Gatwick is busy from very early in the morning until late at night, and Esskay Cars runs taxis to and from the airport around the clock. The price is fixed when you book and does not change at night: a saloon from Reigate costs £37, from Croydon £69 and from central London £99. Below you will find pick-up times for early flights, what runs on the railway overnight, and how a delayed late arrival is handled.
Quick answers
- Open all night? Yes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Night surcharge? None. Same fixed fare.
- When is Gatwick busiest? The early morning departure wave from about 6am.
- Trains at night? A limited service only.
- Late arrival? The driver waits for the real landing time.
Why are so many Gatwick flights so early?
Low-cost and holiday airlines start the day with a big wave of departures from about 6am, so that their aircraft can fly several trips before evening.
That means thousands of passengers need to be at Gatwick between 4am and 6am. Check-in desks and security open early to match. If you are flying with easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, TUI or British Airways on a European route, there is a good chance your flight leaves in that window.
What time should I be picked up for an early Gatwick flight?
Arrive two hours before a European flight. From Reigate or Redhill, that means leaving about two hours and 30 minutes before take-off. From central London, about three hours before.
| Flight time | At Gatwick by | Leave Crawley or Horley | Leave Reigate or Redhill | Leave central London |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00am | 4:00am | 3:40am | 3:30am | 3:00am |
| 6:30am | 4:30am | 4:10am | 4:00am | 3:30am |
| 7:00am | 5:00am | 4:40am | 4:30am | 3:55am |
| 8:30am long-haul | 5:30am | 5:10am | 5:00am | 4:15am |
Roads are quiet at this time, so journeys are usually quicker than in the day. These times include a margin in case of roadworks, which are often scheduled overnight on the M23 and M25.
Do trains run to Gatwick at night?
Some Thameslink trains run through the night, but much less often than in the day. Gatwick Express services do not run overnight.
Night trains are infrequent, and you may need to get to a station first, which can be difficult with luggage at 3am. Night buses are slow. A taxi from your door is the most reliable way to reach Gatwick for the first flights.
How much is a night taxi to Gatwick?
The same as a daytime fare. There is no extra charge for night or early morning journeys.
| 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 |
| Epsom | £83 | £94 | £109 | £135 | £309 |
| Sutton | £74 | £84 | £98 | £120 | £314 |
| Croydon | £69 | £79 | £91 | £118 | £308 |
| Central London (Victoria) | £99 | £109 | £125 | £151 | £364 |
| City of London | £99 | £109 | £125 | £151 | £402 |
Prices from our booking system, checked in October 2026, one way per vehicle.
What happens if my evening flight lands very late?
The driver tracks the flight and waits for it, even if it lands after midnight.
Summer evening flights back from the Mediterranean are often delayed, and a 10pm arrival can easily become 1am. As long as your flight number is on the booking, the driver follows the delay and will be in the arrivals hall when you come through. There is no extra charge for the delay.
Will the driver be on time for a 3am pick-up?
Yes. Night pick-ups are planned in advance, and drivers allow extra time to reach you.
If the car is not outside at the agreed time, call 0207 8400 344 straight away. For the best certainty, book at least a day before your flight.
Can I book a taxi to Gatwick in the middle of the night?
Often, yes. Call us and we will tell you how soon a car can reach you.
Short-notice bookings at night depend on which drivers are available. Booking ahead is always safer, but if your plans change late, call 0207 8400 344 or WhatsApp 020 3355 8186.
Is it better to stay at a Gatwick hotel the night before?
It can help for a very early flight, especially if you live far from the airport. A taxi lets you stay at home and still arrive on time.
For people living within 30 miles, a night pick-up is usually cheaper than a hotel room, and you sleep in your own bed. If you do stay at an airport hotel, we can take you there the evening before.
Are night journeys to Gatwick quicker?
Usually, yes. Between midnight and 5am, the M23, A23 and M25 are normally clear.
A trip from central London that takes 90 minutes at rush hour can take under an hour at night. Overnight roadworks sometimes close sections of the M23 or M25, and our pick-up times allow for that.
Do black cabs cost more to Gatwick at night?
Metered cabs use higher night tariffs. Our pre-booked fare stays the same at any hour.
On a long run like London to Gatwick, the night tariff on a meter adds up. A fixed price means you know the cost before you leave.
Can I book a late pick-up from Gatwick to outside London?
Yes. We run night transfers from Gatwick across Surrey, Sussex, Kent, London and beyond.
Popular late routes include Brighton, Guildford, Reigate, Tunbridge Wells and central London.
Which Gatwick arrivals land late at night?
Mostly flights from holiday destinations in southern Europe, North Africa and the Canary Islands, plus some long-haul flights.
Late arrivals are common in summer, when evening flights from Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey land between 10pm and midnight. Delays can push them later. Passport queues at that time are usually shorter, so you may be out quickly. The driver tracks the flight and is waiting when you come through.
Is it safe to travel to Gatwick at night by taxi?
Yes. All our drivers are licensed and insured, and the car comes to your door.
You do not have to walk to a station or wait at a bus stop in the dark. Share your booking details with family if you like, so they know when you have left.
What if my early flight is moved to later in the day?
Tell us the new time, and we will move the pick-up to match.
Airlines sometimes change early flight times a few days before departure. Call 0207 8400 344 or WhatsApp 020 3355 8186 with the new details, and we will confirm the new pick-up time.
Can I share a night taxi with friends on the same flight?
Yes. The fare is per vehicle, so sharing brings the cost per person down.
Four friends sharing an estate from Croydon pay £79 between them, which is about £20 each. Add each pick-up as a stop if you live at different addresses.
Do you run on bank holidays and over Christmas?
Yes. Our service runs every day of the year, including bank holidays.
Bank holiday weekends and the Christmas period are among the busiest times at Gatwick, especially for early morning departures. Book as early as you can, so a car is confirmed for your time.
What should I do the night before an early flight?
Check your flight time and terminal, pack your passport and documents where you can find them, and set an alarm with time to spare.
The driver will arrive at the agreed time. If you are running late, call us so the driver knows.
How do I book a 24 hour Gatwick taxi?
Enter your pick-up time and address in the booking form at the top of this page and confirm.
Or call 0207 8400 344. See also Gatwick airport taxi and Gatwick terminal guide.
24 hour Gatwick taxi: common questions
Can I get a taxi to Gatwick at 3am?
Yes. We run 24 hours a day.
Is there a night surcharge for Gatwick taxis?
No. The fare is the same at any time.
Do trains run to Gatwick overnight?
A limited Thameslink service only. No Gatwick Express.
When should I leave Reigate for a 6am Gatwick flight?
Around 3:30am.
Will the driver wait for a delayed late flight?
Yes. They track the flight.
Can I book a night taxi from Gatwick?
Yes. Pick-ups from arrivals run at any hour.
