Gatwick Airport is the UK’s best connected airport. Trains depart every four minutes on average, coaches connect the airport to over 100 UK towns and cities, and the M23 is just outside. With all of these options, it can be hard to decide which will be the best for you. Hopping on the train might be best if you’re travelling solo for a quick business trip, but a Gatwick Airport transfer could be the best option if you’re with your family for a two week all inclusive.

At Carrot Cars, we know all London airports like the backs of our hands, and that includes Gatwick. In this guide, we’ll be explaining all the options to you, including details of last trains, prices, and pros and cons for various situations.

Trains from Gatwick to London

QUICKEST OPTION

This is undoubtedly the fastest option when it comes to getting from Gatwick Airport to London, as hopping on a train will get you where you need to be in as little as 30 minutes. Gatwick Airport railway station is located inside the airport’s South Terminal, with a two-minute long shuttle getting you there from the North Terminal. It runs every few minutes, 24/7, every single day.

Which stations in London can I get to from Gatwick Airport?

Gatwick Airport train station is served by four operators, three of which serve London.

• Gatwick Express, which takes you directly to London Victoria
• Southern Railway also takes you to London Victoria, stopping at East Croydon and Clapham Junction on the way
• Thameslink connects Gatwick Airport to a range of London stations, including London Bridge, London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and St Pancras International
• Great Western Railway, which has trains running between London Gatwick and Reading via Redhill, Reigate and Guildford.

When are the first and last trains to and from Gatwick to London?

As is common in the UK, trains from Gatwick Airport railway station stop for a few hours each night, which you should take into consideration if your flight is scheduled to arrive late at night. Remember to set aside plenty of time to make your way through customs, passport control, and baggage claim, as well as time to get to the station.

Hundreds of trains arrive at and leave Gatwick Airport train station every day. We’ve listed the first and last Gatwick Express trains in the table below – for more detail or to view the first and last trains for all London stations, view all timetables here. Remember that timetables are subject to change, so make sure you always check the most up-to-date schedules. You should also keep an eye out for any delays or cancellations that could leave you stuck at the airport.

Table: First and last Gatwick Express trains everyday. 

The train times listed in these tables are correct as of October 2024. Always check the most recent schedule.

Other services run trains as late as 1am and as early as 5am between various London stations such as London Bridge and St Pancras International. Thameslink also runs trains from Gatwick to East Croydon once or twice an hour between midnight and 6am.

How much does it cost to get the train from Gatwick to London?

Train tickets for journeys between Gatwick Airport and various London stations can cost anywhere from around £10 to £30 one way.

The cost depends on when you are travelling, how far in advance you have booked, who you booked with, and which London station you’re travelling to. For example, the Gatwick Express costs £20.50 one way to London Victoria, but Southern offers £2 tickets for children when travelling with an adult. National Rail offers ⅓ off for groups of three to nine adults travelling together.

The best way to book your tickets is to do so online in advance, especially for Gatwick Express – as you’ll get 10% off. For convenience, you can also use your Oyster card or contactless payment card to tap on and tap off as you would on the Underground.

Pros and cons of getting a train between Gatwick and London

As this is the fastest way to get to Gatwick Airport from a range of London stations, opting to travel on the train could feel like a no-brainer. However, delays are one of the biggest things you want to avoid when travelling to the airport to catch a flight, and anyone who’s caught a UK train in the last few years knows how often delays impact our railway service. In the first three months of 2024, only 68% of station stops were on time, and with ongoing strike action across the country, you never know when you might get stuck at a station.

If you’re able to give yourself some extra time to get to the airport with the possibility of delays or cancellations in mind, the train can still be a very good option. But if you’re short on time to the point where a missed train means a missed flight, is it worth the risk?

Buses and Coaches from Gatwick to London

CHEAPEST OPTION

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to get between Gatwick Airport and London, a coach is your best option. You can get coaches directly from both the North Terminal and South Terminal at Gatwick Airport, with prices starting at just £8 with the National Express.

How long does a coach take between London and Gatwick Airport?

This coach takes an hour and 40 mins to get to Earl’s Court, with the first coach leaving at 03:35 and the last leaving at 23:30 from the South Terminal. From London Victoria Coach Station, you can get a coach to Gatwick Airport in just over an hour, with the first journey leaving the station at 02:00 every day and the last leaving at 23:59.

Most of these coach journeys come with stops at London Heathrow, making it an ideal, reliable option for transfers to the airport.

Pros and cons of getting a coach between Gatwick and London

The main benefit of opting for a coach instead of a train to get to or from Gatwick Airport is the price. Coaches also tend to be more reliable than trains, as they are not affected by current strike action or issues with the railway itself.

However, they are still impacted by traffic and congestion, which in London can be significant. Coach timetables generally take this into account at peak times during rush hour, but unforeseen circumstances like accidents can cause unexpected delays. Even with minimal traffic, coaches from London Victoria Coach Station to Gatwick Airport still take twice as long as the train, so they are perhaps not the best option if you’re limited on time.

When travelling with luggage, as many people do in an airport transfer, coaches offer more secure storage underneath, as opposed to trains where you’d need to leave your suitcases in the designated storage near the doors.

Driving to Gatwick from London

If you’re not a fan of public transport, driving your own car to Gatwick Airport from London could be the option for you. This can also be more convenient if you’re catching a particularly early flight, as otherwise, you may need to get a coach or train to the airport the night before and stay in a hotel.

How to get from London to Gatwick Airport via car

Gatwick Airport links to the M23, which in turn links to the M25 around 10 minutes north, depending on traffic. From here, you can continue directly north along the M23 which turns into the A23 which goes directly into South London. You can also continue along the M25 to connect with the M4 in the west or M1 and M11 in the north.

Depending on traffic and your starting location, the journey will likely take between one and two hours.

Parking at Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport has Short Stay parking available at both the North and South Terminals, just a four minute covered walk away from the terminals themselves, and you can park in either for as long as you want. However, this comes with a much larger price tag than the Long Stay car park, which is a 10 minute free shuttle bus ride away.

For shorter stays, like weekend getaways and business trips, the aptly named Short Stay car parks could be your best bet if you don’t mind paying a bit extra for the convenience. They’re also best if you are limited on time and need to lower the amount of time between parking and getting into the terminal as much as possible. The Long Stay car parks are better for longer holidays or if you’re looking to save money and don’t mind the 10 minute shuttle bus journey to the terminal.

Pre-booking your Gatwick Airport parking will get you the best price. Prices can range from anywhere between £50 for four days in the Long Stay car park to £200 in the Short Stay, or £80 for a week in the Long Stay to upwards of £300 in the Short Stay car park. If you can’t pre-book, Gatwick Airport’s roll-up prices can be found here.

When is the last shuttle from the Long Stay car park at Gatwick Airport?

There is no last shuttle – they run every 12 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The trip to the South Terminal takes about 5 to 10 minutes, and the trip to the North Terminal takes between 10 and 20 minutes.

Pros and cons of driving to Gatwick Airport from London

Driving your own car to Gatwick Airport can be very convenient, especially if you are familiar with the journey, have pre-booked your parking, or have a lot of luggage. It can also be useful when driving with your family, which can be challenging when trying to catch a coach or train.

However, the biggest con is the traffic – and not just the potential delays, but the stress that comes with it. Whether it’s a road closure or a missed turn on Google Maps, choosing to drive to the airport can mean a stressful start to your journey before you’ve even reached the airport.

You may initially think there’s a cost saving involved when you drive your own car to Gatwick Airport, but once you factor in petrol and parking, it can add up.

Gatwick Airport Taxis

MOST STRESS-FREE OPTION

The stress that comes with driving to and parking at Gatwick Airport is eliminated with an airport transfer service like Carrot Cars. You get the privacy you lose on a train or coach without sacrificing comfort and convenience. Getting a taxi to Gatwick Airport means you will be dropped off at the terminal, with no need for a long walk or extra shuttle.

Where can I get a taxi from when travelling to Gatwick Airport?

Services differ, but with Carrot Cars, we will pick you up from any London postcode to take you to Gatwick Airport. Our professional drivers undergo academy-level training to ensure a high-quality, punctual service. Pre-book your taxi using our online system to receive a fixed price and guaranteed pick-up time. Armed with local knowledge of the best routes to get to Gatwick Airport from across London, we do everything in our power to get to you where you need to be on time.

Gatwick Airport Meet & Greet services

The most hassle-free option for an airport transfer is a meet and greet service, where your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall with a sign with your name on it. They’ll help you with your luggage and guide you to your car – no getting lost searching for the taxi rank. Before they pick you up, your driver will be keeping an eye on your arrival time, ensuring you don’t have to worry about any delays.

Book your Gatwick Airport transfer today

Don’t leave your airport transfer to chance!

Experience a stress-free Gatwick airport transfer service with Carrot Cars for the perfect start or end to any journey to and from the UK’s second biggest airport. Click here to book your transfer online or give us a call at 020 7005 0557.

Your ultimate time-saving, hassle-free airport transfer awaits with Carrot Cars.