London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is a London-area airport in the United Kingdom, with North and South terminals. Its railway station is at South Terminal, and a free shuttle connects the two terminals. Choose your flight’s terminal and your onward London station together so the airport-to-hotel journey fits the booking.

Choose Gatwick rather than another London airport

LGW identifies London Gatwick. Heathrow, London City and other airports serving the London area are separate arrival points. Read the airport code on each flight sector; a connection labelled “London” can involve a ground journey between airports rather than movement between Gatwick’s two terminals.

For a trip from the Philippines, inspect stops, operating airlines and the airport used for any onward flight. A ticket showing London does not automatically arrive at LGW. Compare the full itinerary with the additional transfer and check-in steps before choosing the lowest displayed flight price.

North and South terminals at LGW

The airport has North and South terminals, linked by a free inter-terminal shuttle. Its published guidance describes a short ride of about two minutes. Add walking and waiting time as well, especially if bringing luggage or moving between check-in areas. The shuttle journey alone is not the complete connection time.

British Airways identifies Gatwick South Terminal in its London airport information. Other airlines can use a different terminal, so use the operating carrier’s confirmation for the flight you booked. If the booking names a carrier’s partner operation, inspect the actual flight details before following a terminal instruction.

The train station is at South Terminal

Follow the railway signs at South Terminal. Passengers at North Terminal first use the inter-terminal shuttle to reach the station. Keep this extra step in your departure plan if arriving by train for a North Terminal flight; getting off at Gatwick Airport station is not the end of the airport journey.

Gatwick Express serves London Victoria, where Underground and other transport connections are available. Choose the train destination around your hotel or onward travel. A central London station is a transport interchange, not a promise that every hotel can be reached without another ride or walk.

Other rail routes into London and beyond

The airport lists Thameslink services through London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras International, plus Southern services including London Victoria and Clapham Junction. These options suit different addresses. Select the service that reaches the useful station for your journey rather than assuming one London train route fits every visitor.

Rail services also connect Gatwick with places outside London. Check the dated journey planner, ticket restrictions and any service changes before travel. A fast advertised station-to-station time excludes the airport walk, train wait and transfer from the final station to your accommodation.

Coach pickups differ by terminal

National Express coaches use the lower level outside international arrivals at North Terminal and the lower forecourt at South Terminal. The airport also lists ticket desks in both terminals. Confirm the departure terminal, destination and current boarding stop on the coach booking before leaving the arrivals area.

A coach to another airport is a separate transport leg, even if the onward flight appears in the same city search. Allow for the road journey and the next airport’s check-in deadline. A local hotel shuttle is another service again, so check its property coverage instead of boarding an unrelated long-distance coach.

Flight connections and checked baggage

Gatwick’s connection guidance tells arriving passengers to collect bags and follow the relevant onward check-in process. Confirm the arrangement with your airline, including any through-ticket service, before planning a transfer. Separate-ticket connections need particular attention to the next airline’s baggage and check-in rules.

If changing between North and South, identify the next terminal early and use the free shuttle. If changing to Heathrow or another London airport, plan a separate ground journey. Terminal-shuttle information cannot establish the time or passenger requirements for an airport-to-airport transfer.

Compare the full LGW booking on Traveloka

Compare Gatwick flights by total price, stops, baggage and flexibility. Pair the flight with the appropriate rail or coach destination, and save the airport, terminal and hotel address with the confirmation. Your ticket does not automatically include train travel or an airport transfer unless explicitly stated.

Before departing from London, reconfirm the operating airline’s terminal and leave time between the rail or coach arrival and airline check-in. Keep service updates for both the ground journey and flight accessible. Use current directions when a terminal or boarding point differs from an older screenshot.