Gatwick Express
Gatwick Express is the dedicated 30-minute non-stop service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, with departures every 15 minutes throughout the day.
About Gatwick Express
Run by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Gatwick Express uses Class 387/2 Electrostar units fitted with luggage racks, wifi and reservable seating areas.
Cheaper alternatives from central London include Southern and Thameslink services that also stop at Gatwick — Thameslink in particular runs every 5–10 minutes and accepts Oyster/contactless.
Gatwick Express tickets are valid only on Gatwick Express services, but a return is often only marginally more than a single because of the off-peak structure.
Key Gatwick Express routes
- London Victoria → Gatwick Airport30 min non-stop, every 15 min
Major destinations
- Gatwick Airport
FAQs about Gatwick Express
How long is Gatwick Express?
30 minutes non-stop from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport. Trains run every 15 minutes.
Is Gatwick Express worth it?
Only marginally faster than Southern (32 min) or Thameslink (~35 min) from central London, but more expensive. If you have heavy luggage or hate crowds it's worth the premium; otherwise Thameslink with contactless is cheaper and almost as fast.
Does Gatwick Express accept Oyster?
Yes — Oyster and contactless work to Gatwick (special National Rail PAYG zone). However, you must touch on a Gatwick Express reader specifically; touching in elsewhere may route you to a cheaper Southern/Thameslink fare.