London Heathrow and Gatwick airports are located approximately 30 miles apart, and it is necessary to travel between them by bus.
- The minimum connecting time between Heathrow and Gatwick is 3 hours.
- This includes a bus journey of between 1 and 1½ hours.
Arriving in London
- When you arrive at either Heathrow or Gatwick airports, please follow signs to Arrivals and Baggage Reclaim.
- You must collect all your bags and take them on the bus with you to the next airport.
Transfer bus service
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 Terminals 1, 2, & 3).
- Heathrow Terminal 5.
- Gatwick North Terminal.
- Gatwick South Terminal.
You can purchase a National Express Airports bus ticket from the check in lounges at these pick up points.
National Express Airports bus service no longer makes a stop at Heathrow Terminal 4. Passengers need to make their way to Heathrow Terminal 1, 2, 3, or 5 to use this transfer.
Payment for transfer
- You are responsible for purchasing the bus ticket directly from the operating company. A special fare of £17 for adults and £9.50 for children, is available to transferring British Airways passengers.
- You can purchase a National Express Airports bus ticket from the check in lounges at these pick up points.
National Express Airports bus service no longer makes a stop at Heathrow Terminal 4. Passengers need to make their way to Heathrow Terminal 1, 2, 3, or 5 to use this transfer.
Arriving at your connecting airport
- Leave the bus at your terminal of departure. Please listen to the driver announcements for which terminal you are approaching.
- 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 90 minutes before departure.
- If you are not at your boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your onward flight’s scheduled departure time, you may not be accepted for travel.