Quick, checked answers to the questions people most often ask about getting to and from Gatwick, parking, drop-off charges, the terminals and the facilities. Prices checked August 2026. Follow the links for the full detail on each topic.
Getting to and from
What is the cheapest way from Gatwick to central London? A coach: easyBus from about £1.99 and National Express from about £6 if booked ahead. The cheapest fast option is Thameslink from around £14.80. See the public transport page.
Gatwick Express or Thameslink, which is better? Gatwick Express is fastest to Victoria, 30 minutes for £19.80, running every 15 minutes from about 05:00 to midnight. Thameslink is cheaper at about £14.80 and reaches London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras with no change.
Where is the Gatwick train station? At the South Terminal, directly attached to the building. It was the first mainline station built into a UK airport. From the North Terminal, take the free inter-terminal shuttle.
Is there an Underground line to Gatwick? No, there is no direct Underground line. Connect via rail instead: Thameslink links to London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon for the Elizabeth line, and St Pancras for the Northern and Victoria lines and Eurostar, while Gatwick Express reaches Victoria for the Victoria and District/Circle lines. Contactless and Oyster are valid on these rail routes, with a Zone 1 pay-as-you-go single around £10.70 off-peak or £19.20 peak.
How much is a taxi from Gatwick to central London? Roughly £80 to £100 pre-booked as a fixed price with Airport Cars Gatwick, or £90 to £140 in a metered black cab, taking 60 to 90 minutes. See the taxis page.
Is Uber allowed at Gatwick? Yes. Uber, Bolt and FreeNow pick up inside the short-stay car parks: South Terminal Level 3 Row A, North Terminal Level 3 Row B. The fare includes the airport's access charge, so walk to the car park rather than waiting at the kerb.
How much is the coach from Gatwick to London Victoria? National Express fares start from about £6 one-way, including a £1.50 booking fee that is waived if you book through the app or My Account. easyBus, sold under its own brand but operated with National Express, starts from about £1.99 to £2 if booked early, with limited daily departures.
How do I get from Gatwick to Heathrow? The National Express coach links the two airports from about £14.90, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes, with around 58 services a day. You can also go by train via London.
Is there night transport from Gatwick? Yes. Taxis and ride-apps run 24 hours, Thameslink runs limited overnight services, and National Express has late and early coaches. The Gatwick Express runs roughly 05:00 to midnight.
Parking and drop-off
How much is the Gatwick drop-off charge? £10 for up to 10 minutes, then £1 per extra minute up to 20 minutes, to a maximum of £30. It rose 43 percent, from £7 to £10, in January 2026. See drop-off and pick-up.
How do I pay the Gatwick drop-off charge? By number plate, online or via AutoPay, or by phone on 0330 174 4503, by midnight the following day.
What happens if I do not pay the Gatwick drop-off charge? It becomes a £100 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £60 if you pay within 14 days.
Are Blue Badge holders exempt from the Gatwick drop-off charge? Yes, Blue Badge holders are exempt from the forecourt drop-off charge.
How do I avoid the drop-off charge? Use the Long Stay (Park & Ride) car park, which gives the first 2 hours free with a free shuttle to both terminals.
What is the cheapest parking at Gatwick? The Long Stay (Park & Ride) car park, from £38 for the first 24 hours with a free shuttle, then about £32 for each extra day. Mid Stay South is about £15 a day. See the parking page.
How much is Short Stay parking at Gatwick? £8 for up to 30 minutes, rising to about £70 for 12 to 24 hours, with a Premium Short Stay option from about £87.50.
Is it cheaper to book Gatwick parking in advance? Yes. Pre-booking online is cheaper than the roll-up price paid at the gate.
At the airport
Which terminal does easyJet use at Gatwick? The North Terminal. easyJet consolidated all its Gatwick operations there from 29 March 2026, so older advice pointing easyJet passengers to the South Terminal is out of date.
How do I get between the North and South terminals? By the free automated inter-terminal shuttle, which runs 24 hours and takes about 2 minutes.
How early should I arrive at Gatwick? About 2 hours before a short-haul flight and 3 hours before long-haul, adding 30 minutes at busy times.
How long is security at Gatwick? It averages around 7 minutes but can reach 30 to 45 minutes at peak times, typically 05:00 to 08:00 and 16:00 to 19:00.
Can I bring liquids over 100ml through Gatwick security now? Yes. Since March 2026 Gatwick has removed the old 100ml limit, so you can carry containers up to 2 litres in your cabin bag without a clear plastic bag, and electronics and liquids can usually stay in the bag thanks to the newer scanners. Empty any vacuum flasks first. See facilities.
How much is Fast Track security at Gatwick? From £6 per person for departures, and £15 per person for the Fast Track passport control lane on arrival.
Which terminal is better to sleep in overnight? The South Terminal is generally quieter, with more long benches and ground-floor spots. The airport is open 24 hours but the lights stay on, so bring an eye mask and earplugs.
Are there sleep pods or hotels inside the terminal? Yes. YOTELAIR is in South Terminal arrivals with stays from 4 hours, and BLOC is inside the South Terminal by security. The Sofitel is linked to the North Terminal by a covered walkway.
Is there a prayer or multi-faith room at Gatwick? Yes. Both terminals have a chapel and prayer rooms, open 24 hours to all faiths.
What lounges are at Gatwick and how much do they cost? Gatwick advertises lounge access from £25. Named lounges include No1 Lounge and My Lounge from about £34 to £38, and Clubrooms from about £44, plus Plaza Premium in the North Terminal and Club Aspire in the South. See facilities.
Practical questions
Where is left luggage at Gatwick and how much does it cost? Both terminals, operated by the Excess Baggage Company: North Terminal Level 1 before security next to Costa Coffee, South Terminal Level 2 before security behind check-in zone E, open 04:00 to 22:00. Prices start at £10 for up to 3 hours.
Is there free WiFi at Gatwick? Yes, free unlimited WiFi at up to 50Mbps in both terminals. A faster 100Mbps Premium tier costs £5 for 24 hours, or is free with a myGatwick account.
Can I smoke or vape at Gatwick? Only in the designated smoking zones outside the terminals. Vaping follows the same rule.
How do I book special assistance at Gatwick? Through your airline or travel agent, ideally at least 48 hours before you travel. Meeting points are at the drop-off receptions, Help Points, check-in, security reception and the departure lounge.
Does Gatwick have a Changing Places toilet? Yes. Accessible Changing Places facilities are available, alongside the Sunflower lanyard scheme for hidden disabilities and assistance dogs welcome throughout the airport.
Where do I report lost property at Gatwick? Contact the Excess Baggage Company on 01293 223457 or through the online enquiry form.
Is there a shuttle to Gatwick hotels? Yes. Hotel Hoppa and local hotel shuttle buses serve the ring-road hotels, though many charge per person. On-site options such as BLOC and YOTELAIR are inside the South Terminal, and the Sofitel is linked to the North Terminal by a covered walkway.
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, Facilities, Blog.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Gatwick Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Gatwick Airport website before you travel.