Gatwick Airport Terminals: Which Terminal Is Your Airline?

Gatwick only has two terminals: North and South. Imagine arriving at Gatwick only to discover you’re at the wrong one. It happens more often than you’d think, and because North and South are separated by the runway, you can’t simply walk across.

Quick answer: London Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, linked by a free shuttle that takes about 2 minutes. easyJet, Emirates and Qatar Airways fly from North Terminal; British Airways, Ryanair, Wizz Air and Jet2 fly from South Terminal. The main train station sits beneath South Terminal. Always check your boarding pass, since airlines do move terminals, and TUI splits its flights across both.

This guide covers exactly which terminal your airline uses, how to get between them, realistic check-in times, and what’s actually in each one (shops, lounges, and facilities) so you can walk in knowing where you’re going.

Which Terminal Is My Airline? North vs South at a Glance

Gatwick assigns each airline to one terminal (with a couple of exceptions), and it’s worth double-checking before you travel, since allocations do shift as airlines expand or move their bases.

TUI Airways is the one airline that splits across both terminals: flight numbers starting with TOM depart from North Terminal, and those starting with BY depart from South Terminal.

This is a general snapshot, not an exhaustive list. Gatwick has welcomed several new carriers for summer 2026, and airlines do occasionally switch terminals. The safest move is always to check the official Gatwick “Which Terminal?” tool with your flight number, or simply look at your boarding pass.

Common mistake to avoid: Don’t assume all budget or leisure airlines cluster in one terminal. Jet2, for example, operates from South Terminal, not North, where many people expect to find the low-cost carriers. When in doubt, check rather than guess.

Getting Between North and South Terminal

You can’t drive or walk between the two terminals: they’re separated by the runway. The only way across is Gatwick’s free inter-terminal shuttle:

• Cost: Free
• Frequency: Every few minutes, 24 hours a day
• Journey time: About 2 minutes
• Shuttle stations: Level 1 at North Terminal; next to the train station at South Terminal

Allow 10–15 minutes in total once you factor in walking to the shuttle platform on each end. If you’re connecting through Gatwick on a single booking, the shuttle also runs airside for transferring passengers, so you shouldn’t need to clear security twice.

If someone is picking you up or dropping you off, make sure they know your exact terminal before you leave. A car can’t cross between forecourts, so a driver at the wrong terminal has to rejoin the main road network and drive round.

Check-In Times: How Early Should You Arrive?

According to Gatwick’s own guidance, check-in windows vary by flight type:

Boarding usually begins 45 minutes to 1 hour before departure. One quirk worth knowing: Gatwick doesn’t make flight calls over the tannoy, so keep an eye on the departure screens rather than waiting to hear your flight announced.

Several airlines also offer free “day-before” check-in for next-day flights departing before a certain time, useful if you’ve got an early start:

• British Airways: 18:00–21:00, for flights departing before 13:00
• easyJet: 20:00–22:00, for flights departing before 08:00
• Jet2: 16:30–21:00, for flights departing before 12:00
• TUI Airways: 14:00–21:00, for flights departing before 12:00 (TOM flight numbers only)

Self-service check-in kiosks are available for Air Transat, British Airways, easyJet, Norwegian, and WestJet.

Expert tip: If you want to skip the security queue entirely, Gatwick sells Fast Track Security from around £6 per person, and a Fast Track passport control lane from around £15. Both are bookable in advance and worth it during school holidays or early-morning peaks.

Gatwick Airport Lounges

Gatwick has a genuinely wide spread of lounges across both terminals, and entry typically includes three hours before your flight:

You don’t need to be flying business or first class to use most of these; anyone can book a lounge visit directly through the official Gatwick lounges page, which is worth doing in advance since walk-up availability isn’t guaranteed at peak times.

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick pick:

• Best for travelling with kids: Plaza Premium or Plaza Express (North Terminal), both have dedicated kids’ zones, so you’re not trying to keep toddlers entertained in a quiet lounge full of business travellers.
• Best quiet lounge: Club Aspire (South Terminal). It’s built around quiet zones, making it the pick if you want to actually get some work done or nap before a flight.
• Best value: My Lounge (North & South), the cheapest option at both terminals, with hot and cold food included, so you’re not paying extra just for the view.
• Best for a treat: No1 Lounges: runway views and a full bar make this the most enjoyable option if you’re not watching the clock or the budget.

Shops at Gatwick: What’s in Each Terminal

Gatwick’s shopping runs well beyond the usual airport suspects. Some brands are shared across both terminals, while a few are terminal-exclusive.

In both terminals: Boots, WHSmith, World Duty Free, BOSS, Accessorize, Superdry, JD Sports, LEGO, Sunglass Hut, M&S Simply Food (arrivals, open around the clock), and Change Group currency exchange.

North Terminal only: Harrods, Jo Malone London, Ladurée, Oakley, Ray-Ban, Whittard of Chelsea, White Stuff, and Venchi.

South Terminal only: PANDORA, Rituals, World of Whiskies, and Aerospa (pre-flight massage and beauty treatments).

Harrods at North Terminal is a nice surprise for a stopover; it’s a genuinely rare find at a UK airport outside Heathrow. Most shops are located after security, with a handful, like WHSmith and Boots, available before security too if you need something before you check in.

Getting To and From Gatwick

By Train

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop to London Victoria in around 30 minutes, departing twice an hour. The train station sits beneath South Terminal, a five-minute walk from arrivals and departures; if you land at North Terminal, take the free shuttle across first; it adds about two minutes.

Southern and Thameslink services also run from Gatwick to London Bridge, St Pancras, and beyond, with over 120 stations connected directly.

By Car (Drop-off and Pick-up)

If someone’s dropping you off or picking you up by car, know before you go: Gatwick charges for forecourt drop-off and pick-up.

• £10 for the first 10 minutes
• £1 for each additional minute, up to 20 minutes
• £30 maximum daily charge, with a 30-minute maximum stay
• Blue Badge holders are exempt
• Payment is due online by midnight the following day, or you’ll receive a Parking Charge Notice

If you’d rather avoid the charge altogether, Gatwick’s Long Stay car parks offer free parking for the first two hours, with a shuttle bus to the terminals, a better option if you want to wait inside for an arriving flight rather than circling the forecourt.

A pre-booked airport transfer sidesteps this altogether: your driver tracks your flight and meets you at the correct terminal, with any forecourt charges built into the fixed price.

By Coach or Bus

National Express, FlixBus, and The Airline run coach services from both terminals to London, Oxford, Brighton and beyond. Metrobus covers local routes around Crawley, Horley, Redhill and Reigate, with single fares capped at £3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which terminal is easyJet at Gatwick?

easyJet operates from North Terminal at Gatwick, alongside Emirates, Qatar Airways, and WestJet.

Which terminal is British Airways at Gatwick?

British Airways flies from South Terminal, along with Ryanair, Wizz Air, Jet2, and Vueling.

How do I get between North and South Terminal?

Take the free inter-terminal shuttle, which runs 24 hours a day, every few minutes, and takes about 2 minutes each way.

Is there a charge to drop someone off at Gatwick?

Yes. Gatwick charges £10 for the first 10 minutes in the forecourt drop-off zones, rising by £1 per minute up to a maximum of £30 per day. Blue Badge holders are exempt.

How early should I arrive for my flight at Gatwick?

As a general guide, check-in opens around 4 hours before long-haul flights, 3 hours before European flights, and 2 hours before UK and Ireland flights, though it’s always worth confirming with your airline.

Where is the Gatwick train station?

The main station is beneath South Terminal. If you’re arriving into North Terminal, take the free shuttle across; it takes about 2 minutes.

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