Airport and travel information related to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Please note: all flights to and from Gatwick are temporarily operating from our North Terminal.
England Lockdown - from 4 January 2021
The airport remains open for essential travel and all flights are operating to and from our North Terminal. During the lockdown in England residents must have a legal reason for travel (such as for work) and you should check the rules that apply at your destination including the FCDO travel advice, as these may have changed since your last visit.
Visit Gov.uk to learn more about international travel during the national lockdown in England.
If you are planning to travel abroad from England you should check the rules that apply in your local area before you travel, and the rules in place at your destination including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice, as these may have changed since your last visit. If you live in a Tier 4 area you should not travel unless it is legally permitted to do so.
Different rules apply for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You must follow all the rules that apply to you.
If you are arriving into the UK you should check the current travel corridor list to see whether you need to isolate for 10 days. This list is updated weekly and may differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
From Monday 18 January:
- All international arrivals must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure for entry into the UK. More information can be found on the Government website.
- All UK travel corridors have been temporarily suspended and all international arrivals must self isolate for 10 days unless you complete the Test to Release scheme. More information can be found on the Government website.
You must complete a Passenger Locator Government form up to 48 hours before arriving in the UK. Please download the completed form to your phone or print it, as you will be required to show it at Border Control. Failure to present a completed Passenger Locator form may result in a fixed penalty fine by UK Border Force.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also has the latest guidance for people travelling overseas.
What to expect at the airport
We understand that air travel in this current coronavirus (COVID-19) world is a new experience for everybody. It is our priority to ensure that all our passengers and staff at the airport keep healthy and safe and follow the UK Government’s guidelines. There are four key things we would like you to do as you travel through the airport to protect yourselves and your fellow passengers. These are also displayed throughout our terminals.
- Wear a face covering while travelling through Gatwick - following government legislation, this is now compulsory in all enclosed transport hubs, including airports.*
- Maintain social distancing.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Keep your hands clean on the go by using hand sanitiser.
* Face coverings will not be mandatory for anyone under the age of 11 or those with disabilities or certain health conditions, such as respiratory or cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to wear a face covering.
All our staff will also be wearing face masks in passengers areas of the airport.
Our North Terminal is open for flight arrivals and departures and all flights to and from Gatwick are temporarily operating only from this terminal. If you arrive by train, then please take the free shuttle between terminals. If you are driving, then please book one of our parking options.
Advice for travelling through Gatwick
There are a number of differences you will see when you travel through the airport. Our video (above) shows what you can expect to see when you travel through Gatwick now. You can also view or print our infographic with all the necessary information.
- All our staff working at the airport will be wearing a face mask or covering in passenger areas of the terminal and all passengers will be required to wear a face covering too.
- You will see protective screens in place at many places including check-in, boarding and gates. This is to protect both you and those working at Gatwick. There are also additional cleaning measures in place to help you feel reassured. These include dedicated staff to clean common use surfaces, touchscreens, handrails etc. We have also installed special ‘PPE bins’ in the terminals which are clearly marked for the disposal of face coverings and gloves only.
- You will hear in-terminal announcements and see plenty of signage and digital reminders to about keeping to social distancing rules and to wash or sanitiser your hands regularly throughout your journey.
- We have installed a large number of hand sanitiser stations throughout the terminals, and other places where you can wash your hands are clearly marked.
- You will also notice that seating arrangements have been changed to ensure social distancing measures can be observed. Families and groups travelling together will, however, be able to sit together.
- We have installed UV light treatment to our tray system in Security areas. Each tray is treated just before use with enough UV light energy to guarantee a 99.9% microbe disinfection rate. For more information watch our video.
- In some areas of the airport, one-way flows will be in place.
We’ve compiled some additional answers to some of your most frequently asked questions with regards to coronavirus and travel.
At the airport
Yes, it is compulsory to wear a face covering while travelling through Gatwick Airport. Airlines may also have specific rules and guidelines in place, so please make sure you check with your airline before you travel.
Face coverings do not need to be worn by children under the age of 11 or by those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly.
We have conducted a trial for temperature checking at Gatwick, although you may not come across this during your journey.
You may be used to seeing temperature checks at airports around the world, as some airports operate checks year-round regardless of outbreaks of illnesses. You may have arrived at Gatwick from an airport that checked your temperature before you boarded your plane.
Following Public Health England (PHE) advice, there are currently no permanent temperature checks at Gatwick or any other UK airport. According to PHE’s medical, clinically informed, and evidence driven approach to identify those at risk, temperature checks are not a required or effective way of keeping the public safe.
Yes, signs and floor markings have been installed to remind all passengers to maintain social distancing and respect others around them as they travel through the airport. In addition, only family groups or people travelling in the same party can travel in lifts together, and some may also restrict the number of people at any one time. Staircases will also be segregated and designated either for up or down travel.
Certain destinations now require a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel. In addition the UK Government has launched a new Test & Release scheme from 15 December allowing passengers to reduce quarantine time by providing a negative COVID-19 test 5 days after arrival.
Find out more on our dedicated Covid-19 testing page.
Due to government guidelines, many shops and restaurants at Gatwick have been forced to close. In the North Terminal Boots, WHSmith and World Duty Free are open. If you need to grab a bite to eat you have choice of Pret A Manger, Boots and WHSmith. Costa Coffee before security is also open.
See the full list of our outlets which are now open.
The shuttle train runs between North and South terminals every few minutes and is operating. If you arrive by train or park in our Short Stay parking in South Terminal, simply jump on the free shuttle to get to our North Terminal.
Yes, our special assistance services are still available should you need them. If you require help at the airport, please book as normal through your airline or tour operator.
We have implemented a range of new Covid-19 measures to keep you safer, including new screens at our reception desks and on our buggies, frequent and deep cleaning of all areas and special training for our staff.
Our special assistance desks are located inside the terminal and someone will be able to help you. If you need assistance from outside the terminal, please use one of the help phones located on our forecourts or inside the car parks to speak to a member of our team.
For more information about special assistance, please see our dedicated pages.
No. In order to maintain both hygiene and social distancing, the children's play areas in both our North and South terminals will stay closed for the foreseeable future.
Our Sensory Room in North Terminal is also closed.
No, we have unfortunately had to take the decision to temporarily close the sensory room in order to manage hygiene and social distancing practices as best we can.
Government advice for people arriving into the UK is regularly amended and updated. We recommend that you check before you fly for the latest information.
For a full list of all countries with approved travel corridors and all information relating to travel to and from the UK, please visit the Government's COVID-19 travel pages.
All passengers (with certain exemptions) arriving into the UK or back into the UK after being abroad must complete a Government form and either print or save it to your phone. This can be done up to 48 hours before travelling to the UK.
More information and complete the form
Car park, premium security and airport lounge bookings
Yes, the Short Stay car park at North Terminal is open (suitable for stays of any length). The Short Stay car park at South Terminal is open to roll-up customers only - this is the only parking available at the South Terminal. Valet Parking at both North and South Terminals is closed. Customers with a booking for Long Stay parking at North Terminal will be fulfilled at the Short Stay North car park. For full details on the Covid-19 measures in our car parks check here.
To book, click here.
We understand that many airlines have cancelled flights and our passengers are changing their travel plans, in reaction to the fast-moving coronavirus pandemic. We'd like to reassure you that cancellations to any bookings you’ve made – parking, airport lounges or Premium Security - can be made free of charge up to 24 hours prior to your original booking time by emailing Refunds@gatwickairport.com with your name, email and booking reference.
Please remember that you must speak to your airline directly however to discuss any changes to your flight.
We understand that you may have to change your travel plans in the coming weeks but would still like to use the Gatwick service you had previously booked. We would like to reassure you that amendments to your booking can be made up to 24 hours prior to your original booking time.
Should you need to do this, you can follow the 'Manage my booking' link on your original booking confirmation email.
No lounges are currently open at Gatwick due to Government restrictions. Reopening dates are TBC.
If your lounge access is provided by your airline or another provider, we advise you to contact your airline or the relevant lounge directly for more information.
If your travel arrangements have been cancelled or changed, please contact us to rebook or cancel your lounge booking.
Public transport
A reduced service is operating across most rail networks in the UK, including at and around Gatwick, although this is slowly getting back to normal. The Gatwick Express service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport remains suspended until further notice.
Services are being revised frequently and we recommend that you plan your journey in advance and check the latest timetable with National Rail Enquiries.
Please remember that wearing a face covering is mandatory on all public transport.
Metrobus services are operating to and from our North Terminal and in the area around Gatwick. They are now operating a frequent service on most of their routes. Please check their website for the latest information.
Hotel shuttle bus operator, NSL has suspended all services.
General travel advice
We advise you to keep in close contact with your airline for the latest information about your flight and on how to request a refund or rebook at a later date.
If you are at the airport and experiencing the symptoms of a cough, fever, shortness of breath or loss of taste and smell please make yourself known to the nearest member of staff who will be able to support you.
If you are not at the airport, please follow NHS advice on their website.
If your plans are cancelled, we advise you to contact your airline or tour operator. You can also check ABTA’s website which may be able to help with your questions