One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
LGW7.0
LHR7.0
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
LGW7.1
LHR7.2+0.1
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
Best for
LGW
Fast rail to LondoneasyJet and long-haul leisurePaid lounges in both terminals
LHR
Watch out for
LGW
No airside walkway between North and SouthGatwick Express gateline at Victoria charges the premium fareSingle runway for routine operations until the Northern Runway works are built
Amenities and tips
LGW
Fast Track SecurityIndependent loungesRail stationCT security
LGW · Britain’s second airport: two terminals with no airside link, excellent rail, and CT security that lets 2-litre liquids stay in the bag. Peak mornings still bite.
LHR · Heathrow is a four-terminal hub with official 2025 traffic of 84.5 million. CT scanners from 23 January 2026 let 2-litre liquids and laptops stay in the bag. Live Priority Pass is not No.1 in every terminal — T5 is Club Aspire, and T3 Plaza Premium on PP is arrivals only. There is no Chase Sapphire Lounge.
LGW7.2
LHR7.5+0.3
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
LGW8.6+0.6
LHR8.0
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
LGW6.9
LHR7.0+0.1
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
LGW7.4
LHR7.4
Fast rail to central LondonNew liquid-friendly securityExtensive free water accessBA long-haul hub
LHR
Promising a T2–T3 airside walkway — official transfers are a free shuttleT4 multi-storey parking closed 23 June 2026 (Park & Ride Zone A only)T5 Priority Pass is Club Aspire, not No.1T3 Plaza Premium on Priority Pass is the arrivals room (06:00–14:00)Australia-bound flights still use the 100 ml liquids rule
YOTEL South arrivals
Free water fountains
Budget 2.5 hours for international peaks
Fast Track from £6 is the useful buy when the standard lane is already long; it runs 04:00–20:00 in both terminals.
Read the terminal on the boarding pass
easyJet is North; BA, Ryanair, Wizz and Jet2 are South. TUI splits: TOM North, BY South. There is no airside link.
Eat landside, then refill airside for free
Boots, WHSmith and M&S sit before security. After security, official water fountains and any restaurant or bar will fill a bottle at no charge.
LHR
Heathrow ExpressFree Water FountainsNo1 LoungesReserve & Collect
Arrive 3 hours early for long-haul
New scanners reduce liquid hassle; queues still form at peak.
Confirm the terminal before you book a lounge
BA uses T5 and T3; Star Alliance mostly T2; T4 is its own bus/rail hop.
Reserve & Collect skips the airside queue
Reserve & Collect skips queues at popular airside outlets.
