Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the UK’s second busiest airport and the largest single-runway airport in the world. Located in West Sussex, just 28 miles south of central London, Gatwick is the preferred departure point for millions of holiday passengers across the South East of England and beyond. With two terminals — North and South — and a wide range of airlines covering everything from Mediterranean beach holidays to Caribbean escapes and long-haul adventures, Gatwick punches well above its weight as a holiday departure airport.
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Gatwick’s strength lies in its range of leisure and holiday routes. Unlike Heathrow, which focuses heavily on business travel and long-haul connections, Gatwick is genuinely built around the holiday passenger. It is home to a large number of charter operators and leisure airlines, making it one of the best airports in the UK for package holiday deals to Mediterranean destinations, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean and North Africa.
The airport is also more accessible than Heathrow for many travellers across the South East, with fast and frequent rail connections from London Victoria and Thameslink services from a range of southern and central London stations. For passengers from Surrey, Kent, East Sussex, Hampshire and beyond, Gatwick is often the obvious choice.
Gatwick has two terminals — the North Terminal and the South Terminal — which are connected by a free 24-hour monorail service that takes around 2 minutes.
South Terminal is Gatwick’s main and larger terminal. It handles the majority of scheduled airline services including easyJet (the airport’s largest carrier), British Airways short-haul, TUI, Jet2 and several international carriers. The South Terminal also houses the main train station, so if you are arriving by rail, you will land here first.
North Terminal handles a range of airlines including Norwegian, Vueling, Wizz Air and various charter operators. It is generally quieter than the South Terminal, with a more relaxed atmosphere and excellent duty-free and dining facilities.
Always check which terminal your airline uses before travel and allow time to cross between terminals using the monorail if needed.
Spain and the Balearic Islands — Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Costa Brava are all well-served from Gatwick. These are among the most popular family holiday destinations in Europe, offering reliable sunshine, beautiful beaches and excellent value. Explore Ibiza holidays or browse all Balearic Islands deals.
Canary Islands Holidays — Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura are all served by multiple airlines from Gatwick year-round. The Canaries offer guaranteed sunshine even in winter, making them one of the most popular choices for UK holiday-goers seeking warm weather outside the summer season. Discover Canary Islands holidays from Gatwick.
Caribbean Holidays — Gatwick is a key departure point for Caribbean beach holidays. Direct flights serve Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua, St Lucia and the Dominican Republic. Most Caribbean services operate year-round, with peak capacity during the British winter months. Compare Caribbean holidays from Gatwick.
Turkey — Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir are all popular choices from Gatwick, offering superb all-inclusive resorts, excellent food and stunning coastlines at very competitive prices.
Greece and the Greek Islands — Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Zante and Mykonos are all served from Gatwick. Greece remains one of the most popular European holiday destinations for UK travellers, combining beautiful beaches, rich history and excellent food.
Portugal and the Algarve — Direct flights to Faro, Lisbon and Porto serve the popular Algarve coastline and Portugal’s vibrant cities. The Algarve is particularly popular for golf holidays and family beach breaks.
Egypt and North Africa — Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt are both served from Gatwick, offering budget-friendly Red Sea diving and beach holidays with reliable winter sunshine.
Gatwick Express — The fastest rail option, running non-stop between Gatwick and London Victoria in approximately 30 minutes. Services run every 15 minutes during the day. Advance online booking offers the best fares.
Thameslink — A more affordable rail option with regular services connecting Gatwick to London Bridge, City Thameslink, Farringdon, St Pancras International and beyond. Journey time to London Bridge is approximately 30–35 minutes. Also serves Brighton to the south.
Southern Rail — Southern services connect Gatwick to London Victoria and various Sussex and Surrey destinations. Slower than the Gatwick Express but cheaper and useful for passengers from outside central London.
National Express Coaches — National Express operates scheduled coach services from Gatwick to destinations across the UK. A cost-effective option for passengers travelling from further afield.
By Car — Gatwick is easily accessible from the M23 (Junction 9) and the A23. The M25 is accessible via the M23, providing connections north and south. The airport has excellent signage from major road networks.
Short Stay Multi-Storey Parking — Located directly adjacent to both terminals with covered walkways. The most convenient option but also the most expensive. Best for shorter trips or when convenience outweighs cost.
Long Stay Parking — Several long stay car parks serve both terminals with regular shuttle bus services. Booking well in advance online can save considerable amounts — prices can be as low as £35–£50 for a two-week stay when booked months ahead.
Meet and Greet / Valet Parking — Drive directly to your terminal, hand your keys over and collect your car on return. A premium service that removes all stress from the start and end of your holiday.
Off-Airport Parking — Several third-party car parks operate near Gatwick with shuttle services to the terminal. These often offer the best value, particularly for longer holidays. Always use accredited car parks approved by the Park Mark scheme.
Sofitel London Gatwick — Located in the South Terminal complex, this four-star hotel is directly connected to the terminal. It offers stylish, well-equipped rooms and is the most convenient hotel option at Gatwick.
Hilton London Gatwick Airport — Connected to the South Terminal by a covered walkway, offering a reliable and comfortable stay with good restaurant and bar facilities.
Premier Inn Gatwick — Multiple Premier Inn properties near Gatwick offer reliable, good-value accommodation with free shuttle buses to both terminals. Ideal for families looking for a comfortable pre-holiday stay without overspending.
Bloc Hotel Gatwick — A stylish, modern hotel located inside the South Terminal building, offering compact but well-designed rooms with excellent soundproofing. Perfect for a short pre-flight stay.
Also departing from the South East? Compare holidays from Heathrow Airport, Luton Airport and Stansted Airport. Or explore our full range of UK airport holidays.
Gatwick is served by a wide range of airlines including easyJet, TUI, Jet2, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Norse Atlantic and Wizz Air. For package holidays, TUI and Jet2 offer the broadest range of all-inclusive and half-board options. easyJet Holidays is also a popular choice for flexible beach holidays across Europe and the Mediterranean.
The Gatwick Express runs non-stop between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport in approximately 30 minutes. Thameslink services from London Bridge take around 30–35 minutes. Driving from central London takes approximately 45–60 minutes depending on traffic, though the M25 can cause significant delays during peak periods.
Gatwick South Terminal is the larger of the two and handles the majority of scheduled airlines including easyJet and British Airways. The North Terminal handles other carriers including charter operators and low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air and Vueling. The two terminals are connected by a free monorail service that runs 24 hours a day and takes approximately 2 minutes.
Yes. Gatwick is one of the UK’s main departure points for Caribbean holidays. Direct flights from Gatwick serve Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua, St Lucia and the Dominican Republic, operated by airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and TUI. Flight times to the Caribbean from Gatwick are typically 8–10 hours.
Yes, significantly so. Booking long stay parking at Gatwick weeks or months in advance online can save up to 60% compared to the gate price. For a two-week holiday, advance long stay parking can cost as little as £35–£60 compared to £150 or more if paid on the day. Always book parking at the same time as your holiday to secure the best rates.
The Sofitel London Gatwick and Hilton London Gatwick Airport are both directly connected to the South Terminal, making them the most convenient options for early departures. The Premier Inn Gatwick and Bloc Hotel are both excellent value alternatives, with free shuttle services to the terminals operating 24 hours a day.
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