Owais Crawford
London Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The airport, which is the UK's second largest, first opened as a commercial airport in 1958 and now serves over 40 million passengers annually. While the airport is open around the clock, the security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules. The landside area of the airport, which is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone before security, is open 24 hours for both the North and South Terminals. The airport offers a range of parking options, with car parks that are open 24 hours a day, and there is a railway station inside the airport as well.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Gatwick a 24-hour airport? | Yes, Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. |
| Security checkpoints | Close overnight based on flight schedules: ST (1:00 AM–4:00 AM), NT (1:00 AM–4:30 AM). |
| Landside | Open 24 hours for both North and South Terminals. |
| Food and beverage outlets | Closed overnight. |
| Seating | Limited overnight. |
| Hotels | Several hotels are attached to the airport, including Bloc, Sofitel, Hampton by Hilton, and Premier Inn. |
| Car parks | Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. |
| Electric vehicle charging | Available 24/7 in the Electric Forecourt® and the North and South Terminal Short Stay car parks. |
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What You'll Learn
Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
While the airport is open 24 hours, most shops and eateries close for a few hours after midnight. There are reclined chairs outside of security in the South Terminal where you can try to sleep, but these are not particularly comfortable. There are also no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones, but there are some informal spots with padded seating available.
If you are picking someone up from the airport, you can park in the North or South Terminal Short Stay car park for up to 30 minutes for £5. The car parks are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and there is no minimum or maximum length of stay in the Short Stay car parks. However, parking for a full day in the Short Stay car parks without pre-booking will cost £45.
There are several hotels connected to the airport, including Bloc Gatwick, YOTELAIR, Hotel Hilton London Gatwick Airport, Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick Airport, Premier Inn London Gatwick North Terminal Hotel, and Sofitel London Gatwick.
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Landside is open 24 hours, but food and drink places are not
London Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, the airport's facilities are not all available around the clock. The landside area of the airport, which is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone before security, is open 24 hours for both the North and South Terminals. Security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules. However, if you have a boarding pass and are in transit, you can access the airside area, which is the secure zone beyond security.
While the landside area is open 24 hours, the food and drink establishments within this area are not. This means that if you are spending the night at the airport, you will need to plan ahead and bring your own food and drinks, as options for purchasing these items may be limited or unavailable during certain hours. It is worth noting that there is also a reported lack of comfortable seating in the airport, making it challenging to find a place to sleep or rest.
The airport's car parks are open 24 hours a day as well, providing convenience for travellers arriving or departing at any time. However, it is recommended to allow ample time when parking at the airport, especially when using the Long Stay car park, as the bus transfer to the North Terminal can take up to 20 minutes, and up to 10 minutes for the South Terminal.
While Gatwick Airport does offer the convenience of 24-hour access, it is important to manage expectations regarding the availability of certain services and facilities. The airport's priority is to provide efficient travel services, and as such, the comfort and amenities may be limited, especially during overnight hours. Therefore, if you have specific needs or requirements, it is advisable to plan accordingly and consider the limitations of the airport's 24-hour operations.
In summary, while London Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours, the availability of services and facilities, particularly in the landside area, may vary. Travellers spending extended periods at the airport, especially overnight, should be prepared for limited access to food and drink options and comfortable seating.
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Security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules
London Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, the security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules. The North Terminal (NT) closes between 1:00 AM and 4:30 AM, and the South Terminal (ST) closes between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM. This means that unless you are in transit with a boarding pass, you will need to stay landside.
The landside area is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone before security. It is open 24 hours at Gatwick Airport for both the North and South Terminals. However, there are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones in this area. While there are spots with padded seating available, finding a comfortable place to sleep overnight at Gatwick Airport can be challenging due to limited seating.
Some airports, like Boston Logan Airport, also have security checkpoints that close overnight based on flight schedules. At Boston Logan Airport, the security checkpoints in each terminal close at different times: Terminal A (1:00 AM–4:00 AM), Terminal B (1:00 AM–4:00 AM), Terminal C (1:00 AM–4:30 AM), and Terminal E (1:00 AM–4:00 AM). When the security checkpoints close, passengers must exit to landside and re-enter when security reopens.
The San Francisco International Airport also has varying security checkpoint schedules, with some checkpoints open as early as 3:15 am and closing as early as midnight.
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Gatwick Airport's car parks are open 24 hours a day, all year round
Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules: ST (1:00 AM–4:00 AM), NT (1:00 AM–4:30 AM). Unless you are in transit with a boarding pass, you will need to stay landside.
Gatwick Airport's Long Stay parking is the closest parking option to the airport. This budget-friendly option is great for longer trips and all-inclusive holidays. Simply park your car and take the shuttle straight to the terminal. All official long-stay car parks are well-lit, security fenced, and regularly patrolled by Gatwick security staff. They also have ParkMark Safer Parking approval.
For those looking for parking closer to the North Terminal, there is the option of parking on the same level as the terminal entrance. Gatwick also offers pre-booked parking, which can save customers up to 60%.
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There are hotels located inside Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules. The airport is the second largest in the UK and serves over 40 million passengers with access to over 150 short-haul and 45 long-haul destinations.
There are several hotels located inside Gatwick Airport, providing easy access to the South and North Terminals. The BLOC hotel, located on the third floor of the South Terminal, is the closest hotel in the world to an airport security gate. The reception is directly opposite the entrance to the South Terminal security. The YOTELAIR, also located in the South Terminal, offers day rooms for four to 24 hours. The Hampton by Hilton is connected to the North Terminal and is five minutes from the South Terminal via a free shuttle service. The Premier Inn North Terminal is opposite the North Terminal and is a five-minute walk from the terminal. The Courtyard by Marriott is a short walk from the South Terminal and features an on-site restaurant and a well-equipped fitness centre. The Hotel Hilton London Gatwick Airport is connected to the South Terminal by a covered walkway. The Sofitel London Gatwick is a four-star hotel connected directly to the North Terminal via a covered link bridge.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The landside terminals at Gatwick Airport are open 24 hours, but the security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules.
Yes, there are several 24-hour hotels at Gatwick Airport, including YOTELAIR, Bloc Gatwick, and Premier Inn London Gatwick North Terminal Hotel.
No, almost all shops and food and drink places close for a few hours after midnight.
