You’re tired from your red-eye flight and a bit hungry. It’s also quite possible that you’re in need of a shower, depending on how far you’ve come—try as we might, that dreaded travel funk comes for everyone eventually. But none of that matters right now because you’ve finally made it to England!
Simply touching down at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) means that you’re about 80% there. A (hopefully) breezy trip through customs and baggage claim gets you to 90%. But now, the final leg: getting from Gatwick to your accommodation in central London.
London has several airports servicing the city, including Gatwick, a major international travel hub. Though not as big as Heathrow Airport, it’s still massive, and depending on where you fly in from, this may very well be your gateway into the UK.
So where exactly is Gatwick Airport? And how do you get from Gatwick to central London? Here’s everything you need to know.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Phoenix0013. Image Location: London Gatwick Airport.
How to get from Gatwick to London
First things first, where is Gatwick?
Gatwick Airport is actually located outside of London, about 30mi south of the city center, close to a town called Crawley.
Is there a train from Gatwick Airport to London?
Yes. There are multiple different train services that go from Gatwick Airport to London. The airport just so happens to have the best rail connections of any airport in Britain. Gatwick Airport has its own train station, located in the South Terminal only a short walk away from arrivals. If you arrive in the North Terminal, just use the fast and free shuttle service to get you to the station.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Buena Vista Images. Image Location: London Victoria Station.
Is there a direct train from Gatwick to central London?
Again, yes. The best-known train is the Gatwick Express, which is a non-stop service between Gatwick Airport and Victoria Station in London. The trains run every 30 min, with the fastest service getting you from point A to point B as quickly as 29 min. This is the perfect route if you're staying in West London.
Does the Gatwick train only go to Victoria Station?
No, there are other trains you can take from Gatwick that are more convenient for different areas of London. For example, if you're staying in East London, a quicker route would be to take the Thameslink. This train cuts straight through the center of the city on its journey north, with stops at important stations London Bridge, London Blackfriars and London St Pancras. This is not a non-stop service, but will still get you there in under 50 min.
Note that tickets for these two services are not transferrable. So, if you buy a Thameslink ticket you can't travel on the Gatwick Express, and vice versa.
Is the Gatwick Express more expensive?
Not necessarily. Tickets for the Gatwick Express can cost as little as $14 when you book in advance on Trainline, altogether making it one of the the cheapest and most efficient ways to travel between Gatwick Airport and central London.
Does the tube run from Gatwick to London?
Nope. But you can access the tube via the Gatwick Express that runs from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria station, a major transfer hub with immediate access to three Underground services: the Victoria, Circle, and District lines.
If you go for the Thameslink instead, London Bridge station has links to the Northern and Jubilee lines; London Blackfriars to the District and Circle lines; and Kings Cross St Pancras to the Victoria, Northern, Piccadilly, Metropolitan, Circle, and Hammersmith & City lines.
How long does it take from Gatwick to central London?
If you take the train, your journey will take on average between 30 and 50 min. If you have a bit of money to spend and time to spare, hailing a cab or ride-share option is possible. But don’t expect to pay less than $60 for the trip, and depending on traffic, it can take 1 to 2h to arrive in central London.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Karl Hendon. Image Location: London Bridge Station, London.
How do I get from London Gatwick to London Heathrow?
If London is just a quick stop before you transfer elsewhere, you might find yourself in a situation where you’re flying into Gatwick Airport and out of Heathrow Airport rather quickly.
Getting from Gatwick to Heathrow isn’t the easiest transfer ever, but it’s doable. There are no direct trains connecting the airports, but there are buses, including National Express coaches, which leave every 30 min from Gatwick Airport and drop travelers off at Heathrow Terminal 5 and Heathrow Central Bus Station (for Terminals 2 & 3). The trip will take about an hour and prices run from £21. You can book online or at Gatwick Airport, but online is cheaper and guarantees you a seat.
How far is it from London Heathrow to London Gatwick?
The bus route between London Heathrow and London Gatwick is just under 40 mi, so make sure you have your transfer planned out, your tickets booked in advance, and with enough time to get between the two airports.
Connect me!
All train routes from Gatwick Airport to central London can be booked on the Trainline app, for a quick and easy experience that avoids the massive lines for the ticket machines at Gatwick Airport train station.
If you find yourself landing at a different London airport, check out our Heathrow or Stansted Airport transfer guides.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Maxian. Image Location: London Gatwick Airport