Most UK trips abroad start at one of a handful of big airports. Here are the ten busiest, roughly by passenger numbers, with a note on where each one is, how it is laid out and how people usually reach it. The order shifts a little from year to year, but these ten have been the biggest for a long time.
Whichever you use, check your terminal the day before: airlines move between them, and a few of these airports have been rebuilding for years. Check your airline’s cut-off times for check-in and bag drop too, because they vary. And if you are being driven, the only thing your driver needs from you is the terminal and, for a pickup, your flight number.
1. London Heathrow
Heathrow is the UK’s biggest airport, and one of the busiest in the world, handling around 80 million passengers a year. It sits about fifteen miles west of central London, in the borough of Hillingdon, between the M4 and the M25. It is the main base of British Airways and the airport most long-haul flights use.
Heathrow has four terminals: 2, 3, 4 and 5. There is no Terminal 1 any more, because it closed in 2015 to make room for the new Terminal 2. Terminals 2 and 3 share a central area in the middle of the airport, while Terminal 4 sits on its own on the southern side and Terminal 5 on the western edge.
By rail, the Elizabeth line runs from the airport right across central London, and the Heathrow Express runs non-stop to Paddington. The Piccadilly line on the Underground is slower but reaches much of west and central London. By road, the terminals have their own approaches, so it matters which one you are heading for.
Heathrow charges for dropping off at the terminal forecourt, and the charge has to be paid by the deadline or a penalty follows. See our Heathrow terminals guide for which airline uses which terminal. Allow plenty of time on the M25 and the M4, which are two of the busiest roads in the country.
2. London Gatwick
Gatwick is the UK’s second busiest airport, south of London in West Sussex, close to the town of Crawley. It is about thirty miles from central London, just off the M23. It has long been described as the busiest single runway airport in the world.
Gatwick has two terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal, linked by a free shuttle train that takes a couple of minutes. It is a base for easyJet and for many holiday airlines, and it also has long-haul flights. Check your terminal before you set off, because the two have separate forecourts and car parks.
Gatwick’s railway station is at the South Terminal, with trains to London Victoria, London Bridge and on through the city, and south to Brighton. The Gatwick Express runs to Victoria, and Thameslink trains cross London to the north. By road, the M23 leads straight to the airport, with the M25 a few miles to the north.
Like the other big London airports, Gatwick charges for dropping off at the terminal. Its catchment reaches right across Sussex, Surrey and Kent. For much of the South East, it is the most convenient airport for a holiday.
3. Manchester
Manchester Airport is the biggest airport in the UK outside London, handling around 30 million passengers a year. It is about nine miles south of Manchester city centre, at junction 5 of the M56. It is the main gateway for the whole of the North of England and much of the Midlands.
Manchester is the only UK airport apart from Heathrow with two full length runways. It flies to around two hundred destinations, from short hops within Europe to long-haul routes across the world. It has been through a huge rebuilding programme centred on a much larger Terminal 2.
The airport has its own railway station, with direct trains to Manchester Piccadilly and on across the North, and it is at the end of a Metrolink tram line through Wythenshawe. By road, the M56 links it to the M60 ring road, the M6 and the whole motorway network. Most people from across the North drive or are driven.
Manchester charges for dropping off at the terminals, so a booked car that takes you to the door saves a lot of fuss. See our Manchester Airport guide for terminals, drop-off, pickups and timings. It is the one airport in this list with a guide all to itself.
4. London Stansted
Stansted is north east of London in Essex, close to Bishop’s Stortford and just off the M11 at junction 8. It is about thirty five miles from central London. It is best known as a base for low-cost airlines, above all Ryanair.
Stansted’s terminal was designed by the architect Norman Foster and opened in 1991. Its roof is held up by tree-like steel supports, and it lets daylight flood in. At the time, its design was revolutionary, and it influenced airport terminals around the world.
The Stansted Express runs from the station below the terminal to London Liverpool Street, and there are trains to Cambridge as well. Coaches run to many parts of London through the day and night. By road, the M11 connects it to London, Cambridge and the M25.
Many Stansted flights leave very early in the morning, so plan how you will get there before the trains start running. Stansted charges for dropping off at the terminal. It serves East Anglia and north London as well as the capital.
5. London Luton
Luton Airport is north of London in Bedfordshire, just off the M1 at junction 10. It is about thirty miles from central London. It is a base for easyJet, whose headquarters is at the airport, and for other low-cost airlines.
The airport has one terminal. It has grown fast, and it serves many holiday and city break destinations across Europe. It is well placed for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and north London.
A shuttle called the DART, short for Direct Air-Rail Transit, runs in a few minutes between the terminal and Luton Airport Parkway station. From the station, trains run to London St Pancras and on through the city, and north to the East Midlands. Coaches also run to London.
Luton charges for dropping off at the terminal, and the approach road can be busy at peak times. Early departures are common, so plan the journey before you book the flight if you can. The M1 connects it to London and the Midlands.
6. Edinburgh
Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s busiest, about eight miles west of the city centre at Ingliston. It sits close to the M8, the M9 and the Queensferry Crossing over the Forth. It has flights across Europe and further afield, as well as within the UK.
The airport has a single terminal, which makes it easy to find your way around. It is very busy in August, when the festivals fill the city, and at Hogmanay. Allow extra time at those times of year.
Edinburgh’s trams run from the airport through the city centre along Princes Street and on to Leith and Newhaven. The Airlink bus runs to the city centre too. There is no railway station at the terminal itself, although Edinburgh Gateway station is a short tram ride away.
Edinburgh charges for dropping off at the terminal. It is the natural airport for Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders. See our Edinburgh guide.
7. Birmingham
Birmingham Airport is about eight miles east of Birmingham city centre, near Solihull and just off junction 6 of the M42. It is right next to the NEC, the UK’s largest exhibition centre, and to Birmingham International railway station. That makes it one of the best connected airports in the country.
A free shuttle called the Air-Rail Link runs between the terminal and Birmingham International station in a couple of minutes. From the station, trains run to Birmingham New Street, London Euston, Coventry and beyond. It is handy for business travellers heading to events at the NEC.
The airport has a single terminal, with flights across Europe and some long-haul routes. It serves the whole of the Midlands. It is also a good choice for parts of Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire.
Birmingham charges for dropping off at the terminal. The M42, M6 and M40 all meet close by. See our Birmingham guide.
8. Bristol
Bristol Airport is on high ground about eight miles south west of Bristol city centre, at Lulsgate on the A38. It serves Bristol, Bath, Somerset and much of the South West. Many people from South Wales use it too.
Because it sits on top of the hills, the airport is sometimes affected by low cloud and fog. It has a single terminal with flights across Europe, and a mix of holiday and city routes. It has grown steadily.
There is no railway station at the airport. The Airport Flyer bus runs to Bristol Temple Meads station and the city centre. The A38 is the only main road to the airport, and it can be slow at busy times.
Bristol charges for dropping off at the terminal. From Bath, the drive takes around forty five minutes, and from Cardiff around an hour or so. See our Bristol guide.
9. Glasgow
Glasgow Airport is about eight miles west of Glasgow city centre, near Paisley, right beside junction 28 of the M8. It is Scotland’s second busiest airport. It serves Glasgow, the west of Scotland and the islands.
The airport has flights across Europe and some long-haul routes, as well as flights to the Highlands and Islands. There is no railway station at the terminal, but an express bus runs to the city centre. Paisley Gilmour Street station is a short bus or taxi ride away.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport is about thirty miles further down the coast in Ayrshire. Unusually for a Scottish airport, it has its own railway station, linked to the terminal by a walkway. It is used by some low-cost airlines.
Glasgow Airport charges for dropping off at the terminal. The M8 runs straight into the city and on to Edinburgh. See our Glasgow guide.
10. Belfast International
Belfast International Airport is Northern Ireland’s main airport, at Aldergrove, about fifteen miles north west of Belfast city centre. It is close to Antrim and to Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles. It has flights across the UK and Europe.
Belfast has a second airport, George Best Belfast City Airport, only a few miles from the city centre beside Belfast Lough. It is named after the famous footballer, who was born in the city. It is used mainly for flights within the UK.
An express bus runs from Belfast International to the city centre. There is no railway station at either airport, although City Airport is close to Sydenham station. By road, the M2 and the A26 lead to Belfast International.
Check which of the two Belfast airports your flight uses before you set off, as they are nowhere near each other. Check the drop-off arrangements for your airport too. See our Belfast guide.
Door to terminal
An airport transfer means no parking to find, no bus with your cases and no worrying about the train. The price is fixed when you book, whatever the traffic on the way. Add your flight number and it goes to your driver, so for a pickup they know which arrival to meet.
Most of these airports charge for dropping off at the terminal forecourt, and the charges and rules change, so check the airport’s website if you are driving yourself. See how early to get to the airport and airport parking or an airport transfer.
Ride with ZeroLanes. A car booked ahead, at a price fixed before you confirm, with the driver and the car on your journey page before pickup. Book an airport transfer.