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London to Gatwick Airport by train

It takes an average of 50m to travel from London to Gatwick Airport by train, over a distance of around 24 miles (39 km). There are normally 829 trains per day traveling from London to Gatwick Airport and tickets for this journey start from $15.67 when you book in advance.

First train

02:31

Last train

02:27

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Gatwick Airport

Journey time

From 29m

Distance

24 miles (39 km)

Frequency

829 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From $15.67

Train operators

Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Southern

Travel by train from London to Gatwick Airport in under 30 minutes

Need to travel to the airport and looking for more information about the journey from London to Gatwick Airport by train? You’ve come to the right place! 

Usually, it takes around 49 minutes to travel from London to Gatwick Airport by train, however the fastest services can get you there in as little as 28 minutes. As there are around 810 direct trains running on this popular route each day, you don’t need to worry about making any changes along the way.  

If you’re traveling on this route, you’ll have three services to choose from. With Southern and the Gatwick Express, you’ll board a train at London Victoria station. However, with Thameslink, your journey will begin at London Bridge station. No matter who you end up traveling with, you’ll enjoy onboard amenities including comfortable seating and generous luggage storage.  

London Gatwick Airport is the UK’s 2nd busiest airport, serving around 43 million passengers each year. Once you’ve arrived, you can look forward to your flight and enjoy the food, drink, entertainment and shopping on offer at the airport.  

If you’d like to save money on your train tickets, try traveling at Off-Peak times, as tickets are generally cheaper outside of morning/evening rush hours between Monday and Friday. To save even more, try to book Advance tickets – they are usually released 12 weeks prior to the day of travel and tend to be a lot cheaper.  

Keen to book? There’s no need to wait, start a search for cheap train tickets from London to Gatwick Airport in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. If you’d like to find out more information about the journey, continue reading for train timetables, FAQs and tips on booking cheap train fares.

FAQs for London to Gatwick Airport

Want to know more about your journey from London to Gatwick Airport? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from London to Gatwick Airport take?

The average journey time by train between London and Gatwick Airport is 50 minutes, with around 829 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Gatwick Airport by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Gatwick Airport is 29 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Gatwick Airport cost?

Train tickets from London to Gatwick Airport can start from as little as $15.67 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.

Is there a direct train from London to Gatwick Airport?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Gatwick Airport without having to change trains. There are 829 direct trains from London to Gatwick Airport each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from London to Gatwick Airport leave?

The first train from London to Gatwick Airport leaves at 02:31. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from London to Gatwick Airport leave?

The last train from London to Gatwick Airport leaves at 02:27. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between London and Gatwick Airport by train?

Trains travelling from London to Gatwick Airport cover a distance of around 24 miles (39 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Gatwick Airport to London.

Cheap train tickets from London to Gatwick Airport

Train tickets from London to Gatwick Airport start at $15.67 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Gatwick Airport is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

What are my ticket options for this journey?

If you're like us, you've probably seen the sheer number of ticket types available in the UK and wondered "Why are there so many?!" To help, we've put together a handy guide to the main UK ticket types, simply tap the one you’re interested in to find out more.

* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.

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