This post covers the cheapest ways to get to London from Gatwick Airport.
As a London tour guide, this is a question that pops up a lot on my tours and also on our Facebook Page.
Unlike Heathrow Airport, Gatwick does not have a tube station.
Therefore, visitors traveling through Gatwick must find other means of getting to and from London, which some visitors tell me they find overwhelming.
While taking the bus is the cheapest option, it's not the fastest. I will also show you the cheapest way to take the train.
Let's dive in!
Coach Bus Transfers
By far the cheapest way to get to London from Gatwick is via coach.
I have done this in the past and recommend it only if you are really on a tight budget.
National Express and easyBus offer coaches that run 24/7, which worked well for me as I had a late landing from Portugal.
Unfortunately, the cheapest option is also the slowest option.
Expect it to take well over an hour to arrive in central London from Gatwick on a coach.
The time I used it, it took us two full hours to get into town!
Luckily, the ticket only cost £10.50 (and I even saw some at other times for £5.00).
National Express
- Coach pick up and drop from North and South Terminals.
- Tickets should be purchased in advance for the best price, which is what I did, 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 4:00 am until 1:00 am).
Click here to see all the ticket options.
Trains Between Gatwick and London
The faster, though more expensive option, is to travel by train.
This is my top recommendation and how I now always travel from Gatwick into the centre of town.
The trains range in speed and cost, though all are quicker than a coach.
I 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 - Good for those staying in the Square Mile or in the North
This is my preferred way to get to/from Gatwick airport.
As I live in Islington, I can walk to St. Pancras and take the train straight down - and vice versa. It's fast and also convenient.
- 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.
- I usually pay for an Adult Anytime Single which costs £14.30.
- It takes about 45 minutes to get from Gatwick to the north of London.
- You don't need to buy a ticket in advance - you can just use your contactless credit card like I did! Super convenient for that.
Southern Trains - Good no matter where you stay!
This is similar to the Thameslink trains.
Oftentimes, after I land at Gatwick Airport, I just go to the platform and take the first train that comes in, regardless of if it is Thameslink or Southern.
Both will take me into the city where I can get the tube to my flat - and where you can get to your hotel or hostel.
- Approximately a 45-minute train ride.
- Prices vary but are consistently cheaper than the Gatwick Express Train.
- Every time I have taken Southern, I've paid for the Adult Anytime Single ticket which is usually around £14.00.
- You don't need to purchase tickets in advance for this train line, either. Just use your contactless card - or even ApplePay - like I do.
- Offers concessions for tickets purchased online or as a group.
- Arrives at Victoria Station. Victoria Station is fantastic as it links you with lines to go to any part of the city. I have taken the train into Victoria Station and then gone straight up north on the Victoria Line. It's very easy and is a great option for my visitors who are staying in the centre of the city.
Gatwick Express - Good for those who want guaranteed speed and a comfortable ride.
A few times I have decided to treat myself and take a trip on the Gatwick Express.
The trains are nicer, of course, and they are also faster. I'm not convinced it is worth the cost, however.
- By far the fastest and most expensive option, though there is an offer if purchased online.
- I have done this two ways in the past: Once with an advance ticket (£20.50) and once without a ticket, just using my contactless card (22.90). I prefer spending the extra money so that I can take whichever train comes in, and just tap on. But if you are counting your pennies, buying in advance may be a good option.
- Approximately a 30-minute train ride. But note that some of the Southern services take just 30 minutes to get to Victoria, anyway, so aside from a slightly nicer train, I don't think you're getting much value for money.
- 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 - Good for those who want to treat themselves.
Visitors can also opt to travel by car, though this is (unsurprisingly) by far the most expensive option - and the next to slowest, with a 90 minute travel time into the centre of the city.
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.
I have chosen this option in the past when I had a lot of luggage, however, we work with our friends at London Sightseeing Taxi Tours so I get a discount, which makes it affordable for me.
If you are interested in booking a car to/from Gatwick, just drop me a line: Margaret@FreeToursbyFoot.Com.
It is almost always cheaper and faster to take the Gatwick Express to Victoria.
From there, you can also pick up a cab just outside the station to take you onwards if you don't want to wrangle your baggage on the Underground.
Although Victoria is a step free station overall so I have found it's not too difficult to change lines with my luggage.
Or maybe you just want an iconic ride from the airport to your hotel - in which case, go for it!
This is definitely the most relaxing way to get there, in my experience.
The London Transport Pass - Good...if it comes back!
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 travellers, 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 Jan 2025 and I am not sure when it will be made available again.
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