Taxi From Gatwick Airport to London 2026 | Fixed Fare

What is the best way to get from Gatwick Airport to London?

For most travellers, a Southern or Thameslink train with a contactless card is the best value: it takes about 30 to 50 minutes and costs £10.70 off-peak. For families, groups, heavy luggage or arrivals late at night, a pre-booked taxi is easier, and for the lowest price, a coach booked in advance. Where you are staying matters too: Thameslink runs straight through London Bridge, the City and St Pancras, while Southern and the Gatwick Express end at Victoria.

How far is Gatwick Airport from London, and how long does it take?

Gatwick Airport is about 28 to 30 miles (45 to 48 km) south of central London. The journey takes about 30 minutes by Gatwick Express to Victoria, 30 to 50 minutes on Southern or Thameslink, 65 to 90 minutes or more by coach, and 60 to 90 minutes by car. Road journeys take longer on weekday evenings and on Friday afternoons, when the M23 and the roads through south London are busy.

Gatwick to London by train

Three train companies run from Gatwick to London: the Gatwick Express non-stop to Victoria, Southern to Victoria via East Croydon and Clapham Junction, and Thameslink through London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras. Gatwick's station is next to the South Terminal; from the North Terminal, take the free shuttle, which takes a few minutes.

How much is the train from Gatwick to London?

With a contactless card, Southern and Thameslink trains cost £10.70 off-peak and £19.20 at peak times, while a Gatwick Express standard single costs about £24. Children aged 5 to 15 travel for £2 off-peak with an adult on a paper or e-ticket, and groups of 3 to 9 adults can save about a third off-peak with GroupSave.

Is the Gatwick Express worth it?

For most people, no: the Gatwick Express costs about twice as much as Southern to Victoria and is only a few minutes faster. It is worth it if you value guaranteed non-stop travel and luggage space, or your company is paying. At Victoria, the gates on platforms 13 and 14 charge the Gatwick Express fare, so use the main gates if you are taking Southern.

Can I use contactless or Oyster from Gatwick to London?

Yes. Contactless bank cards, phone wallets and Oyster cards all work between Gatwick Airport and London. Tap in at Gatwick and tap out at your London station with the same card or device, and the fare is charged automatically. A railcard discount only works if it is linked to a physical Oyster card.

What time is the last train from Gatwick to London?

Thameslink runs through the night between Gatwick and London, usually about once an hour in the small hours, so there is no true last train on that route; the Gatwick Express and Southern run from early morning until around midnight. Night timetables change at weekends and during engineering works, so check before you fly.

Gatwick to London by coach

Coaches are the cheapest way from Gatwick to London: National Express runs to Victoria Coach Station from about £5 to £6 booked ahead, and easyBus fares start from about £1.99, but journeys take 65 to 90 minutes or more. Coaches leave from both the North and South Terminals. A small booking fee may apply, and traffic in south London can add time.

Gatwick to London by taxi or private transfer

A pre-booked taxi from Gatwick to central London takes about 60 to 90 minutes door to door, with fixed fares from £80 to £90 for a saloon car, so it is often the best value for three or more people. Your driver tracks your flight, meets you inside arrivals at the North or South Terminal and takes you straight to your hotel or home. Fares are fixed, with no extra charge for luggage, and return transfers are available at the same fixed price.

See our Gatwick airport taxi page for fares to other destinations. Child seats can be added for £15 per seat; our child seat guide explains which seat to book.

How much is a Gatwick taxi by vehicle?

To central London, a saloon costs about £80 to £90, an executive car about £95 to £105, and a people carrier for up to 8 passengers about £125 to £135. Because the fare is per vehicle, four people sharing a saloon pay about £20 to £22.50 each, close to four peak-time train fares but door to door.

Can I get a black cab from Gatwick to London?

There is a taxi rank at both Gatwick terminals, but Gatwick is outside London, so the London black cab meter does not apply; ask for the fare before you set off. A pre-booked car with a fixed fare usually costs less and avoids queues after a busy arrival wave.

Can I get an Uber from Gatwick to London?

Yes. Uber and other apps pick up from designated areas at Gatwick, but the price changes with demand and can rise when several flights land at once. Compare the app price with a fixed fare before you confirm; our Uber vs black cab vs minicab guide explains the differences.

How do I get from Gatwick to my part of London?

Choose by destination: Thameslink for London Bridge, the City and St Pancras; Southern or the Gatwick Express for Victoria and Westminster; and a taxi for anywhere far from a station or with heavy luggage.

What is the cheapest way from Gatwick to London?

The cheapest way is a coach booked in advance, from about £2 to £6, followed by a Southern or Thameslink train with contactless at £10.70 off-peak. To save more:

• Avoid the Gatwick Express unless speed to Victoria really matters.
• Travel off-peak: peak contactless fares are £19.20.
• Link a railcard to a physical Oyster card for about £7.05 off-peak.
• Groups of three or more can compare GroupSave train tickets with one fixed taxi fare from £80 to £90.

What is the fastest way from Gatwick to London?

The Gatwick Express is the fastest to Victoria at about 30 minutes, and Thameslink is fastest to London Bridge at about 30 minutes. Door to door, a taxi can be quicker when your address is far from a station, because there is no waiting for trains or changing lines.

How do I get from Gatwick to London late at night?

Late at night, take Thameslink, which runs about hourly through the night, a night coach, or a pre-booked taxi. If you have heavy bags or children, or your flight is delayed past midnight, a pre-booked driver tracks the flight and waits, so you are not left waiting for an hourly train. See our guide to late-night and early-morning airport transfers.

How do I get from Gatwick to Heathrow, Stansted or London City?

For a connection to another London airport, a direct coach or a pre-booked taxi is usually simpler than crossing London by train with luggage. Our guide prices for a saloon are:

For transfers in the other direction, see our Heathrow to Gatwick taxi.

Where are the trains, coaches and taxis at Gatwick?

Gatwick's railway station is next to the South Terminal, coaches stop at both terminals, and pre-booked drivers meet you inside the arrivals hall of your terminal.

• Train: from the North Terminal, take the free shuttle to the South Terminal, then follow signs to the station.
• Coach: follow the signs to the coach station at your terminal.
• Pre-booked car: your driver meets you in arrivals, usually with a name board; see how our meet and greet service works.
• Uber and apps: follow the airport signs and the app to the pickup area.

How much does it cost to drop off at Gatwick?

Dropping off at Gatwick costs £10 for up to 10 minutes at the North and South Terminal forecourts, since January 2026, and more for longer stays; drop-off in the long-stay car parks is free, with a shuttle bus to the terminals. The zones are camera-controlled, so pay online or by phone by midnight the next day. With a pre-booked taxi, the driver deals with the charge.

Which option is best for you?

Solo travellers and couples with light bags usually do best on Southern or Thameslink; families, groups and late arrivals usually do best with a pre-booked taxi.

• Budget travellers: a coach booked early, or Southern or Thameslink with contactless off-peak.
• Going to London Bridge, the City or St Pancras: Thameslink, with no changes.
• Going to Victoria or Westminster: Southern, or the Gatwick Express if speed matters.
• Families with young children: a pre-booked taxi with child seats; see the best transfer options for families.
• Groups: a people carrier or minibus; see group airport transfers.
• Business travellers: an executive car; see business class airport transfers.

What are the pros and cons of each option?

The train wins on speed and price for one person, the coach on the lowest fare, and a taxi on convenience for groups and luggage.

What mistakes do travellers make getting from Gatwick to London?

The most common mistakes are paying for the Gatwick Express without comparing Southern, using the Gatwick Express gates at Victoria by mistake, and taking a train with too much luggage at peak times.

1. Buying a Gatwick Express ticket when a Southern train to Victoria is only minutes slower.
2. Tapping through the Gatwick Express gates at Victoria when travelling on Southern.
3. Travelling at peak times and paying £19.20 instead of £10.70.
4. Forgetting the North Terminal shuttle when heading for the station.
5. Assuming the last train has gone: Thameslink runs through the night.
6. Accepting a ride from a tout in arrivals; book a licensed car instead.

So how should you get from Gatwick to London?

Take Southern or Thameslink with contactless if you are travelling light: it is fast and costs £10.70 off-peak. Take a coach if price matters most and you have time. Book a fixed-price taxi if you are a family or group, have heavy luggage, land late or are going to an address far from a station. Choosing between airports for a future trip? See our Heathrow vs Gatwick vs Stansted guide.

Gatwick Airport to London: frequently asked questions