Is the train or the coach cheaper from Gatwick to London?

The coach is cheaper — easyBus fares start around £2 and National Express around £6, versus about £10.70 for an off-peak Southern or Thameslink train. The train is faster (30–45 minutes vs 75–90) if you're in a hurry.

Do I need a special airport ticket at Gatwick?

No. On the trains just tap in and out with a contactless card or Oyster, or buy an ordinary single. For the coach, book online with easyBus or National Express; there is no airport surcharge and no separate validation.

Is the Gatwick Express worth it?

Rarely. At £20+ it is a non-stop 30-minute train to Victoria, but the ordinary Southern train runs the same route for about half the price and only a few minutes slower, and the coach is cheaper still.

How do I get to London from Gatwick late at night?

The National Express coach to London Victoria runs through the night when trains stop, so it's the cheapest late-arrival option. A taxi or minicab would cost around £45–100.

What is the best way from LGW to downtown London?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the coach to London Victoria in the city centre — easyBus from about £2 booked ahead or National Express from about £6, taking roughly 75–90 minutes.

How much is a taxi from London Gatwick Airport to the city?

A taxi or minicab to central London runs around £45–100 — versus a £2–6 coach or a roughly £10.70 off-peak Southern/Thameslink train.

How to get from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to downtown London — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) into central London is the coach to London Victoria: book easyBus online from about £2 (dynamic pricing) or National Express fixed from about £6, taking roughly 75–90 minutes depending on traffic. A Southern or Thameslink train is faster (about 30–45 minutes to Victoria, London Bridge or St Pancras) at around £10.70 off-peak with contactless. Don't default to the £20+ Gatwick Express, which costs far more for the same Victoria arrival, and skip the £45–100 taxi.

How to find it

AIRPORTLondon Gatwick Airport
01From arrivals, follow the 'Coaches / Buses' signs to the coach stops on the lower forecourt (South Terminal stops 1–5; coaches also call at North Terminal). It is about a 5-minute walk.
02Book online in advance for the lowest fare — easyBus from about £2 (dynamic pricing) or National Express fixed from about £6 — rather than paying more at the stop or on board.
03Board the next London Victoria coach and show your QR or mobile ticket. National Express service 025 runs frequently, roughly around the clock; easyBus runs frequently through the day.
04Ride about 75–90 minutes (traffic-dependent) to London Victoria Coach Station, a short walk from Victoria station (Underground Victoria, Circle & District lines) in central London.
CITY CENTRELondon

Ticket

One-way coach ticket to London Victoria (easyBus or National Express)

Where to buy: Cheapest online in advance on the easyBus app/website (fares from about £2 with dynamic pricing) or National Express (fixed from about £6); you can also buy from the driver at the coach stops, but it costs more.

How to pay: Online booking takes cards and gives a QR or mobile ticket to show the driver; drivers take cards and usually cash. No validation stamp is needed.

Local's trick: Book online before you fly: easyBus uses dynamic pricing so fares can be as low as about £2 booked early but climb toward £10+ near departure, while National Express is a flatter ~£6. The coach also runs through the night when trains stop, so it's the cheap option for late arrivals.

Trap to avoid: Don't default to the £20+ Gatwick Express — it is a non-stop 30-minute train to Victoria but costs roughly ten times the coach and about double an ordinary Southern or Thameslink train to the same place. A taxi or minicab is around £45–100 to central London.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	£2.00	1 h 30 min	One-way coach ticket to London Victoria (easyBus or National Express)
Train	£10.70	40 min	Off-peak single to London on Southern or Thameslink (contactless / Oyster pay-as-you-go)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Gatwick Airport to central London?: The coach to London Victoria: easyBus from about £2 booked in advance (dynamic pricing) or National Express fixed from about £6, taking roughly 75–90 minutes. A Southern or Thameslink train is faster at about £10.70 off-peak with contactless.
Is the train or the coach cheaper from Gatwick to London?: The coach is cheaper — easyBus fares start around £2 and National Express around £6, versus about £10.70 for an off-peak Southern or Thameslink train. The train is faster (30–45 minutes vs 75–90) if you're in a hurry.
Do I need a special airport ticket at Gatwick?: No. On the trains just tap in and out with a contactless card or Oyster, or buy an ordinary single. For the coach, book online with easyBus or National Express; there is no airport surcharge and no separate validation.
Is the Gatwick Express worth it?: Rarely. At £20+ it is a non-stop 30-minute train to Victoria, but the ordinary Southern train runs the same route for about half the price and only a few minutes slower, and the coach is cheaper still.
How do I get to London from Gatwick late at night?: The National Express coach to London Victoria runs through the night when trains stop, so it's the cheapest late-arrival option. A taxi or minicab would cost around £45–100.
What is the best way from LGW to downtown London?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the coach to London Victoria in the city centre — easyBus from about £2 booked ahead or National Express from about £6, taking roughly 75–90 minutes.
How much is a taxi from London Gatwick Airport to the city?: A taxi or minicab to central London runs around £45–100 — versus a £2–6 coach or a roughly £10.70 off-peak Southern/Thameslink train.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.