Gatwick airport directions
[Note: If you are looking for a train or coach to the airport, with or without overnight accommodation at an airport hotel, Holidayextras offer these tickets and packages.]
London Gatwick Airport is 32 Miles (or 53 km) south of Central London. Below we have included how to get to gatwick airport by road, train and bus, plus information on local buses and airport taxi cabs.
Getting to gatwick by road: Gatwick airport is located 28 miles south of central London. It is a mile from juction 9 to the M23 motorway with a direct spur into the airport complex.
The easiest driving route into London Gatwick Airport is via Junction 9 on the M23 - However this can be very busy at times and it may be easier to approach it via the back roads from Junction 10 or 10a. It's a bit fiddly so check it out on a map before you get to the airport. Or just turn off at junction 9 and follow signs for the airport.
Gatwick airport is also accessible from the A23 London - Brighton Road.
For a map of the airport and surrounding area click here. To zoom in further just click on the area of the map you want to enlarge.
If you need airport parking or an airport hotel, visit our gatwick airport hotel and
gatwick airport parking pages. If you need to get to heathrow, see our travel from gatwick to heathrow page.
Train: Gatwick has a main line railway station at south terminal; there are more than 900 services daily to and from all parts of the UK from gatwick airport train station. From the train station at gatwick airport, central London may be reached in a little over 30 minutes by the non-stop Gatwick Express, approx. 40 minutes by fast train or, at a more leisurely pace, on a stopping train.
Arriving at Gatwick: By rail, you will arrive at the south terminal. Climb the steps and turn right into the main airport concourse.
If you need the north terminal, you will see a transit route to your right just before you enter the main airport concourse. Take the free transit to the north terminal (which takes less than 2 minutes).
Getting to London: There are 3 different train services going up to London from Gatwick. The Gatwick Express (fast but expensive) and the normal service (both 'stopping' and 'fast') go into Victoria main line station. The Thames Link (www.thameslink.co.uk) service runs from Brighton through Gatwick, into London at London Bridge main line station and then on to Bedford.
The Gatwick Express (www.gatwickexpress.co.uk) train service jouney takes 30 minutes. Thameslink fast trains take 40 minutes and, unlike the Gatwick Express (which stops in the station for up to 20 minutes), thameslink trains only stop for 90 seconds - so be prepared. They also make more stops, and in rush hour the train gets very crowded.
With the exception of the Gatwick Express, costs change depending on time / day travelled. During the week it is cheaper to travel after 09:30 and best to avoid the 16:00 and 19:00 'rush hour'. Travelling on the trains with suitcases in the rush hour is not much fun. Unless it is imperative, take a coffee break and wait.
South Central, Connex, Thames trains and Virgin also run trains to and from gatwick airport. Holidayextras offer 'train plus hotel' packages. Click on the link to find out more.
Coach: There are more than 400 express coach services a day to and from Gatwick Airport. The airport's coach station is at the ground floor of south terminal, with some coaches also stopping at the north terminal. There are coach information and ticket desks in the arrivals areas of both terminals.
Coaches run to lots of destinations throughout the UK, including Heathrow airport (Speedlink), London Victoria (Flightline), Oxford Bus Company (www.oxfordbus.co.uk), Gatwick Flyer (Dartford, North East Kent, South Essex & Southend. Phone: 01708 730 555) and National Express run to destinations nationwide.
Holidayextras also offer 'coach plus hotel' packages. You are advised to pre-book long-distance coach services. Click on the link to find out more.
Local bus: Metrobus (01293 449191 or www.metrobus.co.uk) operate local services from the coach station at the south terminal to Maidenbower, Three Bridges, Crawley, Manor Royal, Horley, East Surrey Hospital, Earlswood, Redhill, Bewbush, Gossops Green, Ifield and Langley Green.
Taxi: Black cabs provide a 24 hour service from an official rank situated outside each terminal. These taxies carry up to five people with luggage, and are built to take wheelchairs (tel: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX).
As the airport is 28 miles from central london, expect a journey time of 60 - 90 minutes and a fare of around £1 a minute. Depending on the number in your party, taking the train and then a taxi from Victoria is usually quicker and cheaper.
