Passengers flying into cities like London and Paris often get confused by the different airport options, for example, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Beauvais (BVA) in Paris, or Stansted (STN) and Heathrow (LHR) in London. This confusion happens because the airports serve the same city but are very different. Smaller airports like Stansted and Beauvais are located further from the cities, have fewer flights, and are mainly served by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair. In contrast, larger airports like Charles de Gaulle and Heathrow offer far more connections, are closer to the city, and are primarily used by full-service airlines such as Emirates. To avoid confusion, always research the airports in your destination city using official sources, and check the airport codes listed online to ensure the option suits your travel plans.
Why Do People Get Airports Mixed Up?
When you book a flight, it’s normal to think each city has just one airport. After all, why would a single city need several? However, in global hubs like London and Paris, having multiple airports is the norm, and this is exactly where the slip-ups start.
Airport Names
Even if an airport is far from the city center, as long as it’s still classified as being within the wider region, the city name can be attached to it. Take Paris Beauvais, for example, it’s about 80 km from the actual city of Paris. But someone booking a flight to Paris will often just see the ‘Paris’ part without checking the distance, and end up booking it.
Airline’s Advertising
Click on any airline website, and they’ll make it sound like both Beauvais and Stansted are located directly in the cities they serve, but they’re actually far away. Airlines like Ryanair are very clever at advertising this, and unfortunately, because the fares are much cheaper, many end up buying them without researching.
Some Travelers Just Have No Idea
If you don’t fly often, how are you supposed to know that a city has more than one airport? Unless the thought crosses your mind, you’d naturally assume there’s only one, and I don’t blame you, because I’d be in the exact same boat.
Charles de Gaulle (CDG) vs Beauvais (BVA) - How Do Paris’s Airports Differ?
First up, let’s take a look at Paris’s two airports, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Beauvais (BVA).
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
The most well-known of Paris’s airports is Charles de Gaulle . One of the largest in the world, with three terminals split into separate sections, CDG is about an hour from the center and serves both domestic and international flights, with hundreds of departures each day. These are offered by well-known airlines such as the national carrier Air France, as well as international carriers like Delta, Hainan Airlines, Iberia, EVA Air, Emirates, and many more.
Beauvais Airport (BVA)
Tucked away in a small town about an hour and 40 minutes’ drive from Paris, you’ll find Beauvais Airport (BVA) . Compared to CDG, it’s tiny with only two small terminals, but budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air operate dozens of flights every day from here to a fair number of destinations.
What Are the Key Differences Between CDG and BVA?
- Size: Charles de Gaulle is one of the biggest airports on the planet, with three huge terminals, whereas Beauvais only has two small terminals.
- Distance: Charles de Gaulle is 30km from Paris city center, while Beauvais is around 84km away.
- Cost of flights: It’s generally cheaper to fly into Beauvais compared to Charles de Gaulle.
- Types of flights: If you’re flying with a full-service airline, you’ll likely land at Charles de Gaulle . For budget airlines, expect to fly into Beauvais.
- Public transport connections: CDG and BVA are both served by public transport, but Beauvais has fewer bus and train options.
| Feature | Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | Beauvais (BVA) |
|---|---|---|
| Size/Terminals | 3 large terminals | 2 small terminals |
| Distance to Paris | ~30 km (1 hour) | ~84 km (1 hr 40 mins) |
| Airlines | Air France, Delta, Emirates, etc. | Ryanair, Wizz Air |
| Flight Type | Full-service, long-haul | Budget, short-haul |
| Transport Options | Multiple train & bus links | Limited bus & train |
Heathrow (LHR) vs Stansted (STN): How Do London’s Airports Differ?
Next in the ring, it’s Heathrow (LHR) versus Stansted (STN) . Here’s how they measure up against each other.
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Known as the largest airport in the UK , Heathrow is an hour away from London, has four terminals, and handles a mix of international and domestic routes, with over a thousand flights each day. As you can imagine, it’s extremely busy, serving as the hub of the national carrier, British Airways. Major other airlines such as American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, and Saudia also fly from here regularly.
Stansted Airport (STN)
London’s main hub for budget airlines is Stansted Airport , situated about an hour and 15 minutes’ drive from the city center. Carriers such as Ryanair, Pegasus, and easyJet operate regular flights from here. Despite having just one passenger terminal, Stansted handles hundreds of flights each day, so it can get quite hectic.
What Are the Key Differences Between LHR and STN?
- Size: Heathrow is the largest airport in the UK , whereas Stansted has only one passenger terminal.
- Distance: The journey from Heathrow to London is about 27.3 km, while the trip from Stansted to the center is around 62.1 km.
- Cost of flights: Because Stansted is served mostly by low-cost airlines, it tends to be cheaper to fly there than Heathrow.
- Types of flights: Heathrow primarily only offers flights with full-service airlines. Stanstead focuses on budget airlines.
- Public transport options: Both Heathrow and Stansted are well-connected with public transport options, including buses and trains, however, the trip takes longer from Stansted.
| Feature | Heathrow (LHR) | Stansted (STN) |
|---|---|---|
| Size/Terminals | 4 terminals, UK’s largest airport | 1 terminal |
| Distance to London | ~27 km (1 hour) | ~62 km (1 hr 15 mins) |
| Airlines | British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American | Ryanair, easyJet, Pegasus |
| Flight Type | Full-service, international | Budget, European |
| Transport Options | Multiple train, bus, Tube options | Fewer, longer transfers |
How to Avoid Getting Confused Between LHR and STN and CDG and BVA
Know Your Budget Airlines
An easy way to figure out which airport you’re flying into is to get familiar with the names of some budget airlines, as they often use airports farther from the city center. That’s why you’ll mostly see Ryanair and easyJet flying into somewhere like Stansted. Of course, this isn’t applicable for every situation, but for these two examples, it is.
Read the Airport Codes
Every airport has its own unique code, which you should check before booking a flight to ensure the location works for your plans. For example, Heathrow’s code is LHR, while Charles de Gaulle’s is CDG. A quick search on Google Maps, and you can see exactly where they are.
Use Official Airport Websites
Most airports have an official website that lists their flight routes. If you’re unsure whether you’re flying into say CDG or BVA, visit both of their websites and check the departures or arrivals to see if your airline’s flight is listed.
Be Specific When Booking
On third-party booking platforms like Kiwi, you can search cheap flights for all airports in a city. If you want a specific airport, avoid this option, or the system will assume you’re after the cheapest fare. This is something that works for some travelers, but not all.
Four simple steps to avoid airport confusion: know your budget airlines, confirm the airport code, use official websites, and select your airport carefully when booking © Kiwi.com
Never Mix Up Airports Again!
You’ll never mix up your airports again after reading this article! As our analysis shows, whether you’re flying into Paris via CDG or BVA, or into London via STN or LHR, there are clear differences that set them apart, such as their distance from the city.
Always weigh your options before deciding on one. A cheap flight may seem tempting at first, but if the airport is far from the city center, you could end up spending more on transfers in the long run.
FAQs: Avoid Airport Mix-Ups — BVA vs CDG and STN vs LHR
Is the biggest airport always the best choice to fly into?
No, the best choice depends on the traveler and route. While Charles de Gaulle may have more connections, if there are no flights from your city to CDG but there are to Beauvais, it makes more sense to fly into Beauvais. Compare both airports before deciding.
Are smaller airports like BVA and STN always cheaper to fly into?
Not necessarily. Although budget airlines mainly serve BVA and STN, prices vary with availability, demand, and timing. Do not assume a smaller airport is cheaper. Research both options to find the best fare.
Why do budget airlines use small airports, such as BVA and STN?
Operating costs are often lower at smaller airports, so carriers like Wizz Air and Ryanair use them. Lower airline costs can reduce fares, but total trip cost is what matters—traveling to and from these airports can add time and expense.
What happens if I land in one airport but have a connection in another?
Some itineraries require an airport change. For example, if you land at Stansted but your next flight departs from Heathrow, you must transfer by taxi or public transport, which can take a long time. Do not book a multi-ticket itinerary without assessing each leg and the transfer window.
