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LGW · London, England, United Kingdom · International Hub

London Gatwick Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for London Gatwick Airport (LGW), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

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On this page
  1. Map
  2. Terminals & connections
  3. Layover helper
  4. Security & TSA
  5. Lounges
  6. Amenities
  7. Ground transport
  8. Parking
  9. Can I leave?
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 2 terminals, not airside-connected (re-security between some)
  • Minimum connection time: 1 hr domestic, 1 hr international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international
  • To London: about 30 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Map

Terminals & connections

London Gatwick Airport has 2 terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected; transfers between some terminals require exiting security and re-clearing TSA. OAG airport standard is a flat 60 minutes for every sector. Gatwick has no airside transit: every international connection clears UK border control landside, then re-clears security. Gatwick's own published advice is 60 min same terminal, 90 min between terminals. easyJet files no exception (uses 60); Ryanair and Norwegian file 120 min.

North Terminal

1 airline: easyJet

easyJet's largest base. TUI flights numbered 'TOM' also depart here.

South Terminal

6 airlines: British Airways, Vueling, Wizz Air, Norse Atlantic Airways, Ryanair, Jet2

Rail and inter-terminal shuttle station is here. Jet2 based here from March 2026; TUI 'BY' flights depart here.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
1 hr
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr
International to international
1 hr
Transfer system
Free inter-terminal shuttle (about 2 minutes, every few minutes, 24/7)
Airside connected
No
Check your connection time at LGW

Layover helper

Check whether your layover at LGW is tight, comfortable, or long enough to leave the airport. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

For a safe connection at , aim for

≥ min

min airport floor min buffer

Based on:
Connection times are estimates. Verify with your airline. Powered by Travel Vient Terms

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at LGW is 25 minutes at peak and 10 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 2 hr before a domestic flight and 3 hr before international.

TSA PreCheck
Not available
CLEAR
Not available
Global Entry
Not available

No US TSA programs. UK Border Force eGates handle immigration for eligible passports (UK, EU/EEA, US, CA, AU, JP, NZ, SG, KR). CT scanners mean liquids up to 2 litres and electronics stay in the bag.

Lounges

3 notable lounges at LGW, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

No1 Lounge

North and South Terminals

Independent

Access: Pay-per-use, Priority Pass

Amenities: Hot food, Bar, WiFi

Club Aspire Lounge

South Terminal

Independent

Access: Pay-per-use, Priority Pass

Amenities: Buffet, Bar, WiFi

Plaza Premium Lounge

North Terminal

Independent

Access: Pay-per-use, Priority Pass

Amenities: Buffet, Bar, WiFi

Amenities

2 of 7 core amenities available at LGW: showers, free WiFi. Free WiFi quality is rated good.

Showers

Available

Arrive & Refresh arrivals lounge (North Terminal) and pay-per-use lounges

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Free WiFi throughout the terminals.

Nursing rooms

Not available

Chapel

Not available

Pet relief areas

Not available

Ground transport to London

LGW is about 30 min from downtown London by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
Gatwick Express
Train
Non-stop to London Victoria, twice an hour, from the South Terminal station.
 Varies 30 min
Thameslink
Train
To London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras; also Brighton and Luton.
 Varies 30-55 min
Uber/Bolt
Rideshare
Roughly 45 km to central London; traffic-dependent.
 Varies 60-110 min

Parking

LGW parking ranges from Varies/day economy to $89/day short-term. Approximate USD from official GBP drive-up rates (Short Stay GBP 70/day, Long Stay GBP 38/day). Mid Stay and Valet are pre-book only.

Short-term
$89/day
Long-term
$48/day
Economy
Not available
Valet
Not available

Can I leave LGW during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside LGW. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of London. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr plus re-screening on return.

Central London is 30 min on the Gatwick Express to Victoria. Treat anything under 4 hours as too tight for a city trip, and note you will have cleared UK border control as a connecting passenger but re-clear security on return.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Sofitel London Gatwick
    On-airport North Terminal
    $$$
  • BLOC Hotel Gatwick
    On-airport South Terminal
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at LGW?

Arrive at least 120 minutes before a domestic flight from LGW, and 180 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at LGW?

LGW requires at least 60 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 60 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. LGW terminals are not all airside-connected; expect to re-clear security between some terminals. Transfer system: Free inter-terminal shuttle (about 2 minutes, every few minutes, 24/7).

How long does it take to get between terminals at LGW?

Budget 1 hr for same-terminal transfers and 1 hr 30 min for different-terminal transfers at LGW via Free inter-terminal shuttle (about 2 minutes, every few minutes, 24/7). OAG airport standard is a flat 60 minutes for every sector. Gatwick has no airside transit: every international connection clears UK border control landside, then re-clears security. Gatwick's own published advice is 60 min same terminal, 90 min between terminals. easyJet files no exception (uses 60); Ryanair and Norwegian file 120 min.

Can I leave LGW during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside LGW. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 60 minutes plus re-screening. Central London is 30 min on the Gatwick Express to Victoria. Treat anything under 4 hours as too tight for a city trip, and note you will have cleared UK border control as a connecting passenger but re-clear security on return.

Does LGW have showers?

Yes, LGW has showers at Arrive & Refresh arrivals lounge (North Terminal) and pay-per-use lounges. Shower facilities in lounges and the arrivals lounge.

Does LGW have sleep pods?

LGW does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at LGW?

Yes. LGW offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free WiFi throughout the terminals.

What is the cheapest way to get from LGW to London?

See the ground transport section for all options from LGW to London.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at LGW?

LGW does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Typical peak-hour wait is 25 minutes. No US TSA programs. UK Border Force eGates handle immigration for eligible passports (UK, EU/EEA, US, CA, AU, JP, NZ, SG, KR). CT scanners mean liquids up to 2 litres and electronics stay in the bag.

How much does parking cost at LGW?

LGW parking rates: $89/day short-term, $48/day long-term. Approximate USD from official GBP drive-up rates (Short Stay GBP 70/day, Long Stay GBP 38/day). Mid Stay and Valet are pre-book only.

Is there a hotel at LGW for overnight layovers?

Yes. Sofitel London Gatwick is on-airport (On-airport North Terminal) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at LGW?

LGW has 2 terminals. Major airline assignments: North Terminal: easyJet; South Terminal: British Airways, Vueling, Wizz Air. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Compare LGW to other airports

See how LGW ranks against the other 72 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers LGW is workable for 6h+ layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT LGW dom-to-dom: 1 hr · intl-to-dom: 1 hr

Airlines operating at LGW

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of LGW.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified Jun 2026. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with London Gatwick Airport before flying.