Is Gatwick Airport as busy as Heathrow?

Heathrow is London's (and the country's) main and busiest airport. Gatwick follows as the secondary and second busiest airport. Heathrow is larger and has better links in and out of the airport to Central London. Heathrow has five terminals and four runways.



No, Gatwick Airport (LGW) is not as busy as Heathrow Airport (LHR), though it remains one of the busiest and most significant airports in Europe. Heathrow is the UK's primary international hub and the largest airport in the country, handling over 80 million passengers annually in 2025 and 2026. It operates with four terminals and serves as the main base for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, with a massive volume of long-haul "flag carrier" traffic. Gatwick, located south of London, is the UK's second-busiest airport, typically handling between 40 and 46 million passengers per year. While Heathrow focuses on global connectivity and "hub-and-spoke" operations, Gatwick is the world's leading "point-to-point" airport, serving as a major base for low-cost carriers like easyJet and a hub for holiday leisure traffic. Physically, Gatwick operates primarily with a single runway (the world's most efficient single-runway operation), whereas Heathrow uses two high-capacity runways. While Gatwick is less crowded than Heathrow, it can still feel very "busy" because its two terminals are more compact, meaning you may experience similar queue times during peak holiday periods despite the lower overall passenger volume.

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Choosing the best airport in London depends on various factors, such as flight availability, airline preferences, and transportation options. If convenience and proximity to downtown London are your priorities, Heathrow might be the better choice due to its extensive global connectivity and luxurious lounges.

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London Heathrow (LHR) is the busiest airport in the UK, handling almost twice the number of passengers as the next entry on the list.

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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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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.

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According to Gatwick's official website, it is advised people leave at least two hours before their flight to allow for all the necessary time to check in and pass through security.

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Gatwick Airport has two terminals which see over 46 million passengers fly to over 230 destinations each year. | Flying from Gatwick Airport should be a stress-free experience.

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Costs slightly more, to any central London rail terminal: Gatwick is £8.10 versus £3.10 from Heathrow (quoted fare is off peak using oyster or contactless).

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Yes, there is a direct train from Gatwick Airport to London. We usually find around 129 direct trains on the route from Gatwick Airport to London every weekday. There are typically fewer trains leaving at weekends, when we found around 121 departures.

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There is also congestion around Heathrow Airport Sunday afternoons and evenings. As a crude guide it will normally take you 45 to 75 minutes from landing to going through customs and collecting your luggage. The road journey between Heathrow and Gatwick with no traffic delays is around 50-60 minutes.

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London City Airport (LCY) London City is the least busy of London's airports. It primarily serves business travellers as the airport operates only short-haul flights throughout the UK and Europe and is within close proximity to Canary Wharf.

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Liverpool John Lennon airport was ranked top, with passengers describing it as first class and well run.

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Heathrow Airport in London is the UK's largest and busiest airport as well as being the busiest airport in Europe and the seventh busiest in the world based on passenger traffic.

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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.

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Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line said, “Holidaymakers travelling from Gatwick may not realise they could face a journey of more than a mile to reach a departure gate. We would advise them to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to reach their flight.

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The airport is a base for scheduled airlines British Airways (BA), EasyJet, Wizz Air, and charter operators such as TUI Airways. Gatwick is unique among London's airports in its representation of the three main airline business models: full service, low-cost and charter.

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At the Gatwick Airport: Arrive at the airport early to avoid long queues and ensure you have enough time for security checks and boarding. Go through security as soon as you arrive at the airport. You'll need to remove your shoes, belt, and jacket, and you may need to have your carry-on bag x-rayed.

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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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The busiest slots are at 6am when flights out start, so at 7, there will be a bit of a lull, although there will be plenty of commuters taking internal flights, especially on a Monday.

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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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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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* Flight numbers beginning with 'TOM' operate from North Terminal. Flight numbers beginning with 'BY' operate from South Terminal. Check with the airline if you are unsure where to go for your flight.

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