---
iata: LGW
name: London Gatwick Airport
city: London
country: United Kingdom
lastUpdated: '2026-08-29'
officialWebsite: 'https://www.gatwickairport.com/'
sources:
  - 'https://www.gatwickairport.com/'
  - 'https://www.gatwickairport.com/premium-services/lounge-airport.html'
  - 'https://www.gatwickairport.com/transport-options/train.html'
  - 'https://www.gatwickairport.com/transport-options/coach-bus.html'
  - 'https://www.weknowlondon.com/blog/gatwick-airport-lounges-2025-guide'
quickFacts:
  - Two terminals (North and South) linked by free 2-minute shuttle
  - easyJet dominant in both; BA and long-haul in South/North respectively
  - Gatwick Express reaches London Victoria in ~30 minutes
  - Fast Track security available for purchase or via some lounges
  - No airside connection between terminals after security
  - Strong coach network to 100+ UK destinations
bentoTips:
  - label: Timing
    title: Arrive 2.5 hours early for international
    detail: Domestic/short-haul can manage with 90 minutes if no bags.
    summary: >-
      Security can hit 45+ minutes peak mornings; book Fast Track if queue >20
      people.
    category: timing
  - label: Terminal
    title: Check terminal on boarding pass
    detail: Free shuttle runs every few minutes between them landside only.
    summary: North for most easyJet/long-haul; South for BA and Ryanair.
    category: terminal
  - label: Food
    title: Grab landside if time allows
    detail: Many spots promise 15-minute service but queues form at peaks.
    summary: Better value and variety before security; airside is mostly chains.
    category: food
  - label: Status
    title: Book Fast Track or lounge if eligible
    detail: Worth £5-10 extra when queues exceed 30 minutes.
    summary: Premium Express or lounge access skips standard queues on busy days.
    category: status
lounges:
  - name: No1 Lounge
    hours: '04:00-22:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - Pay-per-use ~£40-46
      - easyJet partners
    bestFor:
      - Families
      - Long layovers
    summary: >-
      Priority Pass option with food and space; travelers praise consistency
      over flash.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: North Terminal
    amenities:
      - Hot buffet
      - Bar
      - Showers
      - Family zone
  - name: No1 Lounge
    hours: '04:00-22:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - Pay-per-use ~£40-46
      - BA partners
    bestFor:
      - Work
      - Relaxation
    summary: >-
      Popular with BA flyers; good value on Priority Pass but can feel crowded
      at peaks.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: South Terminal
    amenities:
      - Hot buffet
      - Bar
      - Quiet zones
  - name: Plaza Premium Lounge
    hours: '05:00-21:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - Amex Platinum
      - Day pass ~£41
    bestFor:
      - Families
      - Premium access
    summary: Strong for families and views; food quality reviews mixed versus No1.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: North Terminal
    amenities:
      - A la carte dining
      - Kids zone
      - Runway views
  - name: BA Lounge
    hours: '05:00-22:00'
    access:
      - British Airways Club/First
      - Executive Club Gold
    bestFor:
      - BA premium passengers
    summary: >-
      Classic BA product; elites rate it highly for service but limited to
      eligible flyers only.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: South Terminal
    amenities:
      - Buffet
      - Showers
      - Privacy seating
waterOptions:
  - kind: purchase
    name: WHSmith
    zone: landside
    price: £1.50 for 500ml
    summary: >-
      Cheapest reliable bottle option before security; stock varies by time of
      day.
    location: Landside departures hall near check-in
    terminal: South Terminal
    isBestValue: true
  - kind: refill
    name: Water fountain
    zone: airside
    price: Free
    summary: >-
      Clean, fast-flowing fountain ideal for refills; multiple similar spots
      airside.
    location: Airside near Gate 46 opposite Starbucks
    terminal: North Terminal
    isBestQuality: true
  - kind: free
    name: Lounge water stations
    zone: airside
    price: Free with access
    summary: Unlimited chilled water in lounges; best if you already have access.
    location: Inside No1 Lounge near bar area
    terminal: South Terminal
airportistScore: 7.2
slug: lgw
region: Europe
---
> Markdown for [/airports/lgw](/airports/lgw). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy.

- [HTML page](/airports/lgw)
- [Lounge directory](/airports/lgw/lounges.md)
- [Sitemap](/sitemap.md)

# London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London, United Kingdom · Europe
Solid mid-tier London airport with excellent rail links but two-terminal split and variable security create occasional stress.
## Airportist Score

**7.2 / 10**
- Comfort: 7.0
- Navigation: 6.8
- Food: 7.2
- Transport: 8.5
- Disruption resilience: 7.0

## At a glance

- Passengers: 43M
- Terminals: 2 active terminals
- Typical security: 25 min
- On-time: 78%
- Disruption: normal

## Best for

- Fast rail to London
- Budget airline hub
- Coach network coverage

## Watch out for

- Terminal confusion for easyJet
- Peak security queues
- No airside inter-terminal link

## More intel

- [Lounge directory](/airports/lgw/lounges.md) (free)
- [Getting there](/airports/lgw/getting-there.md) (free)
- [Amenities](/airports/lgw/amenities.md)
- [Traveler tips](/airports/lgw/tips.md)
- [Water](/airports/lgw/water.md)
- [Full guide](/airports/lgw/guide.md)
- [Disruptions](/airports/lgw/disruptions.md)
- [Reviews](/airports/lgw/reviews.md)