<p>Assuming cost is about the same, which airport do you prefer?</p>
<p>Heathrow. In the event something goes wrong, many more flights to switch to. Also, I think it has much better services (e.g. Shops)</p>
<p>Heathrow is quite a bit closer if your destination is downtown London. About 15 miles vs. 30.</p>
<p>As stated Heathrow is more convenient to downtown London … the only time I’ve known folks to use Gatwick were because were because the advantages of the flight (better price, better timing). </p>
<p>Random comments - Heathrow is a HUGE airport while Gatwick is much more typical sized … Gatwick can be “easier” for novice flyers. Europeans take airport security a lot more seriously than the US does … you are likely to see security folks with machine guns in the airports.</p>
<p>Definitely Heathrow. You just hop on the Heathrow express train to get to London (about $25), or any of the London train stations. Gatwick is a total pain, unless you have car transport, or you can afford more than $100 each way for a cab.</p>
<p>It can also depend on where you are staying in London. The Gatwick Express goes into Victoria Station, which might be closer to where you are staying in London. I flew in and out of both airports when we lived there. I haven’t been there post 9/11, so I don’t know what other hassles there could be. Gatwick is much smaller, and probably less stressful. I don’t think I would base your decision on which airport – unless price or timing is an issue. </p>
<p>Oh, you can take the Tube from Heathrow to London, but that is a real pain.</p>
<p>My daughter was flying home from London a few days after the liquids scare several years ago. While she was annoyed that we had her get to Gatwick 4 hours before her flight, there were many people who were in line that long at Heathrow with all of the extra security.</p>
<p>It makes all the difference if it’s a final destination or if you’re changing flights. I try to avoid Heathrow (will pay more) if I’m changing planes. The signs that tell you it will take you x number of minutes (never less than 30) to get from the gate you came in on to the gate where your next flight will leave from is just a hint. Huge, disorganized, lots of “up and down” to get from one area to another, sometimes having to take a bus, and the few times I’ve been there, many areas of construction that directions took you through instead of around. JFK and O’Hare are a pleasure compared to Heathrow.</p>
<p>As discussed above, Heathrow is massive and closer to London (but not actually all that close. None of the London airports are). However, if things go wrong at Heathrow, it can be pretty drastic. eg BA strike, major security alert (more than normal I mean. You still cannot take liquids onto flights. Only 100ml or less, bottled in a ziplock bag). Also, T5 is famous for the disappearing bags (google it and see). It depends how much you want to see your luggage again… I don’t think Gatwick is a pain. Only if you think in an American way and refuse to use any public transport. From there you can get the train to Victoria. From Heathrow you can get the Heathrow Express (extorinately expensive train) to Paddington, bus to Victoria, or tube to anywhere in London (which is cheap but very slow and I really wuldn’t recommend it with lots of luggage. Full of stairs and very busy). Gatwick is not on the tube.</p>
<p>The first (& only time so far) I went to London, we landed in Heathrow. I have to say, as huge as it is, it was very exciting. People from all over the world going here and there. My son and I sat down, ordered tea and just marveled at how different from home it was. I’ll be honest and tell you I got a bit teared up because I felt so very lucky to be there!</p>
<p>However, if we had to change flights to get somewhere else? That would have been intimidating.</p>
<p>Heathrow Terminal 5 is super-nice and modern. It is very easy to hop on the Heathrow Express with luggage - and you can even buy the tickets online and print them yourself so you have them in hand. I had no problem with luggage there, and I think they’ve worked through their initial problems.</p>
<p>Terminal 3, and the other terminals for local connections, are nightmarish: no signage and shoulder-to-shoulder people.</p>
<p>I much prefer Gatwick. Better organized, better sign posted. I think the shops are better than heathrow. The train service into London is excellent has several options depending on where you are going in London.The Gatwick Express goes direct to Victoria station. Many other trains stop there and go into different parts of London. For instance if you are heading to North of London (where I go when visiting my Mom) you can get a train to Kings Cross and make the connection without having to change to the tube. </p>
<p>Unfortunately from where I live, most flights seem to go to Heathrow now so I am generally stuck with Heathrow. American Airlines stopped flying to Gatwick last year. So I have to get the tube now which takes forever. Still not bad. </p>
<p>A lot probably depends where in London you are going. The tube is great for getting around But you don’t want the tube with suitcases in the rush hour.</p>
<p>I guess I fly into both airports enough that I don’t get so intimidated anymore.</p>
<p>but despite the size, look on the bright side: at least there’s no language barrier.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. Not sure yet where we will be staying, but it helps to know the pros and cons of the two. And there is now a third option–London City (LCY). Anyone know anything about this airport?</p>
<p>City is the only airport that is actually in London. I am very surprised that there are any flights from the US arriving there. It’s tiny comapred to the others (even Stansted), and so central you can get to anywhere in London cheap in a taxi.</p>
<p>You can take the Heathrow express to Paddington station and pick up a cab there to avoid dealing with luggage on the Tube.</p>
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<p>We took the Tube from London back to Heathrow when we were there. We didn’t find it to be a pain at all. We actually enjoyed the ride.</p>
<p>I would find it difficult to negotiate the stairs in the Underground stations with much luggage if I were to use the Tube from the airport into London, but that is just one opinion.</p>
<p>For the ultimate in convenience, fly into Heathrow, take the Express to Paddington, and stay at the Hilton Paddington.
[Hilton</a> London Paddington hotel](<a href=“http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/LONPDHI-Hilton-London-Paddington-hotel/index.do]Hilton”>http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/LONPDHI-Hilton-London-Paddington-hotel/index.do)</p>
<p>It is literally attached to the airport. You can easily wheel your baggage behind you right up to the front desk. I stayed here for one night after a tough flight over, but I left only because of a desire to stay at a different property. The Hilton Paddington would have been nice enough for the whole holiday, and you can get anywhere from there.</p>