The cheapest way from Heathrow to Gatwick is the direct National Express coach, from around £14.90 one-way, taking roughly 50 minutes upwards depending on traffic. The fastest door-to-door option is a car or taxi, indicative £59 to £110. Going by train means changing in central London and usually costs more than the coach. Checked August 2026.
The two airports are not close
Heathrow is west of London and Gatwick is south, so there is no short hop between them. The distance by road is roughly 40 miles, mostly on the M25, and the M25 is the variable that decides your journey time. Whatever you choose, treat published times as best case and pad your buffer if you are connecting between flights.
The options compared
| Option | Indicative cost | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express coach (direct) | From £14.90 one-way | About 50 min upwards | Airport to airport, no change, frequent service |
| Car or taxi / private hire | £59 to £110 | 45 min to over an hour | Door to door, luggage friendly, traffic dependent |
| Train via central London | Around £38 to £40 | 1h 20 to 1h 45 | Needs a change in London, slower and pricier |
The coach: cheapest and simplest
National Express runs direct coaches between the two airports, from around £14.90 one-way, with a large number of services through the day. Because it goes airport to airport with no change, it is the least stressful budget option: you stay with your luggage the whole way and there is nothing to navigate mid-journey. The trade-off is that a coach shares the M25 with everyone else, so a bad traffic day can stretch the roughly 50-minute run considerably. Book ahead for the lowest fares and, if you are connecting, take an earlier coach than you strictly need.
Car or taxi: fastest door to door
A pre-booked car or licensed taxi is the most predictable option, especially with heavy bags or a tight connection. Indicative fares run from £59 to £110 depending on the operator, vehicle size and time of day, and the drive is 45 minutes to over an hour for the 40 or so miles. A private car takes you terminal to terminal without a coach stop or a station change, which is worth the extra cost when time or luggage is tight. Fares are indicative from private-hire price lists rather than a fixed tariff, so get a quote before you book.
Train: usually the slowest and dearest
There is no direct rail line between Heathrow and Gatwick, so the train means going into central London and out again. A typical routing runs from Heathrow into London, across the city, and down to Gatwick, taking about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes and costing in the region of £38 to £40. Because you change stations with your luggage and pay more than the coach for a slower trip, the train only makes sense if you were already heading into London or want to break the journey there.
Which should you pick?
- On a budget, no rush: the direct coach from £14.90.
- Tight connection or lots of luggage: a car or taxi, £59 to £110, for the door-to-door certainty.
- Stopping in London anyway: the train, accepting the change and higher fare.
How much time to leave between flights
Because the M25 is unpredictable, do not cut it fine on an airport-to-airport transfer with a flight at the other end. Allow generous time to reach the second airport, then add the check-in and security time that airport needs. If you booked the two flights on separate tickets, remember that no airline protects you if you misconnect, so build in a large buffer. For how connection buffers work when you stay within Heathrow, see our guide to connection time at Heathrow.
More
More: Overview, Facilities, FAQs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way from Heathrow to Gatwick? The direct National Express coach, from around £14.90 one-way. It runs airport to airport with no change, taking roughly 50 minutes upwards depending on traffic.
How long does it take to get from Heathrow to Gatwick? By coach, about 50 minutes upwards. By car or taxi, 45 minutes to over an hour for the 40-odd miles. By train via central London, about 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 45 with a change.
Is there a direct train from Heathrow to Gatwick? No. There is no direct rail line, so the train involves changing in central London, which is why it is usually slower and dearer than the direct coach.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to Gatwick? Indicative fares run from £59 to £110 depending on the operator, vehicle and time of day. It is the fastest door-to-door option but the most expensive. Get a quote before booking.
How much time should I leave between flights at Heathrow and Gatwick? Allow generous time for the M25, then add the second airport's check-in and security. On separate tickets no airline protects you if you misconnect, so build in a large buffer.
We recommend a transport partner and may earn a referral fee. It never changes what you pay, and we only list options we would use ourselves.
Last verified August 2026 by the Heathrow Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Heathrow Airport website before you travel.