Gatwick Airport Travel Guide
Two terminals, one railway station, a shuttle between them, and a drop-off charge you need to know about before you arrive. This guide covers everything.
📍 London Gatwick Airport (LGW) | ✈️ North & South Terminals | 🚂 Gatwick Railway Station | 🪪 TfL Licensed: 01094601
Gatwick Airport is the UK's second busiest airport and one of the most intensively used single-runway airports in the world. It sits 28 miles south of central London, between the M23 and the Brighton main line, and handles over 46 million passengers a year across two terminals: the North Terminal and the South Terminal. For most travellers, the airport is simple to navigate — but there are several things worth knowing before you arrive, including where the railway station is, how the inter-terminal shuttle works, and how the Gatwick Airport drop-off charge affects every type of vehicle collection.
This guide covers the layout, the terminals, the trains to London, and the options for getting to and from Gatwick — including everything you need to know about pre-booked private transfer.
Gatwick North Terminal and South Terminal — What's the Difference?
Gatwick's two terminals are connected by a free inter-terminal transit shuttle that runs every few minutes and takes approximately 3 minutes between buildings. They share the same runway, the same road access, and the same general airport campus — but they are separate buildings with separate check-in, security, baggage reclaim, and passenger facilities.
Gatwick North Terminal
The North Terminal handles a large share of Gatwick's passenger volume and is home to several major carriers. It is well-equipped with duty-free shopping, restaurants, cafés, and departure lounges. Airlines currently using the North Terminal include easyJet (its primary UK base), British Airways (some routes), TUI, Jet2, and various other leisure and charter operators.
The North Terminal does not have direct access to the Gatwick railway station. Passengers arriving into or departing from the North Terminal must take the inter-terminal transit to the South Terminal to reach the train station. This takes 3–5 minutes including the walk to and from transit platforms.
Key facts about the North Terminal: it has its own dedicated short-stay and long-stay car parks, its own set-down and collection zones, and its own private hire pickup area. Gatwick North Terminal shops include duty-free, WH Smith, Boots, Superdrug, Accessorize, and a range of food and drink options both before and after security.
Gatwick South Terminal
The South Terminal is the larger of the two terminals and is home to Gatwick Airport Railway Station, which provides direct access to London and the wider national rail network. It handles Virgin Atlantic, British Airways (most routes), easyJet (some routes), Wizz Air, Ryanair, and a number of long-haul and charter operators.
The South Terminal has more retail space, more dining options, and more hotel connectivity than the North Terminal. The Sofitel London Gatwick is directly connected to the South Terminal building, and several other hotels are within a short shuttle or walking distance.
Gatwick Airport Railway Station — Trains to London and Beyond
Gatwick Airport has its own dedicated railway station, located inside the South Terminal. It is one of the busiest airport rail stations in the UK, with frequent services to multiple London terminals and destinations across the south of England.
From Gatwick Airport, the Gatwick Express service runs directly to London Victoria Station in around 30 minutes. Thameslink services connect passengers to stations including London Bridge Station, Farringdon Station, St Pancras International, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, West Hampstead, and Mill Hill Broadway, with journey times between 30 and 55 minutes. Southern trains also operate services to London Bridge and London Victoria, usually taking between 35 and 50 minutes. For passengers travelling south, Southern and Thameslink services run to Brighton in approximately 30 to 35 minutes.
The Gatwick Express is the fastest and most direct service to London Victoria — non-stop, approximately 30 minutes, running every 15 minutes at peak times. It carries a premium fare compared to the Thameslink and Southern alternatives.
The Thameslink route is usually the better value option for passengers travelling to London Bridge, St Pancras, or stations on the north side of the Thames. It takes slightly longer but stops at more central London stations.
For the North Terminal: Take the inter-terminal transit to the South Terminal first, then follow signs to the railway station. Total transit time from North Terminal arrivals to train platform is approximately 10–15 minutes. Factor this in if you have a tight connection.
First and last trains: Trains from Gatwick to London Victoria run from approximately 04:30 to 00:30 daily, with reduced frequency overnight. Services to London Bridge begin similarly early. If your flight lands late and trains have finished, a pre-booked private transfer is the most reliable option.
Gatwick Airport Drop-Off Charge — What You Need to Know
Gatwick Airport charges every vehicle that drops off or collects a passenger at either terminal. The charge applies to private cars, taxis, minicabs, ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt), and private hire vehicles. There is no free drop-off zone at either Gatwick terminal.
The drop-off charge applies in the designated set-down areas immediately in front of both the North and South Terminals. The charge is levied per visit and is enforced via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. Payment is typically required online in advance or within a grace period after the visit.
Current drop-off charge: The fee varies by time of day and is reviewed periodically by the airport authority. Charges are generally higher during peak periods.
How this affects different transport options:
Driving yourself or a friend: The drop-off charge applies whether you stop for 30 seconds or 5 minutes. If you circle waiting for a passenger who is slow through security, you must re-enter the drop-off zone and pay again.
Black cabs: The drop-off charge is factored into the metered fare. You do not pay it separately.
Uber and Bolt: The Gatwick drop-off and pickup charge is added automatically by the app on top of the fare. Surge pricing also applies during busy periods.
UK Airport Transfer Services — pre-booked private transfer: The Gatwick Airport drop-off charge is included in your fixed quote. The price you see when you request a quote covers everything, including any airport levy. There are no charges added at drop-off or collection.
Note on collection (pick up): The same charge structure applies to vehicles collecting passengers from Gatwick. Pre-booked private hire from UK Airport Transfer Services includes the collection charge within the fixed price, with no additions at the time of pickup.
How to Get to Gatwick Airport from London
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By train — the most popular option for passengers travelling from central London without luggage, or connecting from other rail services. The Gatwick Express from Victoria is the fastest point-to-point option. Thameslink connects a broader range of north and central London stations. Book train tickets in advance for the cheapest fares.
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By private transfer — the most convenient option for passengers with luggage, early-morning departures, families, or groups. Your driver collects you from your door at a confirmed time and delivers you directly to your correct terminal. No dragging bags to the train station, no peak-hour tube, no uncertainty about journey time.
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By car (self-drive) — Gatwick has extensive long-stay, mid-stay, and short-stay parking. Allow additional time for the shuttle from remote car parks to the terminals, and factor in the drop-off charge if being dropped by someone else.
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By National Express or other coach — coaches serve both North and South Terminals from various London and UK locations. Journey time from London Victoria Coach Station is approximately 60–90 minutes, subject to traffic.
Heathrow to Gatwick Transfer (and Gatwick to Heathrow)
One of the most common journey requests is the Heathrow to Gatwick transfer — passengers arriving at one London airport who need to connect to a flight at the other. This is one of the most poorly served connections by public transport in the UK.
By train, the journey from Heathrow to Gatwick involves the Heathrow Express to Paddington, then a Thameslink or Southern service from London Bridge or Victoria, with one or more connections and a total journey time of 90 minutes to 2 hours. For passengers with luggage and a flight to catch, this is not a realistic option.
By private transfer with UK Airport Transfer Services, the Heathrow to Gatwick journey uses the M25 and M23, taking approximately 60–75 minutes off-peak (longer during rush hour). The price is fixed at booking, your bags stay with you, and your driver meets you at arrivals. It is by far the most reliable way to make the connection.
The same applies in reverse — Gatwick to Heathrow — and for connections involving other London airports (Stansted, Luton, London City).
What's Included With Every Gatwick Transfer
✅ Door-to-door service — collected from your address, delivered to your correct terminal
✅ Fixed price confirmed at booking — no meter, no surge, no Gatwick drop-off charge added
✅ Real-time flight tracking on arrivals — pickup time adjusts to your actual landing
✅ 30 minutes free waiting on arrivals — from your selected pickup buffer after landing
✅ Meet & greet on arrivals — driver waiting in arrivals with your name board
✅ Luggage assistance — driver assists with bags to and from the vehicle
✅ Free Wi-Fi on board — every vehicle
✅ Complimentary bottled water — in the vehicle on every journey
✅ Child seats at no extra cost — specify at booking
✅ No early morning or late night surcharge — 04:30 departure costs the same as noon
✅ Executive Mercedes or BMW available — for business travellers
✅ VAT receipt issued — for corporate accounts
✅ TfL-licensed, DBS-checked driver — every booking
✅ 8-seater minibus for groups — single fixed price, no per-person charge
Frequently Asked Questions
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It depends on your airline. easyJet primarily uses the North Terminal, as does TUI and Jet2. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic mainly use the South Terminal, as does Ryanair and Wizz Air. Always check your booking confirmation or airline website for your specific terminal — it can change by route or season. The two terminals are connected by a free 3-minute transit shuttle.
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No. Gatwick Airport charges for all vehicle set-down at both the North and South Terminals. The charge applies regardless of how briefly you stop, and is enforced by ANPR cameras. When you book a transfer with UK Airport Transfer Services, the Gatwick drop-off or pickup charge is included in your fixed price.
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Gatwick Airport railway station is located inside the South Terminal, on the ground floor. It provides direct access to London Victoria (Gatwick Express, approx. 30 minutes), London Bridge (Thameslink/Southern, approx. 35 minutes), St Pancras International (Thameslink), and Brighton. Passengers from the North Terminal must take the inter-terminal transit to the South Terminal first.
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The Gatwick Express to London Victoria takes approximately 30 minutes non-stop. Thameslink services to London Bridge take approximately 35 minutes. Services to St Pancras International take approximately 50 minutes. Journey times vary by time of day and service type.
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By road — private hire is the most practical option. The M25/M23 route takes 60–75 minutes off-peak. Public transport between the two airports involves multiple changes and takes 90–120 minutes or more with luggage. UK Airport Transfer Services covers the Heathrow to Gatwick transfer at a fixed price.
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Yes. We operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Early morning departures — including pre-dawn pickups for 05:00 and 06:00 flights — are among our most common Gatwick bookings. There is no early morning surcharge.
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Take the free inter-terminal transit from the North Terminal to the South Terminal. The transit departs every few minutes and takes approximately 3 minutes. Follow signs to the railway station from the South Terminal arrivals level. Total time from North Terminal to train platform is approximately 10–15 minutes including walking and transit time.
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The postcode for Gatwick Airport South Terminal is RH6 0NP. For the North Terminal, use RH6 0PJ. These are useful for sat-nav navigation. Pre-booked private hire drivers navigate directly to your correct terminal without requiring postcode guidance.
Ready to Book Your Gatwick Transfer?
Train timetables, drop-off charges, terminal confusion, inter-airport connections — a pre-booked private transfer removes every variable. Your driver collects you from your door, delivers you to your correct terminal, and includes every charge in a single fixed price.