Traveling To Gatwick Airport: A Guide To Your Journey

Gatwick Airport is easily accessible from London and the south-east, by both private and public transport. The fastest train services from London to Gatwick Airport take 27-31 minutes, with an average journey time of 50 minutes. Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express trains run from London stations to Gatwick Airport, with trains departing twice an hour from London Victoria and taking 30-35 minutes. Trains also depart from London St Pancras and London Blackfriars. Direct trains also run to Gatwick Airport from London Luton Airport, Guildford, Reading, Brighton and Portsmouth. National Express offers coach routes to and from Gatwick Airport from many locations around the UK, including between other major airports.

Gatwick Airport by train

London Gatwick Airport is easily accessible by train from London and the south-east. The airport has the best train connections of any airport in Britain, with a train departing every four minutes on average. The train station is located at the South Terminal, just a five-minute walk from both departures and arrivals. For those arriving at the North Terminal, a free shuttle service takes just two minutes to reach the South Terminal.

Three train services operate from London stations to Gatwick Airport: Gatwick Express, Thameslink, and Southern. Trains depart every 15 minutes, seven days a week, and the journey takes around 30 minutes. The Gatwick Express is the fastest service, taking only 31 minutes from London Victoria to the airport. Thameslink trains depart from London St Pancras or Blackfriars, while Southern trains also run from London Victoria. Direct trains also run to Gatwick Airport from London Luton Airport, Guildford, Reading, Brighton, and Portsmouth.

Travellers can save money by booking their train tickets in advance. Additionally, the Gatwick Express offers a 10% discount for online bookings made directly through their website. Southern offers £2 tickets for children travelling with an adult, and Groupsave tickets provide a 33% discount for groups of three or more travelling together. National Railcards also offer a 1/3 discount on adult fares and 60% off children's fares.

The train is a comfortable and convenient option for travelling to Gatwick Airport, with modern trains offering air-conditioning, spacious carriages, and refreshments. First-class passengers can enjoy additional perks such as large, reclining seats, complimentary refreshments, and newspapers.

Gatwick Airport by coach

Gatwick Airport is easily accessible by coach from London and the south-east, as well as from over 100 cities and towns across the UK. National Express is the UK's largest coach provider and operates direct services between London Gatwick and more than 50 destinations across the UK, including a high-frequency transfer to Heathrow Airport. Coaches depart from directly outside the terminal doors in both the North and South Terminals, offering customers free Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, air conditioning, and an onboard toilet. Tickets can be booked online or from the National Express ticket desks found in both terminals, with prices starting from £7.50 one way. It is recommended that you book your tickets in advance.

National Express coaches arrive and depart from the lower level outside International Arrivals at the North Terminal. You can find the ticket office inside the terminal in the International Arrivals hall. If you need to get to the South Terminal, you can take the free shuttle from the upper level.

National Express services arrive at and depart from the lower forecourt at stops 1 to 5 in the South Terminal. Escalators, lifts, ramps, and travelators make it easy to get between the forecourt and the terminal. The ticket offices can be found in the International Arrivals Hall and the lower forecourt area.

Nearly all coach services operated by National Express are wheelchair accessible with step-free access and a passenger lift at the main door of the coach. Passengers can choose to travel in their wheelchair or in a seat with their wheelchair stored in the hold. Due to the variety of wheelchairs, National Express asks that you book this assisted service at least 36 hours before travelling. For more information, contact the National Express Assisted Travel team on +44 (0)871 818178.

Other coach providers serving Gatwick Airport include Flixbus, which offers direct services from both North and South Terminals to London Heathrow, Bristol, Newport, and Cardiff, and The Airline, which offers a direct service between Gatwick and Oxford.

Gatwick Airport by bus

Gatwick Airport is easily accessible by bus from nearby London and the south-east. The bus network from London Gatwick connects you to over 100 cities and towns across the UK, with most services running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

National Express is the UK's largest coach provider and operates direct services between London Gatwick and more than 50 destinations across the UK, including a high-frequency transfer to Heathrow Airport. Coaches depart directly outside the terminal doors in both the North and South Terminals, offering customers free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, air-conditioning, and an onboard toilet. Tickets can be booked online or from the National Express ticket desks found in both terminals. It is recommended that you book your tickets in advance.

North Terminal services arrive and depart from the lower level outside International Arrivals. You can find the ticket office inside the terminal in the International Arrivals hall. If you need to get to the South Terminal, you can take the free shuttle from the upper level.

South Terminal services arrive and depart from the lower forecourt at stops 1 to 5. Escalators, lifts, ramps, and travellators make it easy to get between the forecourt and the terminal. The ticket offices can be found in the International Arrivals Hall and the lower forecourt area.

Nearly all coach services operated by National Express are wheelchair accessible with step-free access and a passenger lift at the main door of the coach. Passengers can choose to travel in their wheelchair or in a seat with the wheelchair stored in the hold. Due to the variety of wheelchair types, National Express asks that you book this assisted service at least 36 hours before travelling.

Other coach services operating to and from Gatwick Airport include The Airline (Oxford) and Flixbus.

Extensive Metrobus routes also serve the local towns and villages around London Gatwick, with buses running from both the North and South Terminals. Many services run 24/7 and with single journeys capped at £2, they provide a convenient and cost-effective way to travel to the airport.

Gatwick Airport by taxi

Gatwick Airport is easily accessible by taxi. If you have a lot of luggage or don't like the idea of public transport, a taxi is a great option. It is recommended to book in advance to ensure a taxi is available when you need it and to get the best price.

Airport Cars Gatwick is the official taxi partner operating out of both the North and South Terminals. You can pre-book your taxi to or from the airport via their website. They offer fixed rates on pre-bookings, high-quality vehicles, and 24-hour customer service. They also provide a dedicated fleet at both airport terminals to ensure the best possible customer experience. Their drivers can meet you in the arrivals hall with a welcome sign and assist with your bags.

Onward Travel Solutions also provides a Gatwick Airport taxi service, specialising in transfers to and from the airport for individuals and groups. They offer an online quotation and booking system, and an experienced driver with excellent customer service skills and knowledge of the local area will meet you in an air-conditioned vehicle tailored to your passenger and luggage requirements. They provide access to a large fleet of vehicle sizes and types, including saloon cars, executive cars, estate cars, people carriers, executive people carriers, and 8-seater minibuses.

Other taxi companies service the airport as well, and you can book with Gatwick's approved taxi partner to take you anywhere in London.

Gatwick Airport by car

Gatwick Airport is easily accessible by car from nearby London and the south-east. If you're driving your own car, there are plenty of cheap airport parking options to choose from. It's a good idea to compare parking options and book in advance, as you can save up to 60% off the gate price. The airport is easily accessible from the M23, and there are several on-airport rental companies to choose from if you need to hire a car.

If you have an early morning flight or prefer to stay close to the airport the day before your trip, booking an airport hotel is the most hassle-free option. Gatwick Airport has partnered with car-sharing service Bluecity to bring 10 electric-powered cars to the airport, which are available for commercial hire at the South Terminal forecourt.

When driving to Gatwick Airport, follow the signs to the Car Rental Centre, located outside the Terminal building on Level 0. If you're arriving at the North Terminal, take the free airport monorail service from outside the departures area on Level 1 to reach the Car Rental Centre.

Returning a hire car? Be sure to follow the specific instructions provided by your operator to ensure a smooth return journey. There is also road signage to guide you to the correct return location for your terminal. Keep an eye out for these signs and follow them carefully.

Frequently asked questions