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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 830 trains per day traveling from London to Gatwick Airport and tickets for this journey start from $15.95 when you book in advance.
| First train | 2:31 am | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 2:26 am | |
| Departure station | London | |
| Arrival station | Gatwick Airport | |
| Journey time | From 28m | |
| Distance | 24 miles (39 km) | |
| Frequency | 830 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From $15.95 | |
| Train operators |
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 about the train journey from 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.
Are there any direct trains from London to Gatwick Airport?
How far is the train ride from London to Gatwick Airport?
Can I take a flight-free trip from London to Gatwick Airport?
What is the best way to travel to Gatwick Airport from London?
What time does the first train run from London to Gatwick Airport?
How late does the train from London to Gatwick Airport run?
How many trains go from London to Gatwick Airport per day?
When do tickets from London to Gatwick Airport go on sale?
Planning a round trip from London to Gatwick Airport?
Cheap train tickets from London to Gatwick Airport
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.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.