London Gatwick is the United Kingdom's second biggest airport. Located in West Sussex, 25 miles south of Central London, it serves 43 million passengers every year. And, if you're one of them, it's likely you'll need to make an onward journey once you land.
One of the most common journeys is going from Gatwick to London. There are several options to get you into the capital, where you can then make use of a multitude of connections to the National Rail, coach and road systems. Our handy guide will give you full details of all the routes to and from London Gatwick Airport, including how to use them and what to do if you need to stay at one of the many London Gatwick hotels. Keep reading to get all the info!
Photo by Chris Sampson
Gatwick Airport to London: By train
The principal train from Gatwick to London is the Gatwick Express. This service will get you from Gatwick to London Victoria (and vice versa) in under 35 minutes. Trains run twice per hour and stop at the station, which is adjacent to the South Terminal. A fast shuttle is provided for passengers requiring the North Terminal.
While the Gatwick Express is the non-stop train from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria, there is a Thameslink service that links Gatwick to London Bridge and London St Pancras International stations. The journey time from London Bridge is roughly similar to the Gatwick Express.
The Gatwick Express accepts payment by contactless and Oyster Card, but you can buy tickets in advance, which could save some money. Luckily, our helpful Journey Planner can show you which Gatwick to London train will suit your needs (including those alternative routes) and give you the best price for your trip.
Plus, if you need to make an early or late journey on the London Gatwick airport train, head over to our full guide to the first and last Gatwick Express services.
Gatwick Airport to London: By bus/coach
An alternative to taking the train is to catch a coach. One big advantage of these services is that buses stop at both the South and North Terminals, meaning there's no need to use the shuttle service. They often drop you off at London Victoria, much like the train.
Coaches can often be cost-effective compared to some train services - they arrive and depart frequently, keep going later at night and also tend to stop at more destinations across London (though this is less of a consideration at Gatwick Airport, as it already has connections to three major London rail stations.) The flip side is the time it takes. This is quite pronounced on London Gatwick bus services, with most routes taking at least a couple of hours to get across the capital.
It's still worth checking if any fit with your plans, though, so have a look at our Coach Journey Planner to get all the options and prices.
Gatwick Airport to London: By car
If you're looking for probably the easiest way to reach the airport, driving is hard to beat. When you take your own car, you set off from home, arrive exactly when you want to, and your transport home will be waiting for you when you land. There's no need to buy transport tickets for a whole family, and no dragging everyone's luggage on and off trains or buses.
Of course, the downside to all this is the cost of London Gatwick parking. The cost of a week's parking is into three figures, but it can be quite a bit cheaper out of season.
If you're interested in taking the car, the journey is fairly straightforward, though it can be a little more involved than routes to London's other airports. Obviously, the exact route will depend on where you're starting from, but you should take a road heading south, like the A23/M23 towards Brighton. (If you're heading from another part of London, you can join this from the M25 at Junction 7.) Follow the M23 to Junction 9, then continue on the M23 spur to the airport complex. Then, you simply follow directions to London Gatwick airport parking.
Photo by Mike McBey
Gatwick Airport to London: By taxi
Looking for the simplest and most luxurious airport transfer from Gatwick to London? It's worth considering booking a taxi or chauffeured car to get to and from the airport. While it might seem an extravagant way to travel, it can make a lot of sense. If you're travelling with a group, there is only one price to pay for all of you. It's a service that's dedicated to you, so it will be waiting for you on arrival. It also eliminates the need to book and pay for parking.
Check out our Airport Transfers page to find out what options are available. You enter the postcode you're travelling to and your flight number (which means your driver can adjust their arrival time if your flight is delayed) and it will give you an instant price.
The cost depends, of course, on how far you're travelling. Prices start at between £75–£100, with premium cars available at extra cost.
Need to stay at Gatwick Airport instead?
Sometimes, making the journey to or from London Gatwick isn't possible on the same day as you fly. That might seem like something to worry about, but it isn't. Not when there are plenty of London Gatwick hotels to accommodate you!
The Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport (North Terminal) is less than five minutes away from the North Terminal on foot and has free shuttle services to the South Terminal. There's a restaurant and free Wi-Fi, but no parking on site. Rooms start between £100–£130, with upgrades for an extra cost. Breakfast is about £14 per guest.
The Sofitel London Gatwick is roughly five minutes away from the North Terminal. There are two restaurants, a bar and a fitness centre, along with an executive lounge for guests in luxury rooms and suites. Prices are in the region of £150–£170 for a standard room - upgrades are extra. Breakfast will add on roughly £20 per person.
The Hilton London Gatwick Airport is situated at the South Terminal. The hotel is connected to the terminal via a covered walkway, and you can catch the monorail to the North Terminal if required. There's free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, restaurant and room service. Prices are around £110–£140. Breakfast is an additional £14 per person.
The Crowne Plaza London Gatwick is located outside the airport complex, in Crawley. There is a payable shuttle service to both terminals. The hotel has a fitness centre, an on-site restaurant and room service. Prices are roughly £115–£150 for standard rooms, but upgraded rooms cost extra. Breakfast adds about £15 per room.
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