Gatwick is London’s second largest airport after Heathrow, surpassing the 40 million passenger-per-year mark in 2015. During the summer of the year, this meant around 150,000 passengers were passing through the airport daily. The airport services over 200 destinations in 90 countries through the 45 airlines using it as a hub. Gatwick is the noted as being the largest single-runway airport in the world, with a maximum of 55 departures per hour. It is also the biggest base for EasyJet and has recently started serving more long haul destinations in the Far East.

General Information
Most Popular Airlines
Most Popular Routes
Terminals and Terminal Transfers
To and From the Airport
Checking-In
Amenities
Facilities

General Information

Airport Name: London Gatwick Airport
IATA Code: LGW
Airport Location: 45km (28 miles) south of London
Terminals: 2
Telephone: 0844 335 1802

Terminals and Terminal Transfers

South Terminal
North Terminal
Transfers

Gatwick Airport has two terminals the South Terminal and North Terminal. There are shops, restaurants and all necessary facilities on land and air side in both terminals, and all areas are accessible to disabled passengers.

Please note that easyJet operates from both terminals and your flight number indicates which terminal you will be flying from:

South terminal Flight numbers between 5000-5999. Bag Drop is located in Zone C.
North terminal Flight numbers 800-899 (UK domestic services) and 8000-8999. Bag Drop is located in Level 1.

South Terminal

Check in desks are located on level 2 at Gatwick’s South Terminal.

The train station for the Gatwick Express is located in this terminal.

The following Airlines arrive and depart from the South Terminal:

Aer Lingus
African Alliance International
Afriqiyah
Air Baltic
Air Europa
Air Malta
Air Moldova
Air Transat
Air Zimbabwe
Astraeus Flystar
Aurela Airlines
Aurigny South
Belavia Belarusian Airlines
BH Air (Balkan Holidays)
Bulgaria Air
Cimber Sterling
Cityline Hungary
Croatia Airlines
Cubana De aviacion
Estonian Air
Eurocypria Airlines
Flybe
Freebird
Ghana International Airlines
Hamburg International
Hellenic Imperial Airways
Iceland Express
Jet2.com
Kam Air
Meridiana Airlines
Monarch Airlines
Montenegro Airlines
Norwegian
Nouvelair
Onur Air
Pegasus Airlines
Saga Airlines
SAS South
SATA International
TAP Air Portugal
Thomas Cook
Transavia
Tunis Air
Turkish Airlines
Ukraine International Airlines
United Airways of Bangledesh
US Airways
Viking Airlines
Virgin Atlantic Airways
Wind Jet

North Terminal

Check in desks are located on level 2 at Gatwick’s South Terminal and on the level 3 in the North Terminal. The following airlines fly from the North Terminal:

Adria Airways
Air Nostrum
Air Seychelles
Air Southwest
British Airways
Delta Air Lines
Emirates
Mexicana
Qatar Airlines
Royal Air Maroc
Thomson Airways

Transfers

There is a free inter-terminal shuttle service for transferring between terminals. The services runs every few minutes 24/7 and the journey takes just 2 minutes.

The shuttle station is located close to the train station for the Gatwick Express at South Terminal. In the South Terminal or the train station please follow the signs for North Terminal to board the shuttle.

From North Terminal simply follow the signs for South Terminal to get the shuttle.

Airlines operating from the South Terminal offering self service check in are:

Flybe
Norwegian
Virgin Atlantic Airways

To and From the Airport

The Gatwick Express
Bus and Coach
Uber
Taxis
Parking Fees

Gatwick lies about 28 miles outside London and can be accessed by all major forms of public transport. There are also services connecting the airport to more than 400 other UK towns.

The Gatwick Express: Is quickest and most direct route between Gatwick Airport and London, the journey only takes 30 minutes. Gatwick Express runs to London Victoria, from where the London Underground can be used to reach further connections. From London Victoria the Gatwick Express carries on to Brighton during peak times.

The first service from London Victoria is 3:30am and the last at 12:23am, with trains running every 15 minutes between 5:00am and 11:45pm. Services from Gatwick run to a similar timetable.

A one-way adult fare starts at £19.90 from the ticket office at Gatwick or London Victoria. The same ticket costs £17.80 when purchased online. For timetable information and ticket bookings visit Gatwick Express here.

Note Gatwick Airport railway station is located at the Airport’s South Terminal.

Bus and Coach: A number of operators run services to and from Gatwick Airport. The most popular being National Express who has 30 pick-up points across the UK, with a new service to Kent. One-way adult tickets start from £8 when booked in advance. Services 24 hour and the journey to London Victoria Coach Station takes 1 hour and 15 minutes in good traffic conditions. For more information and ticket booking visit National Express here.

easyBus also offers a coach service from the airport to Earl’s Court Station London starting at £2 when booked well in advance. For details visit easyBus here.

Uber: Flat-rate fares are no longer available to Uber customers travelling to Gatwick and Heathrow airports. Until recently the company offered a series of set fares trips to London airports but Uber now calculates fares based on time and distance rates. Expect to pay approximately £83 for an 84 minute journey to central London in good traffic conditions.

Taxis: Gatwick Airport taxi booking service operates around the clock. There is an online booking service passengers can use to request a taxi and determine fares. To Victoria Station, a standard cab may cost you around £110.

Parking Fees: If you plan to drive to the airport, there are a large number of private lots where you can leave your car. Prices start from £4-6 per day or £36 a week and can increase to over £72. Gatwick also offers its own parking service. Passengers can use the online tool here to determine their fee. Note that road congestion charges may also apply on top of your parking fee.

Checking-In

Liquids
Baby Milk and Medicine
Electronic Passport Exit

To find your check-in desk, look for your flight number on the screens near the terminal entrance. Many airlines now allow you to check-in online, but not all passengers and routes are eligible, as some carriers restrict the service to those travelling without hold baggage. To find out which terminal your airline is located in, use this online tool.

Liquids

Liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less. They must be carried separately in a single plastic bag which is:

Transparent and resealable
No larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in)
Able to close properly with all the items inside

Liquids in containers over 100ml will not be permitted through security. You will need to pack them in your hold baggage instead.

Baby Milk and Medicine

If you are travelling with a baby or infant, an exception to the above rule will apply, but you can carry only what liquids you need for your journey.

The same applies to liquid medication – you can only carry what you need during the course of your flight.

All medication should be accompanied by documentary proof of authenticity, such as a prescription or letter from a doctor.

Liquid medication that is not required on the flight should be carried as hold luggage.

Electronic Passport Exit

If you have a new biometric ‘chipped’ passport, you can use the automated ePassport gates instead of having your passport checked by a Border Force officer.

This means you can avoid the queues and get through passport control more quickly. You can use the gates if you are a passport holder of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) – including the UK – or Switzerland; and if you have the EEA chip logo on your passport.

You cannot use the gates with a national identity card. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens. This facility is currently available to anyone aged 18 or over arriving in either the North or South terminals.

Amenities

Wifi and Internet
Plug Stations and Charging
Cafés, Restaurants Bars
Lounges
Playrooms
Smoking Lounge
Prayer Rooms
Shopping and Duty Free
Sleeping Pods

Wifi and Internet

Free Wifi is available throughout the terminal for 90 minutes per registered device per day. The instructions to log on are as follows:

Navigate to the list of available wireless networks.
Click on the ‘get online now’ button and select Gatwick Free Wifi.
Log into your myGatwick account.
Click on the pink ‘Get online’ button for 45 minutes free Wifi.
Once that session is finished, repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 for a further 45 minutes.

Plug Stations and Charging

Live sockets are available before and after security. They are compatible with UK and European plugs and are free to use. It is also possible to use lockers to charge devices while you shop. Here you can plug in your phone and follow the instructions where you can recharge for between 30 and 90 minutes. Each locker key is unique, so your mobile is secure at all times.

Cafés, Restaurants Bars

Gatwick offers an array of cafés and bars. Click here for a full list of service offerings and their prices.

Lounges

Regus Express, a network of business lounges, has meeting rooms and lounge facilities located in the South Terminal. Rooms are around £30 per hour with complimentary tea and coffee. Catering is also available.

Wifi workpods are also available for rent at £10 per hour. North Workpods are situated between Gate 104 and 105 and South Workpods are located between Gate 31 and 38.

Other private operators such as Aspire, My Lounge, No. 1 Lounge Gatwick also offer lounge access at various rates.

Playrooms

Kids Zones are free of charge and located upstairs in the South Terminal departure lounge, and behind Boots in North Terminal departure lounge.

Smoking Lounge

Gatwick is a smoke-free airport, although smoking is permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building. The use of electronic cigarettes indoors is also prohibited.

Prayer Rooms

There is a multi-faith prayer room in both the North and South Terminal open 24 hours a day to people of all faiths. The South Terminal chapel is on the third floor level near Caffè Nero (before security). The North Terminal chapel is on the ground floor, next to international arrivals (also before security).

Shopping and Duty Free

An A to Z listing of shops can be found here. The World Duty Free store offers a selection of goods on sale without VAT.

Sleeping Pods

None.

Facilities

Toilets
Showers
Assisted Travelling Through Terminals
Lost and Found
Nearby Hotels

Toilets

Unisex toilets are provided on the main concourse and within the departures lounge. Parents travelling with children can also use the changing rooms – one in each of the terminals. These facilities include an adjustable bed that lowers to ground level, a hoist and flexible wash basins, all located in a large wash room with full shower facilities. Changing Places are free to use and do not need to be pre-booked. Unisex accessible toilets are also provided near most toilet blocks.

Showers

Free showers are available in the South Terminal, Landside, Departures Level 3, opposite the Beehive Bar and restaurant. In the North Terminal, showers are in the No. 1 Lounge. Lounge entrance fees apply.

Assisted Travelling Through Terminals

Special help points for all those with a disability or mobility difficulties are located on both terminal forecourts, short stay car parks, stations, baggage reclaim halls and on some routes within the terminals where there are long walking distances.

Assistance is free. You can also ask for help with your wheelchair or baggage to get to check-in.

Lost and Found

If you lose an item in the airport, you can search for your missing property at the Lost Property service operated by Excess Baggage Company. This is located on the ground level in Gatwick’s South Terminal. Opening times are 10:00 to 16:00 every day. A charge is made for each item.

Near-by Hotels

London Gatwick Airport has its own hotel and there are a number of others located nearby.

Search Hotels near Gatwick Airport

Airport Guide to Gatwick (LGW)