A taxi from Gatwick Airport to central London typically costs between £90 and £130, depending on your destination, traffic conditions, and time of travel. The journey is around 28–45 miles and usually takes 60–90 minutes, with longer times during peak hours.
Unlike Heathrow, Gatwick sits in West Sussex outside Greater London, which means London-licensed black cabs cannot pick up from the airport ranks. All taxis from Gatwick are pre-booked private hire vehicles operating on fixed prices agreed at the time of booking — a genuine advantage since traffic delays do not increase your fare.
Enter your actual pickup and drop-off addresses for a rough fare estimate based on distance. Actual fares depend on traffic, tariff timing and route taken — this is a guide only, not a guaranteed price.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
How Much Does a Taxi from Gatwick to London Cost?
Most travellers pay £90–£120 for a standard daytime journey from Gatwick to central London areas such as Victoria, Westminster, or the West End. Longer routes, late-night travel, or heavy congestion can push the fare closer to £130–£140.
Unlike fixed-price transfers, black cab and metered taxi fares increase with traffic delays and waiting time.
What Affects the Gatwick Taxi Fare?
Fixed pricing from Gatwick
All transfers from Gatwick operate on fixed fares agreed before departure, not metered pricing. Gatwick Cars Ltd runs the official taxi service from both terminals, with Uber and Bolt also operating from designated pickup zones. The fixed price removes the risk of meter creep through the M23 and A23 corridor, which can slow significantly during peak hours between Purley and Brixton.
Tariff timing for departures to Gatwick
If you are travelling TO Gatwick from central London in a London black cab, TfL metered tariffs apply. Tariff 1 runs weekdays 05:00–20:00. Tariff 2 applies 20:00–22:00 on weekdays and all day weekends, adding around 20%. Tariff 3 covers 22:00–05:00 and public holidays, adding around 60%.
Terminal and vehicle type
Gatwick has two terminals — North and South. South Terminal sits adjacent to the railway station and closer to the M23. North Terminal is three miles away connected by a free 24-hour shuttle. Always confirm your terminal when booking. Vehicle type affects pricing — a standard saloon suits up to three passengers, while families with ski equipment or golf clubs need an MPV
Typical Gatwick Taxi Fares by Destination
| Destination | Typical Fare | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria / Westminster | £95–£120 | ~28 miles |
| West End / Soho | £100–£130 | ~30 miles |
| King’s Cross | £110–£135 | ~33 miles |
| Canary Wharf | £120–£150 | ~45 miles |
| South London | £90–£115 | ~26 miles |
These are typical estimates for standard traffic conditions. Peak hours and night travel may increase prices.
What Route Do Drivers Take from Gatwick to London?
The standard route follows the M23 northbound from Junction 9, continuing for around 12 miles before merging with the A23 at Hooley. The A23 runs north through Purley and Croydon, becoming dual carriageway in sections but narrowing through Thornton Heath. Most drivers continue through Streatham and Brixton before crossing Vauxhall Bridge into central London, with the final approach depending on your specific destination.
The A23 through Croydon and Streatham is the most consistent bottleneck on this route. Purley Cross junction and Streatham High Road both slow during weekday peaks between 07:30 and 09:30 and again from 16:30 to 18:30. Off-peak travel between 10:00 and 15:00 typically delivers the most predictable journey times. Early morning departures before 06:00 encounter almost no traffic and often complete in under 55 minutes.
Taxi vs Train from Gatwick Airport
The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from South Terminal to Victoria in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes throughout the day. A single costs around £22 booked in advance, or £35 for a flexible return. Southern Rail also serves Victoria via East Croydon in 35–45 minutes at a lower fare. Both trains arrive at platform level — if your final destination requires an onward Tube or bus, factor in that additional leg.
A taxi makes most sense for groups of three or more where the per-person cost drops sharply, for late-night arrivals after rail services reduce, and for destinations away from Victoria such as Paddington, Shoreditch or Canary Wharf where the train requires multiple connections.
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private hire (fixed) | £90–£130 | 60–90 mins | Door-to-door, luggage, groups |
| Uber / Bolt | £75–£110 | 60–90 mins | App booking, competitive pricing |
| Gatwick Express | £22–£37 | 30 mins | Solo travellers, Victoria area |
| Southern Rail | £15–£18 | 35–45 mins | Budget, flexible schedule |
| National Express coach | £6–£12 | 90 mins | Lowest cost, no time pressure |
Is Taking a Taxi from Gatwick Worth It?
For solo travellers with hand luggage on a daytime flight, the Gatwick Express to Victoria is hard to argue against — 30 minutes, fixed price, no traffic risk.
The taxi case strengthens considerably for groups of three or more, where splitting a £100 fare brings the per-person cost below the Express ticket price. Late-night arrivals after 23:00 when rail frequency drops, early morning departures before the first Express, and destinations well away from Victoria all tip the balance toward a pre-booked transfer. The fixed pricing from Gatwick also removes the anxiety of a metered fare climbing through unexpected congestion.
Popular Gatwick Taxi Fare Guides
Gatwick is London’s second-busiest airport, serving both the North and South terminals. Unlike Heathrow, black cabs cannot pick up from Gatwick ranks — journeys from the airport use fixed-price private hire. Heading to Gatwick from London, black cabs are available. Browse all Gatwick fare guides below, or use the calculator above for your exact route.
From Gatwick Airport
Other London airport taxi guides:
Heathrow • Stansted • Luton • London City
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Gatwick to London?
Fixed-price private hire transfers typically range from £90 to £130 for central London destinations. Longer routes to Canary Wharf or north London reach £120–£150. Uber and Bolt often undercut these prices by £10–£20 but surge pricing can narrow that gap during peak hours.
How long does the journey take?
Between 60 and 90 minutes under normal conditions. Off-peak travel between 10:00 and 15:00 is most predictable. Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings on the M23 and A23 are consistently the worst windows — allow 90 minutes minimum.
Can I get a black cab from Gatwick?
No. Gatwick is outside Greater London, so London-licensed black cabs cannot pick up from the airport ranks. All taxis from Gatwick are pre-booked private hire vehicles. Heading to Gatwick from London, black cabs are available and operate on the TfL meter.
Which terminal do I need to specify when booking?
Always state your arrival terminal — South or North. South Terminal sits adjacent to the railway station and closer to the M23 motorway. North Terminal is three miles away by road, connected by a free 24-hour shuttle taking two to four minutes. Pickup zones differ and drivers cannot wait at both.
Does a Gatwick taxi fare include traffic delays?
Yes — because Gatwick transfers use fixed pricing, traffic delays affect your arrival time but not your fare. This is a significant advantage over metered services where congestion adds directly to the cost.
Is there a fixed fare from Gatwick?
Yes — all Gatwick Airport taxis operate on fixed prices agreed at booking, unlike Heathrow where black cabs use meters. This means you know the cost before you travel regardless of traffic conditions on the day.