The UK may be considered by some to be small, but it's blessed with a good number of airports. These can be found across the country, from small regional ones with a few flights to huge international ones that have flights across the world. Many UK airports were originally created as RAF bases during World War Two, and have since been repurposed for commercial travel.
When it comes to booking flights to/from an airport, one of the key considerations people will have is how to get from the airport to their next destination (or vice-versa). Each airport in this post is accessible by rail in one form or another, with one served by an incredibly famous rapid transit system, and there are even two that are served by trams. We'll be covering airports on the mainland of England, Wales, and Scotland (Northern Ireland's rail network is run separately to that of the rest of the UK), and we'll provide details on how to get some excellent deals on cheap train tickets purchased via our website. Please make sure you research your options carefully, and do contact us if you have any additional questions - we're very happy to help you out!
London Heathrow Airport
If you're heading to the UK on a long-haul flight, chances are that you'll be considering Heathrow Airport as an option. With two runways, four active terminals, and flights to all inhabited continents (Antarctica isn't included in this), it's perhaps unsurprising that Heathrow is the busiest airport in the UK and one of the busiest in the world. It wasn't always like this, though - it originally opened in 1929 as the 'Great West Aerodrome', with it being officially opened as a commercial airport in 1946. Terminals 2 and 3 are served by the same central stations, with Terminals 4 and 5 having their own separate stations. Each terminal is served by the Piccadilly line of the London Underground, and by the Elizabeth line, with the fast Heathrow Express service visiting Terminals 2, 3, and 5 (please make sure your tickets are valid for the appropriate service you wish to use!). Terminals 2 & 3 are accessible on foot, and the station for these terminals is just a few minutes' walk from either terminal. Terminal 4's station is below the arrivals level, and Terminal 5's station is in the lower level of the building. All services offer different ways of getting into London, and should you wish for clarification on any matters regarding travelling between London and Heathrow, please drop us an email. You may be able to get some great deals on cheap train tickets to & from Heathrow through our website, so keep an eye out!
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London Gatwick Airport
South of London in Surrey, you'll find Gatwick Airport. It's the second-busiest airport in the UK, and is one of the busiest single-runway airports in the world. Interestingly, Gatwick has two runways, but they're too close together to both be used at the same time. Originally opening in the 1920s as an aerodrome, the airport first saw commercial service in 1933, and was renamed 'RAF Gatwick' during World War Two. There's a real mix of flights at Gatwick, too - from budget airlines to leisure operators and long-haul airlines. The airport has two terminals; North and South. The South Terminal can be accessed directly from Gatwick's on-site station, and the North Terminal is connected landside to the station and the South Terminal by an automated people mover. There are a number of train companies who operate to Gatwick Airport, and it's surprising just how many possibilities there are with just one or two changes. There are plenty of direct links to London (and thus plenty of opportunities to get cheap train tickets through the wonders of split ticketing), with Brighton also being a common option. Other direct destinations include Reading, Bedford, Cambridge, Peterborough, Bognor Regis, and many more.
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London Luton Airport
To the north of London, in the southern part of Bedfordshire, you'll find London Luton Airport. One of the smaller London airports, it makes efficient use of its space, and is most popular with low-cost and leisure airlines. First opening in 1938 as Luton Municipal Airport, it was used by the RAF during World War Two, with commercial service resuming in 1952. Access to the airport is via Luton Airport Parkway station. For many years, the final leg was completed by bus, but the Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) opened in 2023 to make the journey by rail much simpler. Just make sure to search for 'Luton Airport' when looking at purchasing tickets. Direct services from Luton Airport Parkway go south to London and further, and also north to Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering, and Corby.
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London Stansted Airport
Out in Essex, you'll find London Stansted Airport, the third-busiest London airport after Heathrow and Gatwick. It's been popular for years with low-cost and leisure airlines, and is ideally-located to serve the eastern areas of England. Originally opening in 1943 as RAF Stansted Mountfitchet, the airport has been used for passenger services for decades since this point. It's also frequently used by visiting dignitaries to the UK due to its location, and also the fact such planes can be present while posing minimal disruption to the rest of the airport. Access by rail is via Stansted Airport station, which is directly below the main terminal. Direct services include those direct to London, with other destinations including Norwich, Cambridge, Peterborough, Leicester, and Birmingham New Street.
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London City Airport
The smaller of London's two airports within the M25 (the other is Heathrow), London City Airport is ideal for residents in the eastern parts of London, though its main target is arguably business travellers to the City of London itself. The airport's location can make for a spectacular landing if the wind direction is right. It's one of the country's newer airports, opening in 1987 as part of the wider regeneration of the London Docklands. In terms of access by rail, the Docklands Light Railway has a station outside the terminal, with direct services to a number of destinations (including Bank and Stratford). The Elizabeth line is also an option at Custom House, which is just a short bus ride away, though please make sure your tickets are valid for this journey.
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London Southend Airport
Situated to the north of Southend and next door to Rochford is London Southend Airport, well-located for fliers in the southern area of Essex. An airfield was established on the site in 1915 during World War One, and it was referred to as RAF Rochford during World War Two. It's a small airport, but it has seen growth in passenger numbers over the years, and a brand-new terminal opened in 2012. In terms of getting there by rail, there's the conveniently-located Southend Airport station, right by the terminal. Services from here run to London Liverpool Street, and an alternative point at which you can change trains is Stratford. Because of the number of connectivity options in London, travel to Southend Airport could be aided by cheap train tickets purchased from our website.
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Norwich Airport
A few miles north of Norwich city centre is Norwich Airport, ideal for those wishing to fly from East Anglia. It's arguably one of the country's smaller airports, but does see helicopter services to the North Sea oil rigs, and also has a direct link to Amsterdam via KLM. There are some historical reasons for this, and further information can be found in this article from Simple Flying. The airport was originally opened as RAF Horsham St Faith in 1940, with charter flights beginning in 1971. The nearest station is Norwich itself, and there are bus services from the station to the airport, though you will need to purchase these tickets separately. Direct services from Norwich go to London Liverpool Street, Great Yarmouth, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and more.
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Southampton Airport
If you're on the south coast and you want to fly somewhere, it's worth considering Southampton Airport. Situated north-east of the city, it's also conveniently-located for those living in Poole, Bournemouth, and Portsmouth. The site first saw life in 1910, with it being used in both World Wars (being named RAF Southampton in 1936 after a brief period as RAF Eastleigh), and it's been used as a commercial airport for many years since then. The airport has a number of routes across the UK and some in Europe, and is also convenient for the Channel Islands. In terms of access by rail, Southampton Airport Parkway station is by the terminal, which makes it an easy option if you don't want to travel to/from the airport by car. Direct services from here go to London Waterloo, Bournemouth, Reading, Birmingham, Weymouth, and more.
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Bournemouth Airport
If you live a bit further west along the South Coast, then Bournemouth might be a viable option for you to use. Flights go from here to a number of destinations with low-cost and leisure airlines, so you might not have to travel as far for your holiday as you might think. If you're travelling here by rail, then the nearest station is Bournemouth station itself, with the final leg being undertaken by bus (payable separately). From Bournemouth station, you have direct access to Southampton, Reading, Oxford, Birmingham, London Waterloo, and many more destinations.
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Bristol Airport
This is arguably the main airport for the South West of England, and is a few miles south-west of Bristol city centre. Originally opening during World War Two, it was well-known as RAF Lulsgate Bottom, and was transformed into the airport of today since that point. It's noted for having a shorter runway than many other UK airports, but it did have regular flights to the United States between 2005 and 2010. There have been proposals to provide a direct rail link to Bristol Airport, though nothing has come to fruition at the time of writing. As it stands, the best way of getting to the airport by rail is by going to either Bristol Temple Meads and taking the A1 Airport Flyer bus service or Weston-Super-Mare and taking the A3 Airport Flyer bus service. From Bristol Temple Meads, you can access Birmingham, Reading, Bath, London Paddington, Cardiff, Exeter St Davids, and other destinations in the South West of England. Weston-Super-Mare has some direct services to London, and also a number of local services.
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Exeter Airport
A few miles east of Exeter city centre is its airport. An airfield opened on this site in 1937, with it being known as RAF Exeter during World War Two, and was made available for civil use again after the war had ended. The airport is a bit smaller than others, but has a surprising number of destinations, including leisure destinations during the summer months. In terms of rail links, the most suitable option is to go to Exeter St David's by rail and then take a direct bus from there (payable separately). From Exeter, your direct services are to destinations including Plymouth, Truro, Penzance, Barnstaple, Exmouth, Paignton, Salisbury, Bristol, Birmingham, London, and many more.
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Newquay Airport
If you perhaps thought that Cornwall didn't have an airport, then you'd be wrong. First opening in 1933, it was renamed RAF Trebelzue at the start of World War Two, and was renamed RAF St Mawgan in 1943. After the war ended, the airport was a joint military & civilian operation until 2008, when it became a fully civilian airport. It's officially called 'Cornwall Airport Newquay', but the name 'Newquay Airport' persists. The nearest station is Newquay itself, and from Newquay station, you can take a bus to the airport (payable separately). From Newquay, all trains go to Par, and connections can be made there onto the Cornish Main Line. There are plans to increase frequency on the line to Newquay with the restoration of a second platform as part of the Mid Cornwall Metro project, which will help to aid connectivity across the county.
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Cardiff Airport
The main airport for South Wales, Cardiff Airport is a few miles south-west of Cardiff city centre. Originally opened as RAF Rhoose during World War Two, the airport became a civilian facility in the 1950s, and in addition to its passenger flights, is known these days as a heavy maintenance facility for British Airways. The nearest station is Rhoose Cardiff International Airport, with the final leg being taken by bus. You can buy tickets that include the bus journey - just make sure to select 'Cardiff Airport Via Rhoose' when searching for your journey to the airport. Direct trains from Rhoose Cardiff International Airport run between Bridgend and Cardiff, with some extensions from Cardiff to Rhymney.
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Birmingham Airport
One of England's bigger airports, Birmingham is surprisingly well-connected. The airport originally opened as Elmdon Airport in 1939, shortly before the outbreak of World War Two, during which it was known as RAF Elmdon. Commercial services started again here in 1949, and there is quite a list of destinations both near and far, with the airport largely being popular with low-cost and leisure airlines. Birmingham International station is the closest, and is connected to the airport via the AirRail Link, with it also being next to the National Exhibition Centre and its other associated facilities. Trains from here into Birmingham New Street itself can take as little as ten minutes, and from there, you can connect to a large number of places in the West Midlands and beyond. There are many destinations with direct trains to Birmingham Airport, including London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Manchester, Reading, Shrewsbury, and many more. Its connectivity to so many places in the country can make it a great option for cheap train tickets from our website.
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East Midlands Airport
East Midlands Airport is one of the smaller airports in the UK, but it's well-situated with easy access to Derby, Nottingham, and Leicester. Also of note is that it's next door to Donington Park, the racing circuit which has hosted a number of events over the years (including a single appearance in Formula 1 for the 1993 European Grand Prix), and is well-known these days for being the home of the Download music festival. The airport was originally opened as RAF Castle Donington in 1943, with it being decommissioned in 1946, and then reopening as a civilian airport in 1964. One other notable thing about East Midlands Airport is that in addition to its popularity with low-cost and leisure airlines, it's a key base for cargo flights. The nearest station to the airport is East Midlands Parkway, with the final leg to the airport itself being completed by the 'Nottsbus On Demand' bus service, which is chargeable separately to your train tickets. From East Midlands Parkway, you have direct trains to Derby, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, and London St Pancras.
Humberside Airport
Arguably one of the smallest airports in the UK, Humberside was opened as RAF Kirmington in the 1940s during World War Two. Closing down in 1945, it reopened in the mid-1970s for commercial services. While the Lincolnshire airport doesn't have a huge number of flights, it does have a role for the North Sea oil & gas industry, with a number of helicopter flights also taking place from this airport. The nearest station for Humberside Airport is Barnetby (main operator is TransPennine Express, with occasional services from East Midlands Railway or Northern), with the recommendation for the final connection being travel by taxi. Direct services to Barnetby run to Leicester, Grimsby, Nottingham, Lincoln, Liverpool Lime Street, Sheffield, and more.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Popular with low-cost and leisure airlines, Liverpool Airport first opened in 1930. Being requisitioned by the RAF during World War Two, it was known as RAF Speke during this time, and commercial service returned not long after World War Two finished. The original terminal is now a hotel (the new terminal opened in 2002), and in 2001, the airport itself was renamed after John Lennon, one of the members of the famous music group 'The Beatles'. In terms of public transport access, the nearest station is Liverpool South Parkway; this is a few miles to the north-west of the airport, and the final leg of the journey is best-completed by bus (payable separately). From Liverpool South Parkway, your direct trains run to destinations including Liverpool Lime Street, Southport, Manchester Piccadilly, Nottingham, Birmingham New Street, Chester, and many more.
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Manchester Airport
A few miles to the south of Manchester city centre lies its airport, one of only two in the UK that has more than one active runway. Originally opening as Ringway Airport in 1938, it was known as RAF Ringway during World War Two, with it reverting to civilian operations afterwards. The airport sees many flights from low-cost and leisure airlines, but is also an important location for long-haul traffic, which can help to negate the need for going to London - this can be a real benefit for people living in the north of England and north Wales. The airport is undergoing a sizeable redeveopment at the time of writing, and this is planned to help improve the travelling experience for passengers. The airport has its own station, with direct links to Terminal 2 on the western side of the airport and Terminal 1 on the eastern side via the Skylink. Terminal 3 is also on the eastern side, and can be accessed via the route to Terminal 1 & a short walk outside the terminal buildings. Direct services to Manchester Airport come from destinations including Crewe, Carlisle, Blackpool North, Manchester Piccadilly, Chester, and plenty more. It's also worth noting that the airport has a direct tram service through Metrolink. Due to the wide scope of destinations that can be reached directly from the airport itself (and also with an easy change in Manchester), if you check out our website, you may well be able to get some cheap train tickets for your journey to/from Manchester Airport.
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Leeds Bradford Airport
A joint airport for two cities in West Yorkshire, Leeds-Bradford is situated north-west of Leeds and north-east of Bradford. The airport opened in the early 1930s, and became an aircraft manufacturing facility during World War Two, before reverting to civilian use in 1947. The most suitable station for Leeds Bradford Airport is Leeds itself (from which you can take the Leeds Bradford Airport Flyer bus - choose 'Leeds Bradford Airport Flyer' as your destination for through tickets). From Leeds station, you can access a wide number of other locations, including London Kings Cross, Harrogate, Sheffield, Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Blackpool North, and many more. The variety of destinations available from Leeds is hardly a surprise, given it's one of the busiest stations outside London.
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Teesside International Airport
A few miles to the east of Darlington, you will find the small Teesside International Airport. Originally opened in 1941 as RAF Middleton St George, it then became a civilian airport in 1964. In spite of its small size, Teesside is conveniently located for the towns of Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough, and does see some international flights; this may make it convenient for those who may not want to travel to a bigger airport. The nearest station used to be Teesside Airport station itself, but this hasn't seen rail service since 2022, and was historically one of the least-used stations in the UK, only having one or two trains stopping each week and yearly passenger usage figures often being lower than 100. As it stands, the airport itself recommends using Darlington station, where there is a taxi rank for the final leg to the airport. Darlington station has direct trains to destinations including Newcastle, York, London Kings Cross, Birmingham New Street, Manchester Victoria, Liverpool Lime Street, and more.
Newcastle International Airport
A few miles north-west of Newcastle city centre is its airport. Opening in 1935 as Woolsington Aerodrome, it was used by a number of RAF squadrons during World War Two, before being handed back to the council in 1946. The airport is arguably the key one for the north-east of England, with most flights being operated by low-cost and leisure airlines, but it does also have a direct link to Dubai through Emirates to help enhance its long-haul connectivity. The airport is served by the Newcastle Airport station on the Tyne & Wear Metro, with the station having direct access to the terminal building. The airport sees service from the Green Line of the Metro, which links up to Central Station, Gateshead, and Sunderland (among others). Newcastle station itself has direct services to Edinburgh Waverley, Darlington, Leeds, and plenty more, with several local services in operation as well.
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Glasgow Airport
West of the city centre and just north of the town of Paisley lies Glasgow Airport, the second-busiest airport in Scotland. An airport opened on this site in 1932, with it being known as RAF Abbotsinch during World War Two, and also as Royal Naval Air Station Abbotsinch and HMS Sanderling. This site became the main airport for Glasgow in 1966, and sees service from a number of low-cost and leisure airlines. The airport doesn't have a direct rail link, but there are bus services from the centre of Glasgow under the 'Glasgow Airport Express' branding - please note that you may need to purchase bus tickets separately to train tickets in order to get to the airport.
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Edinburgh Airport
Situated west of Edinburgh, you'll find its airport, which is the busiest airport in Scotland. Originally called Turnhouse Aerodrome, the facility became RAF Turnhouse in 1918 on the creation of the Royal Air Force. It opened to commercial traffic in 1947, and RAF usage of the site ceased in the mid-1990s. These days, Edinburgh Airport is popular with low-cost and leisure airlines, and also sees a number of long-haul flights. There isn't a direct rail link, but there is a tram that goes from the city centre right to the terminal, which makes it really convenient. We do wish to note that you'll need to purchase tram tickets separately to your train tickets.
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Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport can be found roughly 30 miles to the south-west of Glasgow itself, and is just north of the towns of Prestwick and Ayr. Passenger facilities were added to the airport in 1938, and the Royal Navy has a presence on the site (referred to as HMS Gannet). In terms of commercial flights, the sole passenger operator at this time is Ryanair, but there are some cargo flights in operation as well. Access to the airport by public transport is accomplished by trains operating to Prestwick International Airport station, which has direct access to the terminal, so it couldn't be simpler to get there. Trains from here run between Ayr and Glasgow Central, and you can connect at the latter station to a number of other places in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Aberdeen International Airport
Situated to the north-west of Aberdeen city centre is Aberdeen International Airport. Opening in 1934 as Dyce Aerodrome, with it being known as RAF Dyce during World War Two. It's a smaller airport compared to others, but it plays a key role for the offshore oil & gas industry in the North Sea, and is regarded as the busiest heliport in the world. Additionally, in spite of its smaller size, it does have a number of airlines flying from it to destinations across Europe. In terms of public transport access, the nearest station is Dyce on the eastern side of the airport, with the most convenient option for getting between the station and the airport appearing to be a taxi. Trains from Dyce run between Montrose and Inverurie (via Aberdeen), and there are also some services that head on to Inverness - very useful if you wish to explore the Highlands.
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Inverness Airport
A few miles north-east of Inverness itself, and on the edge of the Moray Firth, you will find Inverness Airport. First opened in 1940 as RAF Dalcross, the facility saw civil operations for the first time in 1947. As with Aberdeen, it's a smaller airport, but can be considered as quite useful for those in the Highlands who would prefer to not travel down to Edinburgh or Glasgow, and it does have some flights to Europe as well. Getting to the airport by public transport is convenient thanks to Inverness Airport station, opened in 2023, and is linked to the airport itself by a bus service. If you wish to combine your rail and bus tickets into one, you can do so here - just make sure to select 'Inverness Airport (Bus)' when booking your journey. Trains from Inverness Airport station run between Inverness (convenient for exploring the Highlands) and Elgin, with extensions down to Aberdeen.
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We very much hope that this has given you some further guidance on how to get to & from many of the UK's airports in the UK. If you do wish to contact us for some extra information on travelling to & from any of these airports, please contact us on customer.support@raileasy.co.uk, and we'll be more than happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions
How can I find cheap train tickets to UK airports?
You can save money by booking in advance, travelling at off-peak times, and using a site like Raileasy to find split ticket options, frequently involving cheap Advance tickets. It’s a great way to cut the cost of getting to the airport by train.
Can I use split ticketing for airport journeys by train?
Absolutely! Many UK airport train routes allow for split ticketing, meaning you can book multiple tickets for different parts of the journey and save compared to a single through fare. Try it on Raileasy and see how much you could save.
When should I book my train tickets to a UK airport for the best prices?
To secure the cheapest train tickets to a UK airport, it's advisable to book well in advance, as fares tend to increase closer to the travel date. Additionally, consider exploring split ticketing options for additional savings.
Are there any discounts available for frequent train travellers to UK airports?
Consider purchasing a digital railcard that offers discounts for frequent train travellers to and other destinations. A railcard can provide significant savings on train tickets, especially when combined with strategies such as split ticketing, to ensure you get great-value cheap train tickets for your journeys. Whether you're commuting regularly or planning occasional trips, a railcard is a valuable investment that can help you maximise your savings on train travel to UK airports and beyond.
Is it cheaper to book train tickets to UK airports online or at the station?
When looking to secure cheap train tickets to a UK airport, booking online in advance typically provides the most cost-effective fares. Using train ticket booking platforms like Raileasy can also help in finding split ticket options, further reducing your travel expenses.
Remember, if you have any questions about train travel or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.