London Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport

Gatwick, located 45km (28 miles) south of London,.is smaller and better organised than Heathrow and less than a mile from Junction 9 of the M23, just outside the M25.

Gatwick airport was earlier used as by a flying club and as an occasional airport since the 1930's, Gatwick airport was only opened on the 9th June 1958.

Since 1988 Gatwick airport has had two terminals - the North Terminal and the South Terminal connected by a monorail service - but only one runway. It is the busiest single runway airport in the world, the second busiest airport in the UK (after Heathrow), and in the top ten busiest airports in Europe.

The terminals offer a wide choice of fast food restaurants to more elaborate restaurants -Cafe Uno, Caviar house, cafe Nero, Chez Gerard, Costa & McDonalds are some. There are many bars including a sports bar where you can watch your favourite sport on large screens. Both the terminals have large shopping area's and offer duty free goods after check in.

Getting into / from London
Gatwick Express runs very frequent shuttle trains to/from Victoria Station. 5AM to midnight trains run every 15 minutes. The trip takes about 30 minutes. There are also Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Farringdon, and King's Cross for about £10. Connex South Central trains to/from Victoria are £8.20 one way. A better deal is the Flightline bus, with a ticket good for 3 months costing £7.50 single/£11 return.

Gatwick by Car - London Gatwick is 45kms (28 miles) south of London, directly linked to the M23 motorway at junction 9 and to the A23 London- Brighton road. The M25 is a 10 minute drive from Gatwick Airport, connecting it with the UK's extensive road and motorway network.

Drop off/pick up - For security reasons, private cars may not stop on the terminal forecourt roads for any purpose other than to set down or pick up passengers. Cars left unattended are liable to be towed away by the police and a retrieval charge levied. Please use the multi-storey car parks if you need to leave your car unattended while picking up/dropping off airline passengers.

24 hour petrol stations are available at both the North and South Terminals.

Local buses

Travelling to and from Gatwick Airport
For Gatwick arrivals, the easiest way to get into the city is by taking a Gatwick Express train which is non-stop for the 25 miles and arrives at Victoria Station, the hub for all coach transportation in London (£14).  A slightly cheaper option (£9) -- which take from 5 to 20  minutes more, depending on the stopping pattern -- is to take a Southern train to Victoria. These trains become very crowded in the rush hour. First Capital Connect  runs services to Kings Cross Station (£9).  If going to Brighton or other points south, arriving at Gatwick Airport and catching the train is much more expedient than arriving at Heathrow, making your way into London, and then catching a train south.  For both, there are other options of both coaches and taxis, but due to traffic and cost, it’s best to stick with the trains.   However, if you are travelling in a group of three people or more, it may be more economical to take a taxi or pre-book a car transfer into the city.

As Gatwick also serves as a landing hub for connecting passengers for international flights from Heathrow, many passengers may find the need to book a  transfer. There are several methods, the best method would be to take the National Express coach.

Taxi: Taxis takes £50 to/from central London, with a minicab at about £35 for the same trip. Alternatively, National Express dot2dot http://www.dot2.com/ operate shuttles from both major London airports to hotels in the city. Cost from Shared transfers cost £24 per person one way from Gatwick, and £22 per person one way from Heathrow. Discounts are available for groups of 2 or more people.

Coach Transfers
Coaches are a very economical way to travel into the city centre. Due to congestion on the motorways, they can take much longer than the train, but can be muchcheaper.

The UK's main coach company National Express runs frequent, comfortable services from Heathrow (about 1 hour) , Gatwick (about 1h20), Stansted (about 1h30) andLuton (about 1h20) to  Victoria coach station, the main hub for British coach travel, where coaches and trains can be caught to many other parts of the UK and Europe, or the tube taken to your destination in central London.

National Express has a so-called "funfare", an off-peak fare, which is much cheaper than the train, e.g. Victoria Station (central London) to Southampton costs only 4 pounds on-way, compared with 26 on the train! Other companies such as Terravision also offer low-cost coach travel from Stansted and Luton, with discounts for Ryanair passengers. GreenLine and EasyBus also offers a coach service from London Luton airport, with discounts for EasyJet passengers. All the coach services operate very frequently and tickets can be bought online or at the airport when you arrive.

International train travel
Eurostar is the only high speed international train service operating between the UK and France/Belgium.  From late 2007, Eurostar will terminate at St Pancras International, a newly-renovated station in central London, with the longest champagne bar in Europe.  Journey times are currently approximately 2.5hrs from central London to central Paris, and 2.25hrs to central Brussels.  Onward connections are available throughout Europe.

Domestic train travel
King’s Cross, Victoria, Paddington and Euston stations are just a few of the main terminals for train travel, and all connect to the Underground and buses.  If you get lost, there are maps galore in all the Underground stations and you can always ask one of the knowledgable staff members who patrol the stations.

Train times from London airports:

• DLR from London City Airport, 22 minutes to Bank, 14 minutes to Canary Wharf.
• Heathrow Express, 15 minutes to Paddington. Piccadilly Line 1 hour to Piccadilly Circus station.
• Gatwick Express 30-35 minutes to Victoria (30-40 minutes on the Southern Line). First Capital Connect 30-35 minutes to London Bridge.
• Stansted Express 45 minutes to Liverpool Street.
• First Capital Connect (formerly Thameslink) 35 minutes from Luton Airport Parkway to St Pancras International Station

Selected technical data
Airport Code : LGW
Airport name : Gatwick Airport
City : London
Country : United Kingdom
World Area Code: 493
GMT Offset : +0.0

London Gatwick Security Checks

It is advised that you arrive at the airport keeping plenty of time for security checks:

• International flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure
• European flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure
• Domestic flights - check in 1 hour prior to departure

Hand Luggage - New Security Measures

Cabin baggage and size allowed

• ONE item of hand baggage is allowed; dimensions: 56 centimetres long [approximately 22 inches], 45 centimetres high [approximately 17.5 inches], 25 centimetres deep [approximately 9.85 inches] including wheels, handles, side pocket.
• All items of luggage which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size must be checked in to be placed in the aircraft hold.
• Musical instruments which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size are allowed as a second item of cabin baggage, they will need to be screened and passengers should check with their airlines if special arrangements (e.g. purchasing an extra seat) for these large instruments will be required.
• Laptops and other large electrical items (e.g. a large hairdryer) have to be removed from cabin baggage and screened separately. A laptop bag will be regarded as your one item that is allowed in the cabin.
• Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are permitted but will be screened.

Hand Luggage - What Not To Pack

Take only one piece of hand luggage and make sure that your hand luggage does not contain:

All Luggage - What Not To Pack

Do not pack the following anywhere in your carry on or check in luggage:

London Gatwick Car Parking

Gatwick airport has a very large car park. There are a number of different parking options available at Gatwick. You can park on or off the airport, or for convenience, opt for the Meet and Greet chauffeur option. The airport also has radio controlled buses running to and from the airport terminals at a frequency of 7 - 15 minutes. The car park is security patrolled and floodlit for safety. On arrival you will be issued with a ticket which you must keep until your return.

The main off airport car parks for Gatwick parking are the APH and BCP compounds, based about 10 mintues from the airport. These are both privately owned by the brokers and have a large number of spaces available. These off airport car parks generally tend to be more appropriate for longer stays but are equally popular for short breaks, with the minimum stay at Gatwick APH being only 3 days in the winter period when less people are going on holiday.

There are a range of on airport options for Gatwick parking with various choices for both the North and the South terminals. The NCP Flighpath will probably be most useful if you want an on airport Gatwick car park which is near to the terminal building, meaning the transfer time is minimal. If flying from Gatwick South terminal, the best option will be either Parking Express South or the Summer Special car park. Both these are again on airport, which is ideal for shorter transfer times to the terminal.

You can choose the Meet and Greet option for Gatwick airport parking, which means you are met at the terminal by a representative from the parking company and they will park your car for you, then drop if back to you on your return. This ensures a swift exit from the airport, not having to wait for the transfer bus. There are 3 choices here with Cophall Farm, PAS and CPS all providing Meet and Greet Gatwick airport parking.

Most airports have two parking rates.

• Pre-booked, where you book in advance and pay before departure.
• Or the turn-up rate, where you turn up and pay on the day on the day of departure.

The pre-booking rate can be as much as 60% cheaper than the turn up rate. Also, by pre-booking you can compare prices and check availability before deciding on a car park.

Long stay airport parking at Gatwick
For Gatwick long term parking when you are departing from the South terminal the most popular car parks are Parking Express Gatwick, Park Plus Gatwick and Summer Special Parking Gatwick.

Parking Express Gatwick is located adjacent to the South Terminal and is a self-park car park. Park Plus Gatwick is located very close to the airport terminal, your car is parked for you and then it is just two to three minutes to the terminal. Summer Special Parking Gatwick is situated slightly to the north of the airport.

Short stay airport parking at Gatwick
Gatwick short stay parking is located right next to the airport terminals and can be used for meeting friends and family or for short breaks. It is recommended for stays up to five hours and is available from both the South and North terminals, with a covered walkway just a few yards from the entrance. Private vehicles picking up passengers should use Short Stay Car Park 3. A new tariff, allows 15 minutes parking time at a cost of £1.

North Terminal Prices

• Up to 30 minutes: £2.20
• 30 minutes - 1 hour: £3.70
• 1 - 2 hours: £5.20
• 2 - 3 hours: £6.50
• 3 - 4 hours: £7.80
• 4 - 5 hours: £9.00
• 5 - 6 hours: £10.00
• 6 - 9 hours: £12.00
• 9 - 12 hours: £13.00
• 12 - 18 hours: £16.50
• 18 - 24 hours: £19.50
• Price per subsequent 24 hours (or part thereof): £19.50

The Fast Track service is located within the short stay car parks, offering under cover parking and a fast, convenient link into the terminal building. Both South and North terminals have their own dedicated Fast Track car parks with prices starting at £13.50 for up to 3 hours.

Gatwick Airport Parking - Long Stay Parking

The long stay car parks located at Gatwick Airport offer secure parking facilities, conveniently connected to the airport's terminals via transfer services that run every 5-15 minutes (depending on which car park you choose).

Prices:

Gatwick valet parking
Valet parking at Gatwick offers the greatest convenience – your car will be parked for you when you arrive at the airport and delivered back to you when you return. Pre-booking is advised if you wish to ensure availability and receive a discount.

First day: £34
Subsequent days: £10 per day

Car Park Directions

Gatwick North: NCP Flightpath (Long Stay)
Exit M23 at J9 on the roundabout for Gatwick. Go straight ahead at the first roundabout (J9a) following signs for North Terminal. At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit signposted Long Stay car park. Proceed past the BP petrol station on the right and straight over the next small roundabout. Follow the road for 0.7 miles to the next roundabout and turn right into the NCP Flightpath Long Stay car park.

Gatwick North: NCP (Valet Parking)
From the direction of London or Brighton, exit M23 at J9 following signs on the roundabout for Gatwick Airport. Go straight ahead at the first roundabout following signs for North Terminal. At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit. Staying on the lower level move into the "Arrivals" lane (signposted Coaches Only). Our Valet Parking Office is located on the left hand side, immediately before the terminal building.

Gatwick North: NCP (Short Stay)
Exit the M23 at Junction 9 following signs on the roundabout for Gatwick. Go straight ahead at the first roundabout (J9) following signs for North Terminal. At the next roundabout take the second exit and follow signs for North Terminal and Parking. Pass the Sofitel hotel and take the next turning on the right. The NCP Short Stay car park is situated on the left. Please note: pre booked customers should not park in the Fast Track area. 
 
Gatwick North and South: Courtlands
From the direction of London or Brighton, exit the M23 at Junction 10 signposted Crawley. Follow Crawley signs, Crawley Avenue (A2011). At the roundabout turn right to come back on yourself on the A2011 towards the motorway. After half a mile take the slip road on the left towards the crematorium. At the T junction, turn left onto the B2036 for Horley, go straight over the next roundabout and Courtlands is situated on the left. This car park must be boked in advance.
 
Gatwick South: Parking Express (Long Stay)
From the direction of London or Brighton, exit the M23 at Junction 9 following signs on the roundabout for Gatwick Airport. Keeping in the inside lane, exit left at the next roundabout following signs for the South Terminal and then take the second exit on the left, signposted Long Stay Car Park. Once at the car park, follow signs for the pre-book area.
 
Gatwick South: NCP (Valet Parking)
Exit M23 at J9 following signs on the roundabout for Gatwick. Keeping in the inside lane, exit left at the first roundabout (J9a) and follow signs for South Terminal. Get into the left hand lane and follow signs for Cars (set down), staying on the lower level. Drive past the car rental offices on the left, then take the next turning on the left for Valet Parking. Reception is just inside the terminal entrance.
 
Gatwick South: NCP (Short Stay)
Exit the M23 at Junction 9 following signs on the roundabout for Gatwick. Keeping in the inside lane, exit left at the first roundabout (J9a) sign posted South Terminal. Get into the right hand lane and follow signs for Short Stay parking. Pass the Hilton Hotel and take the next turning on the right into the NCP Short Stay car park. Please note: pre-booked customers should not park in the Fast Track area.
 
Gatwick South: Summer Special Parking
From the direction of London or Brighton, exit the M23 at Junction 9 following signs on the roundabout for Gatwick Airport. Go straight ahead at the first roundabout following signs for North Terminal. At the next roundabout take the third exit. Proceed past the BP petrol station on your right and then straight over the next small roundabout. Follow the road to the next roundabout and turn left following the signs to Summer Special Parking.

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