London Gatwick Airport Guide

Whether you have a quick connection, an overnight layover or simply want to know what’s around before you land, our London Gatwick Airport (LGW) Guide pulls together the essential details you need. Inside you’ll find practical information on lounges, Wi-Fi, mobile-charging points, 24-hour food, airport hotels, transport and everything in-between, plus a few insider hints gathered from frequent flyers.

Table of Contents

• LGW Overview
• Airport Hours
• Sleeping in Gatwick
• Hotels, Day-rooms & Pods
• Airport Lounges
• Services & Amenities
• Ground Transport
• Safety Tips
• More Things to Do

LGW Airport Overview

London Gatwick (IATA: LGW) sits about 50 km (30 mi) south-east of Central London and operates two terminals—North and South—linked landside by a free automated people-mover that runs every 3-6 minutes. Facilities are reasonably modern yet compact; you’ll find free public Wi-Fi, duty-free, a few round-the-clock eateries and a broad mix of airline and pay-per-use lounges. While it can get busy, passenger flow is generally well managed.

Quick Stats

• Passenger traffic (pre-COVID peak): 46 million+
• Runways: 1 | Terminals: 2
• Railway station: South Terminal concourse
• Major carriers: easyJet, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates

Airport Hours

• Terminal buildings: Open 24 h landside.
• Security checkpoints: North T 01:00-04:30 | South T 01:00-04:00.
• Airside access overnight is limited to passengers holding a valid boarding pass for a next-day departure.

Sleeping in Gatwick

Although LGW is hardly a five-star snooze zone, many travelers manage a reasonably comfortable rest by arriving early and scouting seats:

• Best landside spots (North T): Lower-level seating near the big coffee chain—padded, armrest-free benches.
• Best airside spots (South T): Loungers with footrests near Gates 11-13 and the quiet corners of Pier 1.
• Floor sleepers recommend soft clothing, a blanket and eye-shade—terminal lighting stays bright.
• No complimentary cots are provided, so families should consider an on-site hotel.

For zero interruptions, splash out on a pod room or nearby property—details below.

Hotels, Day-Rooms & Sleep Pods

Inside the South Terminal

• Bloc Gatwick – Budget-friendly compact rooms opposite security (Departures L3). Pay-by-the-hour day-use from 07:00.
• YOTELAIR – Cabins next to International Arrivals with 4-, 6- or 8-hour blocks; showers included.
• Hilton London Gatwick – Full-service hotel linked by covered bridge, ideal for families or overnight delays.

Inside / Linked to the North Terminal

• Hampton by Hilton – Via short walkway; complimentary breakfast.
• Premier Inn North T – Five-minute walk; free shuttle from South T.
• Sofitel London Gatwick – 4-star comfort with runway views and executive lounge.

Off-site Options

Several budget chains (Travelodge, Holiday Inn, ibis, Courtyard) operate shuttles every 20-30 min for ~£4-5 each way.

Airport Lounges

Whether you need a hot shower, a power nap or a desk to catch up on emails, LGW’s lounge network delivers plenty of choice. Pay-per-use entries start around £28 when pre-booked at Travel Code or associated partners.

South Terminal

• British Airways Galleries Club & First Lounge – Showers, workspace, à-la-carte dining; restricted to BA/Oneworld elites.
• Club Aspire – Gate 13; hot food buffet, bar, showers.
• Clubrooms South – Adults-only premium space with waiter service.
• No1 Lounge & My Lounge – Quieter nooks, runway terrace access.
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – Hair spa, cocktail bar, games zone (Upper Class only).

North Terminal

• Club Aspire – Lounge Pavilion; showers, kids’ zone.
• Plaza Premium – Opposite Gate 46; freshly made dishes, sofa pods.
• No1 Lounge, My Lounge & Gateway Lounge – Variety of pay-in options; Gateway is co-branded with easyJet.
• Emirates Lounge – Paid entry for Skywards members if capacity allows (£100).

Key Services & Amenities

Connectivity

• Wi-Fi: Free and unlimited. Select “Gatwick Free Wi-Fi” and register.
• Charging: USB and UK mains outlets airside; few landside. Bring a Type-G adapter.

Food & Drink (24 h)

• North T: Pret a Manger (airside) • Starbucks (landside).
• South T: Caffè Nero • Greggs • Pret a Manger • Starbucks.

Shopping & Duty-Free

World Duty Free operates four stores (three 24 h). Boots chemists accept click-and-collect for baby milk—order 7 days ahead.

Luggage Services

• Left-luggage by Excess Baggage Co. North T L1 & South T L2. Rates from £7.50 (≤3 h) to £30 (3 days).
• Wrapping, shipping and courier desks at the same counters.

Family Facilities

• Kids Zones: North T & South T departure halls.
• Nursery / baby-care rooms sign-posted with bottle icon.
• Strollers sometimes available with £1/€1 deposit (check availability).

Showers

Free inside BA and Virgin lounges; pay-per-use inside Plaza Premium & Club Aspire (£15-20 walk-in if not included).

Prayer & Quiet Rooms

Interfaith chapels: North T L1 (near Hampton by Hilton) • South T L3. Open 24 h; short services daily.

Medical & Spa

• First-aid points in each terminal; call airport help phone.
• Aerospa mini-salons airside 04:00-20:30 for massages, mani-pedis.

Getting To / From the Airport

Rail

• Gatwick Express: Non-stop to London Victoria every 30 min; 30-min journey, £20-25.
• Thameslink & Southern: Frequent all-stops to London Bridge, St. Pancras, Brighton and beyond.

Bus & Coach

• National Express: 24 h services to Victoria Coach Station, Heathrow, Bristol, Brighton.
• easyBus / Megabus / Flixbus: Budget routes to central London and regional cities.
• Oxford Bus “The Airline”: Hourly to Oxford.

Ride-share & Taxi

Uber, Bolt and traditional black cabs are available. Estimated fare to Westminster £65-£75 (60-90 min depending on traffic).

Car Rental

Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National & Sixt desks on Lower Forecourt of each terminal. Pre-book with Travel Code for the best rates or bundle a car with our discounted travel packages.

Inter-Terminal Shuttle

Free driverless train connects North ↔ South in 2 minutes, 24 h.

Security & Safety Tips

• Pick spots near CCTV cameras or visible security patrols.
• A small padlock and a wire loop can secure your bag to bench legs while you doze.
• Early-morning wake-ups by staff are routine on landside benches around 04:00.

More Things to Do on a Layover

• Art Trail: Mosaic tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II (South T) made from 5,500 local portraits.
• Fitness: National Cycle Route 21 skirts the perimeter; rent a bike at nearby Horley.
• Plane-spotting: Great views from South T Pier 6 glass bridge if you have a long lens.

Plan & Book with Travel Code

Turn a mundane connection into mini-holiday savings. Search affordable flights, add a lounge pass or rail ticket, and finish with a same-day return on our platform—all consolidated in one itinerary. We monitor live schedules across British Airways, easyJet, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and 50+ carriers to keep you ahead of delays.

Disclaimer

This guide is provided for information only. Services, opening times and prices can change without notice. Always verify critical details with the airline, airport or service provider before you travel. If you spot an update, drop Travel Code a note so we can keep fellow flyers informed.

Safe travels and see you on your next journey!