London Gatwick Airport (LGW) has several easy ways to reach London, including fast trains, budget coaches, taxi, and Uber. The train is usually the quickest option into London, while coaches can be cheaper and run overnight. This guide explains Gatwick Express, Southern, Thameslink, and National Express, plus what to do if you are flying from the North Terminal.

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Quick Picks

Fastest into London: Train in around 30 minutes (Gatwick Express, Southern, or Thameslink)
Best budget option: Coach in just over 1 hour (often cheaper, but takes longer)
Overnight option: National Express coaches, plus late night Thameslink services which both take over an hour at off-peak times

Trains from Gatwick to London

Gatwick’s train station is connected to the South Terminal, so if your flight departs from the North Terminal you will need to use the free inter terminal shuttle to reach the station. Trains are frequent throughout the day (over 6 times per hour) and are typically the quickest way to get from Gatwick to London.

Southern Rail

Southern trains run between Gatwick and London Victoria, and the journey can take around 32 minutes. Services are frequent, and at busy times there can be four or more trains per hour across the main train options from Gatwick. Southern is usually a good balance of speed and value. Trains are approximately £15 each-way without a railcard. With a railcard trains are around £10 each-way. This is a great option if you’re heading to west London due to London Victoria’s west London position.

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Gatwick Express

Gatwick Express is a direct train to London Victoria and is often positioned as the premium option. It takes around half an hour, but it can be more expensive than other train services, especially at peak times. It is strange that the Gatwick Express is the most expensive, as it takes roughly the same amount of time to reach London Victoria as the Southern rail services!

Thameslink

Thameslink is useful if you want to reach parts of central London without changing at Victoria. It serves key stations such as London Bridge, St Pancras and London Blackfriars. If you are travelling overnight, Thameslink can be a practical choice, with services that run through the night on a limited frequency (1 train per hour).

Coach from Gatwick to London

Coaches are usually slower than the train, but they can be a cheaper way to reach London, especially if you book ahead. Coaches pick up from both the North Terminal and the South Terminal, usually right outside the terminal entrances.

National Express coaches

National Express coaches run from Gatwick to London, including London Victoria Coach Station. The journey is often around 1 hour 5 minutes, which is roughly double the travel time of the fastest trains. Prices can be low, sometimes around £4 each-way when booked early, but fares vary by time and demand.

A major advantage of coaches is that they often run all night, which makes them a strong option for early flights, late arrivals, or when trains are less frequent.

Taxi from Gatwick to London

Taxis and Uber can be convenient if you are travelling as a group, carrying lots of luggage, or arriving late at night. Pick up points vary by terminal, so it is worth checking the official pick up area signage at the North Terminal or South Terminal before ordering. Travel time into London depends heavily on traffic, and costs can be much higher during peak periods, often over £80 each-way.

North Terminal vs South Terminal transport tip

If you are flying from the North Terminal and you plan to use the train, remember that the station is at the South Terminal. Use the free monorail shuttle to get to the station, then choose between Southern, Gatwick Express, or Thameslink depending on where you need to end up in London.

If you are travelling by coach, you can pick up from either terminal, so you may not need to move between terminals at all.

Late night transport from Gatwick to London

If you are travelling late at night, the best option in most cases is the Thameslink train from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Thameslink runs through the night on a limited frequency and is usually the most reliable way to reach central London without worrying about road traffic. The journey is typically just under an hour at night, which is roughly 20 minutes longer than typical daytime journey times.

The Gatwick train station is at the South Terminal, so if your flight arrives into or departs from the North Terminal, you will need to take the free inter terminal shuttle to reach the station before you travel into London.

Best late night option: Thameslink

For late flights and early morning departures, Thameslink is usually the best choice because it serves central London and runs overnight. This makes it ideal if you are heading to areas beyond London Victoria, and it is a strong option even if you are travelling with luggage.

Late night backup option: coaches (National Express)

If there is disruption on the rail network or you prefer a cheaper option, National Express coaches from Gatwick to London can be a useful backup. Coaches pick up from both the North Terminal and South Terminal, and they run through the night, but they are typically slower than the train and journey times can vary depending on traffic.

Related Gatwick Guides

Gatwick Transport FAQs

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