In this article, I present London Gatwick airportand what you need to know to reach the city center easily.
Here you'll find
- A presentation of London Gatwick
- The different ways to reach the city center easily
- Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
- Methods to suit your profile
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about this London Gatwick airport, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
London Gatwick: article summary
London Gatwick, 2nde London airport
Gatwick is the 2e largest airport from London after Heahtrow and ahead of Stanstedin terms of visitor numbers. When you come visit LondonYou could land here, as it is served by numerous flights from France, including low-cost airlines from Bordeaux, Calvi, Lyon and Nice.
I'll introduce you to it, and explain which means of transport you can use to get to the center of the capital quickly.
Introducing Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is located at 45 km away of London, in the south of the country. With more than 45 million passengers a year, it is the second busiest of the London airports.
In 1930It opened as a simple flying club for enthusiasts, before becoming an airfield for use by the general public. It didn't become a full-fledged airport until 1950, when it was officially opened by the Queen. in 1958Â It was the first airport with a direct rail link to London.
International connections are expanding and in 1987In fact, London Gatwick is the world's second busiest airport, ahead of New York's JFK!
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of London (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
This airport, which boasts two terminalsThe airport could have been linked to Heathrow by a direct train, but the project was abandoned in favor of an extension to Heathrow airport. But there's a good chance you'll end up here, if you fly with airlines like Easyjet, RyanAir, Wizzair or even Iberiawhose planes land at Gatwick.
Gatwick facts and figures Â
- Easyjet is the busiest airline at Gatwick, with 19 million annual passengers
- The most popular destination from Gatwick is Dublin
- By 2030, a train will leave every 2.5 minutes for central London in 30 minutes
Shuttle to downtown London
If you don't want the hassle of packing and are looking for maximum convenience, you might as well make a reservation. a private shuttle.
A driver will be waiting for you at arrivals to take you to your hotel/Airbnb. A more intimate journey, where you can enjoy a few anecdotes about the city and its people. good deals.
And it's no more expensive, because the price is fixed. No stress, no nasty surprises!
Using the Gatwick Express
This shuttle train connects Gatwick to London (and Victoria Station, in Westminsterwhich is connected to the Victoria, District and Circle Lines of the London Underground) in 30 minuteswith departures every 15 minutes or so.
A practical if somewhat expensive solution, with tickets at :
- 19.90 (one-way)
- 34.90 for a return ticket valid for 30 days
It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides the fastest solution to London. It's best to book your ticket online.
Good to know It is possible to use the Oyster Card to pay for it, if you've loaded it beforehand.
Take the Thameslink train
Visit Thameslink runs between Brighton and Bedford, serving Gatwick airport at the same time. It will also take you to London King's Cross ( London station for Harry Potter fans!) or at London Bridge at 30 minutes approx..
It operates between 5.30am and 11pm every day, with fares starting from £11.30.
Opt for the Southern train
The company Southern Railway also runs to London from Gatwick to Victoria Station. Cost: 40-minute journeywith tickets starting at £9.00.
It's the solution the cheapestwhich allows you to arrive not far from Buckingham Palace if you plan to stay at the center.
Use the National Express buses
The company National Express offers buses that take 1h15 / 1h30 to reach Victoria station. It's a long journey, but one that saves you a lot of money. Tickets start at £7.50.
If you have the time and a small budget, it's a good choice!
Good to know Another bus solution is to take the EasyBus shuttle, available to Easyjet travelers. A 1h20 ride will take you to the city center, but you need to buy your tickets in advance with your plane tickets.
Cab or Uber from Gatwick?
It is possible to borrow a London Taxi or an Uber from Gatwick airport, for easy access to the city center. While this is a practical solution, it's still very expensive, with fares starting from £70 (with an Uber) and around £100 if you opt for a cab.
The advantage is that you'll be dropped off in front of your hotel or Airbnb, and there's no need to book. The (black) cabs are laid out at the exit and you won't be able to miss them.
London Gatwick Airport > city center: which method is best?
It's easy to get to London city center from Gatwick, and easy to get back to the airport once your stay is over. But what is the best option for you?
This will depend mainly on your budget and your travel habits:
- For those in a hurryThe private shuttle offers the best value for money, with total care and no unpleasant surprises.
- If you're looking for easeThe Gatwick Express is a good option for reaching the city center, although a little expensive if you're traveling in large numbers.
- The bus is still the cheapest, and will delight small budgets
- The train is the good compromise time/practicality, especially if you're travelling to secondary stations
Enjoy your stay in London!
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