Travel Planning: Flying to London

Heathrow (LHR)

London's main international hub — 15 miles west of central London

• • Elizabeth Line: 30-45 min to Paddington, £12.80
• • Heathrow Express: 15 min to Paddington, £25
• • Piccadilly Line: 50-60 min to central London, £5.60
• • Taxi/Uber: 45-90 min depending on traffic, £50-100

Gatwick (LGW)

Second largest — 30 miles south of central London

• • Gatwick Express: 30 min to Victoria, £19.90
• • Southern/Thameslink: 30-45 min, £10-15
• • National Express Bus: 80-120 min, £10-15

London City (LCY)

Closest to central London — in Docklands, East London

• • DLR: 20 min to Bank station, £3-5
• • Elizabeth Line: Custom House station nearby
• • Best for: Business travellers, European short-haul

Stansted (STN)

Budget airline hub — 40 miles northeast of London

• • Stansted Express: 47 min to Liverpool Street, £19.40
• • National Express: 60-90 min to Victoria, £10-15

Luton (LTN)

Budget airline hub — 35 miles north of London

• • Thameslink: 25-40 min to St Pancras, then shuttle bus
• • National Express: 60-90 min to Victoria, £10-12

🇺🇸 From North America (Eastbound)

Flying east is harder because you "lose" time. Take an overnight flight, arrive in the morning, and push through the first day.

• • Don't nap on arrival (or keep it under 20 minutes)
• • Get daylight exposure immediately — walk outside
• • Go to bed at a normal London time (10-11 PM)
• • Recovery: Typically 3-5 days

🌏 From Asia/Australia (Westbound)

Flying west is easier but longer journeys mean more fatigue. You "gain" time so evenings feel late.

• • Arrive in the afternoon if possible
• • Stay awake until at least 9 PM London time
• • Avoid heavy meals late in the evening
• • Recovery: Typically 5-7 days from Australia

💡 General Jet Lag Tips

• • Start shifting your sleep schedule 2-3 days before departure
• • Stay hydrated on the flight (avoid alcohol)
• • Consider melatonin for the first few nights (check local rules)
• • Plan light activities for Day 1 — don't schedule important meetings
• • Exercise lightly on arrival — it helps reset your body clock