London Gatwick Airport
LGWThe UK's second-busiest airport, serving over 200 destinations across two terminals.
London Gatwick (LGW) sits 28 miles south of central London in West Sussex and handles around 46 million passengers a year. It is the world's busiest single-runway airport and a major hub for leisure travel, low-cost carriers, and a growing number of long-haul routes. Two terminals — North and South — are connected by a free shuttle train that runs around the clock.
Terminals at Gatwick
Gatwick has two terminals separated by about a two-minute shuttle ride. Always check which terminal your airline uses before you travel — arriving at the wrong one can cost you valuable time.
South Terminal
The larger of the two terminals and home to easyJet, the airport's biggest carrier. Also used by British Airways on some routes, TUI, Vueling, and several charter operators. The South Terminal is directly connected to the Gatwick Express and Thameslink rail platforms.
Key airlines
North Terminal
Home to British Airways (mainline routes), Norwegian, Iberia, and most long-haul carriers including Emirates, American Airlines, and Delta. Generally considered the more premium of the two terminals, with a wider range of airside dining and retail.
Key airlines
Getting to Gatwick
Gatwick is well served by rail, coach, and road. The train is the fastest and most reliable option from central London.
Gatwick Express
The fastest rail link to London Victoria, taking around 30 minutes with no intermediate stops. Trains run every 15 minutes during the day. A premium service — tickets cost more than standard Thameslink fares but the dedicated, less-crowded carriages are worth it if you have luggage.
30 min to Victoria · Every 15 min · From ~£20 single
Thameslink
A cheaper alternative to the Gatwick Express, stopping at London Bridge, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and St Pancras International. Journey time is around 45–55 minutes depending on the service. Runs frequently and accepts Railcards.
45–55 min to St Pancras · Frequent · From ~£11 single
National Express Coach
Coaches run to London Victoria Coach Station and to destinations across the UK including Brighton, Bristol, and Birmingham. The slowest option to London but significantly cheaper, particularly if booked in advance.
~90 min to Victoria · Hourly · From ~£6 advance
Driving & Drop-off
Gatwick is just off the M23 motorway (Junction 9), making it straightforward to reach by car from the South East and Midlands. Short-stay drop-off is available at both terminals but charges apply — use the free set-down zone on the approach road if you only need a few minutes.
M23 J9 · Short-stay drop-off charged · Free set-down zone available
Facilities & Lounges
Both terminals offer a solid range of shops, restaurants, and passenger services, with the North Terminal generally offering a wider airside selection.
Airport Lounges
The No1 Lounge and Aspire Lounge operate in both terminals and are open to any passenger regardless of airline or class — access can be purchased in advance online (cheaper) or on the day. Priority Pass and Lounge Key are accepted. British Airways operates its own Galleries Lounge in the North Terminal for eligible passengers.
Dining & Bars
Both terminals have a good spread of food and drink airside. The North Terminal has the stronger line-up, including Grain Store, Wetherspoons, and several grab-and-go options. The South Terminal has been refreshed in recent years and includes Pret, Wagamama, and a number of coffee outlets.
Shopping
Gatwick's airside retail includes World Duty Free, Boots, WHSmith, and a range of fashion and tech stores. The North Terminal has the larger shopping area. Landside retail is more limited — most shops are airside past security.
Families & Accessibility
Gatwick has dedicated family security lanes in both terminals. Baby changing facilities, nursing rooms, and children's play areas are available airside. Passengers requiring assistance should pre-notify their airline and can request a meet-and-assist service from the airport.
Tips for Travelling Through Gatwick
Double-check your terminal before you leave home. The inter-terminal shuttle is free and quick, but if you arrive at the wrong terminal with a tight connection you will be stressed. Your boarding pass or airline app will confirm which terminal you need.
Book the Gatwick Express in advance online for the best price. Walk-up fares are significantly higher. If you have a Railcard, Thameslink is often the better-value option and the journey time difference is modest.
Gatwick's security queues can be long during peak morning departures (5am–8am). Arrive at least two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours for long-haul. The airport's security wait-time tracker on its website is worth checking the evening before.
Pre-book parking well in advance — prices rise sharply as your travel date approaches. The Long Stay car parks are a short shuttle ride from the terminals and are considerably cheaper than Short Stay. Compare prices on the official Gatwick website rather than third-party aggregators.
If you want lounge access, book online at least 48 hours before departure. Walk-in prices at the No1 Lounge and Aspire Lounge are noticeably higher than pre-booked rates, and during busy periods the lounges can reach capacity.
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