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Heathrow and Gatwick are London's two biggest airports, about 42 miles (68 km) apart by road. There's no direct train between them, so most people choose between a direct coach, a train journey with a change in central London, or a door-to-door transfer. This guide compares each option in both directions, Heathrow to Gatwick and Gatwick to Heathrow, and explains where to catch your coach or train at each terminal.
Heathrow to Gatwick: the quick answer
- Direct coach: National Express, FlixBus and The Airline run direct coaches. Heathrow puts the journey at about 70 to 75 minutes.
- Train: no direct service. Change in central London, usually at Farringdon (Thameslink to Gatwick) or Victoria (Gatwick Express).
- By road: about 42 miles, mostly on the M25.
- Door to door: a pre-booked transfer takes you and your luggage straight to your terminal, with no changes.
Heathrow to Gatwick: All Options Compared
The options are the same whichever direction you're travelling. The coach is the simplest public transport choice, the train suits light luggage, and a transfer is the easiest with heavy bags, children or a group.
| Option | Changes | Typical time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct coach | None | About 70 to 75 minutes (Heathrow's figures) | Budget travellers who want no changes |
| Train via Farringdon | One | About 35 minutes to Farringdon, then about 40 minutes to Gatwick, plus your change | Light luggage and daytime travel |
| Train via Victoria | Two or more | About 45 to 60 minutes to Victoria, then about 31 minutes to Gatwick | Travellers who want the Gatwick Express |
| Pre-booked transfer | None | Depends on traffic | Heavy luggage, families, groups and tight connections |
Heathrow to Gatwick by Coach
Coaches are the only direct public transport between the two airports, so you can stay with your luggage the whole way. Three operators run the route:
| Operator | Journey time (Heathrow's figures) | How often |
|---|---|---|
| National Express | About 70 minutes | Up to 56 coaches a day, across routes 025, 200, 201, 210 and 230 |
| FlixBus | About 70 minutes | Many times a day, 7 days a week |
| The Airline (Oxford Bus Company) | About 75 minutes | Throughout the day |
National Express says its fastest journeys take under an hour, from as little as 50 minutes between Terminal 5 and Gatwick North. Its first departure from Heathrow Central Bus Station is at 00:40 and its last at 22:40. Fares start from £14.90 one way, including a £1.50 booking fee, for travel up to 11 January 2027. The standard allowance is one large suitcase (or two medium cases) plus one soft piece of hand luggage, so check before you travel if you have more.
Where to catch the coach at Heathrow
| Heathrow terminal | Coach stop |
|---|---|
| Terminals 2 and 3 | Heathrow Central Bus Station |
| Terminal 4 | Outside the terminal |
| Terminal 5 | Outside the terminal |
Heathrow to Gatwick by Train
There's no direct train between Heathrow and Gatwick. You'll change in central London, and Heathrow suggests two main routes.
Fastest rail route: via Farringdon
- Elizabeth line to Farringdon: about 35 minutes direct from Heathrow. Or take the Heathrow Express to Paddington and change to the Elizabeth line, about 30 minutes in total.
- Change to Thameslink: follow the signs to the Thameslink platforms at Farringdon.
- Thameslink to Gatwick: about 40 minutes, with trains every 30 minutes.
Via Victoria: take the Heathrow Express to Paddington and the Circle line to Victoria (about 45 minutes), or the Elizabeth line or Piccadilly line with a change (about 60 minutes). From Victoria, the Gatwick Express runs non-stop to Gatwick every 30 minutes in about 31 minutes, and Southern trains run every 15 minutes, taking 32 to 50 minutes.
Either way, you'll be carrying luggage through busy London stations, so allow extra time if you have a flight to catch.
Gatwick to Heathrow: Travelling the Other Way
Going from Gatwick to Heathrow uses the same coaches and trains in reverse. The main thing to know is where to catch them at Gatwick, because the airport has two terminals, North and South.
| Gatwick terminal | National Express coaches | Trains |
|---|---|---|
| North Terminal | Lower level outside International Arrivals, bus stops 4 and 5 | Take the free shuttle to the South Terminal (about 2 minutes) |
| South Terminal | Lower forecourt, stops 1 to 5 | The station is at the South Terminal, about a 5-minute walk from arrivals |
By train, take the Gatwick Express to Victoria or Thameslink to Farringdon, then change for Heathrow. Gatwick says a train leaves the airport on average every four minutes across all services, but there's no general 24-hour service, so check times if you're travelling very early or late.
When you reach Heathrow, check your terminal before you set off. Terminals 2 and 3 share a station and the Central Bus Station, while Terminals 4 and 5 have their own stations and coach stops.
Heathrow to Gatwick by Pre-Booked Transfer
A transfer is the simplest way to connect between the two airports, especially with heavy bags, children or a group. Your driver collects you at one airport and takes you straight to your terminal at the other, with no changes and no carrying luggage between platforms.
| Coach or train | Banana Cars transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Changes | None by coach; one or more by train | None, terminal to terminal |
| Luggage | Allowance limits on coaches; stairs and platforms on trains | Your driver loads it for you |
| Flight delays | You may miss your booked coach | Flight monitoring when you add your flight number, with free waiting time |
| Price | Per person | Fixed fare per vehicle, same rate day or night, no extra charge for traffic delays |
| Arrivals | Find the coach stop or station | Optional Meet & Greet in arrivals |
Because the fare is per vehicle rather than per person, a transfer can work out well for families and groups travelling together. All our drivers are vetted and TfL-licensed, and child seats are available. Choose a vehicle for your luggage in our fleet, or book a group transfer for larger parties.
We run transfers between every Heathrow terminal (Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5) and both Gatwick terminals: North Terminal and South Terminal.
Tips for Connecting Between Heathrow and Gatwick
If you're landing at one airport and flying from the other, you're travelling between two separate airports. Plan on collecting your bags and checking in again.
- Check both terminals first: coach stops and stations differ between Heathrow's terminals and between Gatwick North and South.
- Collect your bags: after landing, you'll go through passport control (if arriving from abroad), baggage reclaim and customs before you can start your journey.
- Build in a buffer: a delayed incoming flight, a missed coach or M25 traffic can all eat into your connection time.
- Leaving from Heathrow? Heathrow advises arriving at least 2 hours before UK and European flights, and 3 hours before long-haul flights.
- Travelling at night? Coaches and trains don't run around the clock, so check the first and last departures.
Choosing which airport to fly from? Read Heathrow vs Gatwick. Heading into the city instead? See Gatwick to central London. Other airport connections are covered in our Stansted to Heathrow guide, or browse all the London airports we serve.
Heathrow to Gatwick FAQs
About 42 miles (68 km) by road, mostly on the M25.
No. Change in central London: take the Elizabeth line to Farringdon and Thameslink to Gatwick, or go via Victoria and take the Gatwick Express.
Heathrow puts it at about 70 to 75 minutes. National Express says its fastest services take under an hour, from as little as 50 minutes between Terminal 5 and Gatwick North.
Take a direct coach from Gatwick North or South Terminal, a train via Victoria or Farringdon with a change in central London, or a pre-booked transfer straight to your Heathrow terminal.
At the North Terminal, National Express uses bus stops 4 and 5 on the lower level outside International Arrivals. At the South Terminal, it uses stops 1 to 5 on the lower forecourt.
National Express coaches leave from Heathrow Central Bus Station for Terminals 2 and 3, and from outside Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
Yes. A free shuttle links the two terminals in about 2 minutes. The train station is at the South Terminal.
If you book a Banana Cars transfer, add your flight number. We monitor your flight, so your pickup can follow your actual arrival time, with free waiting time.
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