Gatwick Airport - international airport in West Sussex, England

Gatwick Airport (IATA: LGW) is London's second-busiest airport by passenger numbers (after Heathrow), and serves the south-east of the United Kingdom. It is a hub for British Airways, easyJet and TUI Airways.

Understand

It has been licensed as an aerodrome since 1930. Gatwick used to be regarded as Heathrow's overflow, but has carved out its own identity, a process which accelerated when its parent (which also owned Heathrow) was forced to sell Gatwick to a new owner.

The airport is undergoing extensive renovation, and is the world's busiest single-runway airport. There are plans to add a second runway.

The airport has two terminals: North Terminal and South 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.

Terminal layout

North Terminal

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 6GBP 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.

South Terminal

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 must all take a bus 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?

Flights

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, Air Malta, Aurginy, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Enter Air, Iberia, Iraqi Airways, Jazeera Airways, Norwegian, Nouvelair, Ryanair, Swiss, TAP Air Portugal, Titan Airways, TUI Airways, Tunis Air, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines, Vueling, Wizz Air.

There is a list of destinations that you can get to from Gatwick on Wikipedia, or you can visit the websites of specific airlines for details, and Gatwick has a webpage where you can see which terminal your flight leaves from.

Ground transportation

By train

See also: Rail travel in Great Britain

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.

Gatwick Airport train station 📍 is situated on the London to Brighton main line with frequent train services operated by several train operators, including Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Southern, and GWR. You can buy tickets from machines, the ticket office in the terminal, and on-line from virtually any country by printing a voucher at home and exchanging it for tickets at the ticket office or from machines in the entry lobby of the station. Advance purchases can result in some savings.

Due to heavy passenger traffic at certain times, the area/lobby for obtaining tickets and going through entry gates can become very crowded. If you are booked for a train at a certain time, you should consider giving yourself plenty of time for reaching your correct boarding platform. Once through the gates, you can reach the platforms with light luggage using stairs and escalators. Allow more time for lifts to the platforms if you have significant luggage.

Note also that the station is adjacent to the South Terminal; for passengers arriving to and departing from the North Terminal, figure the additional time to reach it into your estimates.

There are direct trains to London (London Bridge, London Victoria and London St Pancras), Brighton, Southampton, Eastbourne, Hastings and other locations.

Gatwick Express is a non-stop rail service operating between London Victoria Station and Gatwick Airport. Trains operate every 15 minutes from 5AM to 11:45PM (from London Victoria Station), and 5:50AM to 12:35AM (from Gatwick) with journey times of 30 minutes (35 minutes on Sundays). You won't be able to miss the Gatwick Express trains as they have unique livery. One-way standard ticket is £19.50 online (March 2023). You can use an Oyster card for this trip but it will cost £21.80.

Southern trains to London Victoria or London Bridge are only a few minutes slower than Gatwick Express and only slightly less frequent. 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 and Lewes. Like many airfares, the earlier you buy tickets (up to 90 days), the less expensive they tend to be. The fare to Victoria, if bought online is £19.40 if, however, you use the Oyster card, it's £9.50 (March 2023).

Thameslink services provide connections with: London St Pancras International, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, London Farringdon, Bedford, and also south to Brighton. Online fares are £19.50 if bought on the day of travel, and down to £13.50 if you book the exact train you will take up to 3 months ahead. But the best option is to use your contactless payment card or an Oyster card, costing £9.50 (same as Southern, March 2023).

GWR services provide services all the way to Reading, which in turn allows passengers to connect to/from the Westcountry (e.g. Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth) without passing through London.

Train times and fare information for all operators is available via National Rail Enquiries.

By bus

National Express has coaches to Gatwick from throughout the country, including Victoria Coach Station in London. there are many coaches to/from Heathrow, see below.

Metrobus has routes connecting the airport to Crawley and East Grinstead with the 400 route, costing £2-4 for an adult single. There's also the 200 route, connecting to Horsham; the 22 route to Dorking and the 460 route to Epsom.

Megabus (stops at the North and South terminals) runs from Gatwick to Bristol, Cardiff and Heathrow.

Oxford Bus Company has The Airline bus to Gatwick from Oxford stopping at the South Terminal and then the North Terminal. Costs £28 for an adult single, £37 for an adult return.

By bike

Route 21 of the National Cycle Network passes under the South Terminal, allowing virtually traffic-free cycling northwards to Horley and southwards to Three Bridges and Crawley. A goods-style lift runs between the terminal and ground level (labelled "Lift to Cycle Route"), near Zone L.

By taxi

Some taxi firms offer to take you to Gatwick from around the country. This will probably be quite uncomfortable if you have to travel long distances, but then again, it's your own "private" car.

By car

Junction 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 (see below), or the main entrance to the airport. Junction 9 is about 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.

Car parks

Short-stay parking

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 the South Terminal short stay car park 📍, take the directions in the Get in section above, then continue along the road, following signs for the short stay car park, staying in the right-hand lane. For the North 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-stay parking

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 the South 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 the North 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.

Meet-and-greet parking

Gatwick's Surface Access Plan introduced its Approved 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 Standards Buy With Confidence Scheme.

Connecting to/from Heathrow

National Express buses are your fastest option (with direct 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.

There is no direct train route between the two airports and there are at least 3 indirect options to consider (however, direct bus and car routes exist):

• Gatwick Express or Southern trains to Victoria Station, then catch the Tube's District line to Hammersmith (take a train with destination "Ealing Broadway" or "Richmond"), then the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow, being careful about which terminal you need - there are different Tube stations for terminals 1, 2, 3 and terminals 4 and 5 (a long trip). Large luggage can be a challenge whenever the Tube is busy, and wherever stairs must be negotiated between street and station platforms, especially true at Victoria.
• Gatwick Express or Southern trains to Victoria Station, but once at Victoria station, take the Circle line to Edgware Road, getting off at Paddington station, then hopping onto Heathrow Express from there.
• Thameslink train to St Pancras station, making your way upstairs then getting the Tube from the King's Cross St Pancras tube station to Heathrow on the Piccadilly line, again, being careful about terminals.

No through fare for the three different modes of transport is available.

If you have a car and want to drive, leave Gatwick and take the M23 north towards the M25, then take the M25 clockwise until junction 14. There will be plenty of signs to follow for Heathrow from there (a little plane symbol followed by the word "Heathrow"). 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 from there.

Get around

To the gates

Some gates require long 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.

Terminal transfer

There is a free automated 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.

Bus transfers

Hotels around the airport contract transfer to terminals to local private company. Cost around 3 pounds. Be aware drivers known to be dishonest to foreign travelers, such as giving change in old (recently out of circulation) notes and coins.

Wait

Lounges

• British Airways Lounges. 2018-04-05
  • British Airways Club. 2018-04-05
  • British Airways First. 2018-04-05

Eat and drink

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 as Marks & Spencer's, are available in both terminals before security, and Boots 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.

South Terminal

• The London Bar, 51.15576°, -0.16370°. 3AM-10PM. This upmarket restaurant which sells mainly cocktails, spirits and champagne, as well as some small dishes, is in the South Terminal after security. Cheese board: £14.99; Mojito: £10; Bottle of Sauvignon Blanc: £44
• Grain Store, +44 1293 501328, reservations@airportretail.co.uk. 3AM-10PM. Serves family-friendly food and is in the South Terminal after security. Burger £13.50; cocktails £9
• Caviar House & Prunier, 51.15558°, -0.16386°, +44 1293 557383. 06:00 to 20:30. This swanky, quite expensive (albeit usually quiet) caviar bar is available after security in both terminals. Smoked Salmon: £17; 9 Oysters: £25; Whole Lobster: £29.50
• The Beehive, +44 1293 505802. 4AM-11PM. One of many Wetherspoon's pubs, before security. Burger £10.65; bottle of Sauvignon Blanc £19.55 2017-03-02
• The Flying Horse, 51.1558°, -0.1627°, +44 1293 503151. 3AM-10PM. Another Wetherspoon's pub, with a strange Halloween style decor, on the second floor. Burger: £11.50; bottle of Sauvignon Blanc: £19.55 2017-03-02

North Terminal

• Jamie's Italian, 51.15973°, -0.17849°, +44 1293 223027. M-Th 4:30AM-10PM; F Sa 4AM-10PM; Su 4:30AM-10PM. The restaurant of British TV chef, Jamie Oliver, serves rustic, Italian food and is in the North Terminal after security. Tagliatelle Bolognese: £11.25; Sirloin Steak: £22.95; 250 ml glass of Sauvignon Blanc: £8.85 2016-10-31
• Comptoir Libanais, 51.16121°, -0.17911°, +44 1293 567125. 4AM-9:30PM. A restaurant serving Lebanese food (Libanais is French for Lebanese) which has other locations throughout London. It's after security. Falafel £4.75; falafel wrap £7.95; lamb kofta burger £9.95
• Caviar House & Prunier, 51.16027°, -0.178341°, +44 1293 557294. 6AM-8:30PM. This swanky, quite expensive (albeit usually quiet) caviar bar is available after security in both terminals. Smoked Salmon: £17; 9 Oysters: £25; Whole Lobster: £29.50
• The Red Lion, 51.1612°, -0.1790°, +44 1293 569874. 2AM-10PM. Yet another Wetherspoon's pub, located in a spacious area after security Burger £11.60; bottle of Sauvignon Blanc £19.55 2017-03-02

Buy

Shopping opportunities are plentiful in both terminals, with slightly more stores in the South Terminal. Per the article for duty-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".

Connect

45 minutes 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).

Cope

The North and South Terminals have prayer rooms, located landside, before security.

• The South Terminal prayer room is on the third floor, the same level as the entrance to security.
• The North Terminal prayer room is on the ground floor near international arrivals.

People who have scent allergies may have trouble with departing from Gatwick. After security, passengers are funnelled through a winding path through the duty-free shops, many of which sell lots of perfumes. The airport is planning to open scent-free paths in 2018. Until then, you can contact the airport before arriving to arrange for someone to guide you through a back way.

Sleep

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.

At the airport

South Terminal

• Bloc, 51.15643°, -0.16258°, +44 20 3051 0101, gatwickinfo@blochotels.com. A hotel which claims to be "savvy" and "state-of-the-art", it is right next to security in the South Terminal. Some rooms, called "sleep" rooms, don't have windows, while "aspire" and "VIP" rooms have corner windows. Rooms range in size from 9.5 to 32 m². £70.30 per night (for a "sleep" double room) 2016-02-15
• Yotel, 51.15696°, -0.16221°, +44 20 7100 1100, customer@yotel.com. Its entrance is in the international arrivals area of the South Terminal, its rooms are called "cabins" and you can stay by the hour (minimum four-hour stay). A standard cabin (sleeps one) is about 7 m² and a premium cabin (sleeps two) is just over 10 m². The rooms have a sort of modern, Japanese feel to them. £32 for four hours (standard cabin); £70 for 24 hours (standard cabin) 2016-02-15
• Hilton, 51.15688°, -0.15771°, +44 1293 518080, london.gatwick@hilton.com. "Posh" hotel connected to the South Terminal via the short stay car parks, there are rooms, restaurants, and a gym. From around £200 per night 2017-06-29
• Courtyard by Marriott, Buckingham Gate, Gatwick, RH6 0NT, 51.1566°, -0.1531°, +44 1293 566300. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. 196 rooms over five floors, with a gym. It is surrounded by the South Terminal's numerous car parks, and has a £3 (one way) shuttle service. Reasonable restaurant for diner and breakfast buffet. £60-80 per night 2018-01-30

North Terminal

• Hampton by Hilton, 51.16182°, -0.17756°, +44 1293 579999, LONGN_hampton@hilton.com. A more "upmarket" hotel, which is surprisingly large. It is connected to the north side of the North Terminal. The rooms are of sizes you would find in non-airport hotels, and the hotel has a decent breakfast area (included in the rates) and its own gym. £85 per night (twin room) 2016-07-10
• Premier Inn, Northway, Gatwick North Terminal, RH6 0PH, 51.16169°, -0.17431°, +44 871 527 9354. This hotel is near the North Terminal and is what is an "average" chain hotel, with a bar and restaurant, etc. Its rooms are cosy and have en-suite bathrooms. A twin room is a double bed and a sofa bed. £79 per night (double room) 2016-02-16
• Sofitel, 51.16114°, -0.17689°, +44 1293 567070, slg@sofitelgatwick.com. A posh hotel with 518 rooms connected to the North Terminal. From around £110 a night 2017-06-29
• Travelodge, Povey Cross Road, Horley, RH6 0BE, 51.1658°, -0.1784°, +44 8719 846506. Not as close to the North Terminal as some of these other hotels, but it is still close, and has a shuttle bus running to each terminal. The hotel has double and family rooms. £40-60 a night 2017-07-10

Further afield

• Russ Hill Hotel, Russ Hill, Charlwood, Gatwick, RH6 0EL, 51.14652°, -0.24568°, +44 871 222 0063. This hotel is about a 12-minute drive away from the airport, but is set in a slightly nicer place, in an older style hotel building. It has a range of rooms, including singles and family rooms. The hotel offers airport parking at its own car park or at a compound 6 miles from the hotel. 2016-02-16
• The Corner House Hotel, 72 Massetts Road, Horley, Surrey, RH6 7ED, 51.16995°, -0.17299°, +44 1293 784574, info@thecornerhouse.co.uk. In the nearby town of Horley (about a 5-minute drive away), it has 25 rooms (20 of which have en suite bathrooms) which have a homely feel. It has a bar and restaurant and provides a transportation service to/from Gatwick for its guests. It also has its own "secure" airport parking. £53 per night (single with en suite); £79 per night (family of four with en-suite) 2016-02-16

It may be easier to take a taxi to the airport terminals from these nearby hotels, see the taxi section above and also check if the hotels have the numbers of any local taxi firms in case these are cheaper.

Nearby

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

• Crawley is about south of the airport.
• East Grinstead is about east of the airport.
• Redhill is about north.
• Dorking is about northwest.
• Brighton is about south and has direct train services from the airport.
• Central London is a short train journey away.