Welcome / London / Gatwick Airport to City

Getting from Gatwick Airport to Central London

April Dwyer

Travel/Copy Writer - 10+ years with private, NGO and startups | Adventure Seeker/World Explorer

October 5, 2024

Gatwick Airport, one of London and the UK’s main airports, is situated around 45 km from the city center. When traveling from Gatwick Airport to London you have four transport options to choose from: taxi, private transfer, train, or taxi.

If you opt for a Gatwick Airport taxi or a private Gatwick Airport transfer you can expect a journey time of 1 hour and 15 minutes in normal traffic, however, you’ll save time with the door-to-door service both of these options provide.

The quickest way to travel, however, is on the Gatwick Express train to London Victoria which takes 30 minutes, not including wait times and any additional time taken to reach your destination from the station. The least convenient choice, but also the cheapest, is a National Express bus. The trip takes around 2 hours and once in the city center, you can transfer to a local bus or train line.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to London at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€240	75min	24/7
Train	€49.60	30min	05:41–23:10
Bus	€25.20	120min	24/7
Welcome Airport Transfer	€125	75min	24/7

How to get from Gatwick Airport to London by taxi

When it comes to deciding on your Gatwick Airport to London City transfer, a Gatwick Airport taxi is the most convenient and stress-free transfer option. Airport Cars Gatwick is the official airport provider for taxi services, however, other providers can be arranged when booked in advance. Vehicles are typical black London taxis called “hackney carriages” which seat 5 passengers and are wheelchair-friendly.

Since London traffic is known to fluctuate throughout the day, you can expect a taxi ride to central London to take anywhere between 75 and 105 minutes. Keep in mind that Gatwick Airport is also very busy, so unless you pre-book an airport transfer with a company like Welcome, you may have to wait in line to get a taxi.

How much is a taxi from Gatwick Airport to London?

Airport Cars Gatwick offers fixed rate fares to anywhere in London, however, it’s still commonplace for regular black taxis to use a taximeter to determine your Gatwick Airport to London taxi cost. In this instance, your fare will be calculated based on the time and distance traveled, with additional charges for riding at night, on weekends, toll roads, and airport pick-ups added on top.

In any case, the average cost for a taxi from Gatwick Airport to London is £200 (€240) for up to 5 passengers.

Taxi prices

Day time
(05:00–24:00)

Night time
(00:00–05:00)

Duration

FROM LGW - TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE

€68

60 min

FROM LGW - TO CITY CENTRE

€68

60 min

FROM LGW - TO HEATHROW AIRPORT

€180

50 min

FROM LGW - TO OXFORD

€207

1h 45 min

FROM LGW - TO CAMBRIDGE

€234

1h 50 min

FROM LGW - TO BRIGHTON

€72

40 min

FROM LGW - TO COLCHESTER

€201

1h 50 min

Photos (4)

Taxis at Gatwick airport

Cost

€240

Trip Duration

75 Min.

*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Gatwick Airport taxis are available 24/7.

Where do I catch a taxi from?

You will find a taxi rank with black cabs lined up outside both the North and South Terminal. There is also a dedicated service desk located inside each Arrival Hall.

Convenience

Hiring a taxi for your airport transfer is ideal if you don’t want to wait around for public transport or lug your heavy luggage around on a crowded bus or train. No matter what time you land, a taxi will be waiting to whisk you off directly to your hotel, with your belongings and loved ones traveling comfortably alongside you.

Editor’s Note

Although taking a taxi from Gatwick Airport to the city center of London is convenient, it's very costly. However, if you're traveling in a group, splitting the cost can save you some money.

Useful Tips

To ensure you're using an official Gatwick Airport taxi, look for the white plate at the back of the car and a sticker on the windshield displaying the unique license number.

Never accept taxi services from random individuals that approach you at the airport.

You can ask your driver for an estimated cost for your journey, but it may differ from the actual price if traffic is heavy.

Make sure your driver resets the taximeter once you get in the taxi and that the correct base fare is showing.

How to get from Gatwick Airport to the city center by train

The Gatwick Airport to London train run by Gatwick Express is the fastest mode of transport from the airport to downtown with services taking just 30 minutes to reach London Victoria train station. Direct services run regularly and there are no stops along the way.

*Southern and Thameslink train lines cover various routes from Gatwick Airport to the city center of London which may be more convenient, depending on your final destination. However, their services are much slower and not as frequent.

How much is the train from Gatwick Airport to London?

The Gatwick Airport to London train should cost around £20.50 (€24.60) for a one-way standard ticket. Tickets can be bought online or from the ticket counters and automated ticket machines at Gatwick Airport train station, which is located next to the South Terminal.

*If you’re going to be spending a few days in London, we recommend purchasing an Oyster card, as you’ll save money on each journey and have access to special offers. You can purchase this card from the Skybreak Service Centre in both terminals at Gatwick Airport.

Photos (5)

Gatwick Express & Thameslink

Cost

€24.60