Gatwick Airport regularly change who can use each bus stop so ignore the map if it says that bus stop 12 is for a different company. Our shuttle bus runs from 0600 until 2100 every day. Off peak times we run a shuttle every 30 minutes arriving at the North Terminal at 20 minutes and 50 minutes past the hour.

That’s a great question, but it needs a bit more detail to answer accurately. “The shuttle” at Gatwick could refer to a few different services.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones and their typical start times:

1. Gatwick Airport Shuttle (Inter-Terminal)

This is the free, 24-hour train that runs between the North Terminal and South Terminal. It’s the most common “shuttle” at the airport. First Service: It runs 24 hours a day. Even during the night, it operates on demand (you may need to press a button to call it).

2. Hotel Shuttles

Many hotels near Gatwick offer free shuttle buses. Their start times vary, but they typically begin very early to catch the first flights. Typical First Service: Often between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM. You must check with your specific hotel for their exact timetable.

3. Long-Stay/Short-Stay Car Park Shuttles

These are the buses that take you from the airport’s official parking lots to the terminals. First Service: These also typically run 24 hours a day, especially for the long-stay car parks, with a frequency of every 10-15 minutes during peak times.

4. Rail Shuttles to London (Thameslink & Southern)

While not called a “shuttle,” the train is a primary way to get to central London. First Trains: The first direct trains to London (e.g., London Bridge, Victoria, Blackfriars) usually depart