Gatwick handles many late-evening and early-morning flights, particularly budget airlines and long-haul arrivals. Knowing your options before you land makes a big difference.
Train services after midnight
| Service | Last departure | First morning service |
|---|---|---|
| Gatwick Express | Around midnight | Early morning |
| Thameslink | Hourly through the night | Regular from early morning |
| Southern | Limited night service | Regular from early morning |
Fixed-price private transfer
LGW Westminster
From€124for 2 passengers
Other destinations
Thameslink runs a reduced overnight service with roughly one train per hour through the night. This gets you to London Bridge, Blackfriars, or St Pancras, but the journey is slower and you may wait up to an hour on the platform. The Gatwick Express stops entirely around midnight.
Exact first and last departures move with the timetable and differ by day of the week, so check the operator against your actual landing time — do not plan around a figure in a guide.
Taxis and Uber after dark
The official taxi rank outside both terminals operates 24 hours. Gatwick taxis are licensed by Crawley Borough Council rather than TfL and no equivalent fare range is published for the route, so ask the driver for an estimate before you set off — and expect a night rate. Uber is available but wait times increase and surge pricing commonly applies; the app quotes you before you confirm.
Why a transfer is the best late-night option
A pre-booked transfer is the most reliable way to get to London (or anywhere in the Southeast) after dark:
- Fixed price — no surge, no nighttime supplements that change your bill.
- Flight tracking — your driver adjusts for delays. No scrambling if you land at 1 AM instead of midnight.
- Waiting in arrivals — no standing at a taxi rank or platform at 2 AM.
- Price: GBP 70–100 to central London, fixed at booking and often less than a metered taxi at night.
Can I stay at Gatwick overnight?
Yes. The South Terminal has airside and landside rest zones, and there are several hotels within walking distance or connected by shuttle. The Yotel is inside the South Terminal for quick naps. For longer stays, the Hilton and Premier Inn are connected to the terminals.