How do you get from Gatwick to central London?
Gatwick is a main line rail station as well as an airport, with direct trains to Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras. Coaches and road transport also run, and take longer than rail in normal traffic.
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How it works
The station sits inside the South Terminal, and the North Terminal connects to it by shuttle. Tickets are sold as ordinary rail tickets, so an advance ticket, a railcard discount and a contactless tap are all valid ways to pay depending on the operator.
Commonly mixed up with
Gatwick Express is one operator on the route, not the only train to London. Other services run the same line and often cost less.
How do you get from Gatwick to central London?
| Knowledge, London | Travel and visit |
|---|---|
| Short answer | Gatwick is a main line rail station as well as an airport, with direct trains to Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras. Coaches and road transport also run, and take longer than rail in normal traffic. |
| How it works | The station sits inside the South Terminal, and the North Terminal connects to it by shuttle. Tickets are sold as ordinary rail tickets, so an advance ticket, a railcard discount and a contactless tap are all valid ways to pay depending on the operator. |
| Commonly mixed up with | Gatwick Express is one operator on the route, not the only train to London. Other services run the same line and often cost less. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Which London stations are direct?
- Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras all have direct services.
- Does contactless work?
- Contactless pay as you go is accepted between Gatwick and London on participating services.
- How long does it take?
- Rail journey times to central London are typically well under an hour.
- Is there a night train?
- Some services run through the night, and timetables change at weekends.
- Where do I check?
- National Rail publishes the timetable and any engineering changes.
Sources
More in this track
- How do you get from Heathrow to central London?
- Oyster or contactless in London: what is the difference?
- How do London travel zones work?
- What is the Elizabeth line and when is it useful?
- Which areas do visitors stay in when they come to London?
- What is the weather like in London through the year?
- Can you get around London without a car?
- Which airports serve London and how do they differ?
- How do payment and tipping work in London?
- How accessible is London transport?
- Which day trips are reachable from London by train?
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