Arriving at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and deciding how to get to London? The main options include Uber, taxis, trains, coaches and private airport transfers.
The best option depends on your destination, budget, luggage, number of passengers and how important door-to-door convenience is. For travellers heading into London, trains can be particularly attractive because Gatwick has frequent rail connections. Gatwick Airport says trains depart on average every four minutes, with direct services to more than 120 stations. Gatwick Express runs directly to London Victoria and takes around 30 minutes.
Uber is another option. Uber currently lists an average fare of about £77 for Gatwick Airport to London and an average journey time of about 66 minutes, although Uber states these are historical averages and actual prices and journey times vary.
| Transport Option | Typical Pricing | Door-to-Door | Booking | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uber | Variable | Yes | App-based | Travellers who prefer ride-hailing |
| Taxi | Variable | Yes | On-demand or pre-booked | Direct airport journeys |
| Train | Ticket-based | No | Station/app/online | Travellers heading near a London station |
| Coach/Bus | Ticket-based | No | Online/station | Budget-conscious travellers |
| Private Airport Transfer | Quote-based | Yes | Advance booking | Families, groups and passengers with luggage |
There is no single option that is best for everyone. The right choice depends on your destination, budget, luggage, group size and travel schedule.
For travellers heading to Central London, the train can be one of the quickest options, while Uber, taxis and private transfers offer the advantage of taking you directly to your final destination.
Gatwick Airport states that London can be reached in around 30 minutes by train and that journey times by car vary depending on traffic.
A private transfer can be particularly useful when you are travelling with several suitcases, children, a group or need to reach a specific London address without changing transport.
Traditional taxis remain one of the most popular ways to leave Gatwick Airport.
They are available outside both terminals and offer direct transport to your destination.
For destinations outside Central London, taxis can often be more convenient than public transport.
Uber provides a flexible alternative to traditional taxis.
Passengers can request a ride using the mobile app after landing.
One of the biggest drawbacks is dynamic pricing.
During peak travel periods, holidays, or poor weather, fares can increase significantly.
Gatwick Airport has excellent rail connections via:
These services connect passengers to:
Although trains are often the fastest option into Central London, they may not be ideal if your destination is outside the city centre.
Uber currently lists an average route price of £77 for Gatwick Airport to London.
Uber's current route data also shows average prices such as:
| Uber option | Average price* |
|---|---|
| UberX | £80 |
| Electric | £79 |
| Priority | £89 |
| Comfort | £98 |
| Business Comfort | £108 |
| UberXL | £116 |
| Exec | £132 |
| Exec XXL | £152 |
| Lux | £199 |
*Uber says these figures reflect average prices for the ride option from LGW to London over the past month and are not fixed or guaranteed prices. Actual fares can vary based on the journey and current conditions.
For the latest estimate, Uber recommends entering your destination in the app.
Taxi prices vary depending on the destination, journey and provider.
London Gatwick's official taxi/private-hire provider is Airport Cars Gatwick, which has booking kiosks in both the North and South Terminals. Gatwick also recommends pre-booking taxis during periods of severe rail disruption to avoid delays.
Because taxi fares can vary, it is better to compare the current fare for your exact destination rather than rely on a single generic Gatwick-to-London price.
Not necessarily.
Uber and taxi pricing can both vary depending on the destination, vehicle type, time and journey conditions.
Uber's current Gatwick-to-London route information lists an average route price of £77, while Gatwick separately provides access to its official taxi/private-hire service.
The best way to compare them is to check the current price for your exact destination before travelling.
It can be, particularly for travellers heading towards London by themselves or with limited luggage, but the total cost depends on the ticket and your final destination.
Gatwick Airport has frequent rail connections operated by Gatwick Express, Southern, Thameslink and Great Western Railway. Gatwick says passengers can travel directly to more than 120 stations.
A train ticket also does not necessarily represent the total cost of your journey if you need another taxi, Tube journey or bus after reaching London.
| Option | Pricing Model | Potential Extra Costs | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uber | App-based, variable | Depends on journey | Flexible direct travel |
| Taxi | Provider-dependent | Depends on journey | Direct transportation |
| Train | Ticket-based | Further London transport may be needed | Travellers near rail stations |
| Coach/Bus | Ticket-based | Further transport may be needed | Budget-focused travellers |
| Private Transfer | Quote-based | Depends on requested service | Door-to-door travel |
The cheapest overall option depends on where you are going, how many people are travelling and how much luggage you have.
Travel time depends heavily on your destination and the transport method.
Gatwick Express operates a direct service to London Victoria in around 30 minutes. Gatwick also has direct services to other major London stations.
Uber currently lists an average route duration of about 66 minutes from Gatwick Airport to London. Uber notes that actual journey times can vary because of traffic and other road conditions.
Taxi journey times depend on traffic and your exact destination.
Private-transfer journey times also depend on traffic, pickup location and destination.
Uber has designated pickup and drop-off areas at Gatwick Airport, which are signposted.
Gatwick Airport advises passengers to use its designated pickup arrangements for taxis, private hire and Uber.
Before requesting your ride, follow the current airport signs for the appropriate pickup area.
Yes. Uber operates at Gatwick Airport, and the airport provides designated pickup arrangements.
Gatwick has North and South Terminals, with the airport's free terminal shuttle connecting the two. The railway station itself is located at the South Terminal.
There is no single cheapest option for every traveller.
Your total cost depends on:
Train and coach travel can be attractive for budget-conscious passengers, while Uber, taxis and private transfers provide direct transportation.
Compare the complete journey cost, not just the first ticket or quoted fare.
For families travelling with children and luggage, a private transfer or taxi can be more convenient because the journey is direct.
A train can still be practical if the family is comfortable with rail travel and the final destination is close to a convenient station.
A private transfer can be particularly useful when you have several suitcases or need to travel directly to a hotel, home or other London address.
For solo travellers, the train can be a practical option, particularly when travelling to an area with a convenient rail connection.
Uber can be useful for travellers who prefer app-based door-to-door transportation.
The best choice depends on your destination and budget.
For larger groups, compare the total cost and vehicle capacity rather than the headline price per journey.
A private transfer can be convenient because the vehicle can be selected around the number of passengers and luggage requirements.
Uber also offers larger ride options, while trains and coaches require passengers to travel within the public transport network.
If you are travelling with substantial luggage, a private transfer or taxi may be more convenient because it provides direct transportation.
Train travel can still work, but passengers need to manage their luggage through the station and onward journey.
Passengers connecting between Gatwick and Heathrow can use Uber, taxis, coaches or private airport transfers.
Uber currently lists an average route price of around £87 and an average journey duration of around 56 minutes for Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport. These are historical averages and actual prices vary.
EA Transfer also provides a dedicated Gatwick to Heathrow private transfer service.
A private airport transfer and Uber both provide direct transportation, but the booking models are different.
| Feature | Uber | EA Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | App-based | Advance booking |
| Door-to-door | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Varies by journey | Quote-based |
| Vehicle | Based on available ride options | Based on passenger/luggage requirements |
| Airport transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Group travel | Larger ride options available | Vehicle selected according to requirements |
Uber allows passengers to request rides on demand and, where Uber Reserve is offered, schedule some trips in advance.
EA Transfer can arrange a private transfer around the passenger's journey and luggage requirements.
A private transfer may be particularly useful when you:
The choice should still be based on your own budget and travel requirements.
To compare costs effectively:
For an EA Transfer booking, provide:
You can then request a quote for the journey.
See the Gatwick Airport Transfer service.
Not necessarily. Both Uber and taxi prices vary according to the journey, destination and current conditions. Check the current price for your specific trip before booking.
Gatwick Express provides a direct service to London Victoria in around 30 minutes. Actual travel time can vary depending on the service and your onward destination.
The cheapest option depends on your destination, ticket type, passenger numbers and whether you need additional transport after arriving in London.
Uber currently lists an average route price of about £77, but actual prices vary and the figure is not a guaranteed fare.
Uber currently lists an average route price of about £87 for Gatwick to Heathrow, although actual prices vary.
Uber has designated pickup areas at Gatwick Airport. Follow the airport's current signage and pickup instructions.
It can be, depending on your ticket and destination. Gatwick has frequent rail connections to London and other destinations.
Yes. Gatwick is served by four train operators and has direct services to more than 120 stations.
Yes. Gatwick provides coach and bus connections to London and other destinations.
A private transfer can be useful for families, groups, passengers with substantial luggage and travellers who prefer direct, pre-booked transportation.
The best way to travel from Gatwick depends on your budget, destination, luggage, passenger numbers and travel schedule.
For travellers who prefer a pre-booked private journey, EA Transfer provides Gatwick Airport transfers to London, other airports, hotels, cruise ports and destinations across the UK.
View Gatwick Airport Transfer Service
Request your Gatwick Airport transfer quote before travelling.