Gatwick Airport, London's second airport, is located south of the capital.
Gateway to the British capital and an important hub for routes to Europe and the Caribbean.
How to get to London Gatwick Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to LGW
Parking near London Gatwick Airport
The multi-story parking garage stands right next to the terminal.
Rates are high, in line with standards of a major London hub.
How to get to London from LGW
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
London: Private Transfer to/from Gatwick LGW Airport
Bus Transfer between Heathrow and Gatwick Airports
London Airports: Shared Transfer to London Hotels
Gatwick Airport Transfers: Pickup From/To Central London
Car rental at London Gatwick Airport
The arrivals area includes desks for the main car rental companies.
Visitors from the European Union do not need an IDP: a driver's license, passport, and credit card are sufficient.
Hotels near London Gatwick Airport
At the airport
On foot from the connected terminal: a covered walkway of about 5 minutes from the South Terminal (Hilton, Bloc) or the North Terminal (Sofitel); the automatic shuttle between the two terminals takes 2 minutes.
Best for: Those with a dawn flight or a late-night arrival who don't want to move from the terminal with luggage.
- Reach check-in on foot, with no shuttle to wait for
- Convenient even with heavy luggage or families with children
- Convenient only for the connected terminal: check in advance which one
- Nothing else around the hotel, evenings are spent inside
Recommended hotels
- Hilton London Gatwick Airport Linked to the South Terminal by a covered walkway of about 5 minutes; two restaurants and a gym for those staying more than one night. View availability
- Sofitel London Gatwick Joined to the North Terminal by a covered walkway; the internal monorail leads to the South Terminal and the Gatwick Express to London. View availability
- Bloc Hotel London Gatwick Airport Compact soundproofed rooms inside the South Terminal itself: check-in just steps from the gates, designed for short stopovers. View availability
Airport area, shuttle from the terminals
Shuttle on fixed schedules, 10-16 minutes to the terminals depending on the hotel; about 10 minutes by taxi.
Best for: Those who want to stay close to the airport while spending less than hotels on the terminal, with a shuttle on fixed schedules.
- Lower rates than the hotels connected to the terminal
- Larger rooms, designed for stays of one night or more
- The shuttle isn't free or continuous: check the timetable
- Some form of transport is still needed, it's not reachable on foot
Recommended hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott London Gatwick Airport A few minutes from the South Terminal; triple-glazed soundproofed windows and a shuttle on fixed schedules from 4 to 23:30. View availability
- Radisson RED London Gatwick Airport Informal design and a lively indoor bar; a dedicated HB1 shuttle to the North Terminal takes about 16 minutes door to door. View availability
Worth and Crawley
10-15 minutes by car or taxi from the terminals; from Three Bridges trains reach Gatwick Airport in 4-7 minutes.
Best for: Those who want to dine outside the hotel or stay more than one night, with Crawley town centre a taxi ride away.
- More choice of restaurants and pubs than the airport area
- Direct rail link from Three Bridges to Gatwick and London
- Further from the terminal than the other areas in this guide
- A car, taxi or train is needed: no connection on foot
Recommended hotels
- Crowne Plaza London - Gatwick Airport 5 minutes by car from the terminals, with a paid shuttle; Crawley and Three Bridges are nearby, with direct trains to London. View availability
- Sandman Signature London Gatwick Hotel Less than 20 minutes on foot from Three Bridges, with an indoor pool; the hotel offers a discounted fixed-rate taxi to the terminals. View availability
- Holiday Inn London Gatwick - Worth In a park of about 24 hectares with an indoor pool, 13 minutes from the terminals with transfer included in the stay. View availability
Horley
Direct train from Horley to Gatwick Airport in about 4 minutes, or 5-10 minutes by taxi.
Best for: Those looking for a lower price while staying just a 4-minute train ride from the airport.
- Its own station with frequent trains to Gatwick and London
- A real town, with shops and restaurants independent of the airport
- The hotels are simple, without the amenities of the chains near the terminal
- From central Horley to the station still takes a short walk or a taxi
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
- lounges
- 10
- with Priority Pass
- 3
- paid entry
- from £28
- earliest opening
- 04:00
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The two terminals (North and South) handle heavy traffic to Europe and the Caribbean.
To be safe, it's advisable to arrive 2.5-3 hours in advance for international flights.
Map of London Gatwick Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Does Gatwick have more than one terminal?
Yes, North Terminal and South Terminal, connected by a walkway with moving walkways operating 24 hours a day: always check which terminal your flight departs from, since some services like the Gatwick Express can be reached from both.
Q. Are there cheaper alternatives to the Gatwick Express?
Yes, the Thameslink and Southern trains, slower but generally cheaper.
Q. How much does a taxi from Gatwick to the centre cost?
A pre-booked fixed-fare service starts at £59-76 for the centre; a metered black cab typically costs £89-130; both now include the £10 airport drop-off surcharge (in force since 6 January 2026). Journey time 60-90 minutes.
Q. Is Gatwick an important hub for the Caribbean?
Yes, together with Europe, it's among the main routes served by this airport.
Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?
No1 Lounge (North), Club Aspire Lounge (South) and No1 Lounge (South).
Q. How much does lounge access cost without a business class ticket?
The lowest entry price is £28, at Club Aspire Lounge (South).
Q. What time does the first lounge open?
At 04:00: No1 Lounge (North), Plaza Premium Lounge (North), My Lounge (South) and No1 Lounge (South).
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
