Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Gatwick Airport is 45km (28 miles) south of central London It is the second busiest international airport in the UK.

Address

West Sussex, RH6 0NP, UK  

Telephone

0844 335 1802 

Website

Gatwick Airport is not as big as Heathrow, but it has all the same facilities you would expect of a significant international airport. It has plenty of shops and eateries, as well as a free train shuttle to connect the two terminals.

 

Airport Facilities

Money and communications: Both terminals have bureaux de change and ATMs. There is a post office and a 24-hour Internet café in the South Terminal. Wireless Internet connection is also available throughout the airport.

Eating and drinking: There are a wide variety of restaurants, bars, pubs, sandwich bars, fast-food outlets and coffee shops, throughout the airport.


Shopping:
 There are many shops at the airport, including several duty-free outlets. The airport has also recently introduced a home delivery service and a collection service. More information is available from the BAA Shopping Information Line (tel: 0870 850 2825).

Luggage: Left-luggage facilities are available in both terminals. A lost property service is also operated by the Excess Baggage Company (tel: (01293) 502 014 South Terminal or (01293) 502 013 North Terminal).


Other facilities: These include baby changing rooms and showers, a children’s play area, a medical centre offering vaccinations and prayer rooms.  

 

 

Information and Help Desks:

 

Each Arrivals concourse has an information desk. 

    

Car Hire:

 

There are a number of car rental companies, the offices are located in designated car rental buildings on the Lower Forecourt Road at both terminals.

Transfer Between Terminals:

There is a free train which links the North and South terminals 24 hours a day.

Car Parking:

Each terminal has a short-term car park with direct access to the terminals via covered walkways. Long-term parking is also available in car parks further from the terminals; a free shuttle bus runs between the car parks and the terminals. Valet parking is also available. 

Driving Directions

The airport is linked to the M23 motorway. Turn off at junction 9 and follow signs for the airport. London Gatwick is also accessible from the A23 London-Brighton Road. 

Public Transport

Rail: The Gatwick Express train (tel: 0845 850 1530; www.gatwickexpress.co.uk) runs regularly between 0435 and 0135 to London Victoria Station (journey time approx 30 minutes). There is also a Thameslink (tel: 0845 748 4950; www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk) service, which runs to London King’s Cross (journey time approx 50 minutes) as well as other London stations. Information on all national rail travel is available through the 24-hour National Rail enquiries line (tel: 0845 748 4950; www.nationalrail.co.uk).

Coach: There are express coach services operating daily from the coach stations at both terminals. The main coach station is located on the ground floor of the South Terminal, with most services operating from here. Principal routes also stop at the North Terminal station. National Express operates most of the services. The Gatwick Flyer (tel: (01708) 730 555; www.gatwickflyer.co.uk) runs to destinations east of London, and coaches operate from the South Terminal station only. There are coach information and ticket desks located in the Arrivals concourse of both terminals.  

Taxi: The official Gatwick Airport taxi service is provided by Checker Cars (tel: 0800 747 737; www.checkercars.com). Booking desks are located in the North Terminal arrivals area, and the northern entrance to the South Terminal, and cabs wait outside the terminal buildings.