- Mr Plane Guy
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
How to Get From Gatwick Airport to Central London (Train, Bus & Taxi)
By Travel Blogger, Mr Plane Guy
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Landing at London Gatwick Airport and wondering how to get into the city?
The good news is Gatwick has some of the fastest airport transport links in the UK, with trains reaching central London in around 30 minutes.
But many travellers make one common mistake: they follow the signs and jump on the Gatwick Express, often paying far more than necessary.
In this guide I’ll explain the fastest, cheapest and smartest ways to travel from Gatwick to central London, including trains, buses, taxis and a few Plane Honest tips to help you avoid overpaying.
🚗 If you’re driving to the airport, check my Gatwick Airport Parking Guide, where I compare the cheapest parking options and explain how to save up to 70%.
✈️ Quick Answer
The fastest way to travel from Gatwick Airport to central London is by train. Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express services reach stations like London Bridge, Victoria and St Pancras in around 30–40 minutes, with fares starting from around £13 using contactless payment.
How Much Does the Train From Gatwick to London Cost?
Train Service | Journey Time | Typical Price |
Gatwick Express | ~30 min | £20–£23 |
Southern | ~30–35 min | £14–£16 |
Thameslink | ~30–40 min | £13–£15 |
*prices are approximate as of 2024
How Far Is Gatwick Airport From Central London?
London Gatwick Airport sits around 28 miles (45 km) south of central London, in the county of Surrey between the towns of Horley and Crawley.
Despite the distance, the airport is very well connected to the capital by train, making it possible to reach London Bridge, Victoria or St Pancras in around 30–40 minutes.
This makes Gatwick one of the easiest London airports to reach by public transport.
Best Way to Get From Gatwick to London: Take the Train
For most travellers, the train is easily the best way to get from Gatwick to central London.
It’s usually the fastest, simplest and often the cheapest option, with regular departures throughout the day from the station located directly inside the airport’s South Terminal.
There are three main train services connecting Gatwick Airport with London:
• Gatwick Express
• Southern Rail
• Thameslink
Many tourists automatically choose Gatwick Express because of the branding, but the reality is the other trains often cost significantly less while taking roughly the same amount of time.
Gatwick Express to London Victoria
The Gatwick Express is the airport’s dedicated non-stop train service between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria station.
Journey time: around 30 minutes
Typical price: around £20–£23
Trains run frequently and are easy to find inside the station, but they are also the most expensive option for travelling into London.
For many travellers, one of the other train services below offers better value.
Southern Rail to London Victoria
Southern trains also run between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria, often taking almost exactly the same amount of time as the Gatwick Express.
Journey time: 30–35 minutes
Typical price: around £14–£16
These services usually stop at East Croydon and Clapham Junction, making them a good option if your destination is in south or west London.
For many travellers this is the best value train from Gatwick.
Thameslink Trains to London Bridge & St Pancras
The Thameslink service connects Gatwick Airport with several central London stations including:
• London Bridge
• Blackfriars
• City Thameslink
• Farringdon
• St Pancras International
Journey time: 30–40 minutes
Typical price: around £13–£15
This is often the cheapest train option, and it’s especially convenient if you're heading towards central or north London.
Plane Tip! You don't need to queue and buy a ticket, use contactless credit or debit card or apple pay to tap in and tap out of the station.
Many visitors queue at ticket machines or ticket offices at Gatwick Airport.
But in most cases you don’t need to buy a ticket at all.
You can simply tap in and tap out using a contactless bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, just like using the London Underground. It’s quick, easy and avoids booking fees charged by some ticket machines and apps.
You could always buy the tickets in advance using the trainline, even download the tickets to your phone/apple wallet. Download the app. Here is a link to The Trainline
Is Gatwick Express Worth It?
Faster but expensive.
Southern often same time and cheaper and also. goto London Victoria.
Thameslink cheaper but go to London Bridge and then on to other London trsin ststions.
What If Trains Are Cancelled?
Occasionally train services from Gatwick to London can be disrupted due to engineering works, strikes or signal problems.
If this happens, there are still several alternative ways to reach the city.
Replacement buses are sometimes provided using your train ticket, but you can also consider the options below. Link to service updates here,
Bus From Gatwick to London (FlixBus & National Express)
If you’re looking for a cheap and simple way to travel from Gatwick Airport to London, buses can be a good option, especially if trains are disrupted.
Two main coach companies operate routes from Gatwick:
• National Express
• FlixBus
FlixBus often offers some of the cheapest fares, with journeys from Gatwick taking around 1 hour 10 minutes to Stratford (Montfichet Rd, E20 1EG) or around 50 minutes to Heathrow Airport, depending on traffic.
Price: usually £10–£20
If you’re curious whether it’s worth using, I’ve also written a full review based on my own experience:
Taxi or Uber From Gatwick to London
Taxis and ride-sharing services are available directly outside the arrivals hall.
Typical price:
£50 – £100 depending on destination and traffic.
Uber prices can vary depending on demand, particularly if train services are disrupted.
If you're travelling in a group, sharing a taxi can sometimes make this option more reasonable.
Plane Tip: A Smart Backup Route. If trains from Gatwick are disrupted, consider taking a short taxi ride to nearby stations like Redhill or East Croydon.
Both have frequent train services into London and can sometimes help you avoid long delays at the airport.
Plane Tip: Upgrade Your Train Seat With Seatfrog
If you're travelling further across the UK by train, perhaps heading to Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, York or Bristol, there’s a clever trick many travellers don’t know about.
The Seatfrog app lets you bid for last-minute upgrades to First Class seats on many UK train services.
That means you could end up travelling in First Class for less than the price of a standard ticket upgrade, sometimes including perks like:
• larger seats
• quieter carriages
• complimentary food and drinks
I’ve used it myself and explained exactly how it works here:
It’s one of my favourite Plane Honest travel hacks for making longer train journeys far more comfortable.
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I've put all of the info of How to get from London Gatwick to central London into a tik tok video which may explain it better, oh and don't forget to hit the follow!
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Travelling From Gatwick to Heathrow Airport
If you're connecting between airports, getting from Gatwick to Heathrow can be surprisingly awkward by train.
To travel by rail, you would usually need to:
Take a train from Gatwick to central London
Cross the city
Take the Underground or Elizabeth Line to Heathrow
Even if everything runs smoothly, the journey usually takes at least 90 minutes and can be confusing for visitors.
For many travellers, the simplest option is actually the bus.
Coach services from companies like FlixBus and National Express run directly between Gatwick and Heathrow and usually take around 50–70 minutes, depending on traffic.
👉 Check FlixBus Gatwick to Heathrow tickets here
Gatwick to London FAQs
What is the cheapest way to get to London from Gatwick?
The cheapest way to travel from Gatwick Airport to London is usually the Thameslink or Southern train service, with fares starting from around £13–£15 when using contactless payment. These trains take roughly 30–40 minutes and often cost significantly less than the Gatwick Express.
How much is the Gatwick Express to London?
The Gatwick Express typically costs around £20–£23 for a single ticket between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria. The journey takes about 30 minutes, but many travellers choose Southern or Thameslink trains instead as they are often £5–£10 cheaper and take a similar amount of time.
Is Gatwick Express the fastest way to London?
The Gatwick Express is one of the fastest services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria, taking around 30 minutes. However, Southern and Thameslink trains often take almost the same amount of time, making them a better value option for many travellers.
Is Gatwick Airport easy to get to from London?
Yes, Gatwick Airport is one of the easiest London airports to reach by train. Direct services run from London Victoria, London Bridge, St Pancras and Farringdon, with journey times starting from around 30 minutes depending on the service.
Things to do in London
Check out my Gatwick Airport Lounge Reviews
How to Access Gatwick Airport Lounges Without Business Class
Many travellers assume airport lounges are only for business class passengers.
In reality, you can access many Gatwick lounges using Priority Pass, which gives members entry to over 1,800 airport lounges worldwide.
That includes several lounges at Gatwick Airport.
Instead of paying £40–£60 walk-up entry, members can visit lounges for around £24 per visit.
Final Boarding Call
Getting from Gatwick Airport to central London is surprisingly straightforward once you know your options.
For most travellers, the train will be the fastest and cheapest choice, especially using Thameslink or Southern services instead of the more expensive Gatwick Express.
If trains are disrupted, buses and taxis offer reliable alternatives, and if you’re connecting to Heathrow, direct coach services can save time and hassle.
Whichever route you choose, London is never far away once you land at Gatwick.
Plane Relate links
Hello I’m Paul a travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline.
I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!
I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!
I hope you enjoyed this How to Get From Gatwick Airport to Central London (Train, Bus & Taxi) Do let me know in the comments........
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