Gatwick Airport (LGW IATA) isLondon's second-busiest airport by passenger numbers (afterHeathrow), and serves the south-east of theUnited Kingdom. It is a hub forBritish Airways,easyJet andTUI Airways.
It has been licensed as an aerodrome since 1930. Gatwick used to be regarded asHeathrow's overflow, but has carved out its own identity, a process which accelerated when its original parent (Heathrow Airport Holdings, which owned Heathrow) was forced to sell Gatwick to a new owner in 2009.
The airport is undergoing extensive renovation, and is the world's busiest single-runway airport. There is a second shorter runway just at north of the main runway, but the proximity of both runways prevents simultaneous operation, with the shorter one as a redundancy. Although there are plans about a fully function dual-runways operation, or even a new runway for this.
The airport has two terminals:North Terminal andSouth Terminal. The terminals are connected by a 1.21-km two-way automated people mover system.
One interesting feature of Gatwick is that part of the North Terminal is a passenger bridge to/from pier 6 that is high enough to allow aircraft to taxi beneath the bridge.
For departures, check-in is on the second floor, excluding easyJet and WestJet, which have a self-serve baggage drop area on the first floor. All passengers must go through security on the second floor. After walking through the duty-free store, passengers wait in the large departures lounge, with many shops, restaurants and seating. Access to Gates 42-55 (Pier 4) and 101-103 (Pier 6) is at the south end of the lounge and access to gates 557-563 (the new Pier 5) is at the north end. Airline lounges are on the way to Piers 4 and 6.
On arriving, passengers are separated into one of three groups: domestic, CTA and International. Domestic passengers exit at Gate 55 and walk past the gates to a separate arrivals hall. CTA passengers must take a shuttle bus to the same area. International passengers walk along to passport control and then descend to the baggage reclaim hall. Every hall exits on the ground floor.
There are four lounges in the North Terminal of Gatwick: No 1 Lounge, the Gateway Lounge, the Plaza Premium Lounge and the Emirates Lounge. Both the Gateway and Plaza Premium lounges have relatively limited numbers, while No 1 Lounge is perpetually oversubscribed. It is advisable to pay the £6 fee to prebook No 1 Lounge through your lounge access scheme to benefit from priority security at Gatwick as well. Gateway Lounge is relatively family-oriented, while the Plaza Premium offering is consistent with other generic contract lounges.
The South Terminal shuttle is on the first floor. It is adjacent to an Excess Baggage shop, where one can store their luggage at Gatwick for a less-than-modest fee.
The departures and arrivals halls are mixed here landside.
All passengers check-in towards the south of the building and then proceed upstairs for security check. After walking through the duty-free store, they find themselves in the departures lounge, with a circular layout split across two floors. Airline lounges are on the upper floor of the lounge. The No1 and Clubrooms lounges are quite small and are often overbooked. All gates are located on the lower floor. Gates 30-36 are a relatively long walk from the terminal.
On arrival, domestic and CTA (Common Travel Area: consisting of UK, Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands) passengers may either take a bus or be able to walk directly to the domestic claim area. Other passengers walk to the passport control, located on the ground floor, before ascending to baggage reclaim.
Home bag pick-up can be booked through the airport website for both terminals. From £20 per bag, they collect your bags at an agreed time and location, but probably from your home the evening before flight. The bags are sealed and delivered to the aircraft, you travel as if just with hand luggage, and collect the checked bags in the usual way in Arrivals at your destination. As of Jan 2020 they don't offer an inbound service, and there are no reviews on reliability - have you ever waited in for a delivery that was supposed to arrive at an agreed time?
A lot of major and minor airlines operate domestic, European, and intercontinental flights to/from Gatwick, catering for business and leisure travelers alike. Many airlines that can not get landing rights at Heathrow fly to Gatwick. Point-to-point flights make up the majority of flights; flights into network carrier's respective hubs exist, but play only a minor role.
Different airlines operate from different terminals; some of the major airlines are:
| North Terminal Air Transat, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates, Icelandair, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Rwanda Air, TUI Airways (formerly Thomson), WestJet. |
| South Terminal Aegean Air, Aer Lingus, Air Arabia, airBaltic, Air Europa, Aurigny, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Enter Air, Iberia, Iraqi Airways, Jazeera Airways, KM Malta Airlines, Norwegian, Nouvelair, Ryanair, Swiss, TAP Air Portugal, Titan Airways, TUI Airways, Tunis Air, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines, Vueling, Wizz Air. |
There is alist of destinations that you can get to from Gatwick on Wikipedia, or you can visit the websites of specific airlines for details, and Gatwick hasa webpage where you can see which terminal your flight leaves from.
Gatwick Airport was the first UK airport to combine air and rail travel, and has its own railway station, which is attached to the airport's South Terminal.
51.1567-0.1611Gatwick Airport train station is on the London to Brighton main line with frequent train services operated by several train operators, including Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Southern, and GWR. Tickets can be bought from machines in the station concourse. If your final destination is within London you can use Oyster or contactless payment to "tap in" at the station barriers. SeeOyster Cards.
Due to heavy passenger traffic at certain times, the area/lobby for obtaining tickets and going through entry gates can becomevery crowded. If you are booked for a train at a certain time, you should consider giving yourself plenty of time to reach your correct boarding platform. Once through the gates, there are both escalators and lifts available to access platform level.
The station is adjacent to the South Terminal; for passengers arriving to and departing from the North Terminal, factor in 15 minutes to transit using theinter-terminal shuttle.
There are direct trains to London (London Bridge,London Victoria andLondon St Pancras),Brighton,Southampton,Eastbourne,Hastings and other locations.
Gatwick Express is a non-stop rail service operating to both London Victoria and Brighton. Trains operate every 30 minutes from 5:30AM to 11PM with journey times of around 35 minutes into London. Although this is the fastest train into London, cheaper options are available that take only 10 minutes longer. A one-way standard ticket is £20.50 online and £22.90 using Oyster/contactless (December 2024).
Southern trains to London Victoria or London Bridge are only a few minutes slower than Gatwick Express but can cost less than half the price. They call at a few stations along the way (which the Gatwick Express doesn't), usually at East Croydon and Clapham Junction. Fares on these operators' tickets are lower in cost. Besides London, there are trains south to Brighton, Hastings via Eastbourne andLewes. Using Oyster/contactless is the cheapest way to travel on Southern, from £10.10. Tickets can be found from £11.90 when booked well in advance, or £20.40 when bought on the day (December 2024).
Thameslink services provides direct service to London Bridge train station,London St. Pancras International,Cambridge andLuton Airport. Prices are comparable to Southern services and Oyster/contactless can be used for journeys finishing in London.
Great Western Railway (GWR) provides services toReading, viaGuildford which in turn allows passengers to connect to/from the West Country (e.g. Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth) without passing through London.
Up to date train times and fare information for all operators are available viaNational Rail Enquiries.
National Express has coaches to Gatwick from throughout the country, including Victoria Coach Station in London. there are many coachesto/from Heathrow, seebelow.
Metrobus has routes connecting the airport toCrawley andEast Grinstead with the 400 route, costing £2-4 for an adult single. There's also the 200 route, connecting toHorsham; the 22 route toDorking and the 460 route toEpsom.
Megabus (stops at the North and South terminals) runs from Gatwick toBristol,Cardiff andHeathrow.
Oxford Bus Company hasThe Airline bus to Gatwick fromOxford stopping at the South Terminal and then the North Terminal. Costs £28 for an adult single, £37 for an adult return.
Route 21 of the National Cycle Network passes under the South Terminal, allowing virtually traffic-free cycling northwards to Horley and southwards toThree Bridges andCrawley. A goods-style lift runs between the terminal and ground level (labelled "Lift to Cycle Route"), near Zone L.
Many taxi firms across the country will offer a fixed priced service to Gatwick when pre-booked online or over the phone.
Ablack cab from Central London can cost upwards of £150, taking the train will usually be quicker, and will always be cheaper. You should confirm a price with the driver before setting off.
Airport Cars Gatwick are the official private hire partner of Gatwick Airport, and offer fixed fares. Journeys can booked in advance, or by following the signs for "Taxi" at both terminals. A pre-booked journey to Kings Cross in London costs £160 (December 2024). Better prices may be found by searching for taxi operators at your origin/destination.
Uber operates to/from both terminals. Pick up is located in the short stay car park. Prices to/from London start at around £85 (December 2024). Most drivers have driven from London or Brighton and are looking for their next trip to be in that direction, so be prepared to wait for a short while if your destination is outside of those cities.
51.158991-0.1346721Junction 9 is Gatwick Airport's own spur from the M23 motorway. Once you leave the main M23 at junction 9, travel west to a roundabout and for the South Terminal, take the first exit from there or for the North Terminal, take the second exit. The South Terminal exit has a large arch with an advert on it over it, while the North Terminal doesn't. If you're going to the North Terminal, then take the second exit at the next roundabout (it has its own big arch here) or the third exit for the long stay car park. From there, you will be able to follow signs to the car park you are looking for, whichever terminal (seebelow), or the main entrance to the airport. Junction 9 is about9 mi (14 km) south of the M25 London ring road and with traffic on the M25 often heavy (or worse) make sure to start your drive out to the airport early enough.
Drop-off charges
Gatwick, like all other UK airports, has introduced a charge for dropping off passengers at the terminal. The drop off zones are marked by a white C in a red circle. Charging is applied through automatic number plate recognition, therefore there are no barriers to exit. You must pay the £6 charge (December 2024) before midnight the day after you drop off. Payment can be madeonline or over the phone.
The closest car parks to the terminals are the short-stay car parks, which are located right next to the terminal buildings. To get to the51.156188-0.1590322South Terminal short stay car park, take the directions in theGet in section above, then continue along the road, following signs for the short stay car park, staying in the right-hand lane. For the51.161108-0.1755913North Terminal short stay car park, again, follow the directions above for the North Terminal, then continue along the road, following signs for the car park, staying in the left-hand lane.
Long-term parking is provided both on-airport and off-airport. The on-airport long-stay car parks are about a five-minute bus journey from the terminal buildings (buses are provided for the sole use of getting from the car park to the main terminal). Off-airport parking is suitable for both long- and short-stay. Most car parks are situated about 15 minutes from the airport. For the51.155774-0.1538074South Terminal long stay car park, after leaving the roundabout, (see above), stay in the left-hand lane and take the second left, then follow signs for which car park you want. For the51.160867-0.1895185North Terminal long stay car park, after leaving the roundabout, instead of taking the second exit, take the third exit, following signs for "Long stay". Go past the petrol station which is on the right, then take the third exit at the next roundabout. Follow this long road to the next roundabout before taking the second exit, you're now finally there! You can then follow signs to which car park you want. Once you have arrived you will find Gatwick's own scheme,Gatwick Parking.
Gatwick's Surface Access Plan introduced itsApproved Operator Scheme for meet-and-greet parking.Only approved meet-and-greet parking operators are permitted to conduct vehicle collection and returns from the airport terminal forecourts. Approved Operators must hold the Safer Parking,ParkMark award for all car parks used and be approved by Trading StandardsBuy With Confidence Scheme.
National Express buses are your fastest option (withdirect buses between the airports), but you should still allow plenty of time to make the transfer as you will have to re-check luggage at the other airport. Factor in that traffic on the M25 is often heavy or worse adding to travel time. Buses may charge large fees for overweight, out-sized or excess numbers of luggage, and National Express allow only one small piece to carry-on.
The most convenient route to Heathrow by train is taking any northbound Thameslink train (destination "Bedford", "Peterborough", or "Cambridge") to Farringdon station, and changing for a westbound Elizabeth line train with destination Heathrow Terminal 4 or Heathrow Terminal 5 (either for terminals 2 or 3). There is also a Heathrow Express train which runs between London Paddington station and Heathrow Airport in 15 minutes (a journey that takes 45 minutes on the Elizabeth Line), but is more expensive. To travel on the express, take any northbound Thameslink train from Gatwick, and change at Farringdon onto any westbound Elizabeth Line train (those going to "Paddington," "Heathrow Terminal 4", "Heathrow Terminal 5" or "Reading"). Change to the Heathrow Express at London Paddington, but note the transfer time may cancel out the 15 minutes saved by using the express. Alternatively, for a slightly cheaper but slower route, stay on any northbound Thameslink train for one more stop to St Pancras International, then take a southbound Piccadilly Line train to Heathrow Terminal 4 or 5 (again, to either for terminals 2 or 3).
For the same journeys in reverse, take northbound/eastbound any Elizabeth line train to Farringdon, then change for a southbound Thameslink train to Brighton, and alight at Gatwick Airport station. For the cheaper route but slower route, take any eastbound Piccadilly line train to King's Cross St Pancras and change for a southbound Thameslink train to Brighton.
Oyster and contactless payments are valid for all rail journeys between Gatwick and Heathrow via London. An off-peak journey (taken before 6:30AM and after 9:30AM on weekdays, or any time on weekends) via the Elizabeth line using Oyster or contactless costs £19.90 (Oct 2023). Via the Piccadilly Line costs £12.20. The Heathrow Express costs £37.20 off-peak using Oyster or contactless, however, it is possible to save money on the journey between Paddington and Heathrow if you book tickets in advance through theHeathrow Express website.
Interrail and Eurail tickets are accepted on Thameslink and Elizabeth Line trains, but they arenot valid on the Piccadilly Line or the Heathrow Express.
To drive to Heathrow, leave Gatwick and take the M23 north towards the M25, then take the M25 clockwise until junction 14. Heathrow airport is marked on all signs when travelling from Gatwick. Going the other way around, leave Heathrow and take the M25 anti-clockwise until you get to junction 7, then take the M23 southbound to junction 9, follow signage to the correct terminal from there.
Gatwick, like all other major UK airports has introduced a drop
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Some gates requirelong walks, so make sure you give yourself enough time to get there, especially if you have considerable carry-ons or mobility challenges. This includes time for security check and (in South Terminal) passage through/around the two levels of stores and restaurants air side. In the North Terminal, for example, it takes 15 minutes to walk to gates 101-113 from the departure lounge. As a (fun) addition, there are many travelators in the corridors to the gates in both terminals.
Check at your airline check-in counter beforehand for how long it takes to get to your gate if then known. Later, check any of the many, often-updated departure boards to see when your gate is announced; they don't announce gate assignments over speakers.
There is a freeautomated people mover (nicknamed incorrectly, but commonly, as a "monorail") which runs between the South Terminal/railway station and the North Terminal outside security. It is excitingly called an "inter-terminal shuttle service" by the airport website. To access it, follow signs for the other terminal. So if you're in the South Terminal, follow signs for the North Terminal and if you're in the North Terminal follow signs for the South Terminal. It runs constantly, with just a 2-minute or so wait, and a 2-minute ride.
Hotels around the airport contract transfer to terminals to local private company. Cost around £4.50. Drivers are known to be dishonest to foreign travellers, such as giving change in old (recently out of circulation) notes and coins.
Both terminals have many restaurants and food outlets in the public space and past security checks. There are also places like McDonald's and Starbucks available in the terminals. Mini-supermarkets, such asMarks & Spencer's, are available in both terminals before security, andBoots selling sandwiches and crisps is in both terminals after security (and before security in the South Terminal).
There are water fountains as you leave North Security. The upper level of South Terminal departures has a water fountain hidden in the corridor next World Duty-Free.
Shopping opportunities are plentiful in both terminals, with slightly more stores in the South Terminal. Per the article forduty-free shopping, such stores here are dominated by just one firm. Though well-stocked with a wide range of products, they reflect little competition, but do help you avoid UK taxes. You are also, as is common, forced to walk through a sparkly duty-free shop immediately after security and before the departure lounge. For those with scent allergies, see "Cope" below.
Moneycorp ATMs are plentiful across Gatwick, and carry the unusual feature of having no ATM fees imposed by the ATM operator for GBP withdrawals. However, they offer a horrific 23% markup if you unwittingly accept the first currency conversion screen that pops up. You should always decline this and continue without accepting the currency conversion screen, as there is no instance in which this currency exchange markup would be more favourable than the foreign exchange offered directly through your bank. If you decline the dynamic currency exchange, there should be no fees charged beyond your bank's out-of-network ATM access fee (if any) and the foreign exchange fee for your card (almost never over 3%). If you use a card with no out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees or imposed foreign exchange fee, withdrawing GBP at Gatwick Airport is very likely the most cost-efficient way to acquire cash in the United Kingdom for you.
Currency exchange desks at Gatwick (both groundside and airside) are run by Moneycorp and offer about the worst rates you'll find anywhere. There's a 40% spread between "buy" and "sell" rates for major currencies, so you lose a fifth of your money on every trade, eg in Sept 2017 they were buying €1 for £0.98 and selling for £1.36. A downtown exchange should have no more than 20% spread. Note also that UK banknotes are changing, see under "United Kingdom: money".
Free WiFi is available. Connect to the Gatwick Free wi-fi network and logon to myGatwick. You can create a myGatwick account in advance. There is also pay-for Boingo WiFi and Surfbox internet terminals with printers (10p per minute, 50p per page).
The North and South Terminals haveprayer rooms, located landside, before security. There are occasional Christian or Buddhist services in these chapels.
People who havescent allergies (or anyone that wants to avoid duty free) travelling through the North Terminal should use the Special Assistance route after security to skip World Duty Free and go straight to the departure lounge.
A number of hotels of various categories have set up near the airport; some of them are directly connected to one of the terminals by enclosed walkways sheltering guests from the elements.
It may be easier to take a taxi to the airport terminals from these nearby hotels, see thetaxi section above and also check whether the hotels have the numbers of any local taxi firms that might be cheaper.
Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby
| Routes through Gatwick Airport |
London← junction 7← | N  S | →Crawley→Brighton and Hove |
| London←Redhill← | N  S | →Crawley→Brighton and Hove |
| Thishuge airport travel guide toGatwick Airportis ausable article. It has information onflights andground transportation as well as some complete entries for food and beverage options at the airport. An adventurous person could use this article, but pleasefeel free to improve itby editing the page. |
