Trains to and from Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in the UK after Heathrow Airport. For convenience and to save on costs, many travelers take the train to get there. Located in the south east of London, Gatwick Airport is only a 30-minute train journey from London city center.
The airport has 2 terminals: the North Terminal and the South Terminal. The train stops at Gatwick Airport station, a mere 5-minute walk from both departures and arrivals at the South Terminal. A fast shuttle bus connects the South and North Terminals in just 2 minutes. Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Southern trains run between major London stations and Gatwick Airport.
Read on to learn more about buying Gatwick Airport train tickets, timetables, and possible connections.
What's in this guide?
How to get from Gatwick Airport to London by train
Flying into Gatwick Airport? You’ll arrive at either the North Terminal or the South Terminal.
If you arrive at the North Terminal, you’ll need to get to the South Terminal to take your train to the city center as the train station is located there. To reach the South Terminal, you can take the airport’s free shuttle bus, which connects the 2 terminals in just 2 minutes.
If you arrive at the South Terminal, simply follow the signs to the train station – you’ll be there in just 5 minutes.
From Gatwick Airport train station, you can travel with one of the following train operators to central London:
- Gatwick Express: If you’re planning to get to London Victoria train station, the Gatwick Express is the quickest option to get there. This train is usually a non-stop service. However, there are some services that make a couple of stops along the way, including East Croydon and Clapham Junction, before reaching the city center. With the Gatwick Express, you can get to London Victoria in about 30 minutes. From London Victoria, you can easily reach any part of central London thanks to an extensive metro (or Tube) and bus network.
- Southern: If you’re traveling from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria station and are looking for a slightly cheaper option, you can also take a Southern train. This service will make more stops along the way, making the trip 10-15 minutes longer than the Gatwick Express.
- Thameslink: If you need to reach London St. Pancras, Farringdon, Blackfriars, or London Bridge station, you can take a Thameslink train. Like Southern trains, this will make a few stops before reaching your destination.
If you need more information, check out our guide to how to get from Gatwick Airport to central London.
Where should I travel next after London?
Sure, you might have had a good time in London, but your European adventure doesn’t have to stop there. Why not check out some of these trips below?
Travel to Edinburgh
If you’d like to explore more of the UK by train, why not head to Edinburgh? You can get from London to Edinburgh in a little over 4 hours on the fastest LNER or Lumo services. As soon as you get off your train, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history right away.
Board a train to Manchester
It’s easy to travel from London to Manchester with Avanti West Coast. The train leaves from London Euston station (easily accessible from central London on public transport). It can take a little over 2 hours, which means less time spent waiting around and more time to explore! So, what are you waiting for?
Speed away to Paris
Want to visit another of Europe’s bustling capitals? Paris might be the place for you. Boasting fascinating architecture, delicious cuisine and much more, there’s plenty to see and do in the French capital.
The journey from London to Paris can take just 2 hours and 16 minutes, and there’s no waiting around for your baggage once you’re in France – you can just grab your bags and go!
How to get from London to Gatwick Airport by train
Flying from Gatwick Airport and not sure how to get there? We’ve got you covered!
There are several train operators that connect London city center with the airport:
- Gatwick Express: The Gatwick Express is the quickest way to get to Gatwick Airport from central London. This train leaves from London Victoria station and is usually a non-stop service. However, there are some services that make a couple of stops along the way, including Clapham Junction and East Croydon, before reaching the airport. With the Gatwick Express, you can get to Gatwick Airport in about 30 minutes.
- Southern: If you’re traveling from London Victoria station and are looking for a slightly cheaper option, you can also take a Southern train. This service will make more stops along the way, making the trip 10-15 minutes longer than the Gatwick Express.
- Thameslink: If you’re traveling from London St. Pancras, Farringdon, Blackfriars, or London Bridge station, you can take a Thameslink train. Like Southern trains, this service will make a few stops before reaching Gatwick Airport.
Getting from Gatwick Airport train station to the South Terminal
Flying from the South Terminal? Once you get off your train at Gatwick train station, simply follow the signs to the departures at the South Terminal – you’ll be there in just 5 minutes.
Getting from Gatwick Airport train station to the North Terminal
Flying from the North Terminal? Once you get off your train at Gatwick train station, you’ll need to take the free shuttle bus service that connects the South Terminal with the North Terminal – you’ll get there in just 2 minutes.
New and improved Gatwick Airport train station
Gatwick Airport train station now has new facilities and more space!
In November 2023, a new second concourse and airport entrance opened to the public. There are also improved facilities, including 8 new escalators, 5 new elevators, 4 new stairways and widened platforms were added. All this will help passengers move between the train station and the airport more quickly and easily.
The existing station concourse is also bigger and better – it comes with new customer information systems, more ticket gates and a dedicated passenger assistance point to help people move through the station more quickly.
To provide a seamless one-way system from the train station to the airport, the new concourse will be used by people entering the airport terminal while the existing concourse will be for people exiting.
How to get from Gatwick Airport to other UK destinations by train
Traveling from Gatwick Airport to Brighton, Oxford, or another city in the UK? Keep reading for more information on how to get there by train.
How to get from Gatwick Airport to Brighton by train
If you’re planning to travel to Brighton from Gatwick Airport by train, you can take one of the following services:
- Gatwick Express: The Gatwick Express is the quickest option to get from Gatwick Airport to Brighton by train – after a couple of stops along the way, you’ll reach your destination in just 33 minutes.
- Southern: Southern trains from Gatwick Airport to Brighton usually require a quick change in Hove. The total journey time is around 41 minutes.
- Thameslink: Thameslink trains usually make 1 or 2 more stops than the Gatwick Express, taking around 36-40 minutes in total.
How to get from Gatwick Airport to Oxford by train
If you’re traveling to Oxford from Gatwick Airport by train, you’ll need to make at least 2 changes along the way.
You can take a Thameslink train from Gatwick Airport to Farringdon, then change onto an Elizabeth line service to Paddington and take a Great Western Railway (GWR) train to Oxford.
Alternatively, when you get to Farringdon, you can take an Elizabeth line service to Reading and continue your journey to Oxford with a CrossCountry train.
In total, the journey takes around 2 hours on the fastest services.
Traveling between Gatwick and the other London airports
Need to travel from Gatwick Airport to another London airport but not sure how to get there? Read on for more information.
How to get from Gatwick Airport to Luton Airport by train
Need to travel from Gatwick Airport to Luton Airport by train? No problem! You can take a direct Thameslink service from Gatwick Airport train station to Luton Airport Parkway, which is the closest train station to Luton Airport. From here, you’ll need to take the Luton DART – it’s a passenger transit system that takes you from the station to the airport in just under 4 minutes. In total, the journey can last a little over an hour.
How to get from Gatwick Airport to Stansted Airport by train
If you’re planning to get to Stansted Airport from Gatwick Airport, you’ll need to make at least 2 changes along the way.
You can take a Thameslink service to Farringdon, then change onto an Elizabeth line service to Liverpool Street. From here, you can take a Greater Anglia train to Stansted Airport.
Alternatively, you can take a Gatwick Express or Southern train from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria, then take the metro (or Tube) to Tottenham Hale and finally a Greater Anglia train to Stansted Airport.
Whichever option you choose, you’ll reach your destination in about 2 hours.
How to get from Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport by train
If you need to travel from Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport, why not choose the train? You can get a Thameslink service to Farringdon station and then change onto an Elizabeth line service to Heathrow Airport. Please note that some Elizabeth line trains may not stop at all Heathrow Airport terminal stations, so make sure you double check in advance which terminal you’re flying from.
In total, the journey can take around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
How to buy cheap Gatwick Airport train tickets
We want to make train travel easier for you, which is why we’ve compiled a selection of useful travel tips to help you on your way.
Book your train ticket in advance
Want to save money? Booking your train ticket in advance can be cheaper than buying it on the day. Advance tickets are made available by train operators up to 12 weeks in advance. We recommend you book your ticket as early as possible as advance fares tend to sell out fast.
Travel at Off-Peak times
Your journey can be expensive if you travel to a popular destination like Gatwick Airport at a busy time. If possible, travel outside peak hours (also known as Off-Peak times) to snap up the cheapest fares.
Traveling as a group? Save money with GroupSave
If you’re traveling as a group, you can buy your tickets and get a GroupSave discount. You can get 1/3 off your train tickets when you’re traveling with a group of 3-9 people at an Off-Peak time.
Buy a First Class ticket – it can be cheaper than you think
Don’t want to give up comfort while traveling by train? Get a First Class ticket. You can sometimes save money by traveling First Class. When demand for First Class tickets is low, they will be reduced in price, so you may be able to get them at a lower or similar cost to standard fares.
Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about train travel to and from Gatwick Airport, so you can find the answer you're looking for easily.
Which trains go to Gatwick Airport?
Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink are some of the main operators running trains that go to Gatwick Airport from central London.
Does Gatwick Airport have a train station?
Yes, Gatwick Airport has a train station – it’s located near the South Terminal.
Where is the train station at Gatwick Airport?
Gatwick train station is only a 2-minute walk from the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport. If you fly into the North Terminal, you can get the airport’s free shuttle bus to get to the South Terminal, where the train station is located.
Can you buy train tickets at Gatwick Airport?
Yes, you can buy train tickets from the ticket hall located in the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport. However, we recommend you buy them online with Trainline so you can save time and get them straight onto your phone. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and choose the best ticket option for you.
Is there a train from Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport?
Yes, you can take a train from Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport. You’ll need to make 1 change, usually in Farringdon, before you continue your journey to Heathrow Airport.
How can I get to Gatwick Airport when there’s a train strike?
If there’s a train strike, we recommend you travel with National Express – it’s a UK bus operator that will take you from London Victoria Coach station to Gatwick Airport. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to find the best bus options for you.