Gatwick is one of the few airports where a train genuinely competes with road transport. Here is how each option stacks up.
Three-way comparison
| Factor | Gatwick Express | Taxi / Uber | Pre-booked transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (1 person) | Check gatwickexpress.com | Metered / quoted in app | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Journey time | 30 min to Victoria | 60–90 min | 60–90 min |
| Door to door? | No — station to station | Yes | Yes |
| Luggage handling | Self-service | Driver helps | Driver helps |
| Frequency | Twice an hour | On demand | Scheduled |
| Best for | Solo, light luggage | Convenience, any destination | Groups, families, heavy bags |
Fixed-price private transfer
LGW Canary Wharf
From€172for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €172 per vehicle, about €43 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Other destinations
When the train wins
The Gatwick Express is hard to beat for speed if your destination is near Victoria. Thirty minutes, predictable, no traffic delays. If you are a solo traveller with a carry-on and a backpack, it is the obvious choice.
Thameslink is even better value at GBP 10–15 if you are heading to London Bridge, Blackfriars, or St Pancras — no need to go via Victoria at all.
When road transport wins
The train falls short in several scenarios:
- You have heavy luggage. Dragging suitcases through Victoria Station during rush hour is genuinely unpleasant.
- Your hotel is not near a station. After the train, you still need a Tube ride or taxi — adding cost and time.
- You are a group of 3+. A transfer at GBP 80 for four people is cheaper per person than four Gatwick Express tickets.
- You are arriving after midnight. Train service is heavily reduced.
The Uber factor
Uber at Gatwick can be significantly cheaper than a black cab — sometimes GBP 50–60 to central London. But pricing is unpredictable, and during peak times or bad weather it can spike to GBP 90+. A pre-booked transfer gives you the certainty that Uber does not.
When a private transfer from LGW is the right choice
- You want the price settled before you land: fixed, confirmed in writing, no meter, no night or luggage surcharge at the kerb.
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Canary Wharf is from €172, about €43 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Flight delays: the driver follows your flight number; 60 minutes of waiting are included, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup.
LGW → Canary Wharf from €172Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.