Get from arrivals to the heart of the city in less than an hour by rail. Thameslink services connect Gatwick Airport to London Bridge in as little as 29 minutes. Up to eight trains depart every hour, passing through the suburban towns of West Sussex and Surrey.
Thameslink provides cross-London mainline services between destinations such as Peterborough and East Grinstead. Routes include trains to Horsham, Brighton, Wimbledon and Dartford.
Departing from Gatwick Airport
Perhaps the UK’s best-connected airport, London Gatwick has services running around every four minutes and direct links to over 110 stations. Gatwick Airport station is located at the South Terminal, a convenient five-minute walk from departures and arrivals.
The airport has a free shuttle from the North Terminal, taking only two minutes. Convenient transport links are provided by rail services to/from London and the South East, local Metrobus routes, 24-hour Gatwick Hoppa buses to/from nearby hotels and national coach services.
The main operators serving Gatwick Airport are Thameslink, Gatwick Express, Southern and Great Western Railway(GWR). Trains run to Reading, Southampton, London Victoria, Luton Airport Parkway and other destinations.
Main stops
Depending on the time, route and train operator, the Gatwick Airport to London Bridge train may stop at East Croydon or Redhill.
Arriving at London Bridge
Thameslink trains from Gatwick Airport serve London Bridge station, the city’s fourth busiest terminus. Onward local transport includes Transport for London (TfL) buses, cabs from the outdoor taxi ranks and the Northern and Jubilee lines on the London Underground.
Rail services from London Bridge run to stations such as Epsom, Greenwich, Canterbury and Orpington. Thameslink, Southeastern and Southern are the main train-operating companies.
Near London Bridge, a host of historic and modern attractions are well worth visiting. Take a stroll along the Thames, passing through the famous Borough Market on the way and Hay’s Galleria, a converted wharf now home to shops, bars and cafés.
Thameslink train classes
- Standard Class: Travelling in Standard Class trains offers comfortable seating, ample luggage racks and on-screen information about your journey and train. Some trains include free WiFi access (indicated by the blue WiFi logo on the train doors).
- First Class: The First Class carriages at the front of Thameslink trains include comfier seats with additional space, plug sockets and family-sized tables. Book in advance to buy cheap train tickets.
Thameslink train travel advice
- Luggage: You can bring two larger items measuring 90 x 70 x 30 centimetres plus a piece of hand luggage.
- Bicycles: Restrictions on bringing non-folding bikes and e-bikes on board apply during peak hours on trains serving central London. E-scooters and hoverboards are not allowed.
- Children: Children under 5 travel free, while those aged 5–15 receive a 50% discount on most tickets, and up to four kids can travel for £2 each off-peak with an adult.
- Pets: Two domestic pets can board the train as long as they’re on a lead or in a pet carrier at all times.
- Passenger Assist: Help with carrying luggage and accessing the platform, offer ramps and transportation, and give help and guidance on tickets.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.