We all know that getting to and from the airport can be stressful and (often) a bit more expensive than you may first think. However, with services such as the Gatwick Express, Govia Thameslink has aimed to make the process simple and affordable. How much will you be spending exactly on your landbound journey before and after you take off in the skies, though?
Don’t sweat it - our guide below will help ensure you have no big financial surprises on your day of travel prior to taking off.
Photo by Martin Roell
How much are tickets on the Gatwick Express?
This will depend on the type of ticket you are purchasing, when you are travelling and where you are departing from. The Gatwick Express serves three main stations - Gatwick Airport (South Terminal), London Victoria and Brighton. It is typically cheaper to travel from Brighton to Gatwick Airport than from London Victoria.
It’s important to note that, as of March 2025, Gatwick Express fares have seen an average increase of 4.6% given changes to the Government’s Autumn Budget.
Did you know that Gatwick Express is not the only way to get to the airport? Providers such as Thameslink and Southern offer cheaper alternatives, though they will often take longer. Here's a breakdown of the available ticket types for each possible:
London Victoria to/from Gatwick Airport
| Ticket type | Purchased online via Trip.com | Link to purchase |
| Standard - One-Way | From £24.10 | Buy now > |
| Standard - Return | From £47.90 | Buy now > |
| First Class - One-Way | From £36.20 | Buy now > |
| First Class - Return | From £72.40 | Buy now > |
Note: Prices and discounts are subject to change. Always check the latest fares before booking.
Brighton to/from Gatwick Airport
| Ticket type | Purchased online via Trip.com | Link to purchase |
| Standard - One-Way | From £13.70 | Buy now > |
| Standard - Return | From £27.40 | Buy now > |
| First Class - One-Way | From £20.60 | Buy now > |
| First Class - Return | From £41.20 | Buy now > |
Note: Prices and discounts are subject to change. Always check the latest fares before booking.
London Victoria to/from Brighton (via Gatwick Express)
| Ticket type | Purchased online via Trip.com | Link to purchase |
| Standard - One-Way | From £37.40 | Buy now > |
| Standard - Return | From £47.40 | Buy now > |
| First Class - One-Way | From £56.70 | Buy now > |
| First Class - Return | From £71.60 | Buy now > |
Note: Prices and discounts are subject to change. Always check the latest fares before booking.
Photo by Phil Scott
How much are Oyster Card or contactless payment fares on the Gatwick Express?
You can also use your Oyster Card or contactless payment when hopping on the Gatwick Express - but ONLY for journeys to/from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport. You cannot use contactless or Oyster Card payments for Brighton to/from Gatwick Airport or London Victoria.
From London Victoria to Gatwick Airport, you can expect an Off-Peak price of approximately £10.10 and a Peak fare of around £18.40.
Note: PAYG fares are determined by the gate line used at London Victoria. Ensure you enter through the correct gate to be charged the appropriate fare.
How to save on Gatwick Express fares
There are a few ways you can bring prices down for the rail leg of your airport journey.
- Railcards: Holders of eligible Railcards can receive up to 1/3 off fares, including Two Together, 16-25, Seniors and more. Find out more about Railcards here.
- Travel Off-Peak: Aim to travel on weekends and outside of rush hours on weekdays to ensure a cheaper ticket. Find out more about Off Peak tickets here.
- GroupSave: Travelling in a group of 3 to 9 adults? Save up to 34% on your journey. Find out more about GroupSave here.
- Kids for £2: Children aged 5–15 can travel for just £2, and those under five travel free with a paying adult.
- Split Tickets: Did you know you can save by purchasing two separate tickets for the same journey, and you don’t even have to leave your seat? Find out more about Split Tickets here.
Why travel with Gatwick Express?
- Fast: 30-minute non-stop journey between London and Gatwick.
- Frequent: Trains every 15 minutes at peak times.
- Comfortable: Spacious seats, onboard Wi-Fi, and plenty of luggage space.
- Reliable: Direct route with fewer delays and no changes.