London Gatwick Airport Guide (LGW) – London

Airport Overview

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the UK's second busiest airport and the most intensively used single-runway airport in the world, handling approximately 46 million passengers per year. Located 45 km south of central London in West Sussex, near the town of Crawley, Gatwick serves as a major base for easyJet, British Airways' short-haul operations, Norwegian, and numerous charter and leisure carriers. It is particularly popular for package holidays to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands, as well as serving an increasing number of long-haul routes.

Terminals

Gatwick has two terminals — the North Terminal (NT) and the South Terminal (ST) — connected by a free 24-hour automated shuttle train (monorail) taking approximately 2 minutes.

• North Terminal: easyJet is the dominant carrier. Also serves Wizz Air, Norwegian, TUI, and some other carriers. British Airways recently moved some operations here.
• South Terminal: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and various international and charter carriers. Historically the older of the two terminals.

WiFi Availability

Free WiFi is available throughout both Gatwick terminals under the network "Gatwick Airport WiFi". Select the network, open a browser, and accept the terms — no registration is required. The free service is unlimited and generally delivers good speeds for browsing, streaming, and video calls. Premium paid WiFi is available through BT Openzone for users requiring even faster connections.

Transport to City Center

Gatwick Express Train

The Gatwick Express provides a direct non-stop rail service from Gatwick Airport station (connected to both terminals via covered walkways) to London Victoria in 30 minutes. Trains run every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes overnight. Tickets cost approximately £19.90 single when booked online in advance, or up to £32 at the station.

Southern and Thameslink Trains

Southern rail services stop at Gatwick and continue to London Bridge (30 min), London Victoria (35 min), and London Blackfriars. Thameslink services run to Farringdon, City Thameslink, and St Pancras International. These services are slower but cheaper than the Gatwick Express, costing around £12–15 and accepting Oyster/contactless.

Bus Services

National Express operates coaches from Gatwick to London Victoria Coach Station in approximately 70–90 minutes, with tickets from around £10. Local buses also connect Gatwick to Crawley, Horsham, and other nearby towns.

Taxi and Rideshare

Licensed taxis and minicabs operate from both terminals. A metered taxi to central London typically costs £70–100 and takes 45–75 minutes depending on destination and traffic. Uber also operates from Gatwick pick-up zones.

Airport Lounges

Gatwick's lounge offering covers both terminals with airline lounges and independent pay-per-use options.

• No. 1 Lounge (North Terminal): Priority Pass-accessible independent lounge with generous hot buffet, cocktail bar, and views of the apron.
• No. 1 Lounge (South Terminal): Priority Pass-accessible lounge with food, drinks, and comfortable seating.
• British Airways Lounge (South Terminal): For BA business class passengers and Executive Club Gold members.
• Virgin Atlantic Lounge (South Terminal): For Upper Class and Gold Velocity cardholders, with premium food and spa treatment vouchers.
• Aspire Lounge (North Terminal): Pay-per-use and Priority Pass-accessible lounge with buffet food and bar.

Hotels Near the Airport

• Sofitel London Gatwick: Located directly in the South Terminal building, this 5-star hotel is the most convenient option with spa and premium dining.
• Gatwick Airport Hilton (South Terminal): Connected to the South Terminal building via a covered walkway, with pool and multiple restaurants.
• Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport (South Terminal): Extremely convenient and affordable, directly accessed from the South Terminal.
• Bloc Hotel Gatwick: Design-focused budget pod hotel right in the North Terminal building — a brilliant spot for early departures.
• Holiday Inn Gatwick Worth: Budget-friendly option a short shuttle ride from the terminals with free parking deals available.

Food and Restaurants

Gatwick provides a wide range of dining options across both terminals, with a particularly strong selection airside in the North Terminal.

• Grain Store (North Terminal, airside): Award-winning restaurant from Bruno Loubet serving seasonal British cuisine with a modern approach.
• Wetherspoons (North Terminal and South Terminal): Budget pub food and drinks, reliably affordable with an extensive menu.
• Wagamama (North Terminal): Asian noodle and rice dishes, popular for quick pre-flight meals.
• Pret a Manger (both terminals): Coffee, sandwiches, wraps, and healthy snacks available throughout.
• Giraffe (South Terminal): Casual world food restaurant with burgers, wraps, and family-friendly menu.
• Itsu (North Terminal): Fresh sushi, gyoza, and hot Asian food on a budget at the conveyor belt restaurant.

Travel Tips

• Gatwick Express is the fastest train to central London but not the cheapest — consider Southern/Thameslink services for better value, especially with Oyster.
• Check which terminal your airline uses before arriving — the North and South Terminals have separate check-in, security, and departures areas.
• Gatwick's North Terminal has significantly better airside facilities including more restaurants and shops — worth knowing if you have time to explore.
• The Bloc Hotel in the North Terminal is a brilliant option for very early morning or late evening flights without needing a shuttle.
• Security at Gatwick can have very long queues in summer — arrive 3 hours early for international flights during peak season.
• Free luggage trolleys are available at both terminals — pick one up as soon as you arrive to make navigation easier.
• Gatwick's long-stay car parks are significant distances from the terminal — use the Gatwick app or website to check transfer times before booking.