Best transfers between Gatwick Airport and London

Gatwick airport transfers previously asked questions

• Gatwick Express train. This is the fastest, most comfortable and expensive option (apart from a private car), though there are good deals. The terminus in central London at Victoria is also central and a good transit point to your accommodation. If comfort and speed is everything then this is your choice. If you normally would get a taxi to and from the airport, do yourself a favour, take the Gatwick Express to Victoria then get a black London cab from there.

• Southern trains run the same route as the Gatwick Express. They take about 15 minutes more to Victoria as they are stopping trains. They can get very crowded at peak times, but are much cheaper than the Gatwick Express. Before you get to Victoria the train will stop at Clapham Junction where you can change trains to Waterloo Station by County Hall on the opposite side of the River Thames to Big Ben.

• Thameslink trains runs a different route into central London. It is almost as fast and is significantly cheaper than the Gatwick Express. It stops at several stations mostly in the City of London, the business area of London. One stop is St Pancras, a major cheap hotel district in itself and very handy if you are staying in the Bloomsbury hotel district and is also the terminus for the Eurostar trains to Paris. Another station - London Bridge, you can change trains to Charing Cross, London's most central station in the heart of London by Trafalgar Square.

• National Express coaches provide a full size bus connection that runs 24x7 between Gatwick and London Victoria. Whilst fares are significantly cheaper than rail, journey time is around three times longer than train and frequencies are only twice hourly reflecting its lack of popularity. The only reason to use this service is price.

• easyBus provide a frequent minibus shuttle between Gatwick and London West Brompton Underground. Fares are variable and done on the low cost airline model, the earlier you book (online) the cheaper the fare. The terminus at West Brompton is not convenient though unless you are staying in the Kensington area of London. Make sure you are aware of the easyBus luggage policy and also what happens if you miss the bus schedule you select at time of booking. Frequencies are not great.

• Hotel van shuttle - Although a common airport transfer in many countries, van shuttles in the UK are rare as they find it hard to compete with airport buses and trains. At Gatwick there is a van shuttle option but the number of people using it is small. The service manages to be the most expensive option but offering the lowest frequencies and among the slowest transfers. You might find a better idea is to get the Gatwick Express train into London then a taxi to your hotel.

• Private car/taxi - Unless you have mobility problems or a lot of luggage a private car doesn't make much sense. The Gatwick Express Train plus a cab at its terminus in London, Victoria is going to be much faster, more comfortable and much less cost than a private car or taxi.

• Groups will be attracted by the price and convenience of their own vehicle. Trying to keep a large group together on public transport can be stressful. Once you have about 10 people or more a charter bus with driver becomes price competitive, a group of 30 or more and it becomes a no-brainer. A lot of groups also take advantage to have an sightseeing orientation of tour of London as part of the transfer.