Gatwick Airport to Central London - Trains, Fares & Times

Gatwick has the best rail links of any London airport: the station is attached to the South Terminal, and three separate operators run into central London from the same platforms. The question is not how to get there but which train, and the honest answer depends on your destination rather than the clock.

Gatwick Express

The dedicated non-stop service to London Victoria takes about 30 minutes and runs every 15 minutes, at roughly £19.80 for a single. It is the simplest option and the fastest on paper.

Thameslink: usually the better buy

Thameslink costs around £14.80 and runs through central London rather than terminating at its edge, calling at London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras International in 30 to 50 minutes depending on the stop. If your destination is the City, Bloomsbury, or a Eurostar or northbound connection at St Pancras, this saves you both money and a change of train.

Southern: the cheapest

Southern services to Victoria cost around £12.40, calling at East Croydon (about 12 minutes) and Clapham Junction (about 33 minutes), reaching Victoria in about 39 minutes. Against the Gatwick Express, that is roughly five minutes slower for about £7 less.

Coaches and taxis

National Express and other coach operators run to Victoria Coach Station and take considerably longer, but are cheaper still and useful late at night. Taxis and ride-share cover the 45 kilometres into central London in an hour or more depending on traffic, and are rarely worth it unless you have heavy luggage or are travelling in a group.

Staying at the airport instead

If you land late or leave early, a night at the airport often beats a late train and a short sleep in town. The station is at the South Terminal, so hotels there are the most convenient for an onward rail trip: BLOC and YOTELAIR are inside the terminal, and Hilton London Gatwick Airport is a covered walk away.

Driving instead? See park, sleep and fly. Only need a few hours between flights? See day rooms. Watching the budget? See the cheapest LGW hotels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest train from Gatwick to central London?

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop to London Victoria in about 30 minutes, every 15 minutes, at roughly £19.80 for a single. It is the fastest option, but only by a few minutes over the cheaper alternatives.

What is the cheapest way from Gatwick to central London?

Southern services to Victoria are the cheapest rail option at around £12.40, calling at East Croydon and Clapham Junction and taking about 39 minutes. Thameslink, at roughly £14.80, is often the better buy because it runs through London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras.

Which train should I take from Gatwick?

It depends on where you are going, not on speed. For Victoria and the west, Southern or the Gatwick Express. For the City, Farringdon or Kings Cross St Pancras, take Thameslink and skip the change. The Gatwick Express saves roughly five minutes over Southern for around £7 more.

Information last verified: August 5, 2026