London airports---also Ireland, Scotland

I guess it really depends on where you are going. As stated, Gatwick is my favorite as well. However, if you are going to be entering the UK at Gatwick, but ending your trip in Ireland, then it makes sense to leave from Dublin or Shannon. Both are easy airports.

Manchester was also simple, if you are going to be in the north of England. Edinburgh is refreshingly small.

Do you just mean London airports? If so Heathrow and Gatwick are much of a muchness as far as getting to and from London, so I'd pick based on price and availability to where ever you live in the US.

If you mean flying into London and then home from elsewhere in the UK or Ireland then it does save a day backtracking to London just to go home. Then it really depends where your last destination is: Manchester is handy for North West England or North Wales, Birmingham is good for the Midlands or South Wales. In Scotland Edinburgh and Glasgow are it as far as intercontinental same with Dublin and Shannon in Ireland.

I personally like Gatwick. It's less congested, easier to switch terminals, and great train connections to the south. London is a 45 minute train ride and will most likely land you at Victoria Station, near the palace.

Evan

Margaret,

I also prefer Gatwick. It's smaller, much easier to navigate and has an easy transportation link to London Victoria (which is the area I prefer to stay).

As someone else mentioned, if your trip is ending in Ireland or Scotland, use open jaw flights and return home from there.

Happy travels!