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Coach and buses

The bus network from London Gatwick connects you to over 100 cities and towns across the UK

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From Gatwick

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Local bus and national coach services

With most services running 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, London Gatwick is directly connected to more than 100 UK towns and cities by coach and bus services​ all year round. As well as within easy access of hundreds of additional ​locations within ​just one change.

If planning to arrive or depart by coach or bus​ make sure that you allow plenty of time to allow for traffic, check-in and clearing security. 

Image showing passengers relaxing at the airport having taken the coach for their flight

National Express coach services

National Express is the UK’s largest coach provider and operates premium quality, direct coach services between London Gatwick and more than 50 destinations across the UK. This includes a high-frequency transfer to Heathrow Airport plus nearly 300 other National Express stops by interchange.

Buy National Express tickets

Passenger walking through airport towards the coach stops to catch a National Express service

Coaches depart from directly outside the terminal doors in both the North and South Terminals, offering customers free Wi-Fi, USB charge points, air-conditioning, and an onboard toilet. Tickets can be booked online or from the National Express ticket desks found in both terminals. We recommend that you book your tickets in advance.

North Terminal services

National Express coaches arrive and depart from the lower level outside International Arrivals at the North Terminal. You can find the ticket office inside the terminal in the International Arrivals​ hall. ​​I​f you find you need to get to the South Terminal, simply hop on the ​free shuttle from the upper level. 

South Terminal services

National Express service​s​ arrive at and depart from the lower forecourt at stops ​1 ​to ​5​. Escalators, lifts, ramps and travellators make it easy to get between the forecourt and the terminal. The ticket offices can be found in the International Arrivals Hall and the lower forecourt area.

Accessible services

​​Nearly all coach services operated by National Express are wheelchair accessible with ​​s​tep-free access​ and​ a passenger lift ​at ​the main door of the ​coach​.​ Passengers​ can ​choose to ​either travel in their wheelchair ​onboard the coach ​or ​in ​a seat ​with ​the wheelchair ​stored ​in the hold. ​

​​D​ue to the large variety of wheelchairs people use, National Express asks you ​to ​book this assisted service at least 36 hours before travel​ling. This will allow enough time to make sure​ that your wheelchair is compatible​ with the coach you intend to travel on​.

For more information, please call the National Express Assisted Travel team on +44 (0)871 818178. ​L​ines are open seven days a week between 08.00 and 20.00.

Other national coach services
The Airline (Oxford)

​​With a service taking operating directly between London Gatwick and Oxford, The Airline offers ample legroom, free Wi-Fi and power sockets, Book your seat online or download their app for a hassle-free trip.

Pre-book The Airline (Oxford) tickets

Flixbus

Operating direct services from both North and South Terminals to London Heathrow, Bristol, Newport, and Cardiff, Flixbus offers cheap and efficient travel options across the UK.

Pre-book Flixbus tickets

How long does it take to get to London Gatwick by coach?

The below are the average transfer times for coaches to or from London Gatwick. Please be aware however that times can fluctuate based on traffic or planned road works and so we would always recommend allowing additional time for your journey.

  • Birmingham, 3 hours 45 minutes with National Express
  • Bournemouth, 3 hours 30 minutes with National Express
  • Brighton, 30 minutes with National Express
  • Bristol, 3 hours 15 minutes with Flixbus
  • Cardiff, 4 hours 15 minutes with National Express
  • Heathrow Airport, 45 minutes with Flixbus and National Express
  • Leicester, 4 hours 15 minutes with National Express
  • London, 1 hour 45 minutes with National Express
  • Oxford, 1 hour 30 minutes with National Express
  • Swansea, 5 hours 30 minutes with National Express
Local Metrobus services and stops

Extensive Metrobus routes serve the local towns and villages around London Gatwick, with buses regularly running from both the North and South Terminal. Many services run 24/7 and with single journeys capped at £2, are a convenient and cost-effective way to travel to the airport.

In North Terminal, the Metrobus stops are located on Furlong Way, approximately a 5 minutes walk from the main terminal arrivals level.

In South Terminal, the bus stops are on either side of the A23 and are accessible by lift from South Terminal arrivals (for the northbound stops towards Redhill and Horley) and from the inter-terminal shuttle station, near the train station (for southbound stops). There is also a pedestrian walkway under the road which connects both sides of the road.

Buses to and from Crawley

Metrobus Route 4 and 5: County Oak - Crawley - Wakehams Green

Up to four an hour.

Metrobus Fastway 10: London Gatwick - Crawley - Bewbush

To City Place, Manor Royal Industrial Area, Crawley town centre, Southgate Avenue, Broadfield and Bewbush.

Every six minutes (at most times) 24 hours a day.

Metrobus Fastway 20: Horley - Broadfield

To Horley town centre, Langshott, City Place, Gatwick Road, Three Bridges, Southgate Avenue and Broadfield.

Every 15 minutes (at most times) and 24 hours a day.

Metrobus Route 22: Holmbury St Mary - Dorking - Crawley

Operating from South Terminal to Charlwood, Leigh, Dorking, Westcott and Holmbury St Mary. Approximately every two hours, Monday to Friday.

Buses to and from Redhill and Reigate

Metrobus Route 460: Epsom – Redhill – Crawley

Operating from South Terminal To East Surrey Hospital, Whitebushes, Redhill, Reigate, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Preston Estate & Epsom.

An hourly service from Monday to Saturday.

Metrobus Route 100: Redhill - Maidenbower

To Redhill, Horley town centre, Court Lodge, Salfords, East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, Manor Royal Industrial Area, Northgate, Crawley Town Centre and Maidenbower.

Every 15 minutes (at most times) and 24 hours a day.

Buses to and from Horsham

Metrobus Gatwick Direct 200: Langley Green - Ifield - Horsham

Operating (from London Gatwick South only during daytimes) to City Place, Manor Royal Industrial Area, Langley Green, Ifield, Gossops Green, Bewbush, Faygate, Roffey, North Heath and Horsham.

At least every 30 minutes.

Buses to and from East Grinstead

Metrobus Route 400: East Grinstead - Caterham

Operating from South Terminal to City Place, Gatwick Road, Crawley, Copthorne Hotel, Felbridge Hotel, East Grinstead, East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, Godstone and Caterham.

An hourly service from Monday to Saturday, every 2 hours on Sunday.

Gatwick Hoppa hotel services

Local Gatwick Hoppa bus services run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week connecting London Gatwick's North and South Terminals to the various hotels located around the airport. Hotels serviced include: Holiday Inn London - Gatwick Airport, Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central, Courtyard London Gatwick Airport and Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport (A23).

Gatwick Hoppa services are available for everyone to use and are a great way of travelling around the immediate London Gatwick area. You don't have to be staying at a hotel to use Hoppa, simply hop on or off at any of the hotel forecourts or airport terminals to travel on a Gatwick Hoppa route. Tickets can be bought at any of the hotels mentioned or directly from the driver.

So whether you are simply visiting, or you live or work in the area, Gatwick Hoppa provides a great service with great value fares.

In North Terminal, The Gatwick Hoppa service departs from Bus Stop 8, approximately a 5 minutes walk from the main terminal arrivals level.

In South Terminal, the service departs from Bus Stop 9, also approximately a 5 minutes walk from the main terminal arrivals level.

Group travel and advice for coach drivers

All charter and group travel operators with vehicles of over eight seats picking up passengers must use the London Gatwick coach park and its dedicated facilities​. This can be found​ on the South Terminal ring road. Fees for dropping off passengers either at or just outside the terminal buildings also apply.

Please make sure you display your permit at all times when collecting passengers from the terminal or you may get a fixed penalty fine.

What to do if you’re a coach driver dropping off a group

If you are dropping off using the passenger drop off zones in the North or South Terminal, you will be subject to the drop off fees as set out below.

  • £6 for 10 minutes
  • £1 for each additional minute up to 20 minutes
  • There is a maximum daily charge of £25 and a maximum length of stay of 30 minutes

Find out more about dropping off at London Gatwick.

What to do if you’re coach driver picking up a group

If you are using a vehicle over eight seats or a minibus or coach to pick up passengers at London Gatwick, you will need to use the coach park facility located on the South Terminal ring road. You can buy a ticket to access the coach park on the day.

Your ticket entitles you to stay for up to three hours in the coach park and to pick your passengers up from either the North or South Terminal - you will not be subject to an additional drop off fee when you pick up as this charge is included in the charges detailed below.

Please note that once you enter the coach park, you are not able to leave until your passengers are waiting on the forecourt and ready to board.

The roll up price for one visit is £28.65.

Tacho break parking and longer stays

If you stay over three hours in the coach park you will need to pay additional charges.

  • Up to 1 additional hour - £7.50
  • 1 to 2 hours - £12
  • 2 to 3 hours - £18
  • 3 to 24 hours - £20
  • Over 24 hours - £25 per 24 hours or part thereof