How to get from Gatwick to central London

Trains are the fastest listed way from Gatwick to central London. Direct services take 30 to 45 minutes. The non-stop Gatwick Express reaches London Victoria in about half an hour. A National Express coach to London takes about 1 hour 45 minutes on average.

Gatwick Express vs Thameslink vs Southern

Three operators run direct trains between the airport and London. Gatwick Express and Southern both run to London Victoria, while Thameslink runs through the city.

• Gatwick Express runs non-stop to London Victoria twice an hour. Gatwick Airport puts the journey at 30 minutes and the operator puts it at 31.
• Southern also runs trains from the airport to London Victoria. Its wider network covers stations across London and the South East.
• Thameslink crosses the city from south to north. In central London it stops at five stations, from London Bridge and Blackfriars through City Thameslink and Farringdon to St Pancras International, before heading north out of London.

Gatwick Airport gives an average of 30 to 45 minutes to London across the three operators. It says times can vary and advises allowing extra time. Gatwick Express ends at Victoria, and so do Southern’s Victoria trains. Southern notes that Victoria is close to Buckingham Palace and West End theatres, with Underground links across the capital. For London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon or St Pancras International, Thameslink goes direct. At Farringdon you can also change to the Elizabeth line.

How to pay for the train

For journeys between Gatwick and London you can tap in and out at the ticket barriers with a contactless card or an Oyster card. The 60+ Oyster photocard is not accepted. Gatwick Express says pay as you go works out the best daily fare for you and that weekly capping applies.

Contactless does not cover trips to stations south of the airport or outside London. Travellers heading on to places such as Brighton or Reading need a ticket.

Tickets bought online before you travel come with a barcode, which you scan at the barrier. If you would rather buy on the day, there are ticket machines in the station at the South Terminal. Oyster cards are sold at the Your Service Centre desk in the South Terminal check-in zone, which is run by SkyFix.

Ways to pay less

• Booking Gatwick Express online or in its app saves 10%.
• Off-Peak tickets are cheaper and are valid all day at weekends and on bank holidays.
• Children aged 5 to 15 pay a discounted fare and under 5s travel free. Southern offers £2 tickets for children travelling with an adult.
• Groups of three or more save 33% with Groupsave tickets.
• Gatwick Express sells Carnet tickets, a book of single tickets for a set route. They come with a 10% discount and last three months.
• Gatwick Express offers a discount for two people travelling together, but only one way, from London Victoria to the airport.

Fast Track Security with Gatwick Express

Gatwick Express tickets come with airport extras. Standard Class tickets give you discounted Fast Track Security. First Class includes it free, along with seats in designated carriages that have a plug socket and a quiet environment.

Finding the station at Gatwick

The railway station is in the South Terminal, about a five minute walk from both arrivals and departures. From the North Terminal, the free shuttle to the South Terminal takes two minutes. Gatwick Airport says a train leaves on average every four minutes.

By coach, bus or taxi

Gatwick Airport puts the average National Express coach time to London at 1 hour 45 minutes, and lists regular coach services to London Victoria. Traffic and planned roadworks can change the journey time. At the North Terminal, coaches use stops 4 and 5, one floor down from International Arrivals. At the South Terminal they use stops 1 to 5 on the lower forecourt. You can buy tickets online or at the National Express desks in both terminals, and the airport recommends booking ahead. On board you get free Wi-Fi, a toilet, air conditioning and USB sockets for charging. Wheelchair users are asked to book assisted travel at least 36 hours before the journey.

If rail services are disrupted, local buses offer another way in. Metrobus Fastway 100, 400, 420 or 460 run to Redhill, where you can change to the TfL 405 bus to Croydon and then join the London bus network or trains. Metrobus single fares are capped at £3.

The airport’s official taxi firm is Gatwick Cars Ltd, with ranks at the North and South Terminals. You can book online or on +44 (0)1293 550000. The airport warns of queues on days of severe rail disruption and suggests booking ahead.

Sources

Facts in this guide were checked against these official pages on 22 September 2026. Fares, times and rules can change, so check them before you travel.

• Travelling To or From London (gatwickairport.com)
• Train Travel and London Gatwick (gatwickairport.com)
• Travel by Coach and Bus (gatwickairport.com)
• Train Tickets to Gatwick Airport (gatwickexpress.com)
• Gatwick Airport to London Victoria Trains (southernrailway.com)
• Gatwick Airport to London Bridge Trains (thameslinkrailway.com)