
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is located around 30 miles south of central London, just outside Crawley in West Sussex. The airport is conveniently linked to the M23 motorway at Junction 9 and to the A23 London-Brighton road. It is easily accessible by train, coach, car, or taxi. The airport consists of two terminals, North and South, and is the second-largest airport in London, serving over 43 million passengers annually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 30 miles south of central London, near Crawley, West Sussex |
| Transport Links | Direct train to London Victoria station in 34 minutes; Thameslink trains to London Victoria, London Bridge, London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St Pancras International; Southern trains to London Victoria via East Croydon and Clapham Junction; National Express coaches to Victoria Coach Station; M23 motorway at Junction 9; A23 London-Brighton road |
| Terminals | North and South |
| Runways | One main runway, 3,316 metres long; one secondary runway |
| Airlines | British Airways, Virgin, easyJet, Thomas Cook, Wizz Air, TUI Airways |
| Awards | International Airport Review Award for Environmental Awareness in 2017 |
| Security | 150 officers, armed and unarmed; vehicle checks; regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority |
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What You'll Learn
- Gatwick Airport is located 30 miles south of London
- It is connected to London via train, coach, bus, car, or taxi
- The airport has two terminals, North and South, with a free shuttle between them
- There are hotels and parking options at both terminals
- The airport is near the M23 motorway, at Junction 9, and the A23 London-Brighton Road

Gatwick Airport is located 30 miles south of London
Gatwick Airport consists of two terminals, North and South, which are connected by a free shuttle service. The airport's train station is attached to the South Terminal, and the Gatwick Express provides a direct train service to Central London, with a journey time of around 30 minutes. Thameslink and Southern also offer regular train services to various stations in London. For those travelling by coach, National Express operates daily services between Gatwick Airport and Victoria Coach Station, with a journey time of approximately 2 hours. Gatwick Cars is the official taxi provider at the airport, serving both terminals.
Gatwick Airport offers a range of facilities for travellers, including shops, bars, restaurants, and currency exchange services in the Arrivals Hall. There are also hotels located within both terminals, and the airport's website provides information on joint booking offers for hotels and parking. The airport has various parking options, including short-stay, long-stay, premium, and valet parking.
Gatwick Airport is the second-largest of the main London airports and the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger traffic. It serves as a hub for airlines such as British Airways, easyJet, and Virgin, offering flights to more destinations than any other UK airport. The airport has a rich history, with the land first being developed as an aerodrome in the early to late 1920s, and it has since expanded with additional terminals and runways to accommodate the growing aviation industry.
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It is connected to London via train, coach, bus, car, or taxi
Gatwick Airport is located about 28 miles (45 km) south of London. It is well-connected to the city by train, coach, bus, car, or taxi.
Train
The Gatwick Express is a nonstop train service between Gatwick Airport and Victoria Station in central London. The journey takes around 34 minutes, and trains depart every 30 minutes. Thameslink and Southern also offer train services from Gatwick Airport to several London stations.
Coach
National Express operates coaches from London Victoria Coach Station to Gatwick Airport. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic. Coaches depart from the lower level outside International Arrivals at Gatwick Airport's North Terminal.
Bus
Buses connect Gatwick Airport to the London Victoria Station, which is served by the Victoria, District, and Circle tube lines.
Car
Gatwick Airport offers various parking options, including short-stay, long-stay, premium, and valet parking.
Taxi
Gatwick Cars is the airport's official taxi provider, offering transfers from the airport to central London. The journey can take around one hour or longer, depending on traffic.
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The airport has two terminals, North and South, with a free shuttle between them
Gatwick Airport is located around 30 miles south of central London, just outside Crawley in West Sussex. It is the second-largest airport in London and the second busiest airport in the UK in terms of passenger traffic. The airport first opened as an aerodrome for commercial flights in the 1930s and now consists of two terminals, North and South, with a single runway.
The North Terminal was built on land originally intended for a second runway, and construction began in the 1980s. This terminal has seen several expansions over the years, including the addition of a second aircraft pier in 1991 and the new Pier 6 in 2005, which added 11 pier-served aircraft stands. The North Terminal also has a large extension, opened in 2011.
The South Terminal, along with the North Terminal, services flights from over fifty airlines, including long-haul operators like British Airways and Virgin, as well as low-cost operators like easyJet, Thomas Cook, and Thomson. easyJet operates from both terminals, so passengers travelling with them should confirm which terminal they need.
A free shuttle service operates between the North and South Terminals, ensuring easy transit for passengers and staff alike.
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There are hotels and parking options at both terminals
Gatwick Airport, located around 30 miles south of central London, consists of two terminals: North and South. Both terminals offer parking options and are served by the official taxi partner, Airport Cars Gatwick. The airport is also conveniently linked to London by train, car, or coach.
For those seeking accommodation near the North Terminal, the Premier Inn Gatwick Airport North Terminal hotel provides an excellent option. This hotel is situated just a short walk from the terminal and offers comfortable rooms with modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi and comfy beds. The on-site Thyme restaurant ensures guests can enjoy a delightful meal before their flight.
Additionally, the Premier Inn provides easy access to Gatwick Express train stations and National Express coach stops, making it a convenient choice for travellers. With its proximity to the North Terminal and shuttle services to the South Terminal, this hotel is a popular choice for travellers seeking convenience and comfort.
The Bloc Hotel, located within the South Terminal, offers a seamless airport experience. This hotel is situated directly before the South Terminal departures, providing smart rooms with soundproof runway views. The rooms are equipped with modern amenities such as superfast Wi-Fi, smart room controls, and monsoon showers. Bloc Hotel also offers parking packages, making it a convenient choice for travellers.
Both terminals at Gatwick Airport offer executive lounges, with renowned brands such as Aspire, No. 1 Traveller, and My Lounge (available only in the North Terminal). These lounges provide a comfortable space to relax or work before your flight. Additionally, travellers can take advantage of parking options available at the airport, ensuring a seamless journey.
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The airport is near the M23 motorway, at Junction 9, and the A23 London-Brighton Road
Gatwick Airport is located around 30 miles south of central London, just outside the town of Crawley in West Sussex. It is easily accessible by road, situated near the M23 motorway and the A23 London-Brighton Road.
The M23 motorway runs from Hooley in Surrey to Pease Pottage, south of Crawley in West Sussex. It was constructed between 1972 and 1975, and the junction with the A23 at Hooley marks the start of the M23. The M23 was intended to relieve congestion on the A23 road through towns in south London, including Streatham, Thornton Heath, Purley, and Coulsdon.
Junction 9 of the M23 provides access to Gatwick Airport via a spur road. Upgrades to Junction 9 have included converting the hard shoulder westbound into a running lane and implementing a static 50 mph (80 km/h) speed limit in both directions. These improvements are part of the smart motorway projects aimed at enhancing journey reliability and overall route capacity.
The A23 is a 53-mile (85 km) road connecting London to Brighton in East Sussex. It is a major road that has been a significant route for centuries, with Roman origins evident in the straightness of the road heading south. The A23 has undergone numerous upgrades, bypasses, and diversions over the years. It is managed by Transport for London within the Greater London boundary and by Surrey County Council and West Sussex County Council alongside the M23.
The A23 London-Brighton Road is an iconic drive, featuring interesting hills, corners, and stone pillars framing the long straight road as you approach Brighton. The road is used for annual events such as the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and provides a scenic route with good connectivity to Gatwick Airport and the surrounding areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Gatwick Airport is located around 30 miles south of central London, just outside Crawley in West Sussex.
The Gatwick Express is a non-stop train service to central London, taking 34 minutes. There are also other train services that run between Gatwick Airport and London, which take around 30 minutes.
The postcode for the North Terminal is RH6 0PJ, and for the South Terminal, it is RH6 0NP.

























