Heathrow to Gatwick — Bus, Train, Taxi & Transfer Optins Compared

Heathrow and Gatwick are London's two busiest airports, and the journey between them comes up regularly — for passengers making self-connections on separate tickets, for travellers flying into one and out of the other, and for those who simply need to relocate between the two.

The distance is approximately 28 miles by road, mostly via the M25. That sounds straightforward. In practice, the M25 between junctions 10 and 14 is one of the most consistently congested stretches of road in Britain, and the rail alternative requires a change in central London. Neither option is as simple as the distance suggests.

This guide covers every realistic way to make the journey — bus, train, private transfer, and taxi — with accurate journey times, current prices, and honest advice on which to choose depending on your situation.

Need a fixed-price private transfer between Heathrow and Gatwick? UK Airport Transfer Services provides door-to-door service with free flight monitoring and no hidden fees.

How far is Heathrow from Gatwick?

Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) are approximately 28 miles apart by road via the M25 motorway. The most direct route goes clockwise on the M25 from junction 14 (Heathrow) to junction 9 (Gatwick), passing through Surrey. There is no direct motorway route that bypasses the M25 — all road options use at least part of this stretch, which is heavily congested during morning rush hour (7–9:30am), Friday afternoons, and school holiday periods.

Quick comparison — Heathrow to Gatwick

• National Express coach — Takes around 75–90 minutes and typically costs between £10–25. It is a direct service, although it is not door-to-door.

• Train (Elizabeth line + Thameslink) — Usually takes about 90 minutes with one change required. Fares are generally around £20–30, and the journey is not direct or door-to-door.

• Private transfer — A faster and more convenient option, taking approximately 60–75 minutes. Prices are usually between £80–110, with direct and door-to-door service included.

• Black cab — Journey times are typically 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. Costs generally start from £100–140+, and the service is direct as well as fully door-to-door.

Journey times assume normal traffic. Peak-hour road journeys can take significantly longer.

Option 1 — National Express coach (most popular)

The National Express direct coach between Heathrow and Gatwick is the most widely used option for this journey. It runs terminal-to-terminal with no change required, operates around the clock, and is by far the cheapest way to make the trip.

Journey time: 75–90 minutes in normal traffic Cost: From around £10 booked in advance, up to £25 for walk-up fares Frequency: Up to 15 services per day in each direction, roughly every 60–90 minutes

Where to board at Heathrow:

• Terminals 2 and 3: Central Bus Station, accessed via an underground walkway from the arrivals halls

• Terminal 5: Directly outside the arrivals level

• Terminal 4: Take the free Heathrow Express shuttle to Terminals 2 and 3 first, then board from Central Bus Station

Where to arrive at Gatwick:

• South Terminal: Lower forecourt coach station

• North Terminal: Lower level outside international arrivals (check your departure terminal before travelling)

The main caveat: The coach uses the M25, which means journey time is genuinely variable. A 75-minute journey in light traffic becomes 90–120 minutes on a Friday afternoon or during the morning rush. If you have a tight connection, this unpredictability is the biggest risk.

Best for: Passengers with a flexible schedule, a long layover, and those travelling solo with manageable luggage.

Option 2 — Train via Elizabeth line and Thameslink

There is no direct train between Heathrow and Gatwick. The most practical rail route requires one change in central London:

Step 1 — Elizabeth line from Heathrow Board the eastbound Elizabeth line from your Heathrow terminal (all terminals are served). Travel to Farringdon station — approximately 40 minutes from Terminals 2/3, slightly longer from Terminal 5.

Step 2 — Thameslink from Farringdon to Gatwick At Farringdon, change to the southbound Thameslink platform. Board any service towards Brighton, Three Bridges, or Gatwick Airport. The journey from Farringdon to Gatwick Airport station takes approximately 30–35 minutes and runs frequently — around every 10–15 minutes during the day.

Gatwick Airport station connects directly to the South Terminal. If you need the North Terminal, take the free inter-terminal shuttle from South Terminal (5 minutes).

Journey time: Approximately 85–95 minutes total including the change Cost: Approximately £20–30 depending on time of travel; Oyster and contactless accepted on both services Advantage over the coach: Unaffected by road traffic — this route runs on the same schedule regardless of M25 congestion

Alternatively via Heathrow Express: Take the Heathrow Express from your terminal to Paddington (15 minutes, £25–37), then Thameslink or Southern services from various central London stations to Gatwick. This is faster from the Heathrow end but significantly more expensive and requires navigating a second London station.

Best for: Passengers travelling during peak road hours when M25 congestion is likely, and those who are comfortable navigating London stations with luggage.

Option 3 — Private transfer (recommended for connections)

A pre-booked private transfer is the most reliable option for passengers making a self-connection, travelling with families or groups, or carrying significant luggage.

Journey time: 60–75 minutes in normal traffic Cost: From £80 with a fixed-price operator such as UK Airport Transfer Services What's included:

• Door-to-terminal service — picked up at arrivals, dropped at departures

• Fixed price confirmed at booking, no meter running in traffic

• Free flight monitoring — if your inbound flight is delayed, your driver already knows

• 30 minutes of free waiting time from actual landing

• Meet-and-greet with a name board in the arrivals hall

• Child seats and 8-seater MPVs available

The key advantage over coach and train for connecting passengers is certainty. You know your driver's name, you know the price, and your driver knows your flight status. If your inbound lands 40 minutes late, the pick-up time adjusts automatically.

Book your Heathrow to Gatwick transfer →

Option 4 — Black cab

London black cabs can legally pick up from Heathrow (there is a dedicated taxi rank at each terminal) and will take you directly to Gatwick. They are metered, fully licensed, and wheelchair accessible.

Journey time: 60–90 minutes depending on traffic Cost: Approximately £100–140+ from central Heathrow terminals in normal conditions; significantly more during peak hours when the meter runs in traffic No pre-booking required, though the fare is unpredictable

The main disadvantage versus a pre-booked private transfer is cost — the meter runs regardless of traffic, and the M25 between junctions 10 and 14 can mean 20–40 minutes of stationary billing. For this journey in particular, pre-booking almost always delivers a better price.

The reverse journey — Gatwick to Heathrow

All of the above applies equally in the opposite direction. The National Express coach, Elizabeth line and Thameslink, private transfer, and black cab all operate Gatwick to Heathrow. Journey times and costs are the same.

At Gatwick, private transfer pickups are made from the North or South Terminal arrivals halls — confirm which terminal your flight arrives into when booking, as they are separate buildings connected by a free shuttle.

Book a Gatwick to Heathrow transfer →

How long to allow for a Heathrow–Gatwick connection

If you are making a self-connection — booking two separate flights and responsible for the transfer yourself — these are the minimum times to allow between your scheduled Heathrow arrival and your Gatwick departure:

Minimum 4 hours for a straightforward connection in normal conditions:

Baggage reclaim at Heathrow: 20–30 minutes

• Clearing the terminal and reaching transport: 15 minutes

• Transfer (coach or private car): 75–90 minutes

• Check-in and security at Gatwick: 60–90 minutes

Allow 5 hours on Fridays, during school holidays, or for any departure before 9am or after 3pm on a weekday when M25 congestion is likely.

Allow 5–6 hours if you are travelling with children, have checked luggage to re-check, or need to re-clear security from scratch (which international self-connections often require).

Self-connections are inherently riskier than airline-managed connections. If the transfer goes wrong, the second airline has no obligation to rebook you. A longer buffer is always the safer choice.

Frequently asked questions

• How long does it take to get from Heathrow to Gatwick?

  By National Express coach, approximately 75–90 minutes. By train via the Elizabeth line and Thameslink (one change at Farringdon), approximately 90 minutes. By private transfer or taxi, approximately 60–75 minutes in clear traffic — longer during peak hours.

• Is there a direct bus from Heathrow to Gatwick?

  Yes. National Express operates a direct coach service between Heathrow and Gatwick with no change required. It runs throughout the day and night, departing from the Central Bus Station at Terminals 2 and 3, and directly from Terminal 5.

• Is there a direct train from Heathrow to Gatwick?

  No. There is no direct train. The most practical rail route is the Elizabeth line from Heathrow to Farringdon, then Thameslink to Gatwick Airport — one change, approximately 90 minutes total.

• How much does a taxi from Heathrow to Gatwick cost?

  A pre-booked private transfer costs approximately £80–110 fixed price. Black cabs are metered and typically cost £100–140 or more, particularly in traffic. UK Airport Transfer Services provides a fixed fare confirmed before you travel.

• How long should I allow for a layover between Heathrow and Gatwick?

  A minimum of 4 hours in normal conditions. Allow 5 hours on Fridays or during peak travel periods. This accounts for baggage reclaim, the transfer itself, and check-in and security at Gatwick.

• Can I use an Oyster card to travel between Heathrow and Gatwick?

  Yes, if you use the Elizabeth line and Thameslink route through central London — both accept Oyster and contactless. Oyster cards are not accepted on National Express coaches, which require a separate ticket.

• How far is Heathrow from Gatwick?

  Approximately 28 miles by road via the M25. The route goes from junction 14 (Heathrow) to junction 9 (Gatwick) clockwise, passing through Surrey. This section of the M25 is frequently congested.