Cheap Flights to London Gatwick — Your Budget-Smart London Gateway

London Gatwick is the UK's second-largest airport and the most competitive for budget-friendly transatlantic fares with round-trips found from $255. Thirty miles south of central London and 30 minutes from Victoria station by the Gatwick Express, it's a genuine alternative to Heathrow with far less congestion. We compare fares from all 14 airlines flying into Gatwick so you always land the best deal. .

Exclusive London Flight Offers

Exploring all your London airport options? See the full picture in our guide to Cheap flights to London.

About London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

London Gatwick Airport (IATA: LGW) is the UK's second-busiest airport and one of the most intensively used single-runway airports in the world. Located approximately 48 km south of central London near Crawley in West Sussex, it handled around 46 million passengers in 2024 and serves as a major base for easyJet, British Airways, and Norse Atlantic UK.

Gatwick operates two terminals: the North Terminal and the South Terminal, connected by a free 2-minute inter-terminal monorail running 24 hours a day. The North Terminal hosts airlines including easyJet, British Airways, and Scandinavian Airlines, while the South Terminal serves TUI Airways, Vueling, Wizz Air, and several leisure carriers. Always confirm your terminal before travelling.

Getting from Gatwick to Central London

Gatwick offers several reliable transport options into central London, ranging from high-speed rail to budget coaches.

What Makes Gatwick Worth Flying Into?

Gatwick is not just a London gateway — it also places you close to some of southern England’s most interesting destinations.

The nearby South Downs National Park offers scenic walking routes, while Brighton — one of the UK’s most vibrant seaside cities — is just 30 minutes away by train.

Best Time to Fly to Gatwick

Pro Tip

Always check a full-month view when booking flights to Gatwick. Fare data often shows unexpected low-price dates due to seat availability rather than seasonal trends, so flexibility can significantly reduce costs.

FAQs

Norse Atlantic UK is currently the dominant US carrier at Gatwick, accounting for 55% of US travellers choosing Gatwick according to fare aggregator data, with direct services from New York JFK and other major US cities. British Airways operates direct Gatwick services from a selection of US cities as a secondary operation to its main Heathrow hub. American Airlines and Icelandair also serve Gatwick from certain US departure points. In total, 14 airlines fly routinely to Gatwick a significantly smaller pool than Heathrow's 80+, but the competition among those 14 on transatlantic routes has driven fares to some of the lowest available in the UK market.

The Gatwick Express is the fastest option, reaching London Victoria station in exactly 30 minutes. It runs every 15 minutes from 05:00 to 00:30 and costs approximately 21.90 GBP single (cheaper with advance booking online). Southern and Thameslink trains offer a slower but more affordable journey typically 30-50 minutes to Victoria or London Bridge respectively for approximately 12 GBP. National Express coaches provide a budget alternative (from around 6 GBP) but take 60-90 minutes depending on traffic. Uber and black taxis are available but are the slowest and most expensive option for the same journey.

Neither is definitively better they serve different airlines. The North Terminal handles easyJet (the airport's largest operator), British Airways (Gatwick services), Scandinavian Airlines, and several other European and long-haul carriers. The South Terminal serves TUI Airways, Vueling, Wizz Air, and most charter and leisure airlines. The free inter-terminal monorail takes just 2 minutes and runs 24 hours. The key practical point: always confirm your terminal before departing for the airport, as checking in at the wrong terminal adds significant time and stress, particularly during peak periods.

Based on current fare data from Skyscanner and Momondo, October and November consistently produce the lowest average fares to Gatwick from European and transatlantic origins. January and February are similarly cheap, driven by the post-Christmas demand collapse. The most expensive period is July and August, when leisure and charter traffic from across Europe reaches its annual peak. For the absolute lowest available fares, compare Gatwick alongside Heathrow on some specific dates, Heathrow's greater airline competition can actually produce cheaper results despite its reputation as the premium airport.

Yes! Gatwick is significantly easier to navigate than Heathrow due to its more compact two-terminal layout. Both the North and South Terminals are self-contained with their own check-in areas, security, departure lounges, retail, and dining. The free inter-terminal monorail runs every 2 minutes and takes just 2 minutes to cross between terminals. Signage throughout the airport is clear and well maintained. Security queue times at Gatwick are generally shorter than at Heathrow, though peak periods (summer mornings and holiday weekends) can see waits of 30-45 minutes. Arriving 2 hours before European departures and 3 hours before long-haul is the standard recommendation.