Which airport should I fly into for Folkestone?

For long-haul and international flights, Kent International Airport (MSE) is the main gateway near Folkestone. The closest airport, Lydd Airport (LYX), is the most convenient for transfers — weigh proximity against the breadth of flight connections.

How far is the airport from Folkestone?

The nearest is about 13 mi (21 km) away. The table above shows the distance and an estimated transfer time for each airport within about 300 km.

How do I get from the airport into Folkestone?

Most airports offer taxis and ride-hailing, and many add a rail, metro or bus link into the city. Tap any airport above for a full guide with ground-transport options, lounges and transit details.

Airports Near Folkestone

The closest airports to Folkestone, UK: IATA codes, names and distances, each with a full airport guide covering terminals, lounges and transit.

The nearest airport to Folkestone, UK is Lydd Airport (LYX), about 13 mi (21 km) away — roughly 44 min by road. For long-haul flights, the main international gateway is Kent International Airport (MSE).

Code	Airport	Distance	Transfer	Type
LYX	Lydd AirportLydd, United Kingdom	13 mi / 21 km	44 min	Regional
MSE	Kent International AirportManston, United Kingdom	20 mi / 32 km	38 min	International
RCS	Rochester AirportRochester, United Kingdom	34 mi / 55 km	1 hr 1 min	Regional
CQF	Calais-Dunkerque AirportMarck, France	35 mi / 57 km	1 hr 4 min	Regional
SEN	Southend AirportSouthend, United Kingdom	40 mi / 64 km	1 hr 11 min	Regional
LTQ	Le Touquet-Cote d'Opale AirportLe Touquet-Paris-Plage, France	43 mi / 70 km	1 hr 18 min	Regional
BQH	London Biggin Hill AirportLondon, United Kingdom	52 mi / 84 km	1 hr 34 min	Regional
LCY	London City AirportLondon, United Kingdom	57 mi / 91 km	1 hr 41 min	Regional

Distances are straight-line; transfer times are road estimates. "Type" flags major/international gateways.

Which airport is best?

For the shortest transfer, Lydd Airport (LYX) is the most convenient at about 13 mi out. If you're flying internationally or want the widest choice of routes, Kent International Airport (MSE) (20 mi) is the bigger gateway — worth the extra distance for long-haul or cheaper fares.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxis and ride-hailing serve every airport here, and the larger ones usually add a rail, metro or bus link into Folkestone. Allow extra time in peak traffic. For exact routes, times and fares, open the airport guide — start with LYX.

Hotels near the airport

For early departures or late arrivals, a hotel near LYX saves a stressful morning transfer.

Search hotels near LYX All hotels near Folkestone

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Other cities these airports serve

Travel tips

Compare the total door-to-door time, not just the airfare — a cheaper flight into a distant airport can cost more once you add the transfer. Check whether your airport has a direct train or metro before defaulting to a taxi, and for international arrivals, confirm any visa or transit rules in advance.

Frequently asked questions

The nearest airport to Folkestone is Lydd Airport (LYX), about 13 mi (21 km) away — roughly 44 min by road.