Route guide
45 km (28 mi) · 60–90 min by car
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Official taxi | Black cab: £80–120+ (metered) |
| Pre-booked transfer | Pre-booked: £55–85 (fixed) Book → |
| Train / bus | Gatwick Express: £19.90, 30 min to Victoria. Thameslink: £12.80, 35 min to St Pancras. |
| Service | Price | Meet & greet | Best for | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups | £65–90 | ✓ Inside terminal | Families, premium | Check price → |
| Kiwitaxi | £55–75 | ✓ Arrivals hall | Vehicle variety | Check price → |
| GetTransfer | £50–70 | Varies | Budget travelers | Check price → |
| intui.travel | £52–68 | ✓ Most drivers | Shared options | Check price → |
Prices for a standard sedan (up to 3 passengers). GetTransfer prices are typical winning bids. Last updated March 2026.
Thameslink at £12.80 — fast and affordable
GetTransfer — bids from £50 significantly undercut black cab prices for this long route
Via M23 motorway north, then M25/A23 into London. Traffic on the M25 is unpredictable. The Gatwick Express is often faster than driving during rush hour.
Fastest: Late night or early morning — roads are clear and the drive is at its shortest.
Slowest: Weekday rush hours (7–10am, 4–7pm) can add 30–60 minutes to the journey. If your flight arrives during these times, allow extra margin before onward connections.
Weekends: Generally smooth, similar to midday weekday times.
1. Clear immigration and collect your baggage. Your transfer driver is tracking your flight in real time — if it's delayed, they adjust automatically. No need to call or message.
2. Walk through Customs into the Arrivals hall. North Terminal: Arrivals hall near Café Nero. South Terminal: Arrivals hall near the exits. Gatwick has two terminals connected by a shuttle train (2 min).
3. Identify your driver. Look for someone holding a board with your name. Most services send the driver's name, photo, and phone number via email or app before your arrival.
4. Walk to the car. Your driver will guide you to the vehicle, usually parked in the short-stay car park (2–5 minute walk). They'll handle your luggage.
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Official taxi | £80–120 (metered) |
| Train / Express | Gatwick Express to Victoria: £20, 30 min. Thameslink to London Bridge/St Pancras: £12, 35–45 min |
| Budget option | National Express coach: £8–12, 90–120 min |
| Uber / ride-hail | £50–80 (limited availability, surge common) |
Standard sedan: Gatwick is 45 km from London — longer rides mean more time with luggage. Book a comfortable vehicle, not the cheapest option.
Child seats: Welcome Pickups includes free child seats on all bookings. Kiwitaxi charges a small fee. GetTransfer and intui.travel — ask during booking.
Oversized items: Ski bags, surfboards, golf clubs, or musical instruments require larger vehicles. Mention during booking to ensure the right car is sent.
Gatwick is far from London (45 km). The Gatwick Express (30 min to Victoria, £19.90) is the fastest train option. Thameslink (35 min, £12.80) goes to more stations. For groups of 2+, a pre-booked transfer is often cheaper than individual train tickets. Night transfers (before 5am) are significantly more expensive — the train doesn't run all night.
Need a full comparison? See our detailed comparison of all 4 transfer services for London with prices, ratings, and our verdict.
Compare all four transfer services for this route:
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