Gatwick Airport Guide - Features, Services & Facilities

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the UK's second-busiest airport, serving over 46 million passengers annually in 2026. Located 30 minutes south of Central London, this dual-terminal facility connects travelers to 220+ destinations via 50+ airlines. As of 2026, it features fully operational Next Generation security scanners, the Northern Runway in routine use, and a net-zero operational target within reach.

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Introduction: London's Gateway to the World

Gatwick Airport is a vital piece of the UK’s aviation infrastructure, renowned for its efficiency and extensive route network. Unlike Heathrow, which focuses heavily on hub traffic, Gatwick specializes in point-to-point leisure and business travel, making it the world's most efficient single-runway airport for decades.

Owned by a partnership between VINCI Airports (50.01%) and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) (49.99%), the airport has undergone a massive £2 billion investment transformation. In 2026, passengers experience a modernized airport with automated bag drops, robotic parking valets, and a fully upgraded security hall. Whether you are flying on a low-cost city break with easyJet or a long-haul luxury trip with Emirates, Gatwick offers a seamless London experience.

Gatwick Timeline: From Racecourse to Runway

• 1930: The Surrey Aero Club issues the first license for the site.
• 1936: The "Beehive" terminal opens with a subway tunnel to the train station (a world first).
• 1958: HM The Queen opens the "new" Gatwick after a £7.8 million reconstruction.
• 1988: The North Terminal is opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
• 2009: GIP buys Gatwick for £1.5 billion, breaking the BAA monopoly.
• 2012: Emirates launches the A380 service, requiring widening of the taxiways.
• 2019: The airport is shut down for 33 hours due to a "drone sighting," causing global chaos.
• 2026: Full implementation of Next-Gen Security and the optimization of the Northern Runway project.

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Detailed Terminal Guide: North vs. South

Gatwick operates distinct North and South terminals, connected by a free 24/7 monorail shuttle. While they share operational standards, they have distinct characters and retail offerings.

South Terminal

The South Terminal is the older and busier of the two, directly connected to the train station. It recently underwent a major refurbishment.

• Airlines: British Airways, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Norse Atlantic, Wizz Air, Vueling, TAP Air Portugal, Air Transat.
• Key Retail: Harrods (Airside), Kurt Geiger, Hamleys.
• Key Dining: Nando’s (Airside), The Beehive (Landside), Caviar House & Prunier.

North Terminal

The North Terminal is often considered the more spacious facility, serving the bulk of easyJet's international flights and premium Middle Eastern carriers.

• Airlines: easyJet (International), Emirates, Qatar Airways, Delta, WestJet, TUI (Long-haul).
• Key Retail: Ted Baker, Jo Malone, The Harry Potter Shop.
• Key Dining: The Red Lion (Airside), Juniper & Co, Shake Shack.

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Recommended Check-In Times

Arriving at the correct time is crucial to navigating the large facilities.

• Long-Haul (USA, Asia, Caribbean): Arrive 3 to 4 hours before departure.
• Short-Haul (Europe, UK): Arrive 2 to 3 hours before departure.
• Online Check-In: It is highly recommended to check in online. Most airlines, including easyJet, British Airways, and TUI, allow you to download boarding passes 24 hours in advance.
• Bag Drop: If you have checked in online, head straight to the Bag Drop zones. These are often automated self-service kiosks that print tags in seconds.

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How to Get to Gatwick Airport?

Gatwick is arguably the best-connected airport in the UK by rail, with direct links to 120+ stations.

By Train (Gatwick Express & Others)

The railway station is located directly inside the South Terminal. If you are flying from the North Terminal, take the free shuttle (2 minutes).

• Gatwick Express: The premium non-stop service to London Victoria. It runs every 15 minutes and takes 30 minutes.
• Thameslink: Connects Gatwick to London Bridge, Blackfriars, and St Pancras International. It is cheaper than Gatwick Express and accepts Oyster/Contactless.
• Southern: Connects to Victoria, Clapham Junction, and the South Coast.

By Car (Detailed Directions)

Gatwick is located at Junction 9 of the M23 motorway.

• From the M25 (London Orbital): Exit the M25 at Junction 7 (coming from either direction) to join the M23 Southbound. Stay on the M23 for approximately 9 miles.
• The Exit: Exit at Junction 9. For South Terminal, keep left. For North Terminal, keep right at the first roundabout and follow signs to the A23.
• Avoiding the Motorway: If the M23 is blocked, use the A23 which runs parallel via Redhill and Horley. Note that local roads around Horley often have strict parking enforcement.

By Bus / Coach

• National Express: Operates direct services from hundreds of UK towns to both terminals.
• The Airline: Direct luxury coaches from Oxford and High Wycombe.
• Metrobus: Local buses (Routes 10, 20, 100) connect Crawley, Horley, and Redhill.

By Taxi & Cycle

• Official Provider: Gatwick Cars is the official on-site taxi operator.
• Cycle: Gatwick is on National Cycle Route 21. Free cycle parking and showers are available at both terminals.

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What is the Pick-Up and Drop-Off Procedure?

As of January 6, 2026, Gatwick Airport has increased its drop-off charges significantly to encourage public transport use.

1. Forecourt Drop-Off (North & South)

Located directly outside the departure levels.

• Cost: £10.00 for 10 minutes.
• Overstay: £1 per minute thereafter (up to 20 mins max).
• Payment: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). You must pay online by midnight the next day or set up an AutoPay account. Card payments at the barrier are generally not available.
• Warning: Failure to pay results in a £100 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

2. Free Drop-Off (Long Stay)

For drivers who refuse to pay the £10 fee.

• Location: Long Stay Car Parks.
• Cost: Free for up to 2 hours.
• Transfer: A free shuttle bus takes passengers to the terminal door (5-10 minute journey).

3. Pick-Up

You cannot pick up passengers in the Drop-Off zones. You must use the Short Stay Car Parks.

• Cost: Approximately £8.00 for 30 minutes (prices vary by demand).

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Which Destinations Does LGW Airport Cover?

Gatwick connects to 220+ destinations in 90 countries, offering a mix of intense European leisure routes and critical long-haul connections.

Destination Highlights

The airport offers extensive connections to the USA and Canada, including New York, Orlando, and Vancouver. It is also a key hub for Caribbean flights to Barbados and Jamaica, as well as daily A380 services to Dubai. In Europe, it covers every major holiday destination in Spain, Greece, Italy, France, and Portugal.

Complete List of Direct Destination Categories (2026)

Region	Primary Destinations Served
UK & Ireland	Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Newquay, Jersey, Guernsey, Dublin, Shannon, Knock.
North America	New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Washington DC, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal.
Caribbean/Mexico	Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, Cancun, Punta Cana, Costa Rica.
Middle East/Asia	Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Islamabad, Mauritius, Cape Town.
Western Europe	Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Vienna, Zurich, Geneva, Nice.
Mediterranean	Alicante, Malaga, Faro, Palma, Ibiza, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Corfu, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, Antalya, Dalaman.
Africa	Marrakech, Agadir, Cairo, Cape Verde (Sal/Boa Vista).

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Which Airlines Fly from Gatwick Airport?

Gatwick is home to 50+ airlines. While some operate from both terminals, most are assigned to specific zones.

Terminal Split (General Guide 2026)

• North Terminal: easyJet (International), Emirates, Qatar Airways, Delta Air Lines, WestJet, Air China, Lufthansa, TUI (some flights).
• South Terminal: British Airways, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Vueling, Norse Atlantic, Aer Lingus, easyJet (Domestic/some EU), TUI (some flights), Air Transat, TAP Air Portugal.
• Note: easyJet and TUI operate from BOTH terminals. Always check your boarding pass.

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What Parking Options Are Available at LGW Airport?

Gatwick offers a wide range of official on-site parking, all Park Mark® certified.

Park And Walk (Short Stay)

• Location: Multi-storey car parks attached to both North and South terminals.
• Distance: 2-5 minute walk via covered walkways.
• Best For: Short trips (1-3 days) or meeting passengers.

Park And Ride (Long Stay)

• Location: Perimeter car parks.
• Transfer: Free shuttle bus runs every 10-12 minutes (journey time 5-10 mins).
• Best For: 1-2 week holidays. The most economical official option.

Meet And Greet / Valet

• Official Valet: Drop your car directly at the terminal forecourt. Staff park it for you in a secure block.
• Robot Parking: Gatwick is trialing robotic parking systems where a "Stan" robot lifts your car and parks it in a dense grid.

SaveOnPark Exclusive: We provide the best Gatwick Airport parking deals. Official turn-up rates in the Short Stay car park can exceed £60 per day. By comparing prices on our platform, you can save up to 60% on Long Stay and off-site Meet & Greet providers (such as Cophall Parking or I Love Meet and Greet). We strictly vet all operators to ensure no "muddy field" horror stories. Secure your space today.

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What Facilities Does LGW Airport Provide?

Gatwick offers a high-street shopping experience and premium dining, catering to families and business travelers alike.

Shopping

• World Duty Free: Massive stores in both terminals selling tax-free liquor (for non-UK destinations), cosmetics, and luxury goods.
• Luxury Brands: Harrods, Ted Baker, BOSS, Jo Malone, Sunglass Hut.
• Essentials: Boots, WHSmith, InMotion (Tech).

Family Friendly Services

Gatwick is recognized as a Family Friendly airport.

• Kids Zones: Free-to-use play areas located in both terminals.
• Family Security Lanes: Dedicated wider lanes for families with strollers. Staff here are trained to be more patient with young travelers.
• Free Strollers: If you check your buggy, you can use Gatwick's free strollers available after security.
• Baby Milk: There is no legal limit on baby milk through security (though it is screened). Pret A Manger and Starbucks provide free hot water for bottles.

Services for Business Travelers

• Work Pods: Secure ChargeBox lockers are available free for 30 minutes.
• Workspaces: Dedicated library areas with desks in the No1 Lounge and Clubrooms.
• Regus Express: Meeting rooms and shower facilities located in the South Terminal Arrivals for work immediately upon landing.
• Premium Security: Business travelers can pay £6.00 to guarantee passage through a dedicated lane in under 5 minutes.

Lounges

• No1 Lounge: North & South. Stylish with runway views.
• My Lounge: South Terminal. Casual, loft-style vibe.
• Clubrooms: Premium service with table service dining.
• British Airways Club: South Terminal (First and Business sections).
• Emirates Lounge: North Terminal.

Hotels (Detailed Guide)

Gatwick has more on-site hotels than any other UK airport.

• Seconds Away Options: BLOC Hotel (South), Yotelair (South Arrivals), Sofitel (North), Hampton by Hilton (North).
• Shuttle Bus Options: Premier Inn (North Terminal - walk or bus), Holiday Inn Gatwick, Sandman Signature.

The Layover Guide

• Short (4-6 Hours): Stay airside. Book a No1 Lounge or a Yotelair cabin.
• Medium (6-10 Hours): Take the Fastway bus to Crawley for shopping or visit the Gatwick Aviation Museum on the perimeter.
• Long (10+ Hours): Take the train to Brighton (30 mins) for the pier and beach, or the Gatwick Express to London Victoria (30 mins) to see Buckingham Palace.

Special Assistance

• Service: Managed by Wilson James. Help points are available in all car parks.
• Sensory Room: A calm space for passengers with autism (North Terminal).
• Eagle Hoists: Available for boarding aircraft.

Sustainability & Future Projects

Gatwick is aiming for Net Zero for its own operations by 2030.

• Northern Runway: The airport has widened and strengthened its standby runway to allow for routine dual-runway operations for smaller aircraft, increasing resilience and capacity.
• Electric Fleet: Over 90% of airside vehicles are now electric.
• Biodiversity: The airport manages 75 hectares of woodlands protecting local species.

Security Screening (2L Rule)

• Status 2026: Gatwick has fully implemented Next Generation Security Checkpoint (NGSC) scanners.
• Liquids: You can take liquids up to 2 Litres in hand luggage. No clear bags needed.
• Electronics: Laptops and tablets stay in your bag.
• FastTrack Security: From £6.00 per person.

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