London Gatwick is the UK’s second busiest airport, opened in 1933, located in West Sussex, 40km south of London. After WWII, the airport has been reconstructed as a backup airport to Heathrow.
Today, Gatwick is the busiest of all of the airports with only 1 runway in the world, having 45 million passengers a year.
The airport operates from two terminals (North, South). See the list of which airline using which terminal.
Terminal North: Aeroflot, Air Transat, China Eastern Airlines, easyJet, Emirates, Icelandair, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Rwandair, TUI, Virgin Atlantic, Westjet,
Terminal South: Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Air Baltic, Air Europa, Air Malta, Aurigny, Austrian, Belavia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Finnair, Iberia, Level, Norwegian, Pegasus Airlines, Ryanair, SmartWings, Swiss, TAP, Thomas Cook Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Vueling, Wizz Air.
There are multiple shops and restaurants available at the airport.
The airport is open 24/7.
London Gatwick Airport Transit
It is easy to transit onto your connection flight in Gatwick Airport as all routes are well signposted.
There is a free shuttle train between both Terminals, departing every 2-4 minutes, running 24/7, with journey time taking approximately 30 minutes.
The train, however, runs outside the transit zone (at landside), so it is necessary to go through check-in and immigration checks again.
You don't have to worry in most cases. If your flights are on the same ticket reservation (most often connection flight with the same airline or airline's partner etc.) the transfer will be within the same terminal, with no need to pass the security again.
London Gatwick Airport Transfer
Train (fastest, comfortable)
There are four train operators on a shuttle route between London Gatwick Airport or the city of London.
30-35 minute journey, a longer journey often secure cheaper fare
Trains to London, Reading, Reigate, Guildford
Fares usually from £12 – £17
To search all providers and buy a ticket, you may also use the National Rail website.
Make sure you use your ticket only on time booked, as your ticket is valid only on the train of the particular provider (not possible to use Gatwick express ticket on Southern etc.)
Forgot to buy your ticket in advance? You can skip the queues by paying for your rail travel with Oyster or Contactless card by tapping in at the station, with fares from as low as £8.00 in off-peak periods. You can buy Oyster cards from the station or from the Transport for London desks in both terminals.
Bus (cheapest)
Coaches are available for journeys to London and are also the cheapest way of getting to the city centre.
Tickets start at £1.99 one way if bought online in advance, from £9 shortly before departure and from £11 at the airport kiosk.
Most of the buses are equipped with air conditioning, WiFi and power sockets. For example with National Express, it is possible to buy a ticket to different cities as well, with a change in London Victoria Coach Station.
Keep in mind that the traffic in London might be very heavy at some times so the journey might take a bit longer.
To Heathrow, Standsted or Luton Airport
You can buy a ticket with National Express or Megabus for direct connection to Heathrow, Standsted (only National Express) or Luton Airport (only National Express)
Heathrow – The fares are usually from £20 (every 5 – 20 minutes, total journey time up to 2 hours).
Standsted – The fares are usually from £26 (every 2 hours, total journey time around 3 hours).
Luton – The fares are usually from £20 (every 1.5 hours, total journey time around 2.5 hours).
Available for free for 45 minutes, other connection available near restaurants or fastfoods. WiFi Availability
Available in both North and South Terminals in Arrivals hall. South open 24/7, North 5AM-10PM. Price from £6.00 for 3 hours, £11.00 for 24 hours, £5.00 after 72 hours. Left Baggage
