Transportation to and from London Gatwick Airport

What is the distance from London Gatwick Airport to the centre of London?

Through the M23 and A23 it takes about 60 minutes to reach the city centre. The distance between London Gatwick Airport and the centre of London (Charing Cross) is 47 kilometres / 29.2 miles.

Train Gatwick Express to London (Victoria Station)

London Gatwick Airport has its own train station at South Terminal, where you can catch the Gatwick Express to London Victoria Station. This train service is particularly popular with business travellers, because Gatwick Express is the fastest travel option between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria in the southwest of London’s city centre. Travel time between both stations is only 30 minutes and trains depart every 15 minutes. Tickets are relatively expensive, however you can save money by buying a single ticket, return ticket or ‘Web Duo Anytime Return’ online. The latter ticket can be used by two adults or one adult and one child.

Southern Railway is your alternative to London Victoria if you do not want to spend that much money. Unlike the Gatwick Express, this service does not operate directly, but via East Croydon and Clapham Junction. For a single journey with Southern Railway you will pay a maximum of £ 18.30, the journey time is around 35 minutes. This means that Southern Railway is almost as fast as Gatwick Express, in addition these trains run regularly to and from London Gatwick Airport. Please consult website Gatwick Express and website Southern Railway for more information.

Train Thameslink to London (St Pancras International Station)

From the train station at South Terminal you can also get on the Thameslink to St Pancras International Station, with stops at East Croydon, London Bridge, London Blackfriars, City Thameslink and Farringdon. The train service is cheaper than the trains Gatwick Express and Southern Railway that run between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria. With Gatwick Express (non-stop) and Southern Railway it takes 30 to 35 minutes to London Victoria, the second largest railway station in London. A train ride with Thameslink to St Pancras International takes 45 minutes. Sometimes the train also stops in Horley, Redhill, Merstham, Coulsdon South and Purley, then in takes you 55 minutes. A train journey from St Pancras International to the airport takes up to an hour.

Every 15 minutes or 30 minutes a train leaves in both directions. Tickets can be purchased at the airport and through the website of Thameslink, the second option is easier and sometimes cheaper. An Anytime Return ticket is valid for one month. A short distance from St Pancras International railway station is King’s Cross St Pancras metro station. The journey time with Thameslink from London Gatwick Airport to City Thameslink in the City of London is 45 minutes on average. Please consult website and timetable Thameslink for more information.

Top 5 sights in London, United Kingdom

1. Buckingham Palace
2. London Eye
3. British Museum, book a guided tour
4. Tower Bridge & Tower of London
5. Hyde Park, free! Close to Kensington Palace and Harrods department store

In the centre of London (= fare zone 1) you can travel from west to east and vice versa with the Piccadilly Line (stations: Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden), Central Line and the Elizabeth Line train (stations: Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street). Hyde Park Corner and Green Park stations are within walking distance of Buckingham Palace. The north and south of the city centre are connected by London Underground Victoria Line, Jubilee Line, Bakerloo Line and Northern Line. In public transport you can pay with your bank card and mobile phone (check in & check out). Of course, you can also buy a Visitor Oyster Card or London Travelcard. You cannot buy single tickets on the buses in London, the tube (metro) is twice as expensive if you buy single tickets.

Train Thameslink to Brighton

Do you want to visit the popular seaside resort of Brighton, then London Gatwick Airport serves as ideal airport. Thameslink trains run between the train station at South Terminal and Brighton railway station, located in the city centre of Brighton. The train departs from and to the airport several times an hour, the journey time is approximately 30 minutes. You can buy tickets at the airport and through the website of Thameslink. An Anytime Return ticket is valid for one month. Gatwick Express and Southern Railway also offer services between London Gatwick Airport and Brighton. If you want to travel to Crawley, travelling by bus is a better choice, with Metrobus Fastway 10 it takes approximately 15 minutes. This bus service departs every 6 minutes at weekdays, a ticket costs £ 2.60. Please consult website and timetable Thameslink for more information.

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