Arriving in the UK

While most people arrive in the UK by air, a spirited few will find their way through Europe and arrive by boat or train.

Arriving by Air

Before you arrive in the the UK, find out which airport you will arrive at. The chances are that you will be arriving at a London Airport, but there are five to choose from - so you need to know where you will be, to work out how to get where you want to go!

Heathrow and Gatwick handle most of the inter-continental flights, whist the other three serve Europe.

 Heathrow  Airport       Tel: 020 8759 4321

 Heathrow is one of the biggest and busiest airports in the world and is located approximately 15 miles to the west of Central London.
It has 4 terminals:

• TERMINAL ONE : Aer Lingus, Air UK, British Airways, British Midland, Cyprus Airways, El Al, Finnair, SABENA, SAA

• TERMINAL TWO : Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, CAI, Iberia, JAT, LOT, Olympic, Swissair, TAP, Viva

• TERMINAL THREE : Air Canada, Air China, Air India, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Eva Air, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, QANTAS, SAS, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic

• TERMINAL FOUR : Air Lanka, British Airways - Intercontinental flights, KLM, TAT

Once safely touch down, and after clearing Immigration and Customs, you will need to get to where you going. You have a few options:

The Underground

Simply follow the signs for the "underground". If you are new to London and planning on staying a while, it is probably worthwhile getting an underground photo-card as well as a weekly travel card. To do so, you'll need a passport sized photo, but there are usually working photo booths at all tube stations. When purchasing your ticket, pickup a free tube map, vital for any new arrival and many experienced Londoners.

You'll find Heathrow is on the Piccadilly line (navy blue line) and this will take you in to the city centre. Examine your map carefully to choose where to get off, depending upon any connections required.

The last train leaves Heathrow for Central London at 11.49pm Mon-Sat, and at 11.30pm on Sundays, but subsequent connections to other parts of London might not be available. heading towards the airport, the first train from Central London leaves King's Cross at 5.37am from Mon-Sat and 6.51am on Sundays.

By Heathrow Express

This is a non-stop over-land train service direct into Paddington station in central London. From Paddington you can join the Underground network. Although convenient, it is not cheap, with the standard one-way fare costing approximately £16, or £22 for first class. It runs every 15 minutes from 05:00 to 23:40 hours (from Heathrow). it is well sign-posted "Heathrow Express" once you pass through customs. Book before you travel for the online discount at www.heathrowexpress.co.uk or call the customer care line on 0845 600 15 15.

By Train

If you want to avoid the tube or the expensive "Heathrow Express", 'Main Line' services run to Watford Junction, Woking and Feltham stations, with bus services connecting to Heathrow. For details visit www.railtrack.co.uk or, in the UK, call 08457 48 49 50

By Coach

"Airbus" leaves for King's Cross every 30 minutes , Two routes; The A1- via Earls Court, Harrods, Hyde Park corner & Victoria, & A2 - via Holland Park Avenue, Notting Hill Gate, Queensway, Paddington, Marble Arch, Russell Square & Kings Cross. Not exactly a speedy option, taking one hour and 40 minutes, but always room for your luggage. Cost: Single: £8; return: £12; tickets from the driver. More info: Call 0870-574 7777 or see www.gobycoach.com.

By Taxi

Not recommended unless you like the idea of paying between £40 and £50 from Heathrow to central London. Make sure you use the official taxi rank outside the station rather than an unlicensed Mini-cab.

Heathrow to Gatwick Transfers

If you have connecting flights from Gatwick, there is a bus service which can get you to Gatwick. Ask at the Heathrow help desk for more information.

Gatwick Airport        Tel: 01293 53 53 53

Gatwick is the second busiest airport in the UK after Heathrow, the sixth busiest international airport in the world. (The busiest single runway airport in the world). It is located 25 miles south of London.

Once safely touch down, and after clearing Immigration and Customs, you will need to get to where you going. You have a few options:

By Gatwick Express

This 30 minute direct rail link will take you non-stop to Victoria Station in Central London. Monday - Friday, it runs every 15 minutes from 05:00 - 23.45 hours, then half hourly until 05::00 hours. There is a different timetable on weekends so check before travelling. It costs £10.50 for a single, £20 return and £11.70 for a day return (after 9.30am). See www.gatwickexpress.com. or, in the UK, call 0870 530 1530.

By Train

There are hourly trains from Gatwick to Victoria station in central London. There are also rail links to King's Cross (via Farringdon),  Blackfriars and London Bridge every 15 -30 minutes. Trains are far less frequent at night, so come prepared for a wait if arriving late.

By Coach

"Airbus" from  Gatwick to Victoria. Cheaper than the train but rather slow, it can take two hours to reach Victoria. Further information is available on 0870-575 7747.

Stansted            Tel: 01279 680 500

Moving further a field, Stansted Airport lies 55km (34 miles) to the North East of central London. It's reputation as a modern, compact, easy to use, airport is  increasing its popularity, particularly for the 'no frills' traveller.

Once safely touch down, and after clearing Immigration and Customs, you will need to get to where you going. You have a few options:

By Stansted Express

A 40 minute, nearly-direct, rail service runs from Stansted to Liverpool Street Station in central London (stops at Tottenham Hale) There are five trains per hour between 08.00 and 17.00 hours, and two per hour otherwise between 06:00 & 24:00.  A one-way ticket will cost you about £13 or £21 return. If you're flying with 'RyanAir', they have a discount option so ask about it when  you buy your ticket. For more information visit www.stanstedexpress.com.

By Train

A cheaper option is the hourly regular train, which is actually only about 15 minutes slower, to Tottenham Hale, Hackney Downs and other stations. you should be able to pick up a one-way ticket for less than 7£7 or £10 for a return (depending on your destination). Call the National Rail Enquiries line on 0845-748 4950.

If not heading towards London, there are also regular rail services from the Stansted towards Cambridge, Peterborough, Birmingham and Leicester.

By  Coach

There is a coach station at the front of the terminal forecourt (by the short term carp park. the staff are helpful and can ensure you buy a ticket to get you where you want to be going. Typical services run every two hours or so.

The "Airbus" runs to Victoria Coach Station in central London. It operates every 30 minutes, 24/7. Current cost is £8 one-way or £10 for a  return.

Stansted also has a bus service to many towns in the south and east of England.

By  Taxi

There is no taxi rank at Stansted, but "Stansted Cars" taxi's can be booked from with in the International Arrivals area. Or you can book in advance on Tel +44 (0)1279 662444. The trip will take between an hour and hour-and-a-half to central London and at a cost of approx £1.20 per mile or £1.40 between midnight and 06:00, it has to be considered a pricey option.

Luton                Tel: 01582 405 100

32 miles due North of central London lies London Luton Airport. This is small airport, serving the UK and Europe.

Once safely touch down, and after clearing Immigration and Customs, you will need to get to where you going. You have a few options:

By Train

Luton Airport has rail connections to Central London and other regions of the country. Further information can be found at the www.thameslink.co.uk or on 0207 620 6333. The railway station is not in the airport complex but a shuttle bus is provided.

By Coach

There is an express service from London Luton Airport to central London via Brent Cross, Finchley Road Station, Baker Street, Marble Arch and Victoria. Full details available on 0345 788 788 or at www.greenline.co.uk. For further information on London Luton see www.london-luton.com.

The coach pick-up / set-down points are located at the front of the terminal building. These are well sign-posted.

London City        Tel:  020 7646 0000

By far the closest to the city, London City Airport is only 6 miles from Central London and was created with the business traveller in mind.

By Train

'Silvertown Station' is a five minute walk from the airport, with links to North Woolwich, Stratford, Hackney, Highbury & Islington, Camden, Hampstead, Willesden Junction, Acton and Richmond. For more information visit www.londontransport.co.uk/tfl

By Bus

There are two shuttle bus services from the Airport. Running every 10 minutes, one serves Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf and the other goes to Canning Town. Allow 30 minutes to Liverpool Street  and 10 minutes to Canary Wharf &  Canning Town.

London City Airport has a comprehensive website at http://www.londoncityairport.com/

Arriving by Train

  Eurostar        Tel:  0870 6000 782      Runs 20 times per day from Paris and Brussels. It currently takes just 3 hours to reach London from either point of origin, but the time is gradually being reduced as the UK opens up new high speed rail sections. Terminates at Waterloo International and, once through Customs, you can then take to the Tube network or head out on the mainline.

For those not coming from Paris or Brussels, you can combine a Ferry and Rail trip on what is known as the 'boat train'. The popularity of this has dramatically reduced since Eurostar took up operations via the channel Tunnel.

If you are coming by car, the channel Tunnel also accommodates a car crossing service, in special purpose-built carriages. With departures every 15 minutes and a journey time of just 35 minutes, it has become very popular and has nearly put the Ferry services out of business.

Arriving by Ferry  

  For those folks who like the feel of fresh air on their faces and have the time to kill, cross-channel ferries offer a pleasant route in to the Country. The most popular route is Calais to Dover, operated by P&O Ferries. More information at www.posl.com or call 087 0600 9009.