London Airport Guide

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is a major international airport in West Sussex, south of Central London, and a large base for easyJet and British Airways.

The airport has two terminals:

• North Terminal serves British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, WestJet, and other airlines in Gatwick's current directory.
• South Terminal serves easyJet, Ryanair, TAP, Vueling, Wizz Air, and other airlines.

Airline assignments can change and TUI uses both terminals by flight number, so check the official directory. A free automated shuttle connects the terminals around the clock. The airport's only railway station is at South Terminal; North Terminal passengers use the shuttle.

London's Other Airports

London is served by six airports. Connecting between them is common but requires significant planning.

Heathrow (LHR) — 41 km northwest

• UK's largest airport, British Airways hub
• Best for: Long-haul connections, Star Alliance/oneworld
• Transit: Direct coach or rail via Farringdon and the Elizabeth line; verify the travel-date itinerary

London City (LCY) — 43 km northeast

• Small airport, business focus
• Ground transfer normally involves public transport through London or a road journey

Stansted (STN) — 87 km north

• Ryanair's main London base
• Ground transfer normally involves a coach, travel via London, or a road journey

Changing between London airports is a separate-airport journey: collect bags, travel landside, check in again, and clear security at the next airport. Gatwick's official London transport guide lists direct coaches to Heathrow and a rail route via Farringdon and the Elizabeth line. Allow a large disruption buffer and consider an overnight stay for separate tickets; road journeys are vulnerable to traffic and rail routes may be affected by engineering work.

Key fact: Gatwick connections are landside. The airport says international-to-international connecting passengers must pass through UK border control, then proceed through departure security; a terminal change uses the free landside shuttle.

Terminal Layout

Gatwick operates from two self-contained terminals:

• South Terminal connects directly to Gatwick Airport railway station and serves easyJet plus a mix of other airlines.
• North Terminal is linked to South by the automated shuttle and serves British Airways plus a mix of long-haul and short-haul airlines.

Getting Between Terminals

The inter-terminal shuttle operates every few minutes, 24 hours a day, with an advertised two-minute ride. Follow signs for the other terminal; the South Terminal station is close to the railway station. Do not walk on airport roads as a substitute.

Gatwick advises passengers who already hold the onward boarding pass to allow at least 60 minutes for a same-terminal connection or 90 minutes for different terminals, while warning that airlines may impose different minimums. Those figures do not cover every itinerary. If bags are not through-checked, or the onward flight is on a separate ticket, allow substantially more time for border control, baggage reclaim, check-in deadlines, and security.

International Arrivals

For passengers arriving from outside the UK:

1. Exit aircraft and follow signs to Immigration/Border Control
2. Clear UK Border
3. Collect bags at carousel
4. Exit through Customs (green/red channel)
5. If connecting: Take shuttle to other terminal if needed
6. Check in for onward flight and clear security again

Check UK transit-visa requirements before travel. Eligibility for passport eGates depends on the traveler's document and current Border Force rules.

Gatwick Airport railway station is at South Terminal and offers direct services to London and destinations on the south coast. Gatwick Express and Southern serve London Victoria; Thameslink serves London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon, and St Pancras; Great Western Railway serves destinations toward Guildford and Reading. North Terminal passengers use the free shuttle to reach the station. Coaches and road vehicles serve both terminals but are traffic-dependent.

Uber and other licensed private-hire services operate at Gatwick. Follow the app's current terminal-specific pickup instructions; do not assume the arrivals curb is the meeting point. App and taxi prices depend on demand, vehicle, traffic, and destination. Gatwick Cars is the airport's official taxi provider and operates outside both terminals; licensed pre-booked minicabs are another option. Confirm the total quoted price and pickup point before travel.

Gatwick Express

The dedicated non-stop service to London Victoria:

• Route: Gatwick Airport to London Victoria
• Journey time: approximately 30 minutes
• Frequency: Gatwick currently advertises two trains per hour

Gatwick Express departs from the South Terminal station. Check National Rail for the travel date, because timetables and fares vary and engineering works can alter the service.

Thameslink & Southern

These services provide wider destination coverage and may be more convenient than Victoria:

Thameslink services run to London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon, St Pancras International, and destinations farther north. Farringdon offers an interchange with the Elizabeth line.

Southern trains serve London Victoria, Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Brighton, and other south-coast destinations. Oyster and contactless are accepted on London journeys where National Rail's fare rules permit them; always use the same payment method to tap in and out.

Bus & Coach

National Express and other coach operators serve London, Heathrow, and destinations elsewhere in the UK. Coaches board outside both terminals, though the precise stop varies by operator. Consult Gatwick's official coach guide, reserve when required, and leave a traffic buffer.

Gatwick offers extensive parking options:

Type	Rate	Notes
Short Stay	From £5/hour	Adjacent to terminals
Long Stay	From £8/day	Free shuttle, 5-10 min walk
Valet Parking	From £15/day	Meet and greet service
Off-airport	From £5/day	Purple Parking, Airparks, etc.

Pre-booking online saves significantly - often 60% or more versus drive-up rates. Long-term parking fills up during peak holiday periods, so book ahead.

Both terminals have drop-off zones (free for 10 minutes) and premium "priority" zones closer to entrances for a fee.

Gatwick's dining options are spread across both terminals:

South Terminal

• Wagamama: Asian noodles and rice dishes
• Pret A Manger: Quick sandwiches and coffee
• The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck: Sit-down dining
• Jamie's Deli: Italian-inspired grab-and-go
• Wetherspoon (The Beehive): Pub food and drinks

North Terminal

• Giraffe: Family-friendly international menu
• Yo! Sushi: Conveyor belt sushi
• Grain Store: Vegetarian-friendly options
• Comptoir Libanais: Lebanese cuisine
• Costa Coffee: Multiple locations

For the best variety, North Terminal's upper departures area has the wider selection of sit-down restaurants.

Free WiFi is available throughout Gatwick Airport:

• Network name: "Gatwick Airport Free WiFi"
• Duration: Unlimited
• Speed: Adequate for browsing, email, and video calls

Register with an email address to connect. The connection is reliable for basic use. For faster speeds, use lounge WiFi or consider a mobile data plan.

SIM cards are available at:

• WHSmith (both terminals, arrivals and departures)
• Vodafone store (South Terminal arrivals)
• Dixons Travel (both terminals)

UK prepaid SIMs from EE, Vodafone, Three, and O2 cost £10-30 for data packages. Most include EU roaming at no extra cost.

Tip: Order a SIM online before travel (GiffGaff offers free SIMs posted internationally) for better value than airport prices.

ATMs are located throughout both terminals in arrivals and departures areas. Major UK banks represented include:

• Barclays
• HSBC
• NatWest
• Lloyds

ATM withdrawals are free for UK bank accounts. International cards may incur fees of £2-5.

Currency exchange counters (Travelex, Moneycorp, International Currency Exchange) are available but offer poor rates. Better options:

• Use your debit card at ATMs (check foreign transaction fees)
• Use a travel card like Wise or Revolut
• Exchange currency before arrival

Gatwick has extensive duty-free and retail:

South Terminal

• World Duty Free: Main duty-free retailer
• Accessorize: Accessories and gifts
• Boots: Pharmacy and beauty
• WH Smith: Books, magazines, snacks

North Terminal

• World Duty Free: Larger selection than South
• Harrods: Mini Harrods with luxury goods
• JoJo Maman Bebe: Children's clothing
• Cath Kidston: British homeware and bags

North Terminal generally has the better shopping selection, particularly for luxury and British brands.

Priority Pass Lounges

• No1 Lounge (South Terminal): Hot food, bar, showers. Often busy during peak times.
• No1 Lounge (North Terminal): Similar amenities, slightly larger space.
• My Lounge (South Terminal): Basic amenities, good for Priority Pass overflow.

Airline Lounges

• British Airways Galleries Lounge (North Terminal): BA Club/First passengers, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (North Terminal): Virgin Upper Class passengers
• Emirates Lounge (North Terminal): Emirates Business/First Class

Pay-Per-Visit

Day passes available for No1 Lounges (approximately £35-45) and My Lounge (approximately £25-35). Book online for discounts.

Hotels at or near Gatwick:

Connected to Airport

• Sofitel London Gatwick (North Terminal): Direct walkway connection, from £150/night
• BLOC Hotel (South Terminal): Modern pod-style rooms inside the terminal, from £80/night
• Hampton by Hilton (North Terminal): Short covered walk, from £90/night

With Shuttle Service

• Premier Inn Gatwick North/South: Budget-friendly, from £60/night
• Hilton London Gatwick: Full-service, shuttle to terminals, from £100/night
• Courtyard by Marriott: Business-focused, from £90/night

For early flights or late arrivals, BLOC Hotel inside South Terminal offers rooms bookable by the hour, ideal for short layovers.

Gatwick's location makes it a gateway to both London and the South of England:

London

• Central London: 30-45 min by train. Use the Thameslink for direct access to the City and King's Cross area.
• South Bank & Borough Market: 35 min via London Bridge station

South England

• Brighton: 30-40 min by train - the classic British seaside town
• Crawley town centre: 10 min by bus - nearest town for hotels and shopping
• South Downs National Park: 30 min by car - rolling countryside walks

Practical Tips

• Use Oyster or contactless payment for London transport - daily caps apply
• The Thameslink is usually better value than Gatwick Express if travelling beyond Victoria
• For Brighton trips, trains run directly from Gatwick in 30-40 minutes
• Book trains in advance for the best fares, especially for Gatwick Express