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LGW

London Gatwick Airport

London, United Kingdom

Where to start
Thameslink

Thameslink is the right rail choice for most travelers — direct from Gatwick to multiple central London stations (St Pancras, Farringdon, London Bridge) at lower cost than Gatwick Express. Gatwick Express is faster but only goes to Victoria (30 minutes non-stop). Black cabs and pre-booked minicabs both work; Uber and Bolt require walking to a designated short-stay car park pickup zone. The train station is under the South Terminal — North Terminal arrivals use the free 2-minute inter-terminal shuttle.

Ride Options

Thameslink

transit

Most flexible rail option — multiple central London stations at lower cost

AvailabilityFrequent; reduced overnight, occasional weekend engineering works
Pickup NoteStation under the South Terminal (North Terminal: free 2-min shuttle train first). Direct to St Pancras, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, London Bridge. Tap contactless or use a National Rail app.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

Gatwick Express

transit

Fastest non-stop link to London Victoria

AvailabilityFrequent, roughly 5am–midnight
Pickup NoteSame station under the South Terminal. Non-stop to Victoria in 30 min. More expensive than Thameslink; buy at a machine or online.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Southern Trains

transit

More affordable, slower rail with more stops

AvailabilityRegular service
Pickup NoteSame South Terminal station. Slower than Gatwick Express with multiple stops, but more affordable. Tap contactless or use a National Rail app.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

National Express Coach

shuttle

Budget coach to various London locations

AvailabilityScheduled service; limited overnight
Pickup NoteCoach station outside South and North Terminal arrivals. More affordable than rail but slower; book ahead online.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

London Black Cab

taxi

Regulated metered taxi, 24/7

AvailabilityAt the rank, 24/7
Pickup NoteOfficial black cab rank outside both terminals. Metered and regulated; the long ride to central London is expensive.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

Pre-Booked Minicab

taxi

Fixed-fare door-to-door, often more affordable than a black cab to central London

AvailabilityBook in advance with a licensed operator
Pickup NoteLicensed minicab drivers meet you inside arrivals at a named meeting point. Fixed fare agreed in advance.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door — useful for late nights or heavy luggage

AvailabilityAvailable; the Jan 2026 VAT change narrowed the gap with black cabs
Pickup NoteWalk to the designated short-stay car park / pickup zone (not curbside). Follow the in-app instructions for your terminal.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

Bolt

rideshare

Often more affordable than Uber

AvailabilityAvailable in the London/Gatwick area
Pickup NoteSame designated short-stay car park / pickup zone as Uber — follow the Bolt app instructions.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at London Gatwick — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Uber and Bolt use designated pickup zones, not the terminal curb — you walk to a short-stay car park or designated zone. Follow the in-app instructions for your terminal.

Taxi

Black cabs are licensed and metered, at official ranks outside both terminals. Pre-booked minicabs offer fixed fares and meet inside arrivals at named meeting points.

Shuttle

National Express and easyBus coaches serve various London locations from the coach station outside both terminals' arrivals. Gatwick-area hotels run their own shuttles.

Transit

The train station is directly under the South Terminal — North Terminal passengers take the free inter-terminal shuttle train (under 2 minutes). Thameslink runs direct to St Pancras, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, and London Bridge; Gatwick Express is non-stop to Victoria in 30 minutes; Southern trains are more affordable but slower. Tap a contactless card, Oyster, or use a National Rail app.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked minicabs and private transfers wait at designated meeting points inside arrivals — fixed fares, often more affordable than black cabs for the long ride to central London.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • Thameslink is often the better choice over Gatwick Express — about the same journey time, lower cost, and it reaches multiple central London stations (St Pancras, Farringdon, London Bridge) instead of only Victoria.
  • Gatwick has two terminals (North and South), each with its own arrivals hall — the train station is under the South Terminal, so North Terminal arrivals take the free 2-minute inter-terminal shuttle train.
  • Uber and Bolt don't pick up curbside — you walk to a designated short-stay car park / pickup zone, similar to Heathrow.
  • Pre-booked minicabs meet you inside arrivals at named meeting points and are often more affordable than black cabs for the long ride to central London.
  • Contactless bank cards, Oyster, Apple Pay, and Google Pay all work on UK rail; National Rail apps often have more affordable advance tickets.

Tarmyq local tip

Don't default to Gatwick Express just because it's the most advertised. Thameslink takes about the same time, costs less, and stops at multiple useful central London stations — including St Pancras (Eurostar) and London Bridge.