LGW — London (Gatwick) — Taxi Fare Guide
Gatwick Airport has official licensed taxi ranks outside both the North and South Terminals, operated by the airport's approved provider. Unlike short city hops, licensed black cabs at Gatwick do not use a fixed rate into central London; the fare is metered by distance and time, and central London is roughly 45 km (28 miles) away.
Because the meter runs on a long motorway journey, expect roughly £90-£120 to reach central London, plus a £6 airport pickup surcharge and any road tolls passed en route. Pre-booked private transfers (minicabs) are often cheaper and fixed, typically starting around £70-£100 for a saloon car, agreed in advance.
Note that Gatwick also charges a £10 drop-off fee (up to 10 minutes) in the forecourt zones at both terminals, raised from £7 in January 2026; this affects vehicles dropping passengers off, not the metered fare into town. Journey time is usually 60-75 minutes but can exceed 90 minutes in rush hour.
Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt operate at Gatwick with designated pickup points; fares are broadly comparable to pre-booked minicabs but surge during peak demand. Many travellers instead use the Gatwick Express train (about 30 minutes to Victoria) as a faster alternative.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| Central London (Victoria / West End) | £90-£120 | 60-75 min |
| City of London / Canary Wharf | £100-£140 | 70-90 min |
| Heathrow Airport (LHR) | £90-£110 | 60-75 min |
| Brighton | £45-£60 | 35-45 min |
Practical tips: Use only the marshalled official rank or a pre-booked minicab; ignore drivers touting inside the terminal. Confirm a fixed price before departure for private cars, and expect the £6 airport surcharge plus tolls on metered black cabs. For solo travellers on a budget, the Gatwick Express or Thameslink train is far cheaper than any taxi.
Other ways to the city
Gatwick has excellent rail links and, unlike a taxi, trains are unaffected by M25 congestion. The main alternatives are:
- Gatwick Express - non-stop to London Victoria in about 30 minutes, roughly every 15 minutes. Around GBP 20 one way if bought in advance, cheaper with a railcard.
- Thameslink - through trains to London Bridge, Farringdon, St Pancras International and on to Luton, taking 30-50 minutes for roughly GBP 12-16. The best value if you are heading to King's Cross or the City.
- Southern services - stopping trains to East Croydon and Victoria for around GBP 13, slightly slower but frequent and usually the cheapest rail fare.
- National Express and easyBus coaches - to Victoria Coach Station for roughly GBP 8-14, taking 75-110 minutes depending on traffic. Also direct coaches to Heathrow, Stansted and Brighton.
- Rail to Brighton and the south coast - Gatwick sits on the London-Brighton main line, so Brighton is only about 30 minutes away for around GBP 12.
Contactless pay-as-you-go works on Thameslink and Southern services between Gatwick and London, so you can simply tap in and out.
London — Highlights in photos
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.