In a nutshell
- London Gatwick is the second-largest airport in London, with two terminals (South and North).
- There are five ways to get from Gatwick to London — we compare them all so you can pick the right one for you.
- Our top pick is the Gatwick Train Transfer (ThamesLink) — fast, frequent, and seriously good value at £10.70 with an Oyster Card.
- Catching an early flight? We’d recommend the Bloc Hotel London Gatwick — one of the most affordable options right at the airport, with a cool modern design.
London Gatwick Airport: 5 Key Facts
Before we get to the airport transfer from London Gatwick, here are a few things about the airport you should know.
- London Gatwick is the second-largest airport in London
- There are two terminals: the South Terminal and the North Terminal
- The airport is located 47 kilometers south of the city center
- Major airlines serving the airport include British Airways, EasyJet, and TUI Airways
- Direct flights are available from Berlin, Munich, Cologne, and Hamburg
Not the right airport? These articles have more information on London’s airports.
London Airports: an overview of all airports
London Heathrow Transfer: our tips
London Stansted Transfer: our tips
Getting from Gatwick Airport to London: All Your Options at a Glance
First, it helps to get a quick overview of your transfer options from London Gatwick so you can figure out what works best for you. Here’s all the key information in one place.
| Transfer | Travel Time | From Gatwick to the Center | From the Center to Gatwick | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatwick Express | 30 min | 05:20 to 01:35 | 05:05 to 23:31 | from 21.50 GBP | Buy now |
| Gatwick Train Transfer | 35 min | all day | all day | from 14.40 GBP | Buy now |
| National Express Bus | 120 min | 03:35 to 23:30 | 02:00 to 23:59 | 10.50 GBP | Buy now |
| Taxi | 60 min | all day | all day | from 80 GBP | Buy now |
| Private Transfer | 70 min | 05:00 to 20:00 | 85 GBP | Buy now |
Once you’ve made it into the city center, you’ll probably want to hit the ground running. Depending on your plans, a London City Pass could be well worth it.
Our Recommendation for the Best Transfer from Gatwick Airport
Don’t want to wade through all the options and just need a quick answer? No problem!
We’d personally go with the Gatwick Train Transfer (#2) — it offers the best balance of travel time, ticket price, and comfort for getting from Gatwick to London.
But let us walk you through all the transfer options from London Gatwick in more detail.
Extra tip: If you ever experience a flight delay, our article Compensation for Flight Delays gives you tips on how to get your money back.
Gatwick Express: The Fastest Transfer
The Gatwick Express runs from the South Terminal directly to Victoria Station in central London. The journey takes just 30 minutes, making it the fastest way to get from London Gatwick to the city. Trains run every 15 minutes.
If you arrive at the North Terminal, no worries — a free shuttle will take you to the South Terminal.
The trade-off is the price. Tickets start at £21.50 on the official Gatwick Express website, and you’ll pay extra to have your ticket emailed to you.
Our tip: Southern also runs trains between Gatwick and Victoria Station. These make a few intermediate stops and take a bit longer (35 minutes), but if you book online a few days ahead, the tickets are considerably cheaper than the Gatwick Express.
Gatwick Train Transfer: The Best Value for Money
Besides the Gatwick Express and Southern trains, ThamesLink runs connections from the South Terminal to stations including London Bridge, London Blackfriars, and London St. Pancras. These trains also run four times per hour.
The journey takes 35 minutes — only marginally longer than the Gatwick Express — but the tickets are significantly cheaper. You can grab e-tickets on the ThamesLink website from £14.40.
Alternatively, pay with your Oyster Card and you’ll pay just £10.70 off-peak — which we’d recommend getting for London anyway. You can buy one in advance online or at a ticket machine on-site.
One more bonus: ThamesLink trains also run overnight (though less frequently than during the day).
National Express Bus: The Cheapest Transfer
The cheapest way to get from London Gatwick to the city is the National Express bus. It departs from both terminals and drops you at, for example, Victoria Coach Station in the city center. The downside: the journey takes about 2 hours.
Buses run approximately every 30 minutes, and once an hour in the evenings.
The best place to buy your ticket is online through GetYourGuide — it’s cheaper and your seat is secured. Book a few days ahead and you’ll pay just £10.50.
Taxi: Comfortable, but Expensive
The most comfortable option is of course a taxi. You’ll find plenty of them at the taxi stand at the airport — just follow the signs.
It’s also one of the pricier options. Depending on where you’re staying, expect about an hour’s travel time and a fare of £80 to £100 — always depending on traffic.
Stick to only the official black taxis (“Black Cabs”). With unlicensed operators, the ride can easily end up costing twice as much.
Our tip: There are also so-called minicabs as an alternative. You’ll need to book in advance, but they’re considerably cheaper. One well-known provider is minicabit.
Private Transfer: For the Organized Planner
Beyond taxis, you can also book a private transfer from your accommodation to London Gatwick Airport. This is especially handy if you want to sort out your Gatwick to London journey before you travel and prefer a reliable, straightforward booking process.
The transfer has a fixed price of £85, making it comparable in price to a taxi. There are a maximum of three stops to pick up other passengers.
Book transfer to London Gatwick
Our Hotel Picks at London Gatwick Airport
If you have an early morning flight, it’s so much more relaxing to just stay overnight at a hotel right at London Gatwick. We’ve picked out three great options for you.
Bloc Hotel London Gatwick: one of the most affordable hotels right at the airport. We love the futuristic design and modern décor — everything you need for a comfortable overnight stay.
Gatwick Turret Guesthouse: This small guesthouse is ten minutes by car from the airport, but considerably cheaper. A private shuttle service is included.
Sofitel London Gatwick: the luxury pick among airport hotels at London Gatwick. This 4-star hotel also has a variety of restaurants on-site.
Still looking for a great hotel in central London for the rest of your stay? You’ll find all our recommendations in these articles.
