London Gatwick (LGW), the UK’s second busiest airport located southeast of London, is Europe’s busiest single-runway airport serving over 43 million passengers annually (there are actually two functional runways but they’re so close together they can’t be used at the same time). That single runway also means it has one of the worst records for delayed flights in the UK.
The good news? Its terminals are packed with facilities and amenities to keep you fed, watered and entertained while you wait. This guide will help you navigate it all like a pro.
Arriving at London Gatwick
Gatwick splits into two terminals (North and South) connected by a free inter-terminal shuttle service. The shuttle takes about two minutes between terminals.
If you’re arriving by car, you can drive directly to either terminal with easy parking, though pickup and dropoff charges are eye-wateringly expensive. Train arrivals land you in the South Terminal, just a couple of minutes’ walk from departures and arrivals.
Pick your terminal
Check your specific flight number rather than just your airline when determining your terminal, as there’s crossover between Gatwick’s North and South terminals. EasyJet, the largest airline at the airport with over 120 routes, uses both terminals. Most EasyJet flights operate from the North Terminal (its UK hub), but flight numbers between 6300 and 6599 inclusive use the South Terminal.
If you do end up at the wrong one, don’t panic. It takes just two minutes to travel between terminals on the free shuttle. Shuttles come every few minutes with a handy countdown board, making it one of the easiest airports for a quick terminal switch-up.
While Gatwick serves plenty of long-haul destinations, its main market is Europe. This has made it a hub for low-cost airlines like Wizz Air, Vueling and Norse Atlantic. If you’re flying from the US, you’ll most likely be on a British Airways flight into the South Terminal. That’s good news, since the South Terminal is more convenient for public transport and a breeze to navigate.
The best way to get to and from London Gatwick
Gatwick is the best connected airport in the UK, with its in-terminal train station linking directly to 120 railway stations and more than 700 with just one change. When I’m using a rental car or catching a train and I’m not traveling directly to or from London, it’s always my first choice. South coast hubs like Brighton and Portsmouth are particularly convenient – Brighton is just about 30 minutes away, while Portsmouth takes around 1 hour 45 minutes, so you can find yourself standing on pebble beaches looking out over the Channel towards France.
If you’re traveling to and from London, the Gatwick Express is the fast rail service, connecting directly to London Victoria (a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace) in 30 minutes. I think it’s overpriced though and prefer the Thameslink or Southern regional trains. Southern services to Victoria take between 30 and 45 minutes (comparable to the Gatwick Express) while Thameslink connects to London Bridge, Blackfriars and St Pancras. Both cost close to half the price of the Gatwick Express, and Southern trains stop at convenient transport hubs like Clapham Junction, which is great for onward travel or if you’re not staying in central London.
Unless you have a mountain of luggage, I’d avoid taking a taxi into London. Gatwick is more than 20 miles outside the city, and the drive can be long and expensive. Plan for at least 90 minutes, and even more during rush hour (roughly 6:30 am to 9 am and 4:30 pm to 6 pm).
If you do need a car, alternatives to classic black cabs can be significantly cheaper. Express Pick-Up areas are located in the Short Stay car parks – North Terminal in Car Park 6, Level 4, and South Terminal in Car Park 3, Ground Floor. My pro tip? Look for the cluster of travelers staring impatiently at their phones. You’re probably in the right spot.
Car rental recommendations
Gatwick offers all the typical major car rental options, plus a few less reputable cheaper companies. All of the main players – including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt – are conveniently located onsite at the South Terminal lower forecourt, while Hertz also has a dedicated North Terminal desk on Level 0, accessible from the Arrivals hall. This means no tedious shuttle bus ride to a remote car park to collect your vehicle, unlike with most UK airports.
While prices inevitably vary depending on what you book, when and for how long, my go-to is budget operator Drivalia, which has a dedicated office in the Sofitel London Gatwick hotel connected to the North terminal. The desk is situated at the downstairs front entrance of the hotel, a short walk from arrivals.
Navigating check in, bag drop and security
Despite its passenger numbers, getting through security is a pretty slick operation at Gatwick. In my experience, security moves efficiently when things are running properly. If it’s very busy and you’re worried about time, you can buy a Fast Track pass on the spot for about the price of a cup of coffee. It’s a trick that has saved me more than once.
Gatwick has installed next-generation security scanners in both terminals. If you find yourself in a line with the new machines, you won’t need to remove laptops and liquids from your bag (though the 100ml rule still applies, sadly). This is already speeding things up, but for now, it’s potluck whether you get a new or old scanner. Major UK airports including Gatwick have been granted an extension to fully install the new scanning technology.
Bag drop can be a more draining affair, and queues often move slowly. On the times I’ve checked bags (I’m mostly a carry-on kind of traveler), I’ve found the self-service machines don’t always speed up the line to actually drop them off. The sheer number of passengers means you should give yourself an hour for bag drop just to be safe.
Queueing is an inevitability at all airports, and Gatwick is no different. Try to avoid peak passenger times between 7 am and 10 am and 5 pm and 8 pm when queues are inevitably longer and you should have little difficulty getting to your gate.
Eating, drinking and shopping airside
Access to the South Terminal’s post-security wonders is upstairs via an escalator. Once through, the upper level (Level 30) is where you’ll find most of the restaurants and bars. Wondertree is my preference for its fresh food, independent wines and views over the airfield.
Downstairs on Level 20 is the domain of duty-free, lots of shops including a sizable Harrods department store (great for overpriced last-minute souvenirs) and the usually long walk to the gates. On that note, give yourself plenty of time for the trek, no matter where your gate is, some gates can be quite a walk.
Gatwick is also one of the few airports where I’d consider staying the night before a flight. Not only because early morning flights are often more convenient and cheaper than later in the day, but also because I love the YOTELAIR hotel located a one-minute walk from South Terminal security. Its inexpensive, capsule-like rooms are brilliantly designed and comfortable. A stay here means I don’t have to get up in the middle of the night for a taxi because it’s too early for the trains.
The North Terminal features updated floors, seating and charging points alongside expanded shops and restaurants, making it the plusher of the two terminals.
Beyond the lower-level shops, I’m a big fan of The Breakfast Club to fuel up before a long flight. It markets itself as a classic English “caf,” but it feels more like an American diner to me. Either way, it’s fun, reasonably priced and serves big, hearty food and good cocktails. For something a little more refined, the North Terminal also offers bars serving great English sparkling wines.
As with the South Terminal, don’t underestimate the distance to your gates and be prepared for a long walk in many cases. Keep an eagle eye on the departure boards, and once the gate number is up, don’t wait too long before beginning the trek to it.
Alternative London airports
Officially, London has six international airports to choose from, which is a lot by any count. If you’re planning to fly on to Europe after a few days in London, you may find its other airports cheaper or more convenient.
London Heathrow
If you’re flying to or from the US, Heathrow should be your first choice as it serves 31 US airports and has the most carriers including American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, JetBlue, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic. It’s quick and easy to get into London but isn’t as well connected to the rest of the UK as Gatwick.
London Stansted
London Stansted is Ryanair’s largest base, with the airline serving over 150 destinations including popular city breaks and lesser-known off-the-beaten-track locations throughout Europe. While the airline is known for cheap prices, Stansted is an easy and relatively small airport to navigate. It’s a pain to get to and from central London though.
London City
London City is in the heart of the capital, but it primarily serves business travelers with a network of domestic and European flights. It operates under strict aircraft restrictions and a passenger cap, and fares can be higher than at other London airports.
London Luton
London Luton sits far to the north of central London. After a recent massive overhaul, it’s growing in popularity. As an EasyJet hub and headquarters, it serves over 130 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
London Southend
London Southend sits far to the east of the city, serving destinations across Europe and North Africa including Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Geneva, Paris, and Palma de Mallorca. It’s convenient if you’re heading east of the city, but otherwise, it’s your least likely option.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
