Connecting at Gatwick
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Connecting at Gatwick
Immigration and Customs
International connections: You will not need to clear Customs or Immigration at Gatwick.
International to UK and Ireland connections: You must clear Immigration and Customs at Gatwick.
UK and Ireland to International connections: You may use the special Immigration check points if your baggage is through-checked – otherwise you will need to clear Immigration and Customs.
BaggageIf your baggage is through-checked to your final destination, you do not need to collect it at Gatwick. It will continue to your final destination for Customs clearance.
If your baggage is not through-checked, you must collect your it at Gatwick. Follow signs to Baggage Reclaim – you will need to pass through Immigration on your way – and then proceed to the check-in desk for your next flight.
Changing terminalsConnecting to UK, Channel Islands or Ireland flights: Follow Arrivals, collect any baggage and take the free automatic transit train which operates between North and South Terminals. Transit trains depart every six minutes (three minutes at peak times) and the journey takes two minutes.
Connecting to international flights: If your baggage is checked through to your final destination, use the free inter-terminal bus which operates from below the flight connections areas.
Connecting to Heathrow or Stansted airportsVisit our Travel between Airports page for help planning your journey between BAA's airports in the South East.
Further informationPassengers connecting on to international destinations can connect airside (ie without clearing Customs and passport control) via Flight Connections. If you need to change terminals, use the free Flight Connections bus which runs every 10 – 15 minutes. Please note that passengers connecting airside will require either a boarding card or ticket for the onward flight, and that any hold luggage must be through-checked to your final destination.
Passengers connecting on to UK destinations (including the Channel Islands and Ireland) must follow the standard arrivals route through Customs (for international passengers) and baggage reclaim, and then proceed to check-in for their onward flight. It is a UK Immigration Service requirement that all passengers entering the UK must present themselves to Immigration at the first port of call. Therefore it is important that your passport/visa allows you entry into the UK. You can apply for a 24-hour visa on arrival. This is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer, who must be satisfied that you have a confirmed booking of onward travel within 24 hours.
There isn’t anywhere to sleep in the airport so you must make stopover arrangements if your connecting flights are separated by an overnight stay.