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How long does it take to clear customs at Gatwick?

If you're flying upfront (either Business or First) and can go thru the short-cut, then you should be out rather quickly. But if you're sitting back of the plane and NOT an EU/UK/Swiss citizen, your wait can be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour thru immigration. Also to consider, will your flight arrive on time?



The time it takes to clear customs and immigration at London Gatwick (LGW) can vary widely based on your nationality and arrival time, but typically ranges from 20 to 60 minutes. For travelers from the UK, EU, USA, Canada, and Australia who can use the ePassport gates, the process is often very fast, sometimes taking less than 15 minutes during off-peak hours. However, for those requiring a manual passport check by a Border Force officer, queues can extend to over an hour during the morning and afternoon "rush" when multiple long-haul flights land simultaneously. Once past immigration, the "Customs" part (choosing the Green or Red lane) usually takes seconds unless you are selected for a random baggage check. To save time, Gatwick offers a "Premium Passport Control" service for about £15, which grants access to a dedicated fast-track lane. It is always recommended to check the live terminal status before arrival, as staff shortages or IT issues can occasionally cause significant delays.

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This can mean wait times of 5-20 minutes or an upwards of 1 hour depending on the amount of travelers. As with most European airports, there are there are two separate queues for European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), British nationals and Swiss national and all other nationalities.

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Gatwick Airport Arrivals - FAQs It will take on average 1 hour to get out of the airport after landing, although times will vary depending on how busy it is. You'll need to account for time collecting luggage, getting through customs, passing the security checkpoint and walking to your gate.

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The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.

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The peak times at London Gatwick Airport is from 7 AM to 10 AM in the morning and 5 PM to 8 PM in the evening.

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The best times to visit the London Gatwick Airport rush hours is to travel either early in the morning or late night because that is the time when the normal traffic is asleep. The peak-times at Gatwick Airport in morning are from 7AM to 10AM and 4PM to 7PM in the evening.

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Gatwick Fast Track Passes are a particulary good idea if you think you're going to be short on time, they are also a great idea if you're travelling with children, elderly passengers. Passport Fast Track is particulary useful if you don't have baggage to collect.

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Allow enough time: Customs can be time-consuming, especially during peak travel periods. Make sure you allow enough time to clear customs and get to your connecting flight. As a general rule, it's best to allow at least two hours for international layovers.

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With both North and South terminals, Gatwick can be tricky to navigate. This guide will help you find everything you'll need during your next Gatwick visit.

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With easyJet Plus, for an annual fee you can benefit from our dedicated easyJet Plus Bag drop, Speedy boarding, inclusive allocated seating and Fast Track security, as well as get access to a range of exclusive benefits.

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Is Fast Track worth it? The simple answer is both yes and no. It really depends on what kind of traveler you are and what type of travel experience you're looking for. Fast Track security can be a boon during busy periods, though the regular security queue is just as quick during quieter times.

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Are you allowed to sleep at Gatwick airport? There are no rules currently in place forbidding sleeping at Gatwick airport pre flight. You should have no trouble finding somewhere to rest for a few hours.

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The airport is open all night so if you are planing on sleeping at Gatwick you'll want to arrive late enough so you can just arrive and put your head down straight away.

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At YOTELAIR London Gatwick Airport, our day rates are perfect for a long transit or unexpected layover. Cabins (YOTELAIR-speak for bedrooms) can be booked for as little as four hours or as long as overnight.

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The best times to visit the London Gatwick Airport rush hours is to travel either early in the morning or late night because that is the time when the normal traffic is asleep. The peak-times at Gatwick Airport in morning are from 7AM to 10AM and 4PM to 7PM in the evening.

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According to the TSA, the busiest travel days of the year are usually the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

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Weekend vs weekdays It is worth doing some research into the airport you are flying from. However, Tuesday and Wednesday are often less busy. This is because you have to take more days off work to fly mid-week, which people are usually reluctant to do. Upgraded Points notes that these days are also often cheaper.

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