How long does it take to get through customs in 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?



In 2026, the average time to clear immigration and customs at London Gatwick (LGW) is between 45 and 90 minutes. If you are a citizen of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, or Australia and can use the e-Gates, you might be through in as little as 20 minutes if the lines are short. However, if you are arriving at the South Terminal during the "morning rush" (6:00 AM to 9:00 AM) or on a long-haul flight from a non-visa-waiver country, the wait for a manual desk can easily stretch to 2 hours. Once you pass passport control, the actual "Customs" check (the green/red channels) usually takes less than a minute unless you are pulled for a random bag inspection. To minimize your wait, try to sit at the front of the plane to be among the first at the kiosks and ensure your landing card (if required) is filled out before touchdown.

People Also Ask

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?

MORE DETAILS

If you? a?re arriving at London Gatwick and are connecting onwards on a separate ticket, you will need to go through immigration.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

We advise that you arrive at least two hours before your flight to allow plenty of extra time to check-in and pass through security.

MORE DETAILS

Most (but again, not all) airports connect international terminals airside. When you're connecting from an international flight to a domestic one, you'll always have to exit and reenter security as you'll need to go through customs and immigration (unless you have gone through preclearance aboard, which is rare).

MORE DETAILS

Do You Have To Go Through Customs During A Layover? Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

MORE DETAILS

Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

This includes time for security check and (in South Terminal) passage through/around the two levels of stores and restaurants air side. In the North Terminal, for example, it takes 15 minutes to walk to gates 101-113 from the departure lounge.

MORE DETAILS

If your itinerary was purchased as one ticket (as in: you have only one itinerary and one confirmation number), and the connection time was too short and you miss the second (or third) flight, you can rest easy, no matter what happens. The airline will simply put you onto the next available flight, free of charge.

MORE DETAILS

You might have to go through customs during a layover, especially if your layover is in the Schengen Area (which consists of most countries in the EU). For example, if your final destination is Paris, France, but you have a layover in Madrid, Spain, you will actually go through customs in Spain, not France.

MORE DETAILS

After clearing immigration, proceed to the baggage reclaim area to collect your bags. If you are on an international flight connecting to a U.S. destination, make sure you claim your baggage before going through U.S. Customs.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, customs officials have the authority to open and inspect luggage when you are entering a country. Customs officials have the right to search your luggage, bags, and personal items to ensure that you are not carrying any prohibited or restricted items.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, there might be exceptions, but most often than not the airline won't wait. What you can do is to try to avoid missing your connection. But if you do miss your connection, don't worry, the airline will book you on a new flight for free (if it's an airline-protected connecting flight).

MORE DETAILS

London Gatwick became an aerodrome back in the 1930s, but the airport we know today was officially opened on 9 June 1958 by Queen Elizabeth II. Over the past 60 years?,? our airport has grown from just 186,000 passengers to over 40 million passengers. We're the busiest single runway airport in Europe.

MORE DETAILS

Their full names are London Heathrow International Airport and London Gatwick International Airport respectively. Heathrow is London's (and the country's) main and busiest airport. Gatwick follows as the secondary and second busiest airport.

MORE DETAILS