London’s two biggest airports are located around 40 miles from each other, and there are multiple options for how to get between them. There isn’t a stand-out winner – the best choice for you depends on your personal preferences around time, cost, and comfort.
Regardless of which option you choose, it’s advisable to leave at least 5 hours between arriving at one airport and departing from the other. You’ll need an hour to retrieve luggage and pass immigration, 1-2 hours to travel between airports, and another 2 hours to check-in and pass security.
Train
The train option takes around 1.5 hours, and trains depart every 10-15 minutes. Paying by contactless, it costs £21.60, or £30.20 if starting a journey during peak commuting hours (Monday – Friday between 06:30 to 09:30 or 16:00 to 19:00).
The easiest route between Heathrow and Gatwick is to take the Elizabeth Line from Heathrow to Farringdon, and then Thameslink from Farringdon to Gatwick.
For more information on how to take the Elizabeth Line from Heathrow, see the detailed guide here. For more information on taking the Thameslink Trains from Gatwick, see the guide here.
The change at Farringdon is very easy. Simply follow the signs, and use the escalators or lifts (elevators) if you have heavy luggage.
If you’re travelling with adults only and each have contactless credit / debit cards or Google / Apple Pay, there’s no need to buy a ticket – simply tap in at the airport station and tap out at the end. There’s no need to tap in or out when changing trains at Farringdon. If you’re travelling as a group, with children, or don’t have contactless cards / devices, you can also buy tickets online that cover the whole journey, and pick them up at a ticket machine at the station before you depart. ‘Anytime’ tickets let you get on any trains that day, not just the journey you select when booking.
Bus / Coach
Taking the coach between Heathrow and Gatwick can be an easier option, as there are direct services that don’t stop anywhere in between. It takes between 1 to 2 hours (depending on traffic), and there are several departures per hour. Prices are variable, but start at around £12.
Most coaches depart from the Central Bus Station (next to Terminals 2 & 3), or Terminal 5. If you need to travel to or from Terminal 4, it’s often best to book to/from Terminals 2 & 3, then use the free train to transfer between Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 4. For more information on how to transfer between terminals, see the detailed guide.
To book, visit the National Express website. When booking, you need to select a specific service. However, you’ll be given the option to add ‘Change & Go’ to your ticket, for an additional fee (often £5). Adding this means you can get on any coach within 12 hours of the service you originally booked. This is highly recommended as you probably won’t know exactly what time you will arrive at the bus stop.
Most services are scheduled for just over an hour, however traffic on the M25 can be slow, particularly during peak commuting hours. Therefore it’s advisable to add additional time in case of delays.
Taxi
On paper, taxis are the quickest option (at around an hour), as there’s no need to wait around for scheduled transport. However they can also be affected by busy traffic, like the coaches.
As Gatwick is not in London, it’s best to pre-book a taxi service, rather than hail one from the rank. Blackberry Cars and Addison Lee are reliable examples of taxi services, and will give you a cost before you commit to book. The driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall for you. Expect to pay £60-120.