The cheapest and simplest way between Heathrow and Gatwick is a direct coach, from about £14.70 one-way with National Express, taking roughly 65-70 minutes with no need to go into central London. There's no direct train between the two airports; rail journeys involve at least one change in central London and typically take well over an hour once you include the connection. A taxi or private hire is fastest door to door, around 50-55 minutes, but is also the most expensive option. Checked against Heathrow's own and National Express's transfer information, October 2026.
Heathrow to Gatwick: options compared
| Option | Price | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express coach | From £14.70 one-way | ~65-70 min | Direct, no central London detour, dozens of daily departures |
| FlixBus coach | Check FlixBus for current fares | ~70 min | Direct, runs multiple times daily |
| Oxford Bus "The Airline" coach | Check operator for current fares | ~75 min | Direct coach alternative |
| Train (via Victoria or Farringdon) | From around £35 booked ahead | Roughly 75 min to under 2 hours, depending on the route | At least one change; no direct line exists |
| Taxi or private hire | Around £90-£95 (estimate) | ~50-55 min | Fastest door to door, priciest option |
Why the coach is usually the best choice
Three coach operators run direct between the two airports without needing to go via central London at all: National Express, FlixBus and Oxford Bus Company's "The Airline". National Express is the most frequent, with dozens of direct services a day and a typical journey time of around 65 to 70 minutes, taking you straight from one airport's coach station to the other's. This makes it the practical default for anyone without heavy time pressure or a connecting flight that's cutting it close.
Why there's no direct train
Heathrow and Gatwick sit on opposite sides of London, about 42 miles apart by road, and no single rail line links them. Heathrow's own travel-between-airports guidance confirms you have to change in central London, typically at Victoria or Farringdon. The common route is the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line into Paddington, the Circle line across to Victoria, then the Gatwick Express onward to Gatwick; a similar route runs via the Elizabeth line to Farringdon instead. Each extra change adds waiting and walking time on top of the time shown on a train planner, which is why the real-world journey tends to run longer than a single train's quoted time.
Taxi or private hire
A taxi or pre-booked private hire is the fastest way to travel point to point, since it skips every change and walk between services. Estimates for an Uber-style ride put the journey at around 54 minutes for roughly £93, though actual metered black cab fares and pre-booked minicab quotes vary by operator, traffic and time of day. This option suits a group splitting the cost, anyone with a lot of luggage, or a tight connection where missing a coach or train isn't an option.
Which should you pick?
- Cheapest and simplest: a direct coach (National Express, FlixBus or The Airline), from about £14.70, around 65-75 minutes depending on the operator.
- If you specifically want rail: budget extra time and expect at least one change in central London; book ahead for the best fare.
- Tight connection or lots of luggage: a pre-booked taxi or private hire, fastest door to door but the most expensive choice.
If you're starting from or heading into central London rather than going airport to airport, see our central London to Heathrow guide for the full breakdown of Tube, Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express and taxi fares on that leg.
Booking and timing tips
Coach fares between Heathrow and Gatwick, like most coach tickets, tend to be cheaper the further ahead you book, so it's worth checking prices for your travel date rather than assuming the headline "from" fare applies to every departure. Build in extra time whichever option you choose: allow for getting from your arrival terminal to the coach station or train platform, and for security and check-in requirements at the far end if you're connecting onward to a flight rather than just visiting London. If you're transiting between a long-haul and short-haul flight on the same booking, check with your airline first, since some itineraries can be ticketed through a single airport instead of requiring a Heathrow-Gatwick transfer at all.
FAQs
Is there a direct train between Heathrow and Gatwick?
No. There's no single rail line connecting the two airports; every train route involves at least one change in central London, commonly at Victoria or Farringdon.
What's the cheapest way from Heathrow to Gatwick?
A direct coach. National Express runs from about £14.70 one-way, taking roughly 65-70 minutes, with FlixBus and Oxford Bus's "The Airline" also running direct services.
How long does the coach take between Heathrow and Gatwick?
Around 65 to 70 minutes with National Express, slightly longer, about 70-75 minutes, with FlixBus and The Airline, depending on traffic.
How much does a taxi cost from Heathrow to Gatwick?
Estimates put an Uber-style ride at around £93 for about 54 minutes. Metered black cab and pre-booked minicab fares vary by operator and time of day, so get a quote before you travel if cost matters.
Can I get the Elizabeth line all the way from Heathrow to Gatwick?
No single service covers the whole journey. The Elizabeth line can get you from Heathrow into central London, where you change onto another service, commonly the Gatwick Express from Victoria, to continue to Gatwick.
Which is faster, the coach or the train, between Heathrow and Gatwick?
The direct coach is usually faster overall once you account for the train route's central London change, even though a single train leg can look quicker on paper than the full coach journey time.