Introduction
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) ranks as the second busiest airport in the UK, serving numerous destinations and hosts millions of passengers each year. It is the base for both scheduled and charter airlines.
Location
Gatwick Airport is located near Crawley in West Sussex, around 29 miles (47km) south of Central London. It offers excellent transport connections, making it easy for both domestic and international travellers.
Facilities and Terminals
Gatwick Airport consists of two terminals, namely the South Terminal and the North Terminal. Both are furnished with state-of-the-art facilities to handle millions of passengers on an annual basis. Each terminal boasts a variety of amenities, including shopping, dining, lounges, Bureaux de Change, and is completely accessible for disabled travellers.
The two passenger terminals at Gatwick Airport are quite distant from each other; walking between them is not an option. However, there is a free monorail train service that runs between the two terminals every 2 to 3 minutes, making it easy to travel between them, even when carrying luggage.
South Terminal
The South Terminal, being the older of the two, has recently undergone refurbishment, featuring a diverse selection of retail shops, dining choices, and bars, additionally the South Terminal is where the station for the Gatwick Express rail link to London Victoria is located.
North Terminal
Located on the North side of the airport the North Terminal is spread out over 4 levels and is primarily used for long-haul flights to international destinations.
Gatwick Airport lounges
Airport lounges are a great way to get away from the crowds and make the most of your time at the airport – be it relaxing or working. There are airport lounges located in both the North and South Terminal at Gatwick.
Accessing one of the lounges at London Gatwick allows you to enjoy 3 hours prior to your flight’s departure in the lounge area. You can indulge in a variety of complimentary beverages, snacks, and reading materials, along with unlimited Wi-Fi, and most lounges will feature a television.
No 1 Lounges (North & South Terminal)
Opening times
North 04:00 – 21:00
South 04:00 – 21:00
- Sports lounge
- Complementary buffet food
- Runway views
My Lounge South (North & South Terminal)
Opening times
North 04:00 – 20:00
South 04:00 – 18:00
- Games console areas and kids areas
- Complimentary grazing menu
- Self-serve bar
Plaza Premium Lounge (North Terminal)
Opening times
04:00 – 20:00
Last entry 19:00
- Kids zone with games and activities
- Complimentary buffet
- Tended bar with complimentary drinks
Plaza Express (North Terminal)
Opening times
05:00 – 16:00
Last entry 14:30
- Kids zone with games and activities
- Complimentary buffet
- Complimentary soft drinks, beer and wine
Club Aspire (South Terminal)
Opening times
06:00 – 19:00
- Runway views
- Complimentary buffet
- Complimentary soft drinks, beer and wine
Clubrooms (North & South Terminal)
Opening times
North 06:00 – 18:00
South 06:00 – 21:00
- Dedicated waiter service
- À la carte menu
- Quiet Business Zones
Lowest Cost Rates Guaranteed
As well as a super-easy booking process, you can save up to 60% off the normal price of an airport lounge pass.
Hotels
Gatwick Airport has hotels in both the North and South Terminals offering easy access to the passenger terminals.
South Terminal Hotels
Hilton London Gatwick Airport
Bloc Hotel
YotelAir
North Terminal Hotels
Sofitel Gatwick
Hampton by Hilton
Premier Inn Gatwick North Terminal
Additionally, the Courtyard by Marriott Gatwick located near the South Terminal, and the Premier Inn Airport Way situated near the North Terminal, are both within walking distance. Furthermore both these hotels also run hotel shuttle buses for which a fee is levied.
All other accommodation near the airport requires a vehicle transfer.
When looking for a hotel at Gatwick, do find out which passenger terminal your flight us using so you can factor that parameter into your purchasing decision.
Local Hotels
Numerous hotels are located in the immediate vicinity of Gatwick Airport, all competing for your custom. While many are large international chains, there are also a handful of smaller independent options, including bed and breakfast establishments.
Visit our Hotels near Gatwick Airport page for more information.
Day rooms at Gatwick Airport
A great alternative to airport lounges are day rooms, where hotels offer regular rooms for your use during the daytime.
Day rooms are exactly the same as purchasing a room for an overnight stay, the only difference is the check-in and check out times on the room rate. You can make full use of each hotel’s extensive facilities or you can just try to get some sleep between flights.
Hotels that offer day rooms near Gatwick Airport
Day rooms are routinely available at the four star Hilton London Hotel Gatwick Airport.
The Hilton London Hotel Gatwick is linked to the South Terminal at Gatwick via a covered walkway. The Gatwick train station to London is-also located at the South Terminal.
A very frequent free monorail link shuttles between South and North Terminals in a couple of minutes.
Day use, check-in/check-out times at the Hilton Hotel are between 9am and 6pm only.
Note; Rooms are not air-side so if you are on a short stopover between flights you need to pass through customs and if required have paperwork allowing you to enter the UK.
Gatwick Airport Car Parking
Both of Gatwick’s passenger terminals, North and South feature official car parks. Additionally, there are independent operators off the airport that provide more affordable options.
Gatwick long stay car parking
Official long stay parking with regular transfer buses to the terminals. The car parks are located closer to the passenger terminals than the off airport alternative.
Valet or Meet ‘n’ Greet parking
A hassle-free and convenient choice, simply leave your car at the terminal forecourt and it will be returned to you when you arrive back.
Gatwick Airport has a special area located outside the passenger terminals for approved Meet ‘n’ Greet car park operators.
At certain hotels, your package may include your vehicle being picked at the hotel, while at others, you will need to drive to the passenger terminal after your stay. Be aware, if your car is collected from you at the hotel, you will almost always have to pay additional fees for a taxi or a hotel shuttle bus to the airport terminals.
Recently, Meet ‘n’ Greet airport car parking has received negative attention due to reports of unscrupulous operators in the media. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a reputable company that has a solid reputation and a secure facility for parking your vehicle.
Off-airport parking
Normally the cheapest long term car parking option at Gatwick Airport. Complementary buses shuttle the short distance between the car park and passenger terminals and are included in the parking fee.
The primary operators of the off-airport car parks, Purple Parking and APH Parking, are located approximately 15 minutes away from the passenger terminals. Their shuttle buses operate roughly every 20 minutes and stop at both North and South terminals.
Pre-book your parking
Not only will you guarantee yourself a space but you will save money whilst doing so.
Whether you’re looking for a Park and Ride car park or a good deal on Meet ‘n’ Greet parking, there’s plenty of choice – and what’s more, we’re never beaten on price.
Airport hotel & car parking packages
Many popular hotels at Gatwick provide excellent long-term car parking options and packages for overnight stays.
Gatwick offers a variety of hotel and long stay parking deals at many of its popular hotels, featuring competitive prices across all categories, from Bed & Breakfast options to budget-friendly chain hotels, and even luxurious 4-star accommodations.
These hotel and parking packages at can offer substantial savings to purchasing hotel and car parking separately, on a few occasions the package has been cheaper than just buying the long term car parking!
Connectivity
Gatwick Airport has excellent connections to London and various regions of the UK. It offers a broad selection of rail and bus transport choices for travellers.
Gatwick Express
The Gatwick Express airport train is the fastest transport to and from central London, although quite expensive. Providing a service every 15 minutes to London Paddington taking around 30 minutes.
Bus
National Express provides a round-the-clock coach service between Gatwick and London Victoria. Additionally easyBus provide a shuttle between Gatwick, Heathrow, Oxford and London Victoria Coach Station.
Visit our London airport & cruise ship transfers page for more information.
Gatwick and London luggage storage
If you are travelling with luggage, but still want to explore London before you leave, then consider using the Luggage Hero storage solution. You can easily find locations all over London to safely store your luggage for any amount of time you need. It is cheap, secure and bookable online.