If you’re flying into or out of London Gatwick Airport (LGW), you might be wondering:👉 “Is there a free shuttle from London Gatwick?”

It’s a very common question—especially for first-time visitors, budget travellers, and families trying to keep travel costs down. The short answer is yes and no, depending on where you want to go.

In this guide, we explain what free shuttle services exist at Gatwick, what’s not free, and the best alternatives if you need to travel into London or beyond.

Quick Answer: Is There a Free Shuttle at Gatwick?

• ✅ Yes – there is a free shuttle between Gatwick North and South Terminals

• ❌ No – there is no free shuttle from Gatwick Airport to London

Let’s break this down clearly.

Free Shuttle at Gatwick: North ↔ South Terminal

Gatwick Airport has two terminals:

• North Terminal

• South Terminal

To connect them, Gatwick operates a free automated shuttle (people mover).

Gatwick Inter-Terminal Shuttle (FREE)

• Cost: Free

• Travel time: ~2 minutes

• Frequency: Every few minutes

• Operating hours: 24/7

• Who can use it: All passengers and staff

This shuttle is ideal if:

• You arrive at one terminal and depart from the other

• You need to access parking, hotels, or check-in desks in the opposite terminal

✅ No ticket needed – just hop on

Is There a Free Shuttle From Gatwick to London?

❌ No. There is no free shuttle service from Gatwick Airport to Central London or other London areas.

Any travel from Gatwick to London requires paid transport, such as:

• Train

• Coach/bus

• Taxi or private transfer

If you see references to “free Gatwick shuttles,” they usually mean terminal-to-terminal only, not city transfers.

Cheapest Ways to Get From Gatwick to London (No Free Option)

Since there’s no free shuttle to London, here are the most affordable alternatives:

1. Train (Cheapest Public Transport Option)

• Cost: from £10–£15 (off-peak)

• Routes: Thameslink, Southern Rail, Gatwick Express

• Time: 30–50 minutes

✔ Fast
✔ Frequent
❌ Not door-to-door

2. Coach / Bus (Budget Option)

• Cost: from £8–£12

• Time: 1.5–2.5 hours

✔ Cheapest ticket price
❌ Slow and traffic-dependent

3. Taxi or Private Transfer (Best Value for Groups)

For families or groups, a private transfer is often a better value per person.

• Cost: £60–£100 (fixed price)

• Time: 60–90 minutes

• Best for: luggage, kids, late arrivals

For reliable and fixed-price options, see:👉 Gatwick Airport Transfers to/from London

Are Hotel Shuttles at Gatwick Free?

Some airport hotels near Gatwick offer shuttle services, but:

• ❌ Most are not free

• 💷 Typical cost: £3–£6 per person

• 🕒 Often limited hours

Always check directly with your hotel before assuming shuttle access is included.

Taxi vs “Free Shuttle” Myth – What Travellers Get Wrong

Many travellers search for a free shuttle from Gatwick to London because they assume large airports operate city shuttles. In reality:

• Gatwick only offers free terminal-to-terminal transport

• All city travel requires paid transport

• The real cost difference is between cheap vs convenient, not free vs paid

Final Answer

✔ Yes – free shuttle between North & South Terminals only
❌ No – no free shuttle from Gatwick to London

If you’re travelling to London, the cheapest option is a train or coach, while the most convenient option is a fixed-price taxi transfer.

👉 Need a reliable Gatwick transfer?🔗 Book your Gatwick Airport transfer