London Gatwick Airport Information

Flying from London Gatwick Airport? This guide will help you navigate the airport with confidence. Gatwick is the UK’s second busiest airport, featuring two terminals – North and South, each offering a range of amenities and services. It is the airport we use the most and I hope these tips will help you have a smooth journey.

Which Terminal at Gatwick Does My Airline Use?

Gatwick has two terminals: North and South, knowing which terminal your airline operates from is crucial for a smooth experience. Here’s a breakdown of some airlines and heir respective terminals:

London Gatwick Airport Information: How to Get There

Gatwick is well-connected by various modes of transportation; I’ll go through the various transport options available:

Train: The Gatwick Express offers a non-stop service from London Victoria in about 30 minutes. Other train services connect Gatwick to various parts of London and the South East. My hometown of Wokingham has a direct train to Gatwick that takes approximately 1.5 hours.

Car: Located just off the M23 motorway at Junction 9, with ample parking options including short stay, long stay, and valet services. Top tip: many routes North of Gatwick will use the M25 a road notorious for its traffic jams, if you are travelling on the M25 at peak times give yourself a little extra time to avoid added stress! Looking for discount on your airport car parking – hit the handy button below.

Coach/Bus: With most services running 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, London Gatwick is directly connected to more than 100 UK towns and cities by coach and bus services all year round

Sofitel London Gatwick — Luxury / North Terminal

• Where: Directly connected to North Terminal via a covered walkway.
• Why choose it: Very convenient, upscale, multiple restaurants and bars.
• Typical cost: £140+ per night depending on season.

Hilton London Gatwick Airport — Upscale / South Terminal

• Where: Connected to South Terminal by a covered walkway.
• Why choose it: Large, modern hotel with restaurant and gym; ideal for South Terminal flights.
• Typical cost: £80–£150+ per night.

Bloc Hotel London Gatwick — In-Terminal / South Terminal

• Where: Located inside South Terminal (Level 3), steps from departures.
• Why choose it: Ultra-convenient, compact tech-driven rooms with excellent beds and showers.
• Typical cost: £70–£120 per night.

Langshott Manor — Boutique Country Hotel (near Horley)

• Where: 10–12 mins from Gatwick in a quiet countryside setting.
• Why choose it: Characterful manor house, peaceful alternative to terminal hotels.
• Typical cost: £80–£120+ per night.

Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport (North Terminal) — Good Value

• Where: Opposite North Terminal, roughly a 5-minute walk.
• Why choose it: Reliable, clean, good family rooms and on-site restaurant.
• Typical cost: £50–£100 per night.

Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central — Budget

• Where: Near Horley, around 1 mile from airport with shuttle services.
• Why choose it: Simple, affordable, good for short overnight stops.
• Typical cost: £25–£60 per night.

London Gatwick Airport Information: Family Tips

Gatwick airport has designated special assistance and family security lanes – often allowing for a much quicker transition through security. Top tip: teddies will still need to go through security scanners so it can be a good idea to prepare children for this beforehand. Lots of companies also offer passports for teddies this can make the whole experience really fun for children. Just follow the signs to special assistance and family lanes once you have checked in.

Where did we eat at London Gatwick Airport?

There are some family favourite’s restaurants at London Gatwick airport like Nando’s and Shake Shack. Last time we were there we ate at The Flying Horse which is a huge Wetherspoon’s pub spread over two floors – the food was actually pretty decent with lots of choice for those with fussy kids. We found it to be of average price with a main costing between £13-£16. Kids meals were also available with colouring sheet. There are even some pretty good views from the second floor which overlooked the runways, this is great entertainment for little kids and adults alike. Its huge too so lots of space and service was quick. It opens at 03.30 until 10pm. There are also sandwich places like Pret a Manger/Boots. Most of the restaurants offer kids menus and highchairs for younger diners.

Travelling with babies at London Gatwick Airport

When travelling with babies you may carry enough milk or baby food in your hand luggage to last you for your full journey. The rest should be packed into your checked-in luggage. All restaurants across both terminals will warm up baby bottles for you before your flight. You can also pre-order up to two tubs of baby milk directly on the Boots website so it’s ready to be collected from the Boots store (there is one in both terminals) Make sure you order no later than seven days in advance. Check out The Travel Mum’s top tips for travelling light. For all her tips click here. 

When travelling as a family it might be worth considering booking an airport lounge for ease and comfort. Consider booking access to lounges like No1 Lounge or Club Aspire for a more relaxed experience. Check out the blog post on Gatwick’s airport lounges for more info.

Both terminals boast a variety of shopping options shopping includes Duty-free shops, high-street brands, travel essentials and for the kids there are a small Hamleys and Lego store. There are baby change facilities across both terminals and airport check-ins.

Kids zones

Gatwick have created kids zones which are ideal to keep little ones entertained whilst you wait in the departure lounge. The kids’ zone at North Terminal provides a separate area for kids to play and it is free of charge to use. We didn’t manage to get to the kids zone last time we flew from Gatwick but it is on the list for next time!

Check-In, Baggage, and Security Tips

• Arrival Time: Aim to arrive at least 2–3 hours before your flight, especially during peak times.
• Online Check-In: Most airlines offer online check-in 24–48 hours before departure.
• Baggage Drop: After checking in online, proceed to your airline’s bag drop counter.
• Security: Ensure liquids are in containers of 100ml or less, placed in a clear plastic bag. Laptops and tablets should be placed in separate trays.

Accessibility and Assistance at Gatwick

Gatwick has a variety of options for those that need assistant at the airport:

• Pre-Book Assistance: It’s advisable to book special assistance at least 48 hours before your flight.
• Facilities: Both terminals are equipped with accessible toilets, lifts, and dedicated seating areas.
• Help Points: Located throughout the airport for immediate assistance.

How to Transfer Between Gatwick’s North and South Terminals

Transferring between terminals is super easy at Gatwick by using their free shuttle train. When my little one was younger, we dropped of my best friend at Gatwick airport as she was going to live in Amsterdam for a year and we spent about half an hour riding this free shuttle train between the terminals.  The train runs every few minutes and takes about 2 minutes it also operates 24/7.

OVERALL

It can be daunting travelling from a large London airport but I promise travelling from London Gatwick Airport can be seamless. It is well set up for family and kids and with excellent transport links from all over the country it really is a fantastic airport to fly form. London Gatwick Airport is the UK’s second biggest airport so it really is a fantastic hub giving you lots of choice of budget flights to get you to your next exciting destination. I hope this guide has been useful and enjoy your travels from Gatwick airport!

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