Car Hire London Gatwick Airport

Car Hire

London Gatwick Airport is known for having the world's busiest single runway. It is the second busiest airport in the UK, second only to the major international airport that is London Heathrow. Travellers have a number of transport options to get to London and beyond. The airport has a dedicated train station that connects it to the rest of London's train services. Coaches and buses are available, too. Car hire in London Gatwick Airport is recommended however, as the airport is conveniently connected to the M25, London's circular road, which provides access not only to London but to the entire South East of England.

Who to Book With
Visitors arriving at London Gatwick have many options as to which car rental company to use. Companies represented here are Sixt, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, National, Alamo, Europcar, Hertz and Avis. The car rental desks are found in the Car Hire Centre in the North Terminal on Level 1. Passengers arriving at the South Terminal can easily take the free 24-hour shuttle train to the North Terminal.

Need to Know Essentials
When retrieving your vehicle, you will need the following:

- Driver's licence
- Credit card of the renter (the same one used in the booking)
- Proof of identity
- Booking confirmation

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Seatbelt laws are strict and all persons within a moving vehicle must wear one, including persons sitting at the back, if rear seatbelts have been fitted. Child restraints must be used for three-year old children or younger. Speed limits must be observed: 30mph for built-up areas, 60mph outside built-up areas and 70mph on motorways. There are zones in Central London, indicated by a ‘C’ sign, where drivers need to pay a congestion tax of £8 between 07:00 and 18:00.

Our driving in the UK guide can provide more information here.

Transport

Travellers who land at London Gatwick can easily access Central London as many forms of transport are available, departing from both terminals. The Gatwick Express is the fastest rail journey to Central London, taking only 30 minutes. Coaches and local buses serve Gatwick and taxis are always present. Those driving from the airport can easily head to London within an hour, depending on final destination, via the M23 motorway which links to the M25, London's circular road. This major route provides access to not only Central London, but Greater London and the rest of the South East.

Trains
A number of trains transport visitors from London Gatwick to stations in and around London. The quickest train from Gatwick to London is the Gatwick Express, a 30-minute, non-stop service to Central London's Victoria Station. Trains depart every 15 minutes and tickets cost about £20. First Capital Connect also operates services to Central London. A single journey fare to London Bridge Station begins at around £9. First Capital Connect trains from Gatwick also depart for southern cities such as Brighton. Finally, connections to Redhill, Guildford and Reading are provided by First Great Western.

Taxis
Taxi queues are right outside the terminal buildings. Taxis can be booked via the taxi desks found in the Arrivals area, near the airport concierge desk in the North Terminal, and at the northern entrance gates in the South Terminal. Cabs typically charge £10 as a congestion charge for travel in Central London from 06:30 to 18:30.

Taxi prices:
London Gatwick Airport to King's Cross is about £120
London Gatwick Airport to Canary Wharf is about £100
London Gatwick Airport to Westminster is about £100

Buses
Most buses at London Gatwick depart from the forecourt of the South Terminal. Some depart from outside the International Arrivals area of the North Terminal. Easybus operates coaches every 15 minutes to Earls Court or West Brompton, both in Central London. A one-way ticket begins at £2. Meanwhile, National Express buses run to many destinations in the UK, including London (£2), Heathrow (£25) and Birmingham (£18). Oxford Bus has direct connections to Oxford, while the Gatwick Flyer serves Southend. Cheap local buses also stop at Gatwick for onward travel to City Place, Horley, Redhill and a few other locations.

Facilities

Terminals
London Gatwick Airport, the second busiest airport in the UK, has two terminals: North and South. The South Terminal is the older of the two and is where most passengers are processed. It is also where the airport's railway station is located. Transfer between the two terminals is easy via a free shuttle train that operates 24 hours. London Gatwick receives flights from around the world. The busiest routes are to Spain, Ireland and Switzerland.

Parking
The North Terminal Short-stay Car Park is found right outside the terminal, while the South Terminal’s counterpart is situated across the A23 London Road. The Long-stay Car Park is found south of the South Terminal's Short-stay Car Park. Shuttles transport travellers between the car parks and the terminals. Parking can be booked via Official Gatwick Parking. Four hours in the Short-stay Car Park costs over £30, while at the Long-stay Car Park it costs around £12. There is also Valet Parking and Premium Parking at the airport.

Wi-Fi
There are internet kiosks scattered around both terminals, one in the North Terminal on Level 1, right next to Costa Coffee and another in the International Arrivals area. In the South Terminal, there is an internet zone in the Departures area (Level 3) and an internet kiosk at the Departures lounge right outside Accessorize. Paid Wi-Fi access is available in both terminals.

Information Services
In the North Terminal, there is an information zone on the ground floor of the International Arrivals area. In the South Terminal, an airline information desk can be found right by World Duty Free on the lower level of the Departures lounge.

Useful Numbers
General Information: +44 844 892 0322

Accessibility
Passengers needing wheelchair services or any other disabled persons’ assistance can contact London Gatwick prior to arrival. Ramps and lifts have been provided for persons with reduced mobility. Special toilets, reserved seating and parking for Blue Badge holders at the Short-stay Car Parks are provided.

Restaurants and Bars
Restaurants and bars can be found in both terminals, both in the areas before and after security. Seafood Bar has a location on the lower level of the Departures lounge of the North Terminal. Joe's Kitchen is found on Level 1 of the North Terminal. The Bridge Bar and Frankie & Benny's are on the upper level of the Departures lounge and have views of the runway.

VIP Lounges

North Terminal:
No.1 Lounge
Servisair Aspire Lounge
Airline Lounges

South Terminal:
No.1 Lounge
Servisair Aspire Lounge
Airline Lounges

Money and ATMs
Both Departures and Arrivals areas of both terminals have ATMs and currency exchange counters. Moneycorp Bureau de Change is found on the lower level of the Departures lounge of the North Terminal, and has an ATM. Travelex is located in the International Arrivals area of the South Terminal.

Shopping
Shopping can be done in practically all areas of the airport’s terminals. Harrods and World Duty Free shops can be found on the lower level of the Departures lounge of the North Terminal. Shoe Studio and Tie Rack are also found here. World Duty Free also has a store at the Arrivals area of the South Terminal. The same goes for WHSmith newsagent. Clarin and Hugo Boss, meanwhile, are found on the lower level of the Departures lounge of the South Terminal.