This post covers the cheapest ways to get to London from Gatwick Airport.
Unlike Heathrow Airport, Gatwick does not have a tube station and therefore visitors traveling through Gatwick must find other means of getting to and from London.
While taking the bus is the cheapest option, it's not the fastest. We will also show you the cheapest way to take the train.
Let's dive in!
Located directly south of London, Gatwick Airport is a popular hub for both domestic and international flights.
Fortunately, there are several transportation options.
Coach Bus Transfers
By far the cheapest way to get to London from Gatwick is via coach.
National Express and easyBus offer coaches that run 24/7 and can cost as little as £10 if booked in advance.
Unfortunately, the cheapest option is also the slowest option.
Expect it to take over an hour (and sometimes well over an hour) to arrive in central London from Gatwick on a coach.
National Express
- Coach pick up and drop from North and South Terminals.
- Tickets should be purchased in advance for the best price, but can also be bought at the airport.
- Coaches run every 15 minutes, 24/7.
easyBus
- Coach pick up and drop from North and South Terminals.
- Tickets should be purchased in advance for the best price, but can also be bought at the airport.
- Coaches run every 15-20 minutes (from 4 am until 1 am).
Click here to see all the ticket options.
Trains Between Gatwick and London
The faster though the more expensive option is to travel by train.
The trains also range in speed and cost, though all are quicker than a coach.
We have a post comparing the following 2 cheaper train options to the 3rd option, the Gatwick Express (the most expensive train option), in more detail.
Thameslink Trains
- Stops at several stations in London, including St Pancras, thus making this an attractive option for visitors staying in North London.
- Approximately 1-hour train ride.
- Adult Anytime Single - £18.30
Southern Trains
- Approximately a 45-minute train ride.
- Prices vary but are consistently cheaper than the Gatwick Express Train.
- Adult Anytime Single - £16.70
- Offers discounts for tickets purchased online or as a group.
- Arrives at Victoria Station.
Gatwick Express
- By far the fastest and most expensive option, though there is a discount if purchased online
- Adult Anytime Single - £18.50
- Approximately a 30-minute train ride.
- Very comfortable and reliable.
- Arrives at Victoria Station.
Click here to see all ticket options.
Read our post explaining the differences in Gatwick Express tickets.
Taxi from Gatwick to London
Visitors can also opt to travel by car, though this is (unsurprisingly) by far the most expensive option.
A hire car fare will run about £100-£200 between London and Gatwick, so think carefully about whether the ease of transport is worth the expense.
In most cases, it is cheaper and faster to take the Gatwick Express to Victoria and then hire a taxi from there.
Or maybe you just want an iconic ride from the airport to your hotel!
The London Transport Pass
Not interested in a public transfer option? Well, one of the most affordable private transfers in the city is actually offered through the London Transport Pass.
This service includes both a private transfer from Heathrow or Gatwick (£25-£45) and a 1-Day Travelcard for use on public transport in London (£18+).
At a price of just £37, it’s easy to see how the London Transport Pass could be quite useful for many travelers, especially if you’re going to need help getting around the city for at least one day.
While this is certainly more expensive than either a coach or train, chances are it could actually be cheaper than an uber or a taxi.
If you’re looking for an alternative to other private transfer options, this might be one of the most affordable ways to get from Gatwick to London.
NOTE: This is not available as of December 2021 and we are not sure when it will be made available again.
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