Transfer to/from - London Gatwick airport (LGW)

 
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Creator of the Aeropuertos del Mundo website network since 2007.

 

Public transportation services, licensed taxis and rideshare, private transfer companies and car rental services in London Gatwick airport (LGW)

 

 Transportation

 

Gatwick Airport enjoys one of the best intermodal transport connections in the United Kingdom. The main railway station is integrated into the South Terminal, while bus services operate with stops at both terminals, making travel to central London and other regions of the country straightforward.

Trains

The railway station is located at the South Terminal. If you arrive at the North Terminal, you can use the free monorail to reach the station in approximately two minutes.

  • Gatwick Express: The fastest service to central London, offering direct journeys to Victoria Station in around 30 minutes. It operates at regular intervals throughout the day.
  • Southern: Provides connections to London Victoria and London Bridge (via East Croydon and Clapham Junction). It also operates services to the south coast, including Brighton, Eastbourne, Southampton and Portsmouth.
  • Thameslink: Connects the airport with the heart of London (London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras International). It is the ideal option for passengers travelling north towards Bedford or Luton Airport.
  • Great Western Railway (GWR): Provides services towards the west, connecting with Redhill, Guildford and Reading.

Note: You can pay for journeys to London using contactless bank cards or Oyster cards.

Long-distance Coaches

Most services operate from the South Terminal, although many also stop at the North Terminal (lower level, outside International Arrivals).

  • National Express: Operates an extensive network with services to London (Victoria Coach Station), Heathrow Airport and various cities across the United Kingdom. Tickets can be purchased at terminal ticket desks or from self-service machines.
  • The Airline (Oxford Bus Company): A dedicated service providing direct connections between Gatwick and Oxford, operating 24 hours a day.
  • FlixBus and Megabus: Offer low-cost options to destinations such as London, Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff.

Local Buses

The Metrobus network provides transport to surrounding towns and industrial areas, operating 24 hours a day on main routes.

  • Fastway 10: Connects Crawley and Bewbush with services every few minutes.
  • Fastway 20: Route towards Horley, Three Bridges and Broadfield.
  • Route 100: Service to Redhill and Crawley.
  • Gatwick Hoppa / United: 24/7 services connecting the terminals with various hotels around the airport.

  Rent a Car

 

Taxis

Official Operator: Airport Cars Gatwick is the airport’s exclusive partner. Booking desks are located in the arrivals area of both terminals. Reservations can also be made via their mobile app or self-service kiosks.

Journey times to central London usually range between 60 and 90 minutes, depending largely on traffic conditions.

Ride-sharing

Services such as Uber operate at the airport. Due to local regulations, pick-up points are specific and may be subject to additional airport access charges. Passengers are advised to confirm the exact meeting point (typically in the short-stay car parks) via the app once the ride has been requested.

For up-to-date timetables and journey planning, you can consult the transport section on the official website.

 
 

Latest updates: February 07, 2026

Transportation Tips to/from the airport

Some of these tips may seem obvious, but they are worth keeping in mind when traveling to or from the airport, especially if you are using public transportation.
 
 1 - To the airport: leave a little earlier than usually recommended. If you take a taxi or a private car service, allow for rush hour traffic, demonstrations, strikes or events that could delay your trip. It always helps to check the local news before you leave.
 
If you book a shared shuttle, keep the company's contact number handy in case the pickup is late. These services usually confirm a scheduled pickup time in advance.
 
If you use public transportation (bus or train), check the schedules (weekends and holidays usually have less frequent service), whether you need to transfer, and how to pay the fare (a transit card, or cash to the driver). These details seem obvious, but knowing them ahead of time can save you from a delay that could cause problems.
 
If you drive a rental car to the airport, check where to return it. Many airports have a dedicated rental car return area.
 
 2 - From the airport: this part is less stressful, since there is no risk of missing a flight. At worst, you will reach your hotel or meeting point a little later than planned.
 
Once you leave the plane, collect your baggage and complete any required arrival procedures. Then follow the signs for ground transportation or ask airport staff.
 
Check bus and train schedules in advance if you arrive late at night, since not all services run 24 hours. The same applies to taxis. If you plan to use a ride-hailing app such as Uber, have it ready on your phone to contact the driver.
 
If you booked a private transfer, a driver will usually be waiting for you with a sign. If you are renting a car, booking in advance gives you more peace of mind. Rental counters are usually located in the arrivals hall.

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