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Airport Name
London Gatwick Airport

Airport Location
The airport is located 28 miles south of London.

Terminals
2

IATA Code
LGW

Telephone
+44 0844 335 1802

Airport Overview

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the United Kingdom’s second-busiest international airport in terms of passenger traffic. Despite its sizeable distance from central London – it is situated north of Crawley, about 28 miles from the capital’s CBD – great transport links to and from the airport ensure that it remains an incredibly popular entry-point for visitors to the UK.

Flights to London Gatwick Airport are offered by a variety of operators, including charter airlines such as Monarch and Thomson Airways, low-cost carriers such as easyJet and Flybe, and more established airlines, like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. The huge range of international destinations you can access from Gatwick is illustrated by the diversity of its seven most-popular flights: Malaga, Dublin, Orlando, Alicante, Faro, Dubai, and Geneva.

Terminal Transfer

A free shuttle-train connects the North and South Terminals, operating 24 hours a day. The airport’s train stations are very well signposted, and the trip between terminals takes just two minutes to complete.

Getting into Town

Airport Taxi: They charge appalling fees, but official airport taxis are available to get you to central London. You can find the booking desks in the arrivals area of the North Terminal, or near the northern entrance to the South Terminal. The journey should take 50-80 minutes, depending on traffic.

Buses: Your best bet here is definitely the airport’s easyBus service. Buses run throughout the day and night, departing every 15 minutes from both terminal buildings and offering non-stop service to Earl’s Court in central London. Book online for the lowest fares.

Train: The most convenient way to access central London from Gatwick Airport is the Gatwick Express rail service. Trains leave every 15 minutes from the South Terminal’s train station, taking half an hour to reach Victoria Station in central London. If you arrive at the North Terminal, you can take the free shuttle-train to the South Terminal (you’ll get there in two minutes).

Car Parking

London Gatwick Airport offers short- and long-stay parking options. The short-stay car parks are located near the terminal buildings. The long-stay car parks are slightly more removed from the terminal buildings, but are still easily accessible by foot (up to ten minutes), or bus (less than five minutes).

Information Desks

Information desks are located near the check-in area (South Terminal), and in the international departures area (North Terminal).

Airport Facilities

Money and communications: ATMs, currency exchange offices, workstations with Internet access, public telephones, a post box, and VAT refund desks are available.

Luggage: Services include baggage wrapping, UK baggage delivery, and luggage storage (£8 per item per day, or part thereof). There is a lost-property office at the airport, although lost-baggage queries are handled by the airlines.

Conference and business: The airport has business lounges (one in either terminal building), with free Internet, fax, scanning and photocopying services. Meeting rooms are equipped with audiovisual equipment and conferencing facilities.

Shopping: London Gatwick Airport has a really good range of stores, spread evenly between the terminal buildings. In the North Terminal, you’ll find unpretentious fashion at Fat Face, classically British gifts and souvenirs at Glorious Britain, and a Hamleys toy store. In the South Terminal, you can find funky clothing and accessories at All Saints; music, films and games at HMV; and pretty much anything you could possibly think of at Harrods. Duty-free shopping is provided by the World Duty Free store, located in the North Terminal’s international departures lounge.

Food and drink: There’s no way you’re going to go hungry at London Gatwick – the airport boasts a tantalizing range of cafes, bars, snack shops and restaurants. Get a great breakfast at Apostrophe, a family meal at New York-themed Frankie and Benny’s, some coffee at Caffe Nero, or something a bit fancier at the Caviar House and Prunier Seafood Bar. If you’re thirsty, head to the Bridge Bar and Eating House.

Other facilities: Other amenities at London Gatwick Airport include childcare facilities, family rooms, showers, photo booths (South Terminal), multi-faith chapels, a pharmacy, medical services, and access and facilities for disabled passengers.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available throughout London Gatwick Airport.

 

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About the author

Ryan ClareRyan has traveled to more than 15 countries including Canada, France, Austria and Spain. He has an insatiable curiosity that manifests in a knack for travel. He hopes to travel to every continent and experience as many cites and cultures as possible.

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