Connecting between Heathrow and Gatwick

London Heathrow and Gatwick airports are located approximately 30 miles apart and there is a bus service which you can use to travel between the two.

• The minimum connecting time between Heathrow and Gatwick is 3 hours.
• This includes a bus journey of between 1 and 1½ hours.

• When you arrive at either Heathrow or Gatwick airports, please follow signs to Arrivals and Baggage Reclaim.
• You must collect all your baggage and take it with you to the next airport.

The National Express Airports' bus service departs from both Heathrow and Gatwick airports, from a number of pick-up points outside the terminals:

• Heathrow Central bus station (for Terminal 3)
• Heathrow Terminal 5
• Gatwick North Terminal
  

You can purchase a National Express Airports' bus ticket once you are in Terminal 5 arrivals from the National Express Aiports' bus service.

National Express Airports' bus service no longer makes a stop at Heathrow Terminal 4. Customers should make their way to Heathrow Terminal 5 or Heathrow Central bus station to use this transfer.

You are responsible for purchasing the bus ticket directly from the operating company.

• Leave the bus at your terminal of departure. Please listen to the driver announcements for which terminal you are approaching. Please remember to collect your baggage.
• Go to the check-in desks for the airline that you are travelling with for your onward journey.
• If you are travelling with British Airways, and already have a boarding card for your onward flight, use our Fast Bag Drop facilities to deposit your checked baggage.
• If you do not have a boarding card, you will need to obtain one from a British Airways check-in desk.
• Go through security at Departures. You may have to queue at peak times, so please allow enough time to clear security and be ready to fly at least 35 minutes before your flight departs.
• Television monitors will display departure gate information from 60 minutes before departure.
• You must be at your boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your onward flight’s scheduled departure time or you may not be accepted for travel.