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How do you get to Gatwick airport from London?

This short guide outlines how you get to Gatwick Airport from London. A range of different methods, starting from £7.

Gatwick Airport is a full 28 miles from Central London. It’s easy to get ripped off when travelling to the airport. A black taxi costs £200 from Central London (don’t do that!).


That being said, there’s lots of great ways to get to the airport. To get you to the airport on time, without breaking the bank. Gatwick is the best connected UK airport by train. And fares start at £12.50.

## Quick Summary: Best Ways to Get to London Gatwick

This page on my website has some of my favourite travel deals. To save money for luxury travel.


Coaches – The Cheapest method

You can get coach tickets with National Express Coaches here. Tickets from Central London start at £7. The journey time is around 1 hour 5 minutes.

The headline at the top of the page says that fares start at £10. But they’re lying to you! Tickets from Victoria Coach station start at £7.

I used to be quite snooty about taking the coach. But then I took one. And they’re not bad! They have leather seats, free wi-fi and toilets.

Take the train for £12.50

Gatwick is the best connected UK airport when it comes to trains. There are multiple stations with direct trains to Gatwick, including London Victoria, London Bridge and Farringdon.

If you turn up on the day and buy your tickets, they cost £24 each. This is expensive, so don’t do this! If you pre-book your ticket online, it costs £12.50. The train journey time is around 30 minutes from London train stations.

Pre-book your train ticket here for £12.50.

Take the taxi without breaking the bank

Gatwick isn’t close to London. It’s easy to get ripped off! A black taxi costs £200 for a one way journey.

I wouldn’t take an Uber either. They have a 1.5* rating on Trustpilot. Every time I look, the rating falls further down!

I use Welcome Picks for my taxis to Gatwick. The company operates globally, and they have a 4.9* rating on Trustpilot. Because they’re reliable and their fares are well priced. Expect to pay £80 to get to Gatwick. The journey from Central London takes around 1 hour.

Unlike an Uber or a back cab, you need to pre-book your taxi. So if you need a taxi right now, this isn’t an option for you.

Pre-book your taxi to Gatwick here. Or book it below

Park your car at the airport

If you need to park your car at the airport, I recommend the Official Gatwick Airport Parking. They have a 4.6* rating from Trustpilot and are closest to the airport.

Just be careful when you book. A lot of 3rd party companies have “Gatwick Parking” in their name, but aren’t an official car park. Many of these companies have a sketchy reputation!

I heard about a company that takes your car and then parks it at a local hotel car park. In the hope you don’t get a ticket! And if you do get a ticket, you’re responsible. God knows if they’re insured, in case your car has an accident either…

The Official Gatwick car parks probably aren’t the cheapest. But I think they’re the best option.

Book your Official Gatwick Airport Parking here.

Hotel and Parking Packages – at a 25% discount

Parking at a Gatwick airport hotel and staying one night is a very popular option. Especially if you have an early morning flight. Many hotels have special deals if you book airport parking and stays together (details below).

The intra terminal train between the north terminal and the south terminal runs 24 hours per day. It runs every 5 minutes. So don’t worry about traveling between the two terminals.

Some airport hotels are walking distance from the terminals. Other airport hotels have a shuttle bus to the terminals. Otherwise, you need to take a taxi.

Marriott have a dedicated page on their website for airport hotel and parking packages. The page offers a 25% discount.

IHG have a dedicated page on their website for airport hotel and parking packages.

Hilton have a dedicated page on their website for airport hotel and parking packages.

Radisson have a dedicated page on their website for airport hotel and parking packages.


You can also search below for airport hotel and parking packages.

Visit an airport lounge – for £18.30

I wrote a guide to airport lounges at Gatwick airport. There are 12 airport lounges at Gatwick and 6 can be accessed with a Priority Pass Membership. 3 in each terminal.

At a lounge stay, you’ll get unlimited food, unlimited alcohol and your own personal space.

You can signup to Priority Pass here for a 30% discount. The cheapest membership costs £48.

Standard Plus membership is £183, and comes with 10 free lounge visits. So each visit costs £18.30. Which is obviously better value than buying food in the terminal!

Below is my Youtube video of the Plaza Premium Lounge in Gatwick North.

 

The Best Activities in London – starting at £0

London is a global city, with amazing things to do. For every budget.

The Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden. It’s free to enter, and the views are fantastic. You need to pre-book a timeslot here.

Virgin Balloons are the largest hot air balloon operator in the UK. Book your flight here and get a 5% discount. Flights start at £139 and include a glass of bubbly. Virgin Balloons have a 4.6* rating on Trustpilot. I did this on my wife’s birthday and had a blast.

Book your Virgin Balloons flight here