Arrival around 00:30

Heathrow to Gatwick: getting to Gatwick Airport after midnight

The coach timetable has a gap. National Express shows a first Heathrow departure at 00:40 and a last at 22:40, and we did not find a service between them. The last rail connection from Heathrow is around 23:36 on the weekday we checked and reaches Gatwick after 01:00. Taxis and pre-booked cars run all night. If you land after 23:00, the car is the dependable choice.

← Back to the full comparison for Heathrow Airport to Gatwick Airport

Book aheadPrivate carPre-booked private car£142 per vehicle · estimateCheck price

Heathrow (LHR) to Gatwick Airport

People2

Bags2

Verdict for your case

Book a private car ahead: £142 for the group, about 65 min. The driver meets you at arrivals and waits if you are delayed. Not running at this hour: Elizabeth line to Farringdon, then Thameslink.

Private car

Pre-booked private car

Our pickFastest

65 min

For the group£142estimate

Check price

Fixed price, driver meets you in arrivals

Per person: £142 per vehicle
Door to door: 65 min
Runs: 24 hours
Frequency: Pre-booked
Board at: Meeting point in the arrivals hall
Suitcases: Carried for you

Taxi

Cheapest

65 min

For the group£140–£190estimate

Metered black cab or local taxi

Per person: £140–£190 per vehicle
Door to door: 65 min
Runs: 24 hours
Frequency: Rank outside arrivals
Board at: Taxi rank outside your Heathrow terminal
Suitcases: Carried for you

Bus

National Express coach

Not running at this hour

For the group-

National Express · direct, no change

Per person: £14.90
Door to door: 1 h 30 min
Runs: Not running at this hour (00:40–22:40)
Frequency: about every 30 min
Board at: Heathrow Central Bus Station for Terminals 2 and 3, or stops at Terminal 4 and Terminal 5
Suitcases: Fine

Train

Elizabeth line to Farringdon, then Thameslink

Not running at this hour

For the group-

TfL and Thameslink · one change at Farringdon

Per person: £23.10
Door to door: 1 h 45 min
Runs: Not running at this hour (05:21–23:36)
Frequency: about every 15 min
Board at: Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 station, then Farringdon
Suitcases: Awkward

Sources: official operators, airport and port authorities, city taxi regulations.Checked on October 4, 2026How we compare: method and sources

Every option in detail

Bus

National Express coach

£14.90
1 h 30 min
00:40–22:40
→ Gatwick North Terminal and South Terminal

National Express says fares start from 14.90 pounds one way including a 1.50 pound booking fee, which is waived if you book with an account. The fastest journey is 50 minutes from Terminal 5 to Gatwick North, and 50 to 75 minutes is normal. The company lists up to 56 departures a day, with a first departure from Heathrow Central Bus Station at 00:40 and a last at 22:40. The luggage allowance is one large suitcase or two medium cases and one soft hand bag. Book a specific time online, because the cheapest fares go quickly. FlixBus and The Airline also run the route, according to Heathrow.

Source: National Express ↗

Train

Elizabeth line to Farringdon, then Thameslink

£23.10
1 h 45 min
05:21–23:36
→ Gatwick Airport station, South Terminal

Take the Elizabeth line from Heathrow to Farringdon, then change to Thameslink for Gatwick Airport. The fares published by TfL give 23.10 pounds with contactless or Oyster, and 31.70 pounds at peak times, which are Monday to Friday 06:30 to 09:30 and 16:00 to 19:00. The two trains take 79 to 100 minutes in TfL's planner, so allow about 105 minutes door to door. The first journey from Heathrow is about 05:21 and the last about 23:36 on the weekday we checked. You change platforms at Farringdon with luggage, which is the weak point. The Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express combination via Paddington and Victoria costs around 53 pounds and takes about as long.

Source: Transport for London ↗

Taxi

£140–£190 per vehicle (estimate)
65 min
24 hours
→ Gatwick North or South Terminal

A metered fare for about 62 km on the M25 is likely to land between 140 and 190 pounds, which is our estimate. Some drivers prefer not to take a job this long, so ask for a price before you get in. A fixed-price listing for this route shows 142 pounds for a saloon, and it is safer than a meter in a traffic jam. Allow about an hour, with the M25 the weak point, particularly near the M23 and in the afternoon peak.

Source: British Airport Transfers ↗

Private car

Pre-booked private car

£142 per vehicle (estimate)
65 min
24 hours
→ Gatwick North or South Terminal

A standard saloon for up to four passengers with two suitcases starts at about 142 pounds on the listing we checked, and larger cars cost more. The price is fixed when you book, so traffic does not change it. The driver tracks your flight and waits if it lands late. Allow about an hour, and book at least a day ahead.

Check price

Practical tips

Minimum sensible connection is about 4 hours between landing at Heathrow and your next departure at Gatwick with hand luggage only, and 5 hours if you must collect and recheck bags. That is our guidance, not an official figure, and it allows for passport control, 50 to 75 minutes on the coach, and check-in and security at Gatwick.
Heathrow says there are no direct trains, and warns you to allow extra time for passport control, bags, check-in and security when changing airports.
Book the National Express coach for a specific time. The 1.50 pound booking fee is waived with an account.
Coaches leave from three Heathrow stops, Central Bus Station for Terminals 2 and 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, and arrive at both Gatwick terminals. Check the stop on your ticket.
Separate tickets are not protected if you miss your onward flight. Look at your airline's rules before you book two separate tickets.
Thameslink arrives at Gatwick South Terminal. For the North Terminal, take the free shuttle, about two minutes.

Questions travellers ask

Heathrow to Gatwick at 00:30: what still runs?

At 00:30 these options run: Pre-booked private car (£142 per vehicle, 65 min); Taxi (£140–£190 per vehicle, 65 min). Fares are per person unless marked per vehicle. Not running at that hour: National Express coach (00:40–22:40); Elizabeth line to Farringdon, then Thameslink (05:21–23:36).

Heathrow to Gatwick: what is the cheapest way after midnight?

The cheapest option running at 00:30 is Taxi: £140–£190 per vehicle, about 65 min door to door.

Heathrow to Gatwick: how much is a taxi at night?

Taxi: £140–£190 per vehicle, counted for up to 4 people, about 65 min door to door. The price is an estimate. Pre-booked private car: £142 per vehicle.

Heathrow to Gatwick: when do trains and buses run?

Scheduled services: National Express coach 00:40–22:40; Elizabeth line to Farringdon, then Thameslink 05:21–23:36. Times can change, so check with the operator before you travel.

Heathrow to Gatwick: what is the best option for two people with two bags at 00:30?

Book a private car ahead: £142 for the group, about 65 min. The driver meets you at arrivals and waits if you are delayed.

Heathrow to Gatwick: where do these prices and times come from?

Prices and times were checked on October 4, 2026 against National Express, Transport for London, British Airport Transfers, linked in the list of options on this page.

4 people, 4 suitcases