Gatwick Airport is the second largest and busiest airport in the country. It is located south of London, in the county of West Sussex, approximately 50km from London.
However, Gatwick is not the only airport in the city. London has 6 airports in different locations. In this article I’m going to tell you how to get from Gatwick Airport to central London.
How to get from Gatwick Airport to central London
Gatwick Airport has two terminals: North Terminal (N) and South Terminal (S). Both are linked by a shuttle.
There are numerous ways to get from Gatwick to central London. The most comfortable is by train, the cheapest by bus and the fastest is the Gatwick Express. In this article I will compare each of them so that you can get to know them better and choose the most appropriate for you.
Gatwick Express, the quickest way to get to London from Gatwick
This is the fastest way to get to Gatwick Airport. The journey time is approximately 30 minutes and there are trains every half hour from 5am to 11pm. Tickets cost around £20. You can check the timetables on this website, although I would always recommend you check their website for any changes.
Destination: London Victoria
Average fare: £20
Frequency: every 30 minutes
Journey: 30 minutes
Website: https://www.gatwickexpress.com/
Train, the most convenient way and almost as fast as the Gatwick Express
The train is the most convenient way to get to the city centre from Gatwick Airport and vice versa. Moreover, this type of train is cheaper than the Gatwick Express and the journey time is not that different.
There are two main lines to Gatwick Airport:
Southern
It runs direct trains from Victoria Station to Gatwick Airport from 5.30am to 11.59pm. Although if you don’t mind changing trains, you can find trains 24 hours a day with a transfer.
The fastest journey time is 31 minutes and the longest is over an hour, so check in advance which train you’re taking! Also, the average ticket price is around £18, but if you buy them in advance – and depending on the time of day you travel – you can even find them for £12.
Destination: London Victoria
Average fare: £18
Frequency: every 10-15 minutes
Journey: 31 minutes – the fastest train!
Website: https://www.southernrailway.com/
Thameslink
This train line runs 24 hours a day with a reduced timetable from 12am to 6am. These trains run from Gatwick Airport to London Bridge, Blackfriars and St Pancras International. Average ticket price is £13.
Destination: London Bridge, London Blackfriars y St Pancras International
Average fare: from £13
Frequency: every 10-15 minutes
Journey: 28 minutes to London Bridge and 44 minutes to St Pancras International – the fastest train.
Website: https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/
How to save money using trains from Gatwick Airport
The cost of travel within London varies according to the time of day. The busiest times are known as peak hours and the quietest times to travel are called off peak hours.
If you have to travel between 6:30-9:30am or 16:30-19:30pm I would recommend using a normal train ticket to Gatwick Airport.
If you are travelling outside these hours or travelling in the afternoon/evening and will be using public transport on the day, it is best to pay by Oyster or your own credit card (contactless card). Although it’s always best to check the fare before you travel so you don’t get a surprise.
2×1 train tickets offers
2×1 offer at numerous tourist attractions in London. In this article I tell you how to use the 2×1 discount on trains and what activities are included.
33% discount with your railcard
If you live in the UK and are under 30 or over 60 you can buy a Railcard. This card costs about £30 a year, but it allows you to save 33% on your train tickets.
Bus, the cheapest way to get from Gatwick Airport to the centre of London
The cheapest way to get to London from Gatwick Airport is by bus. The average fare is around £10, buses run most of the day and there are up to 17 buses a day.
Destination: London Victoria
Average fare: from £6
Frequency: 1 bus per hour
Journey: between 2-3 hours
Website: https://www.national express.com
Private transfer
The transfer is another good option for getting from central London to Gatwick Airport or vice versa. The price is higher than by public transport, but the journey is more comfortable and intimate.
The price is also fixed. In other words, you know the exact fare in advance. And you can book as far in advance as you want and cancel 12 hours in advance for free.
Destination: tú eliges el destino
Average fare: desde 90 libras
Journey: depende de tu localización, pero sobre 1 y 2 horas
Website: https://www.civitatis.com/es/londres/traslados/?aid=1676&cmp=Gatwick
