many of London's major museums, including the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and Tate Modern, are free to enter. Walk the South Bank from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, browse Borough Market, or spend a day in Greenwich for the Royal Observatory and the park views. The Tower of London holds the Crown Jewels, and the royal parks, from Hyde Park to Regent's Park, are free to wander. Summer highs reach around 23°C, and winter days are around 8°C. Check UK entry requirements on GOV.UK before you travel.

Booking flights to London for yourself or a relative? Call 020 7871 4545 and we'll compare airlines and airports.