The short answer
For one or two people, the National Express coach is the cheapest way between Heathrow and Gatwick — from around £14.70 one-way booked ahead, direct, about an hour. The train via central London is slower and dearer (~£25–35, one change). A fixed-fare taxi is one price for the whole car — so for a group of three or four with luggage it can match or beat several coach seats, with no waiting and door-to-door.
"Cheapest" depends entirely on how many of you are travelling and how much luggage you've got. Here's the honest comparison so you can pick the genuinely best-value option for your trip, not just the lowest headline fare.
The cost comparison (2026)
Indicative one-way figures — coach and rail fares vary by demand and how far ahead you book. Always check live before travelling.
| Option | Typical price | Time | Best value for |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express coach | from ~£14.70 pp | ~1 hour | Solo & pairs travelling light |
| Train via London | ~£25–35 pp | ~70–80 min | Rarely the value pick |
| Fixed-fare taxi | one fixed fare | ~1 hour | Groups, luggage, tight connections |
The coach — cheapest for one or two
The National Express coach is the budget winner for solo travellers and couples. It runs directly between the airports around 80 times a day, takes about an hour, and starts from roughly £14.70 one-way when booked in advance — with returns, coachcards and a group rate for four or more bringing the per-person cost down further. It picks up right outside the terminals, with luggage in the hold. The catches: it's a scheduled service (you go when it leaves, not when you land), has set luggage limits, and can be busy. Book online ahead rather than at the desk for the lowest fare.
The train via central London
There's no direct train between Heathrow and Gatwick, so the rail option always means going into central London and changing — for example the Elizabeth line into town, then Thameslink down to Gatwick. Expect around 70–80 minutes platform to platform and roughly £25–35, plus the hassle of moving yourself and your bags through a busy interchange. There's no "Elizabeth line between the airports" — that's a common myth. For most people the train is neither the cheapest nor the easiest choice here.
When a taxi is actually the best value
A fixed-fare taxi is one price for the whole vehicle, not per person — and that changes the maths as the group grows. Three or four people each paying for a coach seat (plus possibly excess-luggage worries) can add up to a similar figure as a single car, except the car also gives you:
- No scheduled departure to catch — it leaves when you're ready, tracked to your flight.
- Door-to-door, terminal to terminal — no dragging bags between coach stops.
- No per-passenger luggage limits — useful after a long-haul arrival.
- One agreed price with no meter and no surge.
So if you're a family or a group, price the Heathrow to Gatwick taxi (or Gatwick to Heathrow) against the coach total before assuming the bus is cheaper — and factor in the value of certainty if you're on a connection.
Travelling as a group? Get a fixed quote first
Tell us how many of you there are, your flight and your terminals, and we'll give you one fixed fare for the vehicle — often the better-value call once you're three or four with luggage, and always the calmer one on a tight connection. Flight tracked, met in arrivals, no surge.
Get a fixed group fare →Tips to pay less either way
- Book the coach ahead online — on-the-day desk fares are higher.
- Travel light if you can — it keeps you within coach luggage limits and speeds everything up.
- Use the group rate — National Express offers a reduced inter-airport fare for four or more.
- For a group, get a taxi quote before booking separate seats — the per-head sum often surprises people.
- Mind the connection — the "cheapest" option is no bargain if a scheduled coach makes you miss a flight; see how long to allow between Heathrow and Gatwick flights.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way from Heathrow to Gatwick?
How much is the coach?
Is there a cheap train?
When is a taxi cheaper than the coach?
Fares and times are indicative and current at the time of writing (2026); they change with operator, ticket type, demand and route. Always confirm live prices with the relevant operator before travelling. Rushxo is a licensed private-hire operator and is not affiliated with London Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport or any coach or rail operator.