London Bridge to Gatwick Airport Trains From €17.52*

The train journey from London Bridge to Gatwick Airport is one of the quickest airport transfers from central London. Most direct trains take 30–40 minutes, running through South London before heading into the greener landscapes of Surrey and Sussex. Below is a guide covering departure, the onboard experience, and arriving at the airport.

Departure from London Bridge

London Bridge station is one of the UK’s busiest transport hubs and was extensively redesigned in 2018, creating a spacious concourse that connects all platforms at street level.

Specific transport links

• Jubilee Line: Fast underground link from areas like Westminster, Canary Wharf, and London Waterloo.
• Northern Line (Bank Branch): Direct Underground access from the City of London and Camden.
• London Bridge Bus Station: Major hub directly outside the station with routes 17, 21, 43, 47, 141, 149, and 344.
• Thames Path Access: Pedestrian route along the River Thames connecting nearby landmarks and bridges.

Station layout

• Platforms 4 & 5: Primary through-platforms used by Thameslink trains heading south towards Gatwick Airport.
• Platforms 10–15: Upper-level terminal platforms used by Southern services.
• Tooley Street Entrance: Main entrance used by most travellers arriving from the Underground.
• St Thomas Street Entrance: Secondary entrance near The Shard, useful for quick station access.

Pre-departure essentials

Inside the concourse, you’ll find M&S Simply Food and Sainsbury’s Local, perfect for grabbing a classic “meal deal” for the short journey. For better coffee, walk into the nearby Shard Retail Arcade where Three Wheels Coffee serves speciality brews, while The Gentlemen Baristas on Park Street is another favourite among commuters.

Onboard trains from London Bridge to Gatwick Airport

Once the train leaves London Bridge, the journey quickly transitions from central London’s dense skyline to suburban neighbourhoods and then to the countryside.

The scenic side

• Sit on the left-hand side for the best views of the countryside and rolling hills as the train heads south toward Gatwick.
• Sit on the right-hand side for early views of South London’s urban skyline and city landmarks after departing London Bridge.

Key landmarks

• The Shard: The train passes directly beneath this 310-metre skyscraper as it leaves London Bridge station.
• South London Suburbs: Districts like Norwood and East Croydon appear as the train heads south.
• South Downs National Park: Rolling chalk hills visible in the distance as trains approach the airport region.

Arriving at Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport station is uniquely integrated into the airport itself, meaning you step off the train directly inside the terminal complex.

The correct exit

• South Terminal Exit: Leads directly from the ticket barriers to the South Terminal check-in desks and departures area within about 2–3 minutes.
• North Terminal Shuttle Exit: Leads to the free inter-terminal shuttle station, which connects passengers to the North Terminal in roughly two minutes.
• South Terminal Arrivals Exit: Leads to the official taxi rank and passenger pick-up area located just outside the terminal doors.
• Main Concourse Exit: Leads to the airport information desk and general passenger services within the South Terminal concourse.

Onward travel

• Local buses: Gatwick Bus Station serves Fastway routes to Crawley, Horley, and surrounding towns.
• National Express Coaches: Long-distance services connect Gatwick with cities across the UK.

Walkability

From the station, you can reach the South Terminal departures area within about three minutes on foot. If your flight departs from the North Terminal, the free shuttle runs every 3 minutes and takes about 2 minutes. Outside the airport, however, nearby towns such as Crawley are too far to walk, so onward transport is essential.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.