London Gatwick Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Gatwick has its own railway station, with the Gatwick Express reaching London Victoria in half an hour: those staying just one night often find it easier to sleep near the terminal. With a dawn flight or a late-night arrival, a hotel linked on foot to the terminal or a few minutes away by shuttle is best; those who prefer to dine outside the hotel or spend less find more choice in Crawley or Horley, both a few minutes by train or car from the terminals. Only those with more than one free day should head straight into London.

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.

Pros

Reach check-in on foot, with no shuttle to wait for
Convenient even with heavy luggage or families with children

Cons

Convenient only for the connected terminal: check in advance which one
Nothing else around the hotel, evenings are spent inside

Recommended hotels in this area

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.
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.
Bloc Hotel London Gatwick Airport: Compact soundproofed rooms inside the South Terminal itself: check-in just steps from the gates, designed for short stopovers.

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Airport area, shuttle from the terminals

Airport area · 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.

Pros

Lower rates than the hotels connected to the terminal
Larger rooms, designed for stays of one night or more

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.

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Worth and Crawley

Neighbourhood · 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.

Pros

More choice of restaurants and pubs than the airport area
Direct rail link from Three Bridges to Gatwick and London

Cons

Further from the terminal than the other areas in this guide
A car, taxi or train is needed: no connection on foot

Recommended hotels in this area

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.
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.
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.

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