Gatwick to London: Transport Options

There are several ways to travel from Gatwick Airport to London and the surrounding area. Compare the options below with your destination, luggage and flight time in mind.

Car

Coach

Private transfer

Train

Bicycle

Driving from Gatwick

A drive from Gatwick to central London may take around 60–70 minutes in favourable conditions, but traffic and the exact destination can make it considerably longer. The airport is reached via junction 9 of the M23, with connections to the A23 London–Brighton road.

Airport parking

If you are leaving your car at the airport, compare parking products for your dates and terminal before booking. Advance rates may be lower than drive-up prices, but the best choice also depends on the transfer time, cancellation terms and how close you want to park.

London Congestion Charge

The central London Congestion Charge is £18 per day when paid in advance or on the day. Charging hours are 07:00–18:00 Monday to Friday and 12:00–18:00 at weekends and on bank holidays. The charge does not apply between Christmas Day and the New Year bank holiday, inclusive. It covers the signed central zone, not every journey in London. Check your route and payment requirements; the ULEZ is a separate scheme.

Coaches and airport connections

National Express offers coach connections from Gatwick, including services to Heathrow. For a London journey, check the current route and arrival point shown for your ticket rather than assuming every coach serves Victoria.

Journey times and fares depend on the service, travel date and traffic. Use the operator’s current journey planner and leave a suitable margin if you are connecting with a flight.

Plan your arrival around your airline’s check-in and bag-drop deadlines, allowing time for traffic, walking through the terminal and security screening.

National Express normally allows checked luggage, including a suitcase weighing up to 20 kg under its standard allowance. Check the current dimensions and rules for additional items; your airline’s baggage allowance is separate.

Hotel transfers

Gatwick Hoppa and individual hotel shuttle services connect participating airport hotels with the terminals. Check whether your chosen hotel is served and where to board.

Hotel shuttles use their own timetables and pickup points. Gatwick Hoppa links both terminals with participating nearby hotels; confirm the hotel’s current name and address, the correct route and its operating hours before travelling.

Check the current adult and child fares with the hotel or shuttle operator, including whether advance booking is required and what luggage is included.

Local and regional buses

Local operators, including Metrobus, serve Gatwick and nearby towns. Accessibility, fares and payment methods depend on the operator; do not assume that a London Oyster card is accepted on local Gatwick services.

For regional routes and prices, consult the relevant bus operator. TfL provides information about connections once you are travelling within its London network.

Private transfers from Gatwick to London

Allow roughly 60–70 minutes for the drive to central London only as an optimistic planning estimate. Your destination and traffic can add substantial time. A private-transfer quote depends on the route, vehicle, passengers and luggage.

London Airport Transfer can help you select a vehicle for your party and arrange a pickup in advance. Confirm passenger and luggage capacity, the meeting point and the current fare when booking, so that the journey fits your arrival plans.

To arrange a private transfer, send your journey details through our booking page.

Trains from Gatwick

London Victoria

Gatwick Express normally operates 2 trains per hour to London Victoria, with a journey time of about 30 minutes. Check the timetable for your travel date and compare current ticket options before buying.

Southern trains connect Gatwick with London Victoria and Clapham Junction. Journey time, stopping pattern and frequency vary by service, so check the departure you intend to use. Compare the available fares and ticket restrictions rather than assuming a fixed day or night schedule.

London Bridge and St Pancras

Thameslink runs from Gatwick through London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St Pancras International. Selected services continue towards destinations such as Luton Airport Parkway and Bedford. Check the destination and stops of your train, along with the current fare and any ticket restrictions.

Taking a bicycle on London transport

Folded bicycles are generally accepted on the London transport network. Full-size conventional cycles are allowed only on permitted services and at specified times, so check TfL’s cycle map before using the Underground. Non-folding e-bikes are not permitted on the Tube, London Overground, Elizabeth line or DLR. Follow station instructions, particularly around escalators.

Rail operators set their own cycle rules, and a reservation may be needed on some services. Check the operator for your particular train rather than assuming that a full-size bicycle can always travel outside peak hours. Keep a folding bicycle folded and stored safely; restrictions on non-folding e-bikes also apply on the relevant TfL rail services.

A folded bicycle may be carried on a bus at the driver’s discretion if space allows. Keep it safely out of the way and respect wheelchair and pushchair space; carrying a bicycle does not take priority over other passengers’ access needs.

Folded bicycles can be taken on the DLR. Full-size conventional cycles are subject to time and route conditions, including restrictions at Bank; non-folding e-bikes are not permitted. Check the rules for your journey before setting off.

Only folded bicycles may be taken on London trams. Keep the bicycle secure and follow staff instructions so that doors and passenger spaces remain clear.

Cycle-parking facilities vary between stations. Check the station information on TfL’s website before relying on somewhere to leave your bicycle.