Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, about a mile apart and linked by a free shuttle train. Going to the wrong one can cost you 15 minutes or more, so it pays to check before you travel. This guide covers which airlines usually use each terminal, where Esskay Cars drops you for departures, and where your driver meets you when you land. Fares are the same to either terminal: a saloon from Reigate costs £37 and from central London £99.
Quick answers
- How many terminals at Gatwick? Two: North and South.
- Are they far apart? About a mile, linked by a free shuttle.
- Same fare to both? Yes.
- Where is my driver? In the arrivals hall of your terminal.
- Not sure of your terminal? Give us the flight number and we check.
Which airlines use Gatwick North Terminal and South Terminal?
As a rough guide, British Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways use North Terminal, and Ryanair, Wizz Air, Vueling and Norwegian use South. easyJet operates from both.
easyJet is the airline people most often get wrong, because it splits its flights between the two terminals by destination. Airlines also move terminals from time to time. The safest check is your booking confirmation or the airline app. Or add your flight number when you book with us, and we confirm the terminal before the day.
What if I go to the wrong terminal?
Take the free shuttle train between North and South Terminal. It runs every few minutes and the journey takes about two minutes.
Allow at least 15 minutes in total, including getting to the shuttle and back to check-in. If you realise on the way to the airport, tell the driver, who will take you to the correct terminal at no extra cost.
Where will I be dropped off for departures?
At the drop-off zone of your terminal, close to the check-in halls.
Each terminal has a forecourt drop-off area near departures. Gatwick charges vehicles a fee to use it, and that fee is already in our fare. The driver unloads your bags at the kerb, and trolleys are close by inside the terminal.
Where does the driver meet me at Gatwick arrivals?
In the arrivals hall of the terminal you land at, holding a name board. The car is parked in that terminal’s short-stay car park.
After passport control, baggage reclaim and customs, you come out into the arrivals hall. Look for the driver among the people waiting to greet passengers. If you cannot see them, stay in the hall and call or WhatsApp the number on your booking. Do not head out to the taxi rank, because pre-booked cars are not allowed to wait there.
How long does it take to get out of Gatwick after landing?
Usually 20 to 45 minutes for European flights and 45 minutes to an hour for long-haul flights.
It depends on passport queues and how quickly the bags arrive. The driver tracks your flight and allows for this, so there is no need to rush. If there is a long queue at passport control, send the driver a message.
How much is a taxi to Gatwick North or South Terminal?
The fare is the same for both terminals. From Reigate it is £37, from Croydon £69 and from central London £99 in a saloon.
| Gatwick | Saloon | Estate | People carrier | 8-seater | 16-seater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawley | £33 | £38 | £45 | £66 | £268 |
| Horley | £36 | £42 | £49 | £71 | £264 |
| Redhill | £36 | £41 | £48 | £70 | £278 |
| Reigate | £37 | £42 | £49 | £72 | £280 |
| East Grinstead | £39 | £44 | £52 | £75 | £285 |
| Dorking | £44 | £51 | £59 | £82 | £296 |
| Croydon | £69 | £79 | £91 | £118 | £308 |
| Sutton | £74 | £84 | £98 | £120 | £314 |
| Central London (Victoria) | £99 | £109 | £125 | £151 | £364 |
| Canary Wharf | £114 | £129 | £148 | £162 | £394 |
Prices from our booking system, checked in October 2026, one way per vehicle.
Is there a hotel at each Gatwick terminal?
Yes. Both North and South Terminal have hotels you can walk to, and there are more hotels nearby in Horley and Crawley.
If you are staying at an airport hotel before an early flight, we can collect you from the hotel and take you to the right terminal. For hotels in Horley or Crawley, the drive is usually under 15 minutes.
Does Gatwick have a free drop-off option?
The long-stay car parks offer a free drop-off area with a shuttle bus to the terminals, but it takes longer than dropping at the terminal.
We drop you right at the terminal, so you do not have to wait for a bus with your luggage. The terminal drop-off charge is in our fixed fare, so there is nothing to pay on the day.
Can I get assistance at the terminal?
Yes. Gatwick runs a free assistance service that you book through your airline. Tell us, and the driver will meet you at the handover point.
Please mention any mobility needs, a wheelchair or a walking frame when you book, so we send a vehicle with enough room.
Which Gatwick terminal is closer to the M23?
Both terminals are reached from junction 9 of the M23, then a short spur road.
From Reigate, Redhill and Crawley, the driver may use local roads rather than the motorway, depending on the time of day. Either way, the trip to the terminal of your choice is quick once you reach the airport.
Where is the train station at Gatwick?
Gatwick station is attached to the South Terminal. Passengers for North Terminal take the free shuttle from there.
That is why South Terminal can feel busier at peak times. If you travel by taxi, you go straight to your own terminal and avoid the station crowds.
Can I meet the driver at the station or a hotel instead?
Yes. Tell us where you would like to meet, and we will arrange it.
Some passengers prefer to meet at an airport hotel lobby, for example after an overnight stay. Add the meeting point to the booking notes.
What if my arrival terminal changes at the last minute?
Message the driver or call us, and the driver will go to the correct terminal.
Last-minute terminal changes are rare, but they do happen. Because the two terminals are only a few minutes apart by road, the driver can switch quickly.
How early should I arrive at Gatwick?
Two hours before a European flight and three hours before long-haul. In the summer holidays, add a little more.
Both terminals get busy between 5am and 8am, when the morning departure wave leaves. Security queues can also build on Friday afternoons and at the start of school holidays. If you are checking in a bag, allow time for the bag drop queue as well.
Is there a difference in drop-off between the two terminals?
No. Both have a drop-off zone in front of departures, and the charge is the same. Our fare is the same too.
The only thing that matters is getting to the right one. That is why we ask for the flight number when you book: the driver checks the terminal before setting off, so you are dropped at the right door the first time.
Can you pick me up from one terminal and drop a friend at the other?
Yes. Add both terminals to the booking as separate stops.
This is useful when one person is flying out and another is landing at the same time. The fixed price includes both stops.
How do I book a Gatwick taxi to the right terminal?
Add your flight number and terminal in the booking form at the top of this page, then confirm.
Or call 0207 8400 344. See also Gatwick airport taxi and Gatwick taxi prices.
Gatwick terminals: common questions
Which terminal is British Airways at Gatwick?
North Terminal.
Which terminal is easyJet at Gatwick?
Both. Check your booking for your flight.
How do I get between Gatwick terminals?
On the free shuttle train, about two minutes.
Is the taxi fare the same to both Gatwick terminals?
Yes.
Where do pre-booked taxis meet you at Gatwick?
In the arrivals hall of your terminal.
Is the Gatwick drop-off charge included?
Yes, it is included in our fare.
