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London to Gatwick Airport 2026: Trains, Times & Fares by Station

How to get from central London to Gatwick in 2026, station by station: Gatwick Express and Southern from Victoria, Thameslink from St Pancras, Farringdon, Blackfriars and London Bridge, plus the coach. Fares and times compared.

Quick answer

In short: the quickest ways from central London to Gatwick are all trains, and which one is best depends on your station. From Victoria, the Gatwick Express runs direct in about 30 minutes for £19.90, but Southern trains share the same line for less, from around £10 booked ahead. If you are near St Pancras, Farringdon, Blackfriars or London Bridge, Thameslink runs direct to Gatwick's South Terminal from £13.70, saving a trip across town to Victoria. The National Express coach from Victoria Coach Station is the cheapest at around £10, but takes 80 to 110 minutes and is exposed to traffic.

By , founder of AirportCosts · Last updated: 2026-08-17 · How we check costs

Decision guide

How to choose

Cost and time trade-offs

Which London station you start from usually decides your best option. Victoria is the home of the Gatwick Express and Southern, so it suits west and central London. Thameslink is the quiet winner for the City and north London, running through St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge straight to Gatwick without a change, which often beats doubling back to Victoria once you count the Tube leg. For a full Gatwick Express versus Thameslink breakdown, see our dedicated comparison.

Practical decision factors

Buy in advance to cut the cost: Southern and Thameslink advance singles start well below the walk-up fare, while the Gatwick Express costs around £19.90, with about 10% off selected tickets booked online. Contactless works to Gatwick and is charged the correct fare automatically. Gatwick's rail station is at the South Terminal, so for the North Terminal take the free inter-terminal shuttle and allow a few extra minutes. If you drive instead, Gatwick's drop-off charge is £10, among the priciest in the country.

2026 fares

London to Gatwick, station by station

Every way from central London to Gatwick, with the London station each one starts from. Fares are dynamic, so treat these as a guide and check the live price before you book.

OptionFrom (London station)FareTime
Gatwick ExpressVictoria£19.90about 30 min
Southern trainVictoriafrom £10 advance, about £15 single30 to 35 min
Thameslink trainSt Pancras, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, London Bridgefrom £13.7030 to 45 min
National Express coachVictoria Coach Stationfrom £1080 to 110 min
Fixed-fare transferDoor to doorLive quote35 to 45 min

Fares checked August 2026 against operator and National Rail information; rail fares are dynamic, so confirm the live price before booking.

Practical checks

Before you choose this route

These checks keep the guide useful for real journeys rather than just repeating the headline fare or fastest advertised journey time.

Total journey cost

Compare the whole journey, including station access, final London transfer, luggage effort, payment deadlines and time buffers.

Live check required

Use the guide to narrow the choice, then check official operator pages before travelling.

Group fit

Multiply fares by every passenger before comparing a public route with a fixed-fare vehicle.

Related airports

Airport guides

LGW

Gatwick Airport

Gatwick is easy by train when your route matches Victoria, London Bridge, Farringdon or Thameslink, but the North/South terminal split matters.

Cost signals

Fees and friction to compare

AirportBest public linkDrop-off feeMain caution
Gatwick Airport Gatwick Express GBP 10 for 10 minutes The North/South Terminal Shuttle Delay

Traveller questions

Questions Travellers Ask Before Booking

These answers focus on the decision points that change the real cost, not just the advertised journey time.

What is the fastest way to get from London to Gatwick?

The fastest options are all trains, taking about 30 to 35 minutes. The Gatwick Express runs direct from Victoria in around 30 minutes, and Southern trains share the same line for less. From the City, Thameslink runs direct to Gatwick South Terminal in a similar time, so your quickest route usually depends on which London station is closest to you.

How much is the train from London to Gatwick?

A Southern or Thameslink single is around £15, or from about £10 if you book in advance. The Gatwick Express is around £19.90, with about 10% off selected tickets booked online. Thameslink starts as low as £13.70 and runs the same tracks as the Express, so you pay extra on the Express mainly for the direct Victoria branding.

Can I get to Gatwick without going to Victoria?

Yes. Thameslink runs direct to Gatwick South Terminal from St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge, with no need to cross town to Victoria. For the City and north London this is usually faster than doubling back for the Gatwick Express.

Which London stations have direct trains to Gatwick?

Victoria has the Gatwick Express and Southern, while St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge all have direct Thameslink trains to Gatwick South Terminal. Every one of these reaches Gatwick without a change.

Is the Gatwick Express worth it from London?

Usually not on price. The Gatwick Express is only about 5 minutes faster than a Southern train on the same Victoria to Gatwick line, yet it costs £19.90 against roughly £15 or less. It is worth it only when Victoria is exactly where you are and you value the simple, non-stop run.

How long does it take to get from London to Gatwick?

About 30 minutes by fast train from Victoria, 30 to 45 minutes by Thameslink depending on your station, and 80 to 110 minutes by National Express coach. Trains are far more reliable than the coach, which shares the road with traffic.

Does the train from London go to Gatwick North or South Terminal?

Gatwick rail station is at the South Terminal. If you are flying from the North Terminal, take the free inter-terminal shuttle, which runs constantly and takes only a few minutes, so allow a little extra time.

What is the cheapest way to get from London to Gatwick?

The National Express coach from Victoria Coach Station is the cheapest at around £10, and advance Southern or Thameslink train tickets also start near £10. Our cheapest way to Gatwick guide compares every option in full.

Can I use contactless from London to Gatwick?

Yes. You can tap in and out with a contactless card or Oyster to Gatwick and be charged the correct fare automatically, which is usually cheaper than a paper ticket bought on the day.

How we keep this accurate: fares and fees are checked against official operator and airport sources, last reviewed 2026-08-17. We update the figures when operators change them, but prices can change without notice, so confirm the live fare before you book.

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