How to get to Gatwick Airport

You’ve booked your holiday, your passports are up-to-date, visas are in order, so there’s only one thing left to think about: how are you getting to the airport? Gatwick airport is situated approximately 30 miles from the centre of London and roughly 45 miles from Heathrow airport. The options for travelling to Gatwick really depend on the direction from which you are travelling, however, Gatwick does have excellent road and rail connections – it was the first UK airport to combine air, rail and road transport services. Car If driving is your preferred choice, Gatwick airport is situated a short way off the M23, junction 9. Use an online route planner to plan your journey, remembering that sometimes the shortest route is not always the quickest. Book your airport parking in advance- don’t just turn up on the day as there’s no guarantee a space will be available, and this way is definitely the most expensive way to park. Check for planned road works the Highways Agency website gives advance notice of planned road works and also real-time traffic alerts. If you haven’t got Sat Nav, make sure you carry a map with you just in case there’s an accident and you need to divert from your planned route. Kiss and fly Kiss and fly is the enlisting of friends or family to drive you to the airport and then pick you up when your flight returns. Now this may seem like a very convenient method of getting to the airport, however, spare a thought for the poor driver who has to make twice as many journeys as you would if you just drove to the airport and parked yourself. Think of their time, the inconvenience if your plane is delayed, and their petrol costs. This has to be the most inconvenient form of transport for the poor driver, and the least environmentally friendly double the journeys means double the carbon emissions! Coach This has to be one of the cheapest options for travel to Gatwick. National Express, the Oxford Bus Company and easyBus are just some of the operators that offer regular coach services to Gatwick from more than 400 towns and cities in the UK. Direct services are also operated from Heathrow airport. As with airlines, coach companies have luggage restrictions too so check luggage allowances before booking. Most companies permit online booking and allow you to print off your own tickets, however, National Express also offer the option of having your tickets sent to your mobile, posted or picked up from a collection point. Bus Metrobus offers bus services to Gatwick Airport; however, size of luggage could be a problem so it is advisable to check with the company in advance. Train Gatwick airport has excellent train connections as Gatwick Station is linked directly to the South Terminal – a free transit train operates to take passengers to the North Terminal. Gatwick airport is only a 30 minute journey from London Victoria Station using the non-stop Gatwick Express, or just 35 minutes from Victoria using the regular rail service. Rail Services Currently there are six rail operators that serve Gatwick Airport directly: Southeastern, First Great Western, Southern, First Capital Connect, CrossCountry and Gatwick Express. With a vast train network throughout the UK it is possible to get a connecting service to Gatwick from almost anywhere. The National Rail Enquiries website has maps showing the complete rail network and there are various online sites to purchase your tickets, or buy them at your local station. Gatwick Express Gatwick Express trains operate every 15 minutes, offering a non-stop service to Gatwick from London Victoria Station. From Victoria Station, trains run between 03:30 and 00:30 daily, operating every 15 minutes between the hours of 05:00 and 23:45. Journey times take 30 minutes and 35 on Sundays. From Gatwick, trains operate between the hours of 04:35 and 01:35 trains depart every 15 minutes between 05:50 and 00:35. Motorbike There are dedicated bays in the car parks at Gatwick where motorcyclists can currently park free of charge. A word of warning though: motorbikes will be removed if parked in car parking bays. Taxi Gatwick Airport has its own official taxi provider, Checker Cars, which operates a quoted fare system you are quoted a fixed price at the time of booking. Fares can be paid at the time of booking or when you arrive at your destination. Checker Cars has their own booking offices in both the North and South Terminals. Although Gatwick has its own approved taxi company, it does not prevent you from using your own, favourite or regular taxi company, however, the pick-up and drop-off zones will be slightly different to the official taxi company’s.

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