Enjoy your time at Gatwick

Why wait until you get there for the fun to start?

From massage chairs to exclusive lounges, here are ten great ways to fill your airport time.

1. Escape the crowds
Airport lounges aren't just for first-class travellers – find your own space to relax at the Servisair Lounge (North Terminal) or Servisair Executive Lounge (South Terminal). You'll enjoy comfortable seating, complimentary drinks and snacks, and a warm welcome. A lounge pass costs less than you might think, too. Find out more about booking a lounge

2. Surf the web
Catch up on your emails, finish off some work or just browse. If you have a wireless-enabled laptop, you can connect right from your seat in the departure lounge. Alternatively, use Spectrum Interactive's internet terminals and computers, located in each terminal before and after Security.

3. Bag a duty free bargain
Fine fragrances, beauty bargains, designer sunglasses, single malts ... the World Duty Free stores at Gatwick have thousands of premium brands to choose from, all at fantastic prices. Too much to carry? If you're coming back, pick up your shopping when you return. 

4. Eat, drink and relax
Stop for a drink, a snack or a sit-down meal – whatever your taste, you'll find your favourite flavours at Gatwick. Enjoy a traditional pub experience, a caffeine top-up, oysters and champagne or a hamburger ... we've a world of choice to suit every traveller. Visit our eating pages to see what's on the menu.

5. Find the perfect souvenir
Take a little piece of Britain on your travels from Harrods, Glorious Britain, World Duty Free or World of Whiskies. Perfect for a gift (or a treat for yourself).

6. Check out a supercar
Admire an Aston or fall for a Ferrari – you'll find the world's most desirable marques at Best of the Best, the car competition organiser. There's always a dream car or two on display and more to be won. In both terminals, after Security.

7. Go on a shopping spree
Fine fragrances, designer shoes, hot-off-the-catwalk accessories ... you'll find top designers alongside the best of the high street at Gatwick, all at airport shopping prices. Hugo Boss, Ray-Ban, Ted Baker, Monsoon, Fat Face and too many more to list – use our shopping pages to see which famous names are available on your journey.

8. Watch the planes
Gatwick is the world's busiest single-runway airport and there's always plenty to see on the airfield and taxiways. These top spots (all in departures, after Security) offer a superb window on the action.

North Terminal: Costa (upper level), Red Lion Cafe Bar, Aqua Bar, Garfunkel's, Starbucks and Lloyds No1. Passengers using Pier 6 (Gates 101 to 113) can watch the aircraft from Wetherspoon Express – and don't miss the sight of aircraft passing below you on the Pier 6 access bridge.

South Terminal: Enjoy close-up views of aircraft on the stands and taxiways from The Bridge Bar or Frankie and Benny's.

9. Sit down to a massage
Stretch, unwind and start your journey as you mean to go on. Coin-operated massage chairs are great fun and it only costs £1 for three minutes of kneading, rolling and tapping in true shiatsu style. The chairs, provided by InstantMassage, can be found in the departure lounge (after Security) in both terminals.

10. Study a sculpture
Travelling through the North Terminal? Take a moment to discover your inner art critic. Lose yourself in the ripples and waves as water gently cascades down the giant cones of Slipstream and Jetstream by William Pye, in the lower departure lounge (after Security).