Quick answer
Gatwick Airport is about 45 km south of central London. The fastest option is the Gatwick Express train to Victoria Station — non-stop, 30 minutes, departing twice an hour. A pre-booked private transfer runs GBP 70–100 and takes 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. Thameslink and Southern trains serve the same route and more London stations, take 35–50 minutes, and are the cheaper rail option.
We are not quoting train fares here. Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Southern all price through their own booking engines rather than publishing a fixed figure, the fare depends on ticket type and how far ahead you book, and any number printed in a guide goes stale quietly. Check the operator before you travel — and note that booking Gatwick Express online in advance gets you 10% off.
What actually happens after landing
Gatwick has two terminals — North and South — connected by a free shuttle train (2 minutes). After immigration and baggage claim, follow signs to your preferred transport.
The train station is directly connected to the South Terminal. If you land at the North Terminal, take the inter-terminal shuttle first. The station serves the Gatwick Express, Thameslink, and Southern trains — all from the same platforms.
For taxis and transfers, follow signs to the ground floor of each terminal. The official taxi rank is outside arrivals. Pre-booked transfer drivers typically meet you in the arrivals hall with a name sign.
Transport options explained honestly
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatwick Express | Check gatwickexpress.com | 30 min | Non-stop to Victoria, twice an hour; 10% off online in advance |
| Thameslink train | Cheaper than the Express | 35–50 min | To Blackfriars, City, St Pancras, Luton |
| Southern train | Cheaper than the Express | 35–45 min | To Clapham Junction, Victoria; GBP 2 child tickets with an adult |
| National Express coach | Check the operator | 90–120 min | To Victoria Coach Station |
| Pre-booked transfer | GBP 70–100 | 60–90 min | Fixed price, door-to-door |
| Black cab / taxi | Metered | 60–90 min | Licensed by Crawley Borough Council, not TfL |
| Uber | Quoted in the app | 60–90 min | Dynamic pricing |
The Gatwick Express is the obvious choice for solo travellers heading to central London. But if your hotel is not near Victoria, you may need the Tube after — adding time and cost. A transfer makes more sense when you are going to a specific address outside Zone 1, travelling with heavy luggage, or in a group where the per-person cost becomes competitive.
Realistic pricing expectations
| Destination | Train | Transfer | Taxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Station | Gatwick Express or Southern | GBP 70–90 | Metered |
| Central London (general) | Thameslink or Southern | GBP 70–100 | Metered |
| Canary Wharf | Thameslink + DLR | GBP 85–110 | Metered |
| Heathrow Airport | Via central London | GBP 90–120 | Metered |
| Brighton | Southern or Thameslink | GBP 50–70 | Metered |
| Crawley / Horsham | Local Southern service | GBP 25–40 | Metered |
Transfer prices are fixed and quoted when you book. Rail fares are not listed because the operators do not publish a single figure for these routes — the price depends on ticket type, time of day and how far ahead you buy, and it is set through their booking engines. Look it up on the day rather than trusting a guide.
For groups of 3–4, a transfer often works out competitive per person against individual Gatwick Express tickets, with the added benefit of door-to-door service. Do the sum with the live fare rather than a remembered one.
Late night arrivals
The Gatwick Express stops running around midnight, and after that limited Thameslink and Southern services run through the night, roughly once per hour. Exact first and last departures shift with the timetable, so check the operator on the day rather than relying on a figure here. A pre-booked transfer or taxi is the most reliable late-night option. Uber is available but surge pricing often applies, and wait times can be 15–30 minutes at night.
Families and luggage
The Gatwick Express is fine for families who are comfortable managing bags on a train — there are luggage racks, and the journey is only 30 minutes. But if you have a stroller, multiple heavy suitcases, and tired children, dragging everything through Victoria Station and onto the Tube is exhausting.
A transfer picks you up at the terminal, loads all your luggage, and drops you at your hotel door. For families with young children, the comfort difference is significant. Child seats can be requested when booking.
Where you meet the driver
Trains: Follow signs to the train station at the South Terminal. From the North Terminal, take the shuttle train first.
Pre-booked transfer: Drivers wait in the arrivals hall of your terminal holding a name sign. After meeting, they walk you to the car park — a 3–5 minute walk.
Taxis: The official taxi rank is directly outside the arrivals exit at both terminals. Do not accept offers from drivers approaching you inside the terminal — use the official rank only.
Uber: Use the app to set the pickup at the designated ride-hail area outside your terminal.
Decision helper
Take the Gatwick Express if: you are a solo traveller or couple heading to central London with manageable luggage. It is fast, reliable, and well-priced.
Take Thameslink/Southern if: your destination is along their route (Blackfriars, London Bridge, St Pancras) or you want to save a few pounds.
Book a transfer if: you are a group of 3+, have heavy luggage, travelling with children, going to a specific address outside Zone 1, or arriving late at night.
Take a taxi/Uber if: you want door-to-door service and do not mind variable pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Gatwick Express take to Victoria?
30 minutes non-stop. According to London Gatwick, the service departs twice an hour.
How much is the Gatwick Express?
Gatwick Express does not publish a fixed single fare on its website — you get a price through its booking engine, and it varies by ticket type. London Gatwick's own guidance is that booking online in advance directly with Gatwick Express saves 10%. Check the current fare at gatwickexpress.com before you travel; any figure quoted in a guide dates quickly.
How do I get from Gatwick to central London cheaply?
Thameslink and Southern are the cheaper rail options and take 35–50 minutes to central London stations — Thameslink for Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St Pancras, Southern for Clapham Junction and Victoria. Both price through their own booking engines, so check the fare on the day. Southern also sells GBP 2 child tickets when travelling with an adult.
How much is a taxi from Gatwick to central London?
Gatwick taxis are metered and licensed by Crawley Borough Council rather than Transport for London, so TfL's published London taxi rates do not apply here and there is no equivalent figure we can quote you. Ask the driver for an estimate before you set off. A pre-booked transfer is usually GBP 70–100 with a fixed price agreed up front, which is the main reason people use one on this route.
Is Uber available at Gatwick Airport?
Yes. Uber operates at both terminals. It publishes no fare table — the app quotes you before you confirm, and surge pricing applies at busy times and in bad weather.
What is the last train from Gatwick Airport?
The Gatwick Express stops around midnight, and limited Thameslink and Southern services run roughly hourly through the night. Timetables change, so check the operator for the exact last departure on your date.
How do I get between Gatwick North and South terminals?
A free shuttle train connects both terminals. The journey takes about 2 minutes and runs frequently.
Is a transfer from Gatwick worth it for a group?
For 3–4 people, a transfer at GBP 70–100 works out to GBP 18–33 per person, which is usually in the same territory as individual Gatwick Express tickets — but with door-to-door service and no Tube leg at the end. Compare it against the live Gatwick Express fare on the day rather than a figure from a guide.
Can I take the Tube from Gatwick Airport?
There is no direct Tube connection. You take a train to Victoria or another London station, then transfer to the Underground.
How far is Gatwick Airport from London?
About 45 km south of central London. By train it takes 30–50 minutes; by road 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.
Gatwick's excellent train connections make it one of the easier London airports to reach the city from. The Gatwick Express is the default for most travellers, but groups and families should seriously consider a transfer — the per-person cost can be similar, and you avoid navigating the Tube with luggage. For late-night arrivals, a pre-booked transfer is the most stress-free choice.