London Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick (LGW) is the UK's second busiest airport, located in West Sussex, 28 miles (45 km) south of Central London. With approximately 46 million passengers per year, it is one of the most intensively used single-runway airports in the world.
Gatwick operates from two terminals: North Terminal and South Terminal, connected by a free non-stop shuttle train that runs 24 hours a day. The airport is the principal hub for easyJet — the UK's largest low-cost carrier — and also serves British Airways, Norwegian, TUI, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Emirates among many others.
For travellers from London, Gatwick is best reached via the Gatwick Express (30 minutes to Victoria) or Thameslink trains to Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and St Pancras International.
Which terminal is my flight?
Gatwick at a glance
| IATA code | LGW |
| ICAO code | EGKK |
| Location | Horley, West Sussex — 28 miles south of Central London |
| Terminals | 2 (North Terminal, South Terminal) |
| Runways | 1 (main runway) + 1 standby |
| Passengers (2023) | ~46 million per year |
| Fastest link to London | Gatwick Express — 30 min to Victoria |
| Taxi to central London | Approx £80–100 (45–60 min) |
| Airport code | LGW (do not confuse with LHR — Heathrow) |
North Terminal vs South Terminal
The North Terminal is Gatwick's largest terminal and the primary base for easyJet, which operates the majority of its Gatwick flights from here. It is also home to a wide range of European carriers and some long-haul operators.
Airlines include: easyJet, Wizz Air, TUI Airways, Norwegian, Vueling, Iberia, Air France, KLM, Condor, and others.
Facilities: Airside shopping and dining, Escape Lounges, Gatwick's largest retail concourse (The Skygate), Bureau de Change, pharmacy, children's play area.
The South Terminal is the original Gatwick terminal, home to British Airways — which operates transatlantic and European routes from here — as well as Emirates long-haul services and Ryanair. The Gatwick Express, Thameslink, and coach services all depart from directly below the South Terminal.
Airlines include: British Airways, Emirates, Ryanair, Jet2, American Airlines, easyJet (some), Virgin Atlantic (seasonal).
Facilities: British Airways Gatwick Lounge, No.1 Traveller lounge, Wetherspoons, Pret a Manger, WHSmith, Bureau de Change. The rail station is landside under the South Terminal.
A free shuttle train connects North Terminal and South Terminal and runs 24 hours a day, every 2–3 minutes. The journey takes approximately 2 minutes. The shuttle departs from landside (before security) — if you have already cleared security in the wrong terminal, you will need to exit, take the shuttle, and re-clear security. Allow at least 15 minutes extra.
Transport to & from Gatwick
| Gatwick Express | 30 min non-stop to London Victoria · from £17.70 one way (advance) · departs every 15 min |
| Thameslink | ~45–55 min to Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, St Pancras International · from £11.50 · runs overnight |
| Southern Rail | Stops at London Bridge, Clapham Junction, East Croydon · slower but cheaper · from £11.50 |
| National Express Coach | Victoria Coach Station ~75 min (off-peak) · from £6 · all-day departures |
| Licensed Taxi (black cab) | ~45–60 min to central London · approx £80–100 (metered, no advance booking needed) |
| Minicab / Uber | ~45–60 min to central London · approx £55–80 · pre-book for best price |
| Drive / Self-park | M23 motorway from M25 Junction 7 — signs to airport from Junction 9 of M23 |
Gatwick is accessed via the M23 motorway. From the M25, take Junction 7 southbound onto the M23, then exit at Junction 9 (Gatwick). The North Terminal and South Terminal have separate road approaches and car park entrances — follow signs carefully. Congestion is common in the drop-off zones, especially during school holidays.
Compare parking options
Pre-booking can save 50–70% versus paying at the barrier. Book early — Gatwick car parks fill quickly in summer.
Who flies from LGW?
Things to do near Gatwick
Popular activities and attractions within easy reach of the airport — before your flight or if you have a long layover
Activities provided by Viator · Affiliate commission earned on bookings via these links
Gatwick Airport FAQs
The Gatwick Express is fastest — 30 minutes non-stop to London Victoria, departing every 15 minutes, from around £17.70 advance. Thameslink trains are a better value option (~45 minutes to St Pancras or Blackfriars, from £11.50) and are useful if you need the City of London rather than Victoria. Coaches from National Express serve Victoria Coach Station from around £6. Taxis cost approximately £80–100 and take 45–60 minutes.
easyJet primarily operates from the North Terminal at Gatwick. A small number of easyJet flights may operate from South Terminal — always check your booking confirmation or boarding pass for the correct terminal.
British Airways operates from the South Terminal at Gatwick. This includes its European short-haul routes and long-haul flights to the US and Caribbean. The BA lounge at Gatwick South Terminal is available to business class passengers and eligible frequent flyers.
A free inter-terminal shuttle train runs every 2–3 minutes, 24 hours a day, between North Terminal and South Terminal. The journey takes approximately 2 minutes. The shuttle departs from the landside (pre-security) area of each terminal. If you have already cleared security in the wrong terminal, you will need to exit security, take the shuttle, and re-clear. Always allow at least 15–20 extra minutes if you need to change terminals.
For short-haul European flights: arrive 2 hours before departure. For long-haul flights (e.g. Emirates to Dubai): arrive 3 hours before. During peak periods — summer school holidays, Christmas/New Year, and Easter — add at least 30–60 minutes extra. Gatwick can experience significant security queues during busy periods. Check-in desks typically close 60 minutes before departure.
Yes. Free unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout both terminals at Gatwick. Look for the "Gatwick Free WiFi" network. No registration or time limit — connect and go. Speed is generally adequate for streaming and video calls.
Several lounge options are available:
North Terminal: Escape Lounge (walk-in, from around £35), Club Aspire Lounge. South Terminal: British Airways Gatwick Lounge (BA business class / Gold Card holders), No. 1 Traveller Lounge (walk-in, from ~£40), Club Aspire South. Independent lounge access can also be booked via Priority Pass, Lounge Pass, and DragonPass. Prices and access conditions change — always book in advance online.
For drop-offs, Gatwick's Short Stay car parks are the most convenient — they are a short walk from both terminals. However, there are strict time limits on free drop-off in the forecourt. If you need to stay more than 10 minutes, the Short Stay car park is the best option. Set-down zones at the terminals are free for brief stops but are heavily monitored by parking attendants. Pre-book Short Stay online for the best rates.
Gatwick is open 24 hours but most airside shops and restaurants close overnight. You can remain in the terminal, though seating is limited and some areas are closed for cleaning between 1–4am. For a more comfortable overnight option, hotels immediately adjacent to or connected to the terminal include the Bloc Hotel (South Terminal), Premier Inn South Terminal, and Sofitel London Gatwick. These are particularly useful for early morning departures.
Gatwick and Heathrow are approximately 40 miles (65 km) apart. There is no direct rail link between the two airports. The most practical route is by National Express coach (Airline service), which takes around 60–75 minutes and runs regularly, costing from around £25. Alternatively, travel into central London from one airport and out to the other. Do not underestimate journey times — always allow at least 2.5–3 hours when transferring between the two.