Gatwick North or South Terminal: Which One You Need
Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, about a mile apart and linked by a free shuttle. Which one you use depends on your airline, and it changes what a hotel’s “at the airport” claim is actually worth.
The inter-terminal shuttle
A driverless people mover connects the two terminals 24 hours a day, free of charge. The ride takes two to three minutes, with departures every five minutes, dropping to every ten minutes between 23:00 and 06:00 when one of the two tracks is used. Including the walk to and from the platforms, budget 10 to 15 minutes.
That frequency is why a hotel at the “wrong” terminal is rarely a real problem. The exception is a 05:00 departure in the rain, when a covered walkway earns its keep.
Which airlines use which
The North Terminal carries most of easyJet’s Gatwick flying, along with Emirates and a range of long-haul and leisure carriers. The South Terminal is home to British Airways, Wizz Air, Vueling and most TUI services. Airlines do switch terminals, sometimes at short notice, so treat your boarding pass as the authority.
The rail station is at the South Terminal
Gatwick’s railway station is attached to the South Terminal. If you are heading into London the same evening, or arriving by train for an early flight, South Terminal hotels save you a shuttle leg: see Gatwick to central London.
Which hotel belongs to which terminal
South Terminal: YOTELAIR and BLOC are inside the terminal building itself; Hilton London Gatwick Airport is joined by a covered walkway; Courtyard by Marriott is a five-minute walk.
North Terminal: Sofitel London Gatwick and Hampton by Hilton are joined by covered walkways; Premier Inn North Terminal is a five-minute walk directly opposite.
Neither, by road: Holiday Inn London Gatwick Airport is a five-minute drive with a paid 24-hour shuttle serving both terminals.
Related guides
Early flight: sleeping in Gatwick Airport. Long connection: day rooms. Driving in: park, sleep and fly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get between Gatwick's North and South Terminals?
The free inter-terminal shuttle, a driverless people mover, runs 24 hours a day. The ride itself takes two to three minutes, with departures every five minutes and every ten minutes between 23:00 and 06:00. Allow 10 to 15 minutes end to end once you include the walk to the platform.
Which airlines use which Gatwick terminal?
The North Terminal handles the bulk of easyJet's Gatwick operation along with Emirates and others; the South Terminal is home to British Airways, Wizz Air, Vueling and most TUI services. Airlines do move between terminals, so check your boarding pass rather than relying on any guide, including this one.
Does it matter which terminal my hotel is at?
Less than you would think, because the shuttle is free and runs around the clock. It matters most for very early departures, when a covered walk in the dark beats a shuttle ride, and for the rail station, which is attached to the South Terminal.
Information last verified: August 5, 2026