Allow at least 60 minutes ​if your next flight is in the same terminal, or at least 90 minutes​ if your flight is in different terminals

Same day connections through London Gatwick

​​If you are arriving and departing from London Gatwick on the same day, please make sure to read the information below. It will tell you all you need to know about connecting through Gatwick before your arrival. This will allow you to make sure that you are fully prepared for your connecting flight, and you won't need to worry once you have landed.​ 

What you need to know

If you are connecting to another flight at London Gatwick and already hold a boarding pass for your ​next ​flight, we ​​advise that you allow a connection time of at least 60 minutes ​if your next flight is in the same terminal. ​​I​f your flights arrive and depart from different terminals​, please allow at least 90 minutes​. ​Please note that y​our airline may have different minimum connection time requirements and make sure you ​always check ​these​ before booking​ your ​connecting flight​. 

​​If you have luggage to collect and need to clear immigration before checking​ ​in for another flight, we suggest ​that ​you check with that airline for their minimum connection time. ​ 

If you don't follow these guidelines, you are at serious risk of missing your onward connection. Please make sure you follow all the necessary steps before booking to prevent any last-minutes disappointments.​ 

International flights connecting to the UK and Ireland

If you​ a​re arriving at London Gatwick from an international destination and are connecting onwards on a separate ticket, you will need to go through immigration. If your hold bags are "through checked" or you’re travelling with hand luggage only, you can then go through security to your connecting flight. 

If your hold luggage is not "through checked", you must pass through Passport Control and then collect your luggage from Baggage Reclaim. Once you have collected your hold luggage, you can then check in to your next flight.

UK or Ireland flights connecting domestically and abroad

If you​ a​re arriving at London Gatwick from UK or Ireland destination and are connecting onwards on a separate ticket, you will not pass through passport control. If your hold bags are "through checked" or you’re travelling with hand luggage only, you can then go through security and your connecting flight. 

If your hold luggage is not "through checked", you must collect your luggage from Baggage Reclaim. Once you have collected your hold luggage, you can then check in to your next flight.

​​Please n​ote that in some cases, you may need a transit visa. Find out more and apply if necessary. 

International to international flight connections

When you arrive at London Gatwick for a connecting flight, you must pass through UK border control. ​This is a​lso known as a 'landside' transit. 

Before you travel

You may need a visa to enter the UK when in transit to another country. ​Before you travel, make sure to ​check if you need a 'Visitor in transit' visa ​as you cannot do this once you have arrived. If you do need one, you must apply and be accepted for this ​before you travel. 

You can apply for a visa on the UK Government website​.​ 

When you are in transit

If you are in transit to a country outside the UK ​and​ Ireland, you must: 

  • Remain at Gatwick until your departure
  • Or travel from Gatwick to your port of departure in England​

If you​ a​re arriving at London Gatwick and are connecting onwards on a separate ticket, you will need to go through immigration. If your hold bags are "through checked" or you’re travelling with hand luggage only, you can then go through security to your connecting flight. 

If your hold luggage is not "through checked", you must pass through Passport Control and then collect your luggage from Baggage Reclaim. Once you have collected your hold luggage, you can then check in to your next flight.

What to do if you miss your flight

Contact your onward airline to discuss your options. Your Service Centre – operated by Skybreak, which is located in South Terminal Check In Zone J or on level 2 in North Terminal may be able to help with alternative travel arrangements. They offer re-protection services for missed connections on behalf of the following airlines; TAP, Qatar Airways, Norwegian, Swiss and Air Europa. For other airline carriers, they will be able to provide alternative travel arrangements.

Once you land at London Gatwick, collect your bags from Baggage Reclaim and proceed through customs.

Changing terminals

Getting from one terminal to the other is easy at London Gatwick, simply take the free inter-terminal shuttle service. It runs every few minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; with a journey time of just two minutes. The shuttle station is located close to the train station in the South Terminal and can be found by following signs to the North Terminal. Vice verse, from the North Terminal simply follow the signs for South Terminal to find the shuttle entrance. 

Image showing free inter-terminal shuttle at London Gatwick