Early Morning Arrival at Gatwick
Landing at Gatwick Airport? Let us take the stress off
Your driver is waiting with a name board the moment you come through customs into arrivals – not in a car park, not on the phone. We track the flight, so a late landing costs you nothing, and the first 60 minutes after the plane lands are free waiting time. Luggage trolleys, a child seat, a wheelchair-friendly car: tell us when you book and it is ready.
SIM card and money on the way. Still carrying your own currency? That is fine: every car takes cards and contactless, so you need no pounds in hand for the journey. If you want a UK SIM or some cash, say so and your driver will point you to the kiosks in arrivals (SIM cards: WHSmith and Sim Local in both terminals’ arrivals; currency: Travelex / Moneycorp desks landside in North and South) or, usually cheaper, stop at a supermarket, Post Office or bank on the route. Our local drivers know where the fair rates and the working cash machines are – trust them to sort it in minutes.
Disabled-friendly arrival. Special assistance: Book via airline at least 48h ahead; Assisted Travel receptions at drop-off points, help points at bus stops, entrances, Short Stay car parks, check-in, pre-security and departure lounge; Eagle Hoist with 24h notice. Step-free: Most gates via airbridges; Ambulift where stairs; lifts to station platforms; Premium car parks same-level access. Guide & assistance dogs: Only assistance dogs allowed in terminals; notify airline 48h; Service Animal Spend Area via the Assisted Travel team. Pets: Dogs flying must meet the PETS scheme. Airport accessibility page Our driver meets you at the assistance desk if you prefer, carries folding wheelchairs and walkers free, and assistance dogs always travel with you at no charge.
For the 5am to 8am arrivals at Gatwick (LGW): a pre-booked driver in the hall, waiting time included, and a fare into London that was agreed before you took off.
Per car, not per person. No surge, no night surcharge. Free cancellation up to 24h before.
Why early arrivals at Gatwick are the wrong time to queue
The first wave of arrivals at Gatwick lands between 5am and 8am: overnight flights from North America and the Gulf, and the first short-haul rotations. It is the worst moment of the day to be improvising. Gatwick Express and Thameslink thin out to one or two trains an hour overnight and Sunday engineering work is common, the taxi rank is at its shortest of staff and longest of queue, and app prices surge with every landing. A pre-booked Rushxo driver is already in the arrivals hall with your name on a board, and the fare into London was fixed when you booked.
How the meet and greet works
We track the flight number, so an early landing or a two-hour delay moves the driver, not the price, and waiting time is included. Meeting points are the arrivals hall for North and South terminals, linked by the shuttle; the driver walks you to the car, loads the bags and takes the fastest route in via the M23 and M25, with the Junction 8 to 10 stretch prone to overnight roadworks. Central London is about 29 miles, 50-74 min at that time of morning, and the fare covers the airport pick-up charge.
Where we take you
Hotels in the West End, Canary Wharf offices, King’s Cross and St Pancras for an onward train, or straight home to Kent and Essex: one fixed fare per car for any of them, with an V Class if the whole family lands together. Book the outbound leg too and the return is priced at 1.8 times a single.
The other way: London to Gatwick for an early flight
This page is about landing early at Gatwick (LGW) and getting into London. The reverse leg, a 3am or 4am pick-up anywhere in London, Kent or Essex for a dawn departure from Gatwick, is the same fixed fare per car, with leave-time advice and the road and rail picture before sunrise on the partner page.
| Journey (29 miles) | Saloon | V Class |
|---|---|---|
| London to Gatwick (departure, single) | from £160 | from £232 |
| Gatwick to London (arrival, single) | from £160 | from £232 |
| Return, both legs booked together | from £288 | from £418 |
Fares are per car and agreed at booking, the same at 4am as at 4pm, with the airport charge and 45 minutes of waiting included on pick-ups. Full details of the other direction: getting to Gatwick for an early-morning flight.
Early-morning arrival at Gatwick to London: questions
How much is a taxi from Gatwick to central London early in the morning?
From about £160 as a fixed fare per car, the same at 6am as at midday, including the airport pick-up charge and 45 minutes of waiting time.
What if my flight into Gatwick lands early or late?
We track the flight number and adjust the driver automatically. Waiting time is built in and the fare does not change.
Where does the driver meet me at Gatwick?
In the arrivals hall for North and South terminals, linked by the shuttle, holding a board with your name. You get the driver name and car details the night before.