With 45 million passengers serviced in 2017, Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom, after Heathrow.
This hub offers regular flights on domestic and international routes.
Its proximity to London and excellent transport connections to the city centre also makes it very popular for low-cost airlines.
Gatwick Airport has two terminals: North and South and it is served by approximately 100 airlines connecting to over 200 destinations worldwide.
HISTORY:
The airport has been in operation since 1933, when it was opened for commercial flights. The first terminal was built in 1935 and the airport development plans were implemented in the 1950s.
In the 1960s Gatwick was used by two of the largest British independent airlines: "British United Airways (BUA)" and "Dan-Air". Furthermore, during this decade, there was an increase in charter flights.
In the 70s and 80s, "British Caledonian" became Gatwick's dominant scheduled airline.
In the 2000s, thanks to airport expansions and renovations and the continuous rise in passenger numbers, Gatwick was proclaimed the second busiest airport in London.
CONNECTIONS FROM AND TO GATWICK AIRPORT:
Gatwick Airport is located about 45km south of London and, although there is no direct subway, using public transport is an easy way to get to the city center.
Train from Gatwick Airport to London:
Gatwick Airport railway station offers 130 direct connections to Central London, without intermediate stops.
Gatwick Express offers a non-stop service between the airport and London Victoria Station. The journey time is approximately 30 minutes and the service runs every 15 minutes.
Standard tickets cost £17.75 (kids aged 5-15 pay £8.85).
First Class train tickets cost £25.80 (kids aged 5-15 pay £12.90).
Kids aged 0-4 travel free of charge.
• Gatwick → London Victoria: every day from 04:35am to 01:35am
• London Victoria → Gatwick: every day from 03:30 to 00:32am
Advantages of this service:
• Fast and direct service to Central London
• Free luggage
• Tickets purchasable online
• Tickets valid for any daily route
Gatwick Airport railway station is located at the South Terminal and is accessible from the North Terminal by a free shuttle. Trains to and from: London Victoria Station, Clapham Junction and East Croydon station are also available.
Thameslink offers train services from Gatwick to London Bridge, St Pancras and Luton airport.
Bus from Gatwick Airport to London:
Buses are always the cheapest (but slower) way to travel. Airport bus services are offered by Metrobus (local buses), EasyBus, National Express and Megabus.
Easy bus operates between Gatwick Airport and Chelsea District with departures every 15 minutes (peak times), every day from 04:00am to 01:00am, except Christmas day. The journey takes around 80 minutes.
Megabus offers a daily service from Gatwick Airport, North and South Terminals to Heathrow Airport, Cardiff and Bristol.
National Express provides daily connections between Central London and other cities in the UK. Tickets to London Victoria Station fare starting from £8 one-way depending on the time of day. If you want to save money you can buy the ticket online. The journey takes around 85 minutes.
Bus stops Gatwick-Central London:
• Gatwick airport (North and South Terminals)
• Lower Kingswood
• Banstead
• Belmont
• Sutton Rail Station
• Sutton Centre
• Rosehill
• Mitcham
• Streatham
• Stockwell
• Vauxhall
• Victoria Coach Station
Local buses, operated by Metrobus and Southdown, connect different cities and towns located near Gatwick airport (service in both terminals).
Taxi from Gatwick Airport to London:
Taxi is the most expensive option to get to the city center. The journey takes about one hour and fares are based on time and distance. If you book in advance you can take advantage of the lower rates starting from £22.50 per person (groups of 4).
Connections from Gatwick to Heathrow:
• By bus and coach:
o National Express: non-stop services between Gatwick and Heathrow. The journey takes around 75 minutes and the ticket costs £25.
o Megabus: departure every hour, it takes around 45 minutes.
• By train:
o Gatwick Express: trains to London Victoria take 30 minutes.
o Heathrow Express: departures from Paddington and Heathrow airport (Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4) every 15 minutes.
o Heathrow Connect: operates between the same stations, but the service is truly slow.
SECURITY CONTROLS:
Before leaving for the airport is important to understand the restrictions on the carriage of items by air.
The following points will help to speed up the security procedures:
• Have your boarding pass ready for inspection (passport is not required);
• Any liquids (including creams, gels, pastes and aerosols) must be in containers of no more than 100 ml each and then placed inside a clear resealable plastic bag separately from your bag;
• Place your coat/jacket, electrical items into a tray.
click here for additional info on what you can and can't take with you.
GATWICK AIRPORT SERVICES:
Gatwick airport services:
• Services for passengers travelling with children;
• Assistance for disabled passengers or passengers with reduced mobility;
• Free Wi-Fi;
• 7 airport lounges with private bar, drinks, snacks, newspapers and magazines. Priority Pass members receive free access to any Priority Pass lounge.
• Business facilities and meeting rooms;
• Fast track service bookable online (£5);
• 7 airport hotels;
• services: information desk, ATMs, postal services, financial services, luggage deposit, shops, restaurants, bars, super-markets, parking, car rental, chapel.
Additional info can be found on the airport’s official website:
www.gatwickairport.com
In case of flight delay, tickets are valid for the following buses.
