Drop-off and parking pain point
GBP 10 for 10 minutes Payment: By midnight the day after use. Alternative: Long Stay car parks up to 2 hours free with shuttle. Unpaid drop-off charges can become a Parking Charge Notice.
Airport cost guide
Gatwick Airport costs
Gatwick is easy by train when your route matches Victoria, London Bridge, Farringdon or Thameslink, but the North/South terminal split matters.
Quick answer
Gatwick Airport is usually best checked by comparing Gatwick Express, coach options, drop-off charges and a pre-booked transfer when luggage or door-to-door timing matters.
Distance to LondonAbout 30 minutes to Victoria on Gatwick Express; other rail routes vary.
Best public linkGatwick Express
Drop-off costGBP 10 for 10 minutes
TerminalsNorth Terminal, South Terminal
Compare routes
Public transport, transfer and drop-off choices
Use this as the planning view before checking live times, disruptions and ticket availability.
| Option | Typical fare | Typical time | Useful for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatwick Express | check live fare | around 30 min to Victoria | Victoria and simple luggage trips | May not be best value versus Southern or Thameslink. |
| Thameslink | check live fare | direct to London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras | Cross-London access | Can be crowded and tickets can confuse visitors. |
| Southern | check live fare | Victoria and south London links | Value-minded rail users | Stopping pattern affects time. |
| Coach | check live fare | varies by road traffic | Budget and regional links | Plan around traffic. |
Journey buffer
Plan at least 150 minutes for public transport to airport flow, 180 minutes for road transfers, and longer for inter-airport connections.
Pain points
What usually catches travellers out
The North/South Terminal Shuttle Delay
Gatwick's mainline train station is physically attached to the South Terminal (home to British Airways and Vueling). If your flight departs from the North Terminal (home to easyJet and Emirates), you cannot walk there. You must take the free automated inter-terminal shuttle monorail. While the ride only takes 2 minutes, factoring in the walk from the train platforms, the wait for the shuttle, and the walk to North Terminal security adds a mandatory 15 minutes to your journey. Never book a tight train connection if you are flying from the North Terminal.
The Gatwick Express 'Premium' Trap
Many tourists assume the Gatwick Express is the only way to London. It costs £21.90 and takes 30 minutes to London Victoria. However, standard Southern Railway trains use the exact same tracks to Victoria, take only 3 to 5 minutes longer, and can be significantly cheaper if using a contactless bank card. Furthermore, if your hotel is near London Bridge, Blackfriars, or St Pancras, the Thameslink train is actually a direct route without any Tube changes, making the 'premium' Gatwick Express completely redundant.
Aggressive Drop-off Tariffs
Gatwick operates one of the most aggressive drop-off tariffs in the UK. You are charged £10 for just 10 minutes in the terminal forecourt. Crucially, if you stay 11 minutes, the fee jumps by £1 for every additional minute. If you are dropping off elderly relatives or young children and need time to unload heavy suitcases, this zone is a financial trap. Instead, follow the signs to the Long Stay car park, where you get 2 hours of free parking and a free bus transfer to the terminal doors.
Local fixed-fare routes
Gatwick Airport route cost pages
Each route below has a dedicated URL with route-specific pricing context and calculator defaults.
St AlbansLGW
St Albans to Gatwick Airport
Compare public transport, luggage friction, drop-off charges and fixed-fare private transfer options for this route.
Fixed fare from GBP 123Dedicated URL, calculator defaults and source-backed airport rules.BrightonLGW
Brighton to Gatwick Airport
Compare public transport, luggage friction, drop-off charges and fixed-fare private transfer options for this route.
Fixed fare from GBP 65Dedicated URL, calculator defaults and source-backed airport rules.FAQ
Gatwick Airport traveller questions
Short answers to the airport-specific issues travellers are most likely to get wrong before booking.
Which Gatwick terminal do I need: North or South?
Gatwick operates two terminals: North and South. The Gatwick train station is physically attached to the South Terminal. If your flight departs from the North Terminal (which is heavily used by easyJet and Emirates), you will need to take the free inter-terminal transit monorail. This adds about 10-15 minutes to your journey. Always check your boarding pass for your terminal before you arrive.
Is it cheaper to use Oyster or Contactless at Gatwick?
Both Oyster and Contactless bank cards are accepted on trains between Gatwick and London. However, it is generally recommended to use Contactless because it guarantees you the daily and weekly fare caps across the TfL network. Standard Oyster cards have a maximum balance limit and sometimes fail if you travel too far outside London without enough pre-loaded credit.
How do I pay the Gatwick drop-off fee?
Gatwick charges £10 for dropping off passengers in the terminal forecourts for up to 10 minutes. You must pay this charge online by midnight the day after your visit. You cannot pay at a barrier or hand cash to an attendant. If you fail to log on and pay within the deadline, you will be issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
Can I get a taxi from Gatwick late at night?
Yes, Gatwick operates 24/7, and there are always licensed taxis and private hire vehicles available. However, landing after midnight means public transport is severely restricted (the Gatwick Express stops running, leaving only limited Thameslink and coach services). Pre-booking a private transfer is the safest and most reliable way to guarantee a ride home if your flight lands between midnight and 5:00 AM.