I landed at Gatwick Airport and had to catch a flight within 90 minutes. I was standing on the escalator but had no clue where I was actually and where to move. You might have no idea before your first flight that London Gatwick Airport is divided into two buildings sits on the opposite side of the runway, North Terminal and South Terminal. And the worst part is there is no pedestrian in between that connects the two terminals. Thus, if you hit the wrong terminal, it might take ages for you to return to your actual terminal.
That trip has taught me more than any travel brochure. Having flown through both the terminals multiple times, I actually know the insights of the Gatwick Airport from the terminal airline assignments, local bars & restaurant options, parking rates, car rental companies, and the nearest hotel from the airport. So, if you have a flight from Gatwick, then keep scrolling the screen and make points to travel like a pro.
Gatwick Airport Terminal Layout
Gatwick Airport has two buildings, each for a separate terminal—North and South. Both the terminals have their own gates, security, check-in counters, and more. However, there is no walkways between the two terminals; thus, if you have the arrival of a connecting flight at one terminal and departure from another terminal, you will require to use the free inter-terminal shuttle that runs 24 hours a day.
You must download or open the official Gatwick Airport Map before reaching the airport. So, you can understand the layout and breeze your movement at the airport.
North Terminal
North Terminal is the main operating base of EasyJet. For Gatwick Airport departures, the check-in counter is available on the second floor, except for EsayJet and WestJet, which have their self-service baggage drop points on the first floor.
Once you land and step inside the North Terminal, you will be separated into three groups: Domestic, CTA, and International.
Domestic: Domestic travelers can take exit from gate 55 and reach the arrival hall.
CTA (Common Travel Area): The CTA passengers can take a shuttle bus to reach the same arrival hall.
International: If you are an international traveler, then walk along the passport control and then take downstairs to move to the baggage reclaim area.
It is easy to make a mistake or misread the signage when you are tired; thus, it is best to keep the Gatwick Airport Terminal Map open while moving through the terminal.
If you have a boarding flight from the North Terminal, always be sure to verify the gate at the departure boards because gate numbers get confirmed shortly before flight departure.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airline | Region Served |
| easyJet | Europe (main base) |
| Emirates | Middle East & long-haul |
| Qatar Airways | Middle East & long-haul |
| Singapore Airlines | Asia & long-haul |
| SWISS | Europe |
| WestJet | North America |
| Icelandair | Europe & North America |
| JetBlue | North America |
| Air China | Asia |
| TUI (flight numbers starting “TOM”) | Europe & leisure |
South Terminal
South Terminal is the hub for British Airways and many low-cost carriers. If you take a train, you will directly reach the South Terminal, as the station is built in the basement of the South Terminal.
To check in, you have to move to the southern side of the building and then take the upstairs for the security check, and the boarding gates are on the lower level. If you get confused between the gate and floor level, it is best to download the Gatwick Airport Terminal map for ultimate support with navigation.
Gatwick Airport arrivals work differently for CTA (Common Travel Area) & domestic passengers and international passengers.
Domestic & CTA passengers: They can take a shuttle bus or directly move to the domestic claim area.
International passengers: Get to the ground floor to reach the passport control and then upstairs to reach the baggage reclaim area.
To know which terminal to head to, first check which terminal your airline operates from. The table below lists the airlines that operate from the South Terminal.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airline | Region Served |
| British Airways | UK & global |
| Ryanair | Europe |
| Wizz Air | Europe |
| Vueling | Europe |
| Jet2 | Europe & leisure |
| Turkish Airlines | Europe & long-haul |
| Norse Atlantic | Long-haul |
| Air France | Europe |
| Air India | Long-haul |
| TAP Air Portugal | Europe |
| TUI (flight numbers starting “BY”) | Europe & leisure |
Home Bag Drop Service at Gatwick Airport
I wish someone had told me this earlier. With two heavy suitcases and a toddler, the home bag pick-up service is a big relief. Gatwick Airport runs this service with a partner called AirPortr. Instead of carrying your bag, you can simply book the service from the official website of Gatwick Airport for both terminals, and a driver will come to your home or hotel and pick up the bag. They will get your luggage checked on your behalf and transfer it to the airline cargo. The pickup generally happens on the evening a day before departure or on the morning of the departure day. You simply move to the airport carrying only your hand luggage.
The charges for the service start from $23 per bag; however, it changes based on how tight your connection window is. You can book the service either from the airport page or directly from the participating airlines such as EasyJet and WestJet. You will get a notification when they collect your luggage and again when it is checked in.
Pro tip: This service saves you from the hassle of carrying overweight luggage or oversized sports items. However, you must prebook your service at least 24 hours before departure, as you may not be able to get a slot on the same day during peak season.
Getting to Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is located in Crawley, 30 miles south of Central London. Gatwick is one of the widely connected networks of public transport facilitating the travelers to get to or from the airport.
By Train
Gatwick railway stations are directly connected to the South Terminal of the airport. If you have a scheduled departure from the North Terminal, you can take a free inter-terminal bus from the South Terminal.
Gatwick Express: A nonstop service runs directly between London Victoria and the Gatwick Airport. The train takes 30 minutes to complete the journey and runs every 15 minutes from the station.
Southern Railway: It facilitates direct connection to Eastbourne, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, and Portsmouth Harbour. It covers fewer extra stops than Express.
Thameslink: Thameslink operates cross-London rail services through Central London, directly connecting stations like London Bridge and St Pancras International to northern destinations including Bedford, Peterborough, and Cambridge.
Great Western Railway: The Great Western provides connections to Reading via Guildford.
The ticket can be purchased through the Oyster Cards or contactless cards on all the routes from Gatwick Airport.
By Bus
While railways are faster, buses are an affordable option to travel to Gatwick Airport. It also moves from within the city, so you can also sightsee the city.
National Express: Gatwick Airport is directly connected to more than 50 destinations across the United Kingdom through National Express. Major destinations include London Victoria Coach Station and Heathrow Airport.
EasyBus: It is a budget-friendly alternative in Central London. It operates mini-coaches between Central London and Gatwick Airport.
Metrobus: It connects the North and South terminals with Horley, Crawley, Redhill, and Horsham.
By Rental Car
The car rentals at Gatwick Airport are all located in one car rental center at South Terminal at Gatwick Airport and include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Sixt, Budget, and National.
When arriving at North Terminal, you can take the hire car by taking the sign onto the free inter-terminal shuttle ticket, which will take you to the Level 0 hire car desks in South Terminal. It's always cheaper to make a booking than to turn up on the day at a booking counter, and it will often be cheaper to photograph the car before you drive off, as there will be a lot of cars returning on the day and you'll avoid any potential argument about existing damage.
Gatwick Airport Parking Options
If you are driving your own vehicle to London Gatwick Airport, knowing the parking options becomes essential. Gatwick Airport parking provides multiple options to passengers catering to the requirements of every type of traveler.
Short Stay Parking
The short-stay parking is closest to the terminals. It is located just a 4-minute walk from both North and South Terminals. It is an ideal parking choice when you are visiting the airport for a few hours, a quick pickup, or a quick drop-off. For short-stay parking, use Car Parks 5 and 6 at the North Terminal. At the South Terminal, short-stay parking is available in Car Parks 1, 2, and 3.
Price for the short-stay parking starts from $9 for 30 minutes.
Mid Stay Parking
The London Gatwick Airport mid-stay parking is located just six minutes from both the terminal buildings. You can park your car in the secure multi-storey car park in the North Terminal and the nearby car park in the South Terminal. After parking your car, you can directly move to the departures.
It is an ideal choice for passengers out for a few days, featured with 24/7 security patrols, and prices range from $45 to $60 for one day, depending on your terminal.
Long Stay Parking
Long-stay parking is the budget-friendly Gatwick Airport parking option, with the prices starting from just $32 per day. However, it is not directly connected to the terminal via a walkway, but they provide a shuttle bus that hardly takes 10 to 12 minutes to cover the distance between parking and the terminal.
For the first day, the car parking at Long Stay will cost you $38 and $32 for subsequent days.
Robotic Parking
No one will touch or drive your car even a single mile with robotic parking. You simply drop your car in a private and secure garage, and a robot will lift the car from underneath the wheels and park in a secured and restricted parking area. It is not situated close to the airport; you will have to take a 7- to 15-minute bus shuttle.
The robots are capable of handling 95% of the car designs; if your vehicle has an unusual design, please check the compatibility of your vehicle on their official website before booking.
Valet Parking
Unlike most airports, the valet parking at London Gatwick Airport is available within the terminal building. Take a two-minute covered walkway and reach the terminal. Valet parking is available in both terminals at Gatwick Airport. This parking is designed for the passengers looking for premium service and ultimate peace of mind.
You can book EV charging by paying a nominal fee above the parking charges while booking your valet parking.
Where to Eat at London Gatwick Airport?
There are over 30 restaurants and cafes in London Gatwick Airport, both in the north and south terminals. Cross the hall and find pubs, bakery stalls, sit-down restaurants, and takeout counters, and most of the takeout counters and sit-down restaurants open as early as 3:00 or 4:00 am. So you may have many choices of food or beverages during the day. These may vary depending on the terminal.
North Terminal
After Security
The Breakfast Club: A cafe offering its signature dishes around the clock, from 3:30am to last flight. Highly recommended for full breakfast.
Sonoma: It is a restaurant inspired by the California theme and culinary.
BrewDog: You can find up to 20 different types of beers with a game zone and photobooth and an all-day menu.
Juniper & Co.: The restaurant opens at 3:30 am and closes after the last flight departs from the airport. Enjoy the taste of local ingredients.
The Red Lion: If you are traveling with family, this is a perfect restaurant to eat, opening at 3:30 am and closing after the last flight.
Wagamama: You can either eat inside the restaurant or take it with you, it remains open between 4:00 am and 8:00 pm.
Black Sheep Coffee: The coffee shop opens at 4:00 am in the morning and closes at night at 8:30 pm.
Before Security
Sussex House Kitchen & Bar: If you are looking to taste local flavors, then this restaurant remains open between 4:00 am and 11:00 pm. This is one of the few sit-down options before clearing the security.
South Terminal
After Security
PizzaExpress: This is a place to eat or have a breakfast before your early morning flight, with the option available to take the meal with you. You can book a table online.
Wagamama: The restaurant opens at 4:00 am and closes at 9:00 pm and serves the food at the table.
Itsu: This is a restaurant where you can find food inspired from the Asian culinary art, with most dishes under $8.
Wondertree: Get the world's food, independent wines with the spectacular airfield view, and fairtrade coffee. The shop opens at 3:00 am, so if you have an early flight, you still have places to eat.
Big Smoke: The shop opens at 3:00 am in the morning and closes at night after the departure of the last flight. You will be served with signature cocktails, beers, and an all-ay menu.
Soth Downs Bar: This is a small-batch food and drink, which includes the English wines, pastries, cocktails, and sandwiches.
Before Security
The Beehive: A pub with a clear view of the arrivals hall that opens at 4:00 am and closes at 11:00 pm.
Gatwick Airport Lounges
Gatwick's departure lounges offer you three hours' access before your flight, where you can get free drinks and refreshments and free Wi-Fi. Most of them don't require a business class ticket. There are independent lounges for all passengers, regardless of airline, class of travel, etc. You will find Gatwick Airport lounges right after security in both terminals, with a few differences between the North and South. Before booking, check your terminal, as they do not have an airside connection between North and South.
| Lounge | Terminal | Entry price (from, per adult) |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza Express | North | $28 |
| My Lounge | North and South | $34 |
| Club Aspire | South | $36 |
| No1 Lounge | North and South | $38 |
| Plaza Premium | North | $40 |
Lounges in Both Terminals
No. 1 Lounge
A classy, feature-packed package for business and leisure travelers.
It features a well-stocked bar, a serene library, designer chairs overlooking the runway, and quiet areas.
The menu is prepared specifically for No1 Lounges; complimentary snacks are included as well as a hot and cold buffet.
There are private meeting rooms available, plus both terminals are open from 4 am until 10 pm.
Priority, Dragon, Diners Club, Lounge Club, Wexas, and IOU cardholders welcome.
South Terminal: It's located on the upper level between JD Sports and InMotion.
My Lounge
The laid-back and wallet-friendly option, and an excellent starting point if you're new to it.
Less formal than the No1 Lounge, and it has individual and social seating.
In addition to a 7-meter counter of hot and cold grazing snacks, such as pastries and pancakes from a pancake machine, there is a self-service bar.
There is an outdoor terrace at the South Terminal branch as well.
North Terminal Only
Plaza Premium Lounge: A buffet meal, relaxed and elegant seating, views of the runway and a special Kids Zone. A good option for families looking to have something other than a simple lounge.
Plaza Express: A grand-size, holiday-feel lounge for families, couples, and solo travelers, offering a complimentary buffet and drink menu and a Kids Zone. It's the lowest-priced lounge in the terminal.
South Terminal Only
Club Aspire: Self-service snacks and drinks, hot and cold buffets, quiet areas, and views of the field. If you're a person looking for peace and quiet, it is a good choice.
What Are The Hotels Near Gatwick Airport?
Whenever I had a late-night or early-morning flight, I stepped out on the road to search for the hotels near the Gatwick Airport. However, there are seven hotels inside the airport across both the terminals. So, if you have a late-night flight, you do not need to search for the hotel outside the hotel. You will easily get one inside the terminal.
South Terminal Hotels
Bloc
The reception of the hotel is loathed directly opposite of the entrance of the South Terminal, which makes it the closest hotel to the security gate. There are 245 rooms at the hotel, out of which a few have a runway view. And all rooms feature free Wi-Fi, a wide-screen smart TV, and an en suite bathroom. However, the hotel does not serve the food, but you can access the restaurant inside the terminal. If you are looking for an affordable room to relax before your early morning flight or spend layover time, then Bloc becomes an obvious choice.
Hilton
Hilton is the largest hotel with 826 rooms in South Terminal. It is just 10 minutes from the check-in counter via the covered walkway. If you are looking for a full-fledged hotel experience, then Hilton features business facilities, on-site gym facilities, a lounge area, a coffee shop, restaurants, baggage storage, and more. The hotel rooms are family-friendly, with a dining option available inside the hotel.
North Terminal Hotels
Sofitel
A four-star hotel directly connected to the North Terminal through a covered walkway. They offer a variety of room options, accommodating anywhere from 2 to 5 guests, depending on the room type. The guest will be facilitated by TV, an en suite bathroom, 24-hour room service, free wifi, and more.
Insider Tips for Travelling Through Gatwick Airport
I have brought a few things that might not be obvious from the signage:
Keep your liquid and laptop during security: There are CT scanners at both the terminals, which means that the passenger is not required to remove their electronics or liquid from the luggage.
No airside connections exist between the terminals: After security clearance in one terminal, there is no way to cross to another terminal without exiting the terminal and going through security again. If you are arriving in one terminal and departing from the other make the change before security not after.
Fast-track passes are cheap: You can pay a small fee and access the dedicated security lane and fast-track the process.
Keep a digital map handy: You can download the airport map or access it through the official website and know the exact location of your departure gate, currency exchange, and nearest hotel.
Avoid currency exchange: Both the terminals have the currency exchange point, but the rates are rarely competitive. Thus, if you need cash, exchange a small amount at the airport and change the rest when you reach the city.
Conclusion
Now when I look back at my initial trips, most of the things that troubled me at Gatwick Airport were not actually complicated. I just had not given enough time to understand the terminal layout, airline terminal assignment, or where to eat in the airport. Searching for these things at the last minute often creates a hassle for the trip. Once you know that the two terminals are not connected through a walkway, where are the hotels and lounges and the parking options? The journey suddenly starts to feel smooth. Hopefully, this guide will save you from getting confused with the shuttle ride and navigate the lounge, hotels, eateries, and terminals easily, where I struggled on my first trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most affordable parking options are available outside the Gatwick Airport. You can book the off-site Airparks Gatwick Self Park, Cophall Parking Park & Ride, and Purple Parking for affordable parking.
There are seven hotels inside the Gatwick Airport, and all the hotels are located within a 2- to 10-minute walking distance.
No, the North and South Terminals are located in two separate buildings, with an active runway between them. Therefore, there is no pedestrian path or walkway connecting the two terminals.
To find out the terminal of your booked flight, you can check the e-ticket or confirmation email or move to the official London Gatwick Airlines and Terminals page.
Heathrow is located closer to Central London. It is just 15 miles west of Central London, whereas Gatwick is 30 miles south of Central London.
