
London Gatwick Airport has two terminals: North Terminal and South Terminal. The airport is easily accessible by train, with the Gatwick Airport train station located just outside the South Terminal. Various train services, including Gatwick Express, Thameslink, and Southern, offer direct connections to London and other cities in the UK. When it comes to purchasing train tickets, there are multiple options available at Gatwick Airport. Passengers can use contactless payment methods, Oyster cards (excluding the 60+ Oyster photocard), or buy tickets online in advance and scan the barcode at the ticket barriers. Ticket machines are also available at the airport for those who prefer to purchase tickets on the day of travel. Additionally, Oyster cards can be purchased at the SkyBreak Service Centre desk in the South Terminal check-in zone. It is worth noting that Oyster coverage ends at Gatwick, so separate tickets are required for travel beyond the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ticket purchase methods | Online, ticket machines, ticket counters, contactless payment card, Oyster card |
| Train operators | Thameslink, Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Western Railway |
| Train destinations | London Victoria, Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton, Reading, Cambridge, Bedford |
| Travel time | 30 minutes to Brighton, 1 hour 30 minutes to Portsmouth, 1 hour 30 minutes to Southampton, 1 hour 15 minutes to Reading, 90 minutes to London Gatwick from Reading |
| Travel frequency | Every 15 minutes, 7 days a week |
| Travel time from airport train station to airport terminal | 2 minutes |
| Shuttle bus frequency | Every 3 minutes |
| Station facilities | Luggage trolleys, accessible toilets, assistance services |
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What You'll Learn

Ticket machines are available at Gatwick Airport
The train station is conveniently located just outside the South Terminal, with a free shuttle bus running between the two every three minutes. This means passengers can easily move between the train station and the airport. The shuttle bus also connects the South Terminal to the North Terminal.
Ticket machines can be found in the South Terminal, where you can buy your ticket on the day of travel. Alternatively, you can pay using contactless payment cards or Oyster cards at the ticket barrier. Oyster cards can also be purchased at the Skybreak Service Centre desk in the South Terminal check-in zone.
If you are travelling south beyond Gatwick Airport to destinations such as Crawley, Horsham, or Brighton, or outside of London, you will need to purchase a separate ticket as Oyster coverage ends at Gatwick.
Assistance is available at the station for those who need it, and it is recommended that passengers requiring assistance arrive 20 minutes before their train departure.
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Oyster cards can be used to/from London
Oyster cards are a quick and easy way to pay for travel on public transport in London. They can be used on the Tube, bus, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, River Bus, and most National Rail services. They are also valid on Thames Clippers river bus services and the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
Oyster cards can be used to and from Gatwick Airport, with direct trains running from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport via the Gatwick Express, or Southern and Thameslink trains. The Gatwick Express will charge a higher fare than Southern trains, and these fares are determined by the gateline entered or exited at London Victoria. It is important to note that Oyster cards are only valid for standard-class travel.
Oyster cards can be purchased online and delivered before arriving in London, or they can be bought from different locations in the UK and overseas. The price of an Oyster card includes a £7 card fee and pre-loaded credit. The credit on the card deducts every time a journey is made, and once a certain number of journeys are made in a day, the daily cap is reached, and subsequent travel for the day is free. The daily cap varies depending on travel zones and time of travel, with peak times being more expensive than off-peak.
At Gatwick Airport, Oyster cards can be topped up at self-service ticket machines, and card readers are available at the turnstiles to tap in and out.
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Contactless payment is widely accepted
However, it's important to note that Oyster coverage ends at Gatwick. If you're travelling beyond the airport, you'll need a separate ticket for the remainder of your journey. Contactless payment is not valid for travel to stations south of Gatwick Airport or outside of London. For example, if you're travelling south to Crawley, Horsham, or Brighton, or outside London to Reading or Cambridge, you will need to purchase a ticket.
If you need to buy an Oyster card, you can do so at the Your Service Centre desk, operated by SkyBreak, located in the South Terminal check-in zone. Oyster top-up is available from the self-service ticket machine.
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Book tickets online for cheaper fares
Gatwick Airport has two terminals: North Terminal and South Terminal. The train stops at Gatwick Airport station, which is just a 2-minute walk from the South Terminal. A free shuttle bus is available to take passengers from the South Terminal to the North Terminal.
Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Southern, and National Rail operate trains to Gatwick Airport. These trains run every 15 minutes, seven days a week, and depart from London stations. Thameslink provides direct trains to Gatwick Airport.
Gatwick Express offers cheap train tickets with no booking fees. They offer a 10% discount on most adult single and return tickets and a 35% discount with Web Duo tickets. They also provide Delay Repay, where passengers may receive compensation if their train is delayed.
The Trainline also offers cheap train tickets to Gatwick Airport from anywhere in the UK. They recommend booking tickets in advance to find the cheapest fares. Additionally, passengers can use National Railcards to save on adult and child fares.
When booking Gatwick Express tickets, it is often cheaper to buy a Return ticket instead of two single fares. Anytime Return tickets are valid for a month, and Anytime Day Return tickets are also available. First Class seating is also available for passengers who want a more comfortable journey.
Tickets for the Gatwick Express can be purchased online, at self-service ticket machines, or at ticket offices at Gatwick Express stations.
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Gatwick Express offers a 10% discount for online booking
Gatwick Airport is Britain's second busiest airport, serving around 43 million passengers a year. The airport has two terminals: North Terminal and South Terminal. The train station is located just outside the South Terminal, from which passengers can take a free shuttle bus to reach the North Terminal.
Gatwick Express is one of the train operators offering services to and from Gatwick Airport, with trains running from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport. Booking online directly with Gatwick Express offers a 10% discount on most adult single and return tickets for this route. This discount is automatically applied and cannot be used in conjunction with other online offers or railcards. Tickets can be booked up to 12 weeks in advance and sent via email or mobile. There are no booking fees, and passengers are compensated for delays through Delay Repay.
In addition to the 10% discount, Gatwick Express also offers a 35% discount on anytime return tickets when two passengers travel together from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport through their Web Duo offer. This discount also excludes first class and children's tickets.
Passengers travelling to and from Gatwick Airport can also benefit from the assistance services provided by Gatwick Express. The assisted travel team can be contacted to arrange assistance within the station and between the station and the airport. It is recommended that passengers requiring assistance call 48 hours in advance to allow for more effective help.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can purchase train tickets at Gatwick Airport. Ticket machines are available in the South Terminal.
You can pay by cash or card at the ticket machines. You can also use contactless payment cards or Oyster cards at the ticket barriers. If you need to buy an Oyster card, you can do so at the SkyBreak desk in the South Terminal check-in zone.
Yes, assistance is available within the station and from the station to the airport. You can get help with boarding and alighting the train, as well as navigating the station and platforms. It is recommended to call 48 hours in advance to ensure more effective assistance.











































