Gatwick is the second airport most South Bucks travellers use, especially for holidays and European routes. At 70–85 minutes via the M25 it is a longer run than Heathrow, and the motorway is the part most exposed to delays, so the trip rewards a little planning. Here is how to make it painless.
- Gatwick is around 70–85 minutes from Gerrards Cross, almost entirely via the M25, the section most prone to traffic.
- Gatwick's 2026 drop-off charge is £10, among the most expensive in the UK, with extra time charged in 10-minute blocks.
- It has two terminals, North and South, linked by a shuttle, so check which one your airline uses.
How long is Gatwick from Gerrards Cross?
Allow 70–85 minutes off-peak, longer in rush hour or holidays, as the journey runs almost entirely on the M25. Because the orbital is unpredictable, a generous buffer matters more here than for Heathrow. See our Gerrards Cross to Gatwick route page for detail.
North or South Terminal at Gatwick?
Gatwick has two terminals connected by a free shuttle. Airlines are split between them, British Airways largely uses the South Terminal, easyJet the North, so check your booking. A transfer drops you at the correct terminal, saving the shuttle hop with your luggage.
What is Gatwick's drop-off charge in 2026?
Gatwick raised its drop-off charge to £10 in 2026, putting it among the most expensive airports in the country, with additional time charged per 10 minutes up to an hour. As with all the London airports, a fixed-price transfer absorbs the charge so it never appears as an extra.
Is the train a good option to Gatwick?
From Gerrards Cross the train means going into London and out again via Victoria or London Bridge, with changes and luggage, so it is rarely quicker or simpler than a direct car. For solo, light travellers it can be cheap; for families and early flights, a door-to-door transfer wins.
Why book a Gatwick transfer in advance?
The M25 makes timing the variable. A pre-booked transfer with flight monitoring means your driver plans around live traffic and your flight, collects you from the door, and is waiting on your return even if you land late. Compare every airport in our complete transfers guide.
Gatwick parking and the long-stay question
Gatwick's parking ranges from premium short-stay beside the terminals to cheaper long-stay sites with a transfer bus, all charged by the day, so a fortnight away quickly runs into three figures before you count fuel and the drive.
For a holiday from Buckinghamshire, that is exactly when a door-to-port transfer earns its keep: no daily parking ticking away, no shuttle with your cases, and no two-hour round trip home for whoever would otherwise drive you down the M25.