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Heathrow and Gatwick airport hotels: sleep by the terminal before an early flight
The flight leaves at seven, and check-in closes well before that. It helps to sleep a few minutes from the terminal, not an hour away in the centre. These are the hotels where you walk from bed to check-in.
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Heathrow and Gatwick are London's two biggest airports, and both have hotels right by the terminals. They suit an early flight, a late landing or an onward journey the next day.
We have picked six hotels a short walk from the terminal, three at each airport. Always check which terminal your flight uses before you book.
In short: Heathrow and Gatwick airport hotels
The best airport hotel at Heathrow is Sofitel London Heathrow, with a covered walkway to Terminal 5. Hilton London Heathrow Airport is by Terminal 4, and Hilton Garden Inn by Terminals 2 and 3. At Gatwick, the Sofitel is in the North Terminal, while the Hilton and Bloc are at the South Terminal. Choose by terminal, not just by price.
Our first choice: Sofitel London Heathrow, for the walkway straight into Terminal 5 and the spa.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Sofitel London Heathrow
Top picks
By Terminal 5: Sofitel London Heathrow
By Terminal 4: Hilton London Heathrow Airport
By Terminals 2 and 3: Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal 2 and 3
In Gatwick's North Terminal: Sofitel London Gatwick
Inside the South Terminal: Bloc Hotel London Gatwick Airport
Heathrow
Heathrow lies west of London. The Elizabeth line, the Piccadilly line and the Heathrow Express run into town, and British Airways mostly uses Terminal 5.
Sofitel London Heathrow
The Sofitel has a covered walkway straight into Terminal 5, so you wheel your case from reception to check-in without going outside. There are two restaurants, a bar and a 24-hour gym.
The spa makes it more than a place to sleep. Good for an early start from Terminal 5, or for beginning your holiday the evening before.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Sofitel London Heathrow
Hilton London Heathrow Airport
The Hilton is linked to Terminal 4 by a covered walkway, and the Terminal 4 station is four minutes away. From there the Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line run into London.
The hotel has two restaurants, two bars, a terrace and a garden. A good choice when you fly from Terminal 4, or land late and want a proper dinner before bed.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hilton London Heathrow Airport
Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal 2 and 3
The hotel has a covered walkway to Terminal 2 and an underpass to Terminal 3. The station for Terminals 2 and 3 is five minutes away, with direct trains into town.
The rooms are simpler than at the Sofitel, but the location is hard to beat. Good when you fly from Terminal 2 or 3 and want the shortest possible journey.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal 2 and 3
Gatwick
Gatwick lies south of London and has two terminals, North and South. A free shuttle train links them in a couple of minutes, and the Gatwick Express reaches Victoria in about half an hour.
Sofitel London Gatwick
The Sofitel is in the North Terminal, and check-in is a few steps from the lift. The shuttle to the South Terminal takes a couple of minutes.
The hotel has two restaurants, two bars and a 24-hour gym. A good choice before an early flight from the North Terminal, or after a late landing.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Sofitel London Gatwick
Hilton London Gatwick Airport
The Hilton has a covered walkway straight to the South Terminal. There are two restaurants, two bars and a 24-hour gym, and pets are welcome.
Good if you fly from the South Terminal and want a classic hotel with a restaurant and bar. You can have breakfast before most morning flights.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hilton London Gatwick Airport
Bloc Hotel London Gatwick Airport
Bloc is inside the South Terminal. The rooms are small and simple, but the beds win a lot of praise, and check-in is a couple of minutes away.
Bloc suits a short night before an early flight, when all you need is a bed and a shower. You pay for the location, not the space.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Bloc Hotel London Gatwick Airport
Before you book
Check the terminal: Airlines sometimes change terminals. Look at your ticket or the airline's website before choosing a hotel.
Choose free cancellation: Flight times can change, so it helps to be able to move or cancel the hotel.
Tell the hotel if you arrive late: If you land after midnight, let the hotel know so your room is held.
Hotel Hoppa: Many airport hotels are not by the terminal. The Hotel Hoppa bus runs to them from the terminals.
A country house near Heathrow, and on into town
To start or end your trip with more than an airport hotel, Great Fosters is ten minutes from Heathrow by car. It was once a royal hunting lodge, and you will find it among our castle hotels near London.
Staying a few days in town? The Elizabeth line runs directly from Heathrow to the City and Canary Wharf. See hotels in the City of London and Canary Wharf, or where to stay in London.
Editor's pick
Sofitel London Heathrow
Sofitel London Heathrow is the airport hotel for anyone who wants a proper night's sleep before an early flight. The covered walkway runs straight into Terminal 5, so you wheel your case under cover from reception to check-in. There is a spa, two restaurants and a 24-hour gym. The evening before a long trip, book a treatment, have dinner and turn in early.
Frequently asked questions about Heathrow and Gatwick airport hotels
Which hotel is closest to Heathrow Terminal 5?
Sofitel London Heathrow has a covered walkway directly into Terminal 5, so you walk from the hotel to check-in without going outside. That makes it the simplest choice before an early flight from Terminal 5, which British Airways mostly uses. Choose free cancellation if your flight time might change.
Can you walk from the hotel to the terminal at Heathrow?
Yes, from some of them. The Sofitel has a walkway to Terminal 5, and Hilton London Heathrow Airport is linked to Terminal 4. Hilton Garden Inn has a walkway to Terminal 2 and an underpass to Terminal 3. Most other airport hotels are further out and reached by Hotel Hoppa or local bus. Check the distance before you book.
Where should I stay before an early flight from Gatwick?
Stay in the terminal or with a walkway to it. Sofitel London Gatwick is in the North Terminal, the Hilton has a covered walkway to the South Terminal, and Bloc is inside the South Terminal. Check which terminal your flight uses. If you are in the wrong one, the shuttle between them takes only a couple of minutes.
Is an airport hotel worth it before an early flight?
Usually, if your flight leaves before eight in the morning. From central London it easily takes an hour to Heathrow and longer to Gatwick, and the first trains do not always run early enough. A night by the terminal means more sleep and less stress. Compare the price with a taxi from town before you decide.
How do you get from Heathrow to central London?
The Elizabeth line runs directly from Heathrow to Paddington, Bond Street, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf. The Heathrow Express is fastest to Paddington, while the Piccadilly line is cheapest and stops at South Kensington and Covent Garden, among others. You can pay with a contactless card on all three. Choose by where you are staying.