sider. Its airport coach services connect Heathrow with Gatwick, with passengers able to board from Heathrow Central Bus Station, Terminal 4, or Terminal 5 depending on the selected service. Some coaches travel directly to Gatwick North Terminal, avoiding the need to go into central London first.

The fastest advertised National Express journey can take around 50 minutes from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Gatwick North Terminal. The route between the airports is approximately 61 km, although actual travel time depends heavily on traffic. For passengers connecting between flights, understanding the pickup point, coach timetable, luggage rules, and time needed at Gatwick can make the transfer much easier.

Which Bus Transfer to Gatwick North Terminal From Heathrow Airport Is Best?

For most passengers who specifically want a scheduled bus or coach, National Express provides the clearest direct option. Current National Express information lists several services between Heathrow and Gatwick, including routes 025, 200, 201, 205, 210 and 230. Not every service has the same stops or journey time, so it is important to check the timetable for your travel date rather than choosing by route number alone.

Route 025 is particularly useful to know because its timetable includes Heathrow and Gatwick North Terminal. Current schedules show coaches calling at Heathrow Central Bus Station and Heathrow Terminal 5 before reaching Gatwick North Terminal on relevant journeys. This gives passengers a direct airport-to-airport option without navigating London's rail network.

For an international traveller carrying luggage, that simplicity can be a significant advantage.

Heathrow to Gatwick Bus Transfer at a Glance

The details below give you a practical overview before booking. Timetables and prices can change, so always confirm your specific journey with the operator before travelling.

Transfer detail	Current information
Main coach operator	National Express
Heathrow pickup	Central Bus Station, Terminal 4 or Terminal 5 depending on service
Gatwick destination	North Terminal and selected services to South Terminal
Fastest advertised journey	About 50 minutes from Terminal 5 to Gatwick North
Approximate airport distance	61 km
Starting coach fare	From £14.90 one way
Daily frequency	Up to 56 coaches
Large luggage allowance	1 large case or 2 medium cases per passenger
Hand luggage	1 soft hand luggage item
Gatwick North coach stop	Lower level outside International Arrivals

These figures are based on current National Express information and should be treated as a planning guide rather than a guaranteed timetable or fare.

Where Do Coaches Leave From at Heathrow Airport?

One detail that often catches travellers out is that Heathrow does not have a single coach pickup point for every terminal. If you arrive at Terminal 2 or Terminal 3, coaches generally use Heathrow Central Bus Station. Passengers at Terminal 4 can use services departing outside that terminal, while Terminal 5 has its own coach stops.

Before leaving Arrivals, check the departure point printed on your booking. This matters when you have a short connection because going to the wrong coach station can cost valuable time.

From our experience with airport travellers, this is especially important after an overnight flight. Passengers are often tired and focused on collecting their bags. Knowing the correct Heathrow pickup location before landing removes one more decision from an already busy connection.

How Long Does the Heathrow to Gatwick Coach Take?

National Express currently advertises its fastest Heathrow to Gatwick North journey at about 50 minutes from Terminal 5. Other journeys can take around an hour or longer depending on the Heathrow departure point, route, stops, and road conditions. National Express lists the overall airport-to-airport distance at approximately 61 km.

The important point is that 50 minutes should not be treated as the amount of connection time you need between flights. The coach journey is only one part of the transfer.

You still need time to leave your aircraft, clear immigration where applicable, collect checked luggage, reach the coach stop, wait for your departure, travel to Gatwick, enter North Terminal, pass security, and reach your gate. Road congestion can also affect the journey, particularly around the M25.

Which Heathrow Terminal Should You Travel From?

Your best departure point normally depends on where your Heathrow flight lands. Terminals 2 and 3 are served through Heathrow Central Bus Station, so passengers arriving there should follow airport signs towards the bus and coach station. Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 have separate coach departure locations.

There is little benefit in travelling across Heathrow simply to catch a coach from another terminal unless your ticket or timetable requires it. Instead, search for the service that works from the most convenient pickup point for your arrival.

For example, someone landing at Terminal 5 may find a direct service particularly convenient because National Express advertises journeys from Terminal 5 to Gatwick North in as little as 50 minutes. Passengers arriving at Terminals 2 or 3 should compare departures from Central Bus Station instead.

Where Does the Coach Stop at Gatwick North Terminal?

At Gatwick North Terminal, National Express coaches arrive and depart on the lower level outside International Arrivals. Gatwick Airport currently identifies stops 4 and 5 for National Express services. A National Express ticket office is also available inside the International Arrivals hall.

This location is convenient if your onward flight leaves from North Terminal because you do not need to transfer from Gatwick South simply to reach your departure terminal.

If you accidentally arrive at South Terminal, Gatwick provides a free inter-terminal shuttle connecting the two terminals. Still, choosing a coach that stops directly at North Terminal can save an extra transfer when you have luggage, children, or limited time.

Check your airline and departure terminal before booking because terminal arrangements can occasionally change.

How Much Does a Heathrow to Gatwick Bus Transfer Cost?

National Express currently advertises Heathrow to Gatwick coach fares starting from £14.90 one way. The exact price can depend on your journey, ticket type, booking date, and availability. The operator also advertises up to 56 Heathrow to Gatwick departures per day, giving travellers a relatively broad choice of times.

A coach can therefore be an attractive option for a solo traveller whose main priority is keeping the transfer cost down.

However, price should be considered alongside the whole journey. A family or group may need several coach tickets, while a private vehicle is priced differently and provides direct terminal-to-terminal transport for the travelling party.

We recommend comparing the total cost, available connection time, luggage requirements, and convenience rather than simply choosing the option with the lowest headline fare.

Can You Take Luggage on the Heathrow to Gatwick Coach?

Luggage is an important consideration when moving between two airports. National Express currently allows each passenger on this route to bring one large suitcase, or two medium cases, plus one soft item of hand luggage under its advertised allowance.

This is suitable for many passengers, but you should check the operator's latest baggage conditions if you have oversized items, sports equipment, pushchairs, or significantly more luggage.

For a normal airport connection, the biggest practical issue is often handling the bags rather than simply whether they are permitted.

Travelling alone with one suitcase is quite different from moving a family with several large cases and children's belongings. In the second situation, a pre-booked private airport transfer can be easier because your luggage stays with your travelling party from Heathrow pickup until Gatwick drop-off.

How Much Connection Time Should You Allow?

Allowing enough time is more important than finding the fastest advertised coach. A road journey that can take under an hour in favourable conditions may take longer when traffic builds around Heathrow, the M25, or the approach to Gatwick.

Your transfer plan should account for several stages.

• Time needed to leave the aircraft and reach Arrivals
• Passport control and baggage collection where required
• Walking to the correct Heathrow coach departure point
• Waiting time before the scheduled coach
• Possible road congestion
• Check-in, bag drop and security at Gatwick
• The airline's required boarding and gate times

We would always build a sensible buffer into an airport-to-airport connection. Two separate flight bookings deserve particular care because a delay to your first flight can reduce the time available for the ground transfer.

Always check your airline's deadlines before deciding whether your connection is realistic.

Coach or Private Heathrow to Gatwick Transfer?

A coach and a private transfer solve the same basic problem but suit different passengers. The Heathrow to Gatwick coach is attractive when you are travelling alone, have manageable luggage, and have enough time between flights. A private transfer becomes more appealing when convenience and direct travel matter more.

With a pre-booked vehicle, you do not need to find a scheduled coach departure or wait for the next service. The journey can also be planned around your flight details.

This is something we regularly see with families, business travellers, groups, and passengers arriving after long international flights. After collecting several suitcases, moving through a coach station may not be how they want to spend their connection.

You can compare the options further in our guide to Heathrow to Gatwick taxi prices and travel times.

When a Private Transfer Can Make More Sense

There is no single transport option that is right for every passenger. Coaches can offer excellent value, while a private airport transfer focuses more on convenience, flexibility, and a direct journey.

A private transfer may be worth considering when you are travelling with young children, several suitcases, elderly relatives, a larger group, or a tight onward schedule. It can also simplify late-night or early-morning connections when you would rather not plan around a particular coach departure.

At Jewel Cars Gatwick, we regularly work with passengers travelling between major UK airports. One practical lesson we see repeatedly is that the simplest transfer is often the one with the fewest moving parts.

Our Gatwick Airport transfer service provides a pre-booked alternative for travellers who prefer a direct vehicle rather than a scheduled coach.

Planning Your Gatwick North Terminal Arrival

Once your coach reaches Gatwick North Terminal, make sure you know what needs to happen next. If you are catching another flight, have your airline details, terminal information, and check-in requirements ready before you arrive.

National Express coaches currently use the lower level outside International Arrivals at North Terminal, so follow airport signs from there for Departures, check-in, and security.

If you are unfamiliar with Gatwick, our guide explaining where airport transfer buses are located at Gatwick covers the North and South Terminal transport areas in more detail.

We recommend reading it before travelling if you will use coaches during another part of your journey. Knowing the correct stop before you arrive can prevent unnecessary walking with luggage and make the airport feel much easier to navigate.

Final Thoughts on Heathrow to Gatwick North Terminal Transfers

So, which bus transfer to Gatwick North Terminal from Heathrow Airport should you take? National Express is the main scheduled coach option, with direct airport services available from Heathrow Central Bus Station, Terminal 4, and Terminal 5 depending on the timetable. Some journeys reach Gatwick North Terminal in as little as 50 minutes, with fares currently advertised from £14.90 one way.

For travellers with plenty of connection time and manageable luggage, the coach offers a practical and affordable solution. For families, groups, business passengers, or travellers who prefer a direct pickup, a pre-booked private transfer may be more convenient.