Gatwick Airport Map & Terminal Guide 2026
Two terminals, 65 gates, one runway. Everything you need to navigate London Gatwick Airport (LGW) — the UK’s second busiest airport and the world’s largest single-runway operation.
Gatwick Airport Map
The Gatwick Airport map below shows the full layout of London Gatwick Airport (LGW/EGKK). In 2024 Gatwick handled 43.2 million passengers, a 5.7% increase on the previous year, cementing its position as the UK’s second busiest airport after Heathrow and one of Europe’s top ten. It is the largest operating base for easyJet and a secondary hub for British Airways, with a record 57 airlines serving more than 200 destinations worldwide in 2024.
The Gatwick Airport map shows a linear layout: two separate terminal buildings connected by an automated shuttle, not an airside walkway. The South Terminal sits directly above Gatwick railway station and handles British Airways and Jet2 among others. The North Terminal, slightly newer and more compact, is the main base for easyJet and Emirates. Study the LGW airport map before you travel so you head to the right terminal from the start.
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Gatwick Airport Location Map
London Gatwick Airport is located near Crawley in West Sussex, approximately 30 miles (48 km) south of central London. The airport sits just off junction 9A of the M23 motorway, which connects north to the M25 orbital and south towards Brighton. The Gatwick Airport location map below shows LGW’s position relative to London and the surrounding area.
Gatwick Airport Terminals
Gatwick Airport has two terminals: the South Terminal and the North Terminal. They are physically separate buildings on opposite sides of the runway, connected only by a free automated shuttle running 24 hours a day. There is no airside connection between the terminals. Once you clear security in one terminal, you cannot cross to the other without exiting through passport control and rechecking in. Always verify your terminal before leaving for the airport.
Gatwick South Terminal
The South Terminal is the older and larger of the two, covering 160,000 m². It is directly connected to Gatwick Airport railway station on its ground floor, making it the more convenient terminal for passengers arriving by train. British Airways and Jet2 (from March 2026) are the primary carriers here, alongside Wizz Air, Vueling, TAP Portugal and most TUI services. The terminal has 39 gates across its main pier, a shorter pier (gates 31–38) and a satellite section with the furthest gates (50–59) requiring a 15-plus minute walk from the central departure lounge.
Note: Gates 50–59 are a long walk from the central Village dining area (15 or more minutes). Start moving when your gate is called, not when boarding is announced. A new dining cluster near gates 45–50 opened in January 2026, including the first airport Dishoom, Five Guys and Greggs.
Gatwick North Terminal
The North Terminal covers 98,000 m² and opened in 1988. It is easyJet’s main operating base at Gatwick and also handles Emirates, Norwegian, WestJet and a growing number of long-haul carriers including Singapore Airlines, Air China and China Southern. The North Terminal has three piers: Pier 4 with gates 46–55, Pier 5 with gates 557–574, and Pier 6 with gates 681–690 (renumbered from January 2026). Pier 6 is undergoing a major £140 million extension adding eight new aircraft gates, due for completion in 2027.
Pier 6 is a 197-metre bridge walk from the main departure lounge. If your gate is a 600 or 600-series number, allow extra time after security. The Pier 6 extension (8 new gates, due 2027) will move over 500,000 passengers per year off bus-to-aircraft transfers onto proper jetbridges.
Gatwick Airport Security
Each terminal has its own dedicated security checkpoints. Once through security, you remain airside within your terminal only. There is no airside transfer to the other terminal. Both South and North terminals have family-dedicated security lanes.
Gatwick completed a £60 million upgrade of all security lanes with next-generation CT scanner technology. The new scanners allow passengers to keep liquids and electronics inside their hand luggage during screening. However, individual lane enforcement can still vary, so it is wise to keep liquids in an accessible outer pocket until you see the lane signage.
Getting to Gatwick Airport
Gatwick’s railway station sits directly beneath the South Terminal, making it one of the best-connected airports in the UK for rail passengers. If you are heading to the North Terminal, take any train to the South Terminal first, then use the free inter-terminal shuttle from the station concourse level.
Gatwick Airport Parking
Pre-book Gatwick Airport parking at gatwickairport.com for the best rates. Walk-up prices are significantly higher, especially in summer. Both terminals have their own Short Stay car parks; Long Stay, Mid Stay and off-site Park and Ride options are served by shuttle buses.
Gatwick Airport Map — Arrivals
International arrivals clear UK Border Force passport control and customs in their terminal before entering the arrivals hall on the ground floor. UK and EU passport holders can use automated e-gates for faster processing. After collecting bags, ground transportation, taxis and car hire desks are on the arrivals level of each terminal. Rail passengers follow signs to Gatwick Airport station (South Terminal) or take the shuttle from the North Terminal first.
Arrivals Ground Transport
At the South Terminal, taxi and ride-share pick-up is from the forecourt immediately outside arrivals. The railway station is a short walk from the arrivals hall. At the North Terminal, taxis wait outside the arrivals exit and the shuttle to the train station departs from the first floor. Car rental desks are in both terminals on the ground floor.
Gatwick Airport Map — Departures
Departing passengers must go to the correct terminal for their airline. Check your boarding pass carefully; easyJet in particular operates some routes from the South Terminal and the majority from the North Terminal, so do not assume based on a previous trip. Check-in counters and bag drop are on the ground floor of each terminal. After security, follow pier signs to your gate. Allow extra time for Pier 6 gates in the North Terminal (681 series) and gates 50–59 in the South Terminal.
Recommended Arrival Times
The official guidance is 2 hours before European short-haul flights and 3 hours before long-haul. During school holidays and morning peaks (4–9 a.m.), add at least 30 minutes to this. Bag drop typically closes 40–60 minutes before departure. Gate assignments appear on screens throughout the terminal and on your airline’s app.
Gatwick Airport — Northern Runway Plans
On 21 September 2025, the UK Transport Secretary formally approved Gatwick’s Development Consent Order to bring its northern standby runway into routine use. The £2.2 billion privately financed project will move the existing northern runway 12 metres to meet international separation standards, allowing both runways to be used at the same time. The new runway is shorter than the main runway and would be used for short-haul and regional departures, freeing up more long-haul slots on the main runway. Once operational, Gatwick aims to handle around 80 million passengers per year. Terminal expansions at both South and North terminals are included as part of the broader scheme.
Insider Tips
Confirm your terminal before you leave home. South and North are on opposite sides of the runway and you cannot cross airside. Jet2 moved from North to South Terminal in March 2026, so previous trips are no longer a reliable guide. The Gatwick Express is fast but the Thameslink is often cheaper and serves more central London stations. For the North Terminal, travel to the South Terminal by train first, then take the free shuttle. Gates 50–59 in the South Terminal and gates in the 600 series in the North Terminal both require long post-security walks. Start moving as soon as your gate is called. The My Gatwick app FastTrack security pass is worth buying the night before during school holidays.
Gatwick Airport Map — FAQ
How many terminals does Gatwick Airport have?
Two terminals: the South Terminal and the North Terminal. They are separated by the runway and connected by a free automated shuttle running 24 hours a day. The shuttle journey takes about 2 minutes. There is no airside connection, so once through security you cannot switch terminals without exiting.
Which airlines use which terminal at Gatwick in 2026?
North Terminal: easyJet (main base), Emirates, Norwegian, WestJet, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air China, China Southern. South Terminal: British Airways, Jet2 (moved from North in March 2026), Wizz Air, Vueling, TAP Portugal, most TUI services. Some airlines split routes across both terminals, so always check your boarding pass.
How do I get between Gatwick North and South terminals?
A free automated shuttle runs 24/7, every few minutes. The ride is about 2 minutes. Allow 10–15 minutes door to door including walking to the shuttle platform. There is no airside transfer once through security.
How do I get from Gatwick to London?
The Gatwick Express runs to London Victoria in ~30 minutes. Thameslink and Southern trains serve St Pancras, London Bridge and other central stations in ~40–55 minutes for a lower fare. Taxis from the forecourt: £60–£120 to central London.
Where is Gatwick Airport?
Near Crawley, West Sussex, approximately 30 miles (48 km) south of central London. IATA code: LGW. ICAO code: EGKK. Access via M23 junction 9A.
Does Gatwick have a second runway?
Gatwick’s second runway plans were approved by the UK government on 21 September 2025. The £2.2 billion privately financed project moves the existing northern standby runway 12 metres to allow routine dual-runway operations. Construction is expected to take around five years.
Can I keep liquids in my bag at Gatwick security?
Gatwick completed a £60 million CT scanner upgrade across its security lanes. At CT-equipped lanes, passengers can keep liquids and electronics in their hand luggage. Enforcement can vary lane to lane; check signage at your specific lane before removing items.
What does the Gatwick Airport map show?
The Gatwick Airport map shows the North and South terminals, all pier and gate areas, the inter-terminal shuttle route, Gatwick railway station, security checkpoints, short-stay and long-stay car parks, and M23 motorway access.
Which terminal is the train station at Gatwick?
Gatwick Airport railway station sits directly beneath the South Terminal. North Terminal passengers must take the free inter-terminal shuttle to the South Terminal first to access the station. Allow an extra 10–15 minutes.