Gatwick is the UK's second-busiest airport and London's most-used southern gateway. This guide covers everything about getting there by taxi or private transfer — journey times, terminal layout, fixed fares from central London and every major airport, and insider tips to avoid the surge-pricing trap that catches so many early-morning flyers.
Gatwick's flight schedule is front-loaded with early departures (many long-haul and charter flights leave 6am–9am). Standard taxis and ride-shares surge hard during these windows, adding £20–60 to your fare. A dedicated airport transfer offers:
Airlines: British Airways, TUI, WestJet, Norse Atlantic, and most long-haul carriers
Drop-off: Dedicated forecourt (£6 charge for private vehicles — factored into most transfer quotes)
Pickup point: Meet & greet in the arrivals hall near the information desk
Airlines: easyJet (Gatwick's largest operator), Vueling, Wizz Air, and most short-haul European carriers
Drop-off: Separate forecourt from North — confirm your terminal at booking to avoid the inter-terminal shuttle scramble
Pickup point: Arrivals hall, meet & greet
Gatwick sits just off the M23, roughly 28 miles south of central London. Typical drive times:
| From | Distance | Off-peak time | Peak / early-morning time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central London (e.g. Victoria) | ~28 miles | 55–70 min | 75–90 min |
| Heathrow Airport | ~26 miles | 45–60 min (via M25) | 60–90 min |
| London City Airport | ~35 miles | 60–75 min | 80–100 min |
| Luton Airport | ~55 miles | 75–95 min | 100–120 min |
| Stansted Airport | ~60 miles | 80–100 min | 110–130 min |
Prices below are calculated on our standard per-mile pricing, including the applicable London zone surcharge where relevant. All fares include flight tracking, meet & greet, and 45 minutes of free waiting time.
| From | Saloon | Executive | MPV | 8-Seater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central London (Victoria) | £123 | £142 | £146 | £158 |
| Heathrow Airport | £66 | £84 | £87 | £98 |
| London City Airport | £143 | £168 | £173 | £169 |
| Luton Airport | £97 | £123 | £128 | £144 |
| Stansted Airport | £107 | £136 | £141 | £159 |
| From | Saloon | Executive | MPV | 8-Seater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central London (Victoria) | £222 | £256 | £262 | £284 |
| Heathrow Airport | £119 | £151 | £157 | £176 |
| London City Airport | £258 | £303 | £311 | £304 |
| Luton Airport | £174 | £221 | £230 | £258 |
| Stansted Airport | £193 | £245 | £254 | £286 |
Saloon seats 4, Executive 3 (premium ride), MPV 6, and 8-seaters for larger groups. All fares include the applicable London zone charge, meet & greet, flight tracking, and 45 minutes' free waiting. Return fares apply our return-trip rate, saving roughly 10% versus two one-way bookings. Quotes are locked at booking — no surge, no hidden extras.
Cost from central London: ~£123 saloon
Door-to-door: Yes
Surge risk: None
Luggage: Full boot, driver assists
Best for: Early flights, groups, families, peace of mind
Cost: £20–25 pp from Victoria
Door-to-door: No (station to station)
Surge risk: None, but strike-prone
Luggage: Carry your own
Best for: Solo travellers, light luggage, central-London starts
Gatwick recommends arriving 2 hours before short-haul and 3 hours before long-haul departures. Bag drop for most airlines closes 40–60 minutes before departure. Work backwards from there.
Add journey time + a 30-minute traffic buffer to your target arrival:
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon (Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5) | 4 | 2 large + hand luggage |
| Executive (premium saloon) | 3 | 2 large + hand luggage |
| MPV (7-seater) | 6 | 5+ large cases |
| 8 / 9-Seater | 7–8 | Group luggage |
Book at least 24 hours ahead (deposits require 24h notice). You'll receive SMS confirmation with driver name, vehicle registration, and a contact number. If flying in, the driver tracks your flight and adjusts pickup automatically.
A: Your driver tracks the flight in real time and adjusts the pickup. You won't be charged extra for a delay outside your control, and you'll get an SMS with the revised meeting time.
A: Tell us your terminal at booking. The driver meets you in that arrivals hall. If you're unsure, your airline determines it — easyJet is South, British Airways and most long-haul are North.
A: Airport pickups include 45 minutes of free waiting from landing, giving you time to clear immigration and collect bags. Longer waits are charged at a modest per-minute rate.
A: Gatwick charges private vehicles £6 to use the terminal forecourt. This is typically included in the transfer quote — confirm at booking so there are no surprises.
A: Yes, and it's one of the most popular routes. A saloon runs about £66 one-way. Allow extra time during M25 rush hours if your connection is tight.
A: Not required — the price is fixed and all-inclusive. A 10% tip is appreciated for exceptional service or heavy luggage help.
Early Gatwick departures (6am–8am) trigger ride-share surge pricing of 2–3× base fare. A £45 metered journey becomes £90–130 during surge. A fixed-price transfer eliminates this entirely — you pay the quoted fare whatever the time.
Booking a return transfer is cheaper than two separate one-ways and guarantees a driver waiting when you land home — no post-flight taxi queue at 11pm.
An MPV for six splits to around £24 per head from central London — cheaper than the Gatwick Express once you count the tube to Victoria, and door-to-door with luggage handled.
Journeys over 40 miles (Stansted, Luton) benefit from long-distance mileage pricing, so the per-mile cost drops on the longer inter-airport runs — the fare doesn't scale linearly with distance.
A fixed-price Gatwick transfer is cheaper than surge-priced ride-shares, more reliable than trains on strike days, and door-to-door with your luggage handled. Confirm your terminal, book at least 24 hours ahead, and lock your fare before the early-morning surge hits.
Book in advance, confirm the night before, and travel to Gatwick knowing your ride — and your price — are sorted.
Fixed price, flight tracking, meet & greet — no surge, no surprises.
Book Now →Rushxo runs fixed-price transfers from Airport Taxi London Gatwick Route to events and venues, every major airport and cruise terminal, and towns and cities right across London and the South East. Every journey is a fixed price agreed before you book.
O2 Arena · Wembley Stadium · Twickenham Stadium · Emirates Stadium · Ascot Racecourse · Epsom Derby · Download Festival · Brands Hatch
Gatwick Airport · Heathrow Airport · Stansted Airport · Luton Airport · London City Airport · Southend Airport · Cruise transfers
London · Brighton · Canterbury · Chelmsford · Cambridge · Oxford · Guildford
All pick-up places A–Z · All routes · Airport transfers · Events & venues · Event airport transfers