Stansted wins for Ryanair flyers. Luton wins for Wizz Air and easyJet. Gatwick wins for easyJet with better transfer. Always compare total cost.
Budget travellers should choose their airport based on which budget airline serves their route. Ryanair: Stansted. Wizz Air: Luton. easyJet: Gatwick (primary) or Luton. Once you know your airline, check the total cost — ticket + baggage + transfer. A £30 Ryanair ticket to Stansted becomes a £95+ journey once you add a checked bag (£45) and the Stansted Express (~£22).
Here is how the three budget-focused airports compare for the budget traveller:
Budget airlines save you money on the ticket but charge for everything else. Checked bag: £35–60. Cabin bag (if not included): £10–25. Seat selection: £5–15. Airport transfer from a distant airport: £10–22. Always calculate the total cost before booking — a £60 easyJet ticket from Gatwick can be cheaper in total than a £30 Ryanair ticket from Stansted once everything is added up.
Sometimes a full-service ticket to Heathrow is cheaper overall. BA and other full-service airlines often include checked baggage in the ticket price. The Heathrow transfer is cheaper (£6–15 on the Piccadilly or Elizabeth Line). If the gap between the budget ticket + extras and the full-service ticket is less than £20, the full-service option is usually the better choice.
A Ryanair flight to Stansted with hand luggage only (£20–40 ticket) plus the National Express coach to central London (£10–12). Total: £30–52 one-way. This is the lowest possible door-to-door cost.
It depends on the route. Ryanair usually has the lowest base fares. Wizz Air competes aggressively on Eastern European routes. easyJet often provides the best balance of price and convenience because its main base is Gatwick — closer to London than Stansted or Luton.