London Gatwick Airport, located 48 kilometres south of central London in West Sussex, offers a practical and efficient experience for travellers. As England’s second-busiest airport, serving over 43 million passengers annually, it connects to more than 200 destinations across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and beyond with airlines like easyJet, BA, and Emirates. Its well-connected transport links and manageable layout make it a reliable choice for both leisure and business travellers.
Getting to Gatwick is straightforward, with excellent transport options linking it to London and surrounding areas. The Gatwick Express train provides a non-stop service to London Victoria Station in just 30 minutes, running every 30 minutes from 5:41 am to 11:10 pm, with fares starting at £10.80 when booked online. Thameslink and Southern trains offer additional routes to London Bridge, St Pancras, and Clapham Junction, accepting Oyster or contactless payments for added convenience. National Express coaches connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station in about two hours, with tickets from £8. For drivers, the airport is easily accessible via the M23 at Junction 9, with the M25 just 10 minutes away. Parking options include short-stay, long-stay, and valet services, with pre-booking discounts offering up to 78% off. A free 10-minute drop-off zone is available, though charges apply for longer stays.
Taxis, including Gatwick’s official provider, Gatwick Cars, cost around £60 from central London, with kiosks at both terminals for bookings.
The airport’s two terminals—North and South—are designed for ease of navigation. The South Terminal, the larger of the two, serves airlines like BA and Vueling, with 32 gates and a satellite pier connected by an automated people mover. The North Terminal, home to easyJet and Emirates, has 31 gates, including Pier 6 with 11 jetbridge-equipped stands. A free, 24-hour monorail shuttle links the terminals in just two minutes, running every 4 to 5 minutes. Check-in areas feature 245 desks and 123 self-service kiosks, with 119 self-service bag drops streamlining the process.
Security is notably efficient, with advanced CT scanners allowing passengers to keep liquids and electronics in bags, and over 95% of travellers clear security in under five minutes. However, peak periods, such as early mornings or holiday seasons, can lead to longer queues due to high passenger volumes or staffing shortages. Fast Track passes, starting at £6, help bypass lines. Travellers are advised to arrive two hours early for short-haul flights and three hours for long-haul to account for potential congestion.
Dining and retail options cater to a wide range of preferences. In the South Terminal, passengers can enjoy quick bites at Pret A Manger, coffee at Costa, or a sit-down meal at Giraffe, offering global cuisine. The North Terminal features Nando’s for peri-peri chicken and Caviar House & Prunier for fine dining with seafood. Both terminals have takeaway options and kid-friendly menus, ensuring family travellers are well-served. Retail includes duty-free shops from World Duty Free, stocking brands like Chanel and Tom Ford, alongside Boots, WHSmith, and luxury outlets like Mulberry. A Reserve and Collect service offers 10% off select items. Prices can be higher than in the city, so budget-conscious travellers may prefer to shop beforehand.
Facilities are comprehensive and traveller-focused. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout both terminals, with charging stations and water fountains post-security. Family amenities include dedicated security lanes, children’s play areas, and complimentary buggies. Accessibility is a priority, with ramps, lifts, and a MyWay assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility, bookable 48 hours in advance. Lounges like No1 Lounge and Club Aspire, available for around £32.50, offer snacks, drinks, and quiet workspaces, while BA and Emirates operate exclusive lounges for premium passengers. Baggage claim areas are clearly signposted, with lost and found services in both terminals. Prayer rooms, currency exchanges, and a baggage wrapping service add to the convenience, though some travellers note occasional cleanliness issues in high-traffic areas like restrooms.
On-time performance is generally solid, with Gatwick handling 55 movements per hour as the world’s most efficient single-runway airport. However, in 2024, departures averaged over 23 minutes behind schedule, primarily due to air traffic control (ATC) staff shortages across Europe and in Gatwick’s own tower. Weather conditions, particularly fog or strong winds, and airline-specific issues like technical faults can also cause delays. Passengers are encouraged to monitor flight statuses via in-terminal screens, airline apps, or Flightradar24 for real-time updates.
Connections are efficient, with a minimum connection time of 60 minutes for intra-terminal transfers and 90 minutes for inter-terminal ones due to the shuttle journey. The airport’s dual-terminal setup and extensive network, including easyJet’s 100. routes, facilitate smooth transfers, though passengers on budget carriers should plan for longer layovers, as these airlines may not rebook missed connections. Clear signage and digital maps help navigate the terminals, but some travellers report confusing wayfinding, particularly for inter-terminal transfers.
Potential delays often stem from ATC issues, weather disruptions, or operational bottlenecks like baggage handling or gate availability during peak times. Travellers should check terminal assignments in advance, as airlines like easyJet operate from both, and allow extra time during busy periods to ensure a smooth journey.
Ryanair
Ryanair operates from the South Terminal, with check-in desks typically in the check-in zone (desks 50–70). Passengers should check airport screens for exact assignments.
Departure Gates: Flights to Ireland (Dublin) typically depart from gates in the South Terminal (gates 1–20 or 101–113). Specific gates are confirmed on departure boards.
Ryanair operates multiple daily flights to Dublin from Gatwick, a popular route.
North Terminal airlines
Primarily long-haul international flights, including Middle East and some European routes; home to Emirates, Qatar Airways, and select easyJet operations.
Air India – British Airways – China Eastern Airlines – easyJet (select flights) – Emirates – Enter Air – Gulf Air – Icelandair – Korean Air – Lufthansa – Norwegian Air Shuttle – Qatar Airways – Royal Air Maroc – Saudia – Swiss International Air Lines – Thomas Cook Airlines (select flights) – TUI Airways (select flights) – Virgin Atlantic
South Terminal airlines
Mix of short-haul European, North African, and some long-haul flights; serves low-cost carriers and charter operators.
Aer Lingus (ceased operations 2024) – Aegean Airlines – Air Europa – Air Malta – airBaltic – Aurigny Air Services – Bamboo Airways – Corendon Airlines – Croatia Airlines – easyJet (select flights) – Eastern Airways – Iberia Express – Jet2.com – Norse Atlantic Airways – Pegasus Airlines – Ryanair – Smartwings – SunExpress – TAP Air Portugal – Titan Airways – TUI Airways (select flights) – Turkish Airlines – Vueling – Wizz Air
