How do I get to Gatwick Airport from London? Gatwick Express, bus and more

Located not far from Crawley in West Sussex, Gatwick is one of the major airports flying Londoners on both business and pleasure all over the world.

Offering destinations from New York to Hong Kong, Gatwick Airport is the second busiest in the country, second only to west-London’s Heathrow.

And thankfully, for anyone London-based needing to catch a plane from Gatwick Airport, there are multiple transport options available from the capital.

Driving by car is one such option, with the airport easily accessible from the M23. Those looking to travel via car are advised to book parking before making the journey.

There are also several public transport routes passengers can take, which are often cheaper and easier than by car. Below, we list several of the options available to Londoners.

Train

The quickest way to get from London to Gatwick Airport is via the Gatwick Express.

A non-stop service from London Victoria to the airport, the Express takes around 30 minutes with two trains leaving every hour. Tickets typically appear to cost around £20.

Two other operators which run services between London and Gatwick Airport are Thameslink and Southern, though neither are as fast as the Express.

Thameslink trains depart from London Bridge, St Pancras, Blackfriars and Luton Airport, while Southern trains run from London Victoria via Clapham Junction and East Croydon.

The cost of both services depend on the route taken, though do include options meaning they can be cheaper than the Gatwick Express.

Oyster and contactless payment cards are able to be used at the ticket gates when travelling between London and the airport.

National Express

National Express has coaches heading to Gatwick Airport from all over the UK, including London.

These primarily go direct from London Victoria, but other options include departing from Hammersmith and Paddington, albeit with a change involved.

The direct coaches from London Victoria can cost less than £10 depending how far ahead you book, though those requiring a change are more expensive.

Bus

Beyond National Express, other bus services are also available to travel from London to Gatwick Airport.

easyBus is one such option, enabling passengers to make the trip from as low as £4 each way.

According to the easyBus website: “Our airport transfer services take you from Gatwick Airport straight to the heart of London via Waterloo, Victoria or Earl’s Court.”

The airport itself also recommends megabus, which it says operates services from destinations including London to both its north and south terminals.

Taxi

There are taxi options for those wishing to take a cab to the airport, including via Gatwick’s own Airport Cars service.

Other taxi companies are also likely able to take you to the airport, though be sure to book well in advance to avoid steep fees.