Heathrow to Gatwick by Car

Car hire from Heathrow Airport to Gatwick Airport can provide flexibility when travelling between London's two major airports, particularly when Gatwick is part of a wider driving itinerary or you need a rental car before your onward flight.

However, if your only objective is to transfer directly from one flight at Heathrow to another flight at Gatwick, hiring a car is not automatically the simplest option. Direct coach services operate between the airports, while a rental involves collection, driving, refuelling or recharging where required and returning the vehicle at Gatwick.

Compare Car Hire at Heathrow Airport

Need a car between Heathrow and Gatwick or as part of a wider UK trip? Compare Heathrow rental options before choosing your collection and return locations.

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Hire car from Heathrow Airport arrived at Gatwick Airport

Heathrow to Gatwick: Airport Transfer Planner

Start Heathrow Airport

Destination Gatwick Airport

Road distance Approx. 42 miles / 68 km

Before travelling Confirm Gatwick terminal

Heathrow's current airport-transfer guidance gives an approximate road distance of 42 miles / 68 km between Heathrow and Gatwick. Actual journey time varies with traffic, incidents, roadworks, your Heathrow collection point and the Gatwick return location.

Driving from Heathrow Airport to Gatwick Airport

Heathrow and Gatwick sit on different sides of London. Drivers should use current navigation and road signs rather than relying on a fixed route saved before travelling, particularly because conditions on the motorway network can change quickly.

Collect at Heathrow

Complete your rental checks, load your luggage and set your Gatwick destination before leaving the collection location.

Check Live Traffic

Use current navigation and allow for congestion, incidents and roadworks rather than planning around the fastest theoretical journey.

Approach Gatwick

Follow signs for your rental return location and the correct airport terminal rather than simply navigating to "Gatwick Airport".

Return the Car

Allow time for fuel or charging requirements, vehicle inspection, luggage unloading and travel from the rental return point to departures.

Changing Flights Between Heathrow and Gatwick?

This is the most important part of the guide. Heathrow and Gatwick are separate airports and passengers making an airport connection need to allow considerably more than the road journey itself.

Arriving Flight

Allow for possible flight delays, passport control and reaching baggage reclaim.

Collect Luggage

If your bags are not transferred between airlines, allow enough time to reclaim them before leaving Heathrow.

Travel to Gatwick

The transfer itself is exposed to motorway traffic, incidents and other delays.

Start Again

At Gatwick you may still need to return the rental, check in, drop bags and pass through airport security.

Do not use a normal driving-time estimate as your minimum flight-connection time. Heathrow itself advises passengers to factor in passport control, baggage reclaim, check-in, security, waiting time and potential traffic or service delays when travelling between airports.

Is Car Hire Worth It Between Heathrow and Gatwick?

Good for a Wider Road Trip

Car hire makes more sense when Gatwick is not your immediate next flight and you intend to visit other destinations between collecting at Heathrow and returning the vehicle.

Useful for Some Groups

Families and groups may value private luggage space and the ability to travel on their own schedule, although vehicle capacity and one-way costs still need checking.

Less Compelling for a Direct Transfer

If you simply need to move directly from one airport terminal to another, compare car hire with direct coaches and public transport before deciding.

One-Way Car Hire from Heathrow to Gatwick

A one-way rental allows you to collect a car at Heathrow and return it at an agreed Gatwick location instead of driving back to Heathrow.

This can be useful when your wider itinerary naturally begins at Heathrow and ends at Gatwick. However, one-way availability and charges vary by rental company, vehicle group, date and return location.

When comparing a rental, enter Heathrow as the collection location and Gatwick as the return location from the beginning. Do not book a Heathrow return and simply assume the supplier will permit you to leave the vehicle at Gatwick.

See our one-way car hire from Heathrow Airport guide for more information.

Gatwick North or South Terminal?

Gatwick has North and South terminals. Check your airline and flight information before travelling so you know which terminal you ultimately need.

Gatwick North Terminal

If your flight departs from North Terminal, follow your rental company's vehicle-return instructions first and then the appropriate airport signs for North Terminal.

Gatwick South Terminal

South Terminal also contains Gatwick's railway station. If your return location or onward transport requires South Terminal, follow the current airport directions supplied for your journey.

Gatwick operates a free terminal shuttle between North and South. Nevertheless, knowing your correct terminal in advance avoids unnecessary movement with luggage.

Coach from Heathrow to Gatwick

Direct coach services provide an important alternative to hiring a car solely for the airport transfer. Heathrow currently lists direct services from operators including National Express, FlixBus and the Oxford Bus Company Airline.

Gatwick also states that direct coach services operate between Heathrow and Gatwick. Service times and frequencies can change, so check the relevant operator for your actual travel date.

A coach may be particularly attractive when you have no reason to keep a car between airports because there is no rental collection, fuel requirement or vehicle return process to complete.

Can You Travel from Heathrow to Gatwick by Train?

There is currently no direct train between Heathrow and Gatwick. Rail journeys require a change, commonly via central London.

Gatwick's current guidance describes a route using Thameslink between Gatwick and Farringdon and the Elizabeth line between Farringdon and Heathrow. Other combinations are also possible.

For passengers with heavy luggage or a tight connection, compare the number of changes and total transfer process rather than considering train travel solely by individual rail journey times.

Heathrow to Gatwick Rental Checklist

Before Booking

Choose Heathrow collection and Gatwick return, then check whether a one-way charge applies.

Before Driving

Confirm your Gatwick terminal, rental return location and current traffic conditions.

Before Your Flight

Allow time to refuel or recharge if required, return the vehicle, unload luggage and reach departures.

What Size Hire Car Do You Need?

For an airport-to-airport journey, luggage capacity can be as important as passenger capacity. A car that seats five people may not necessarily accommodate five passengers plus several large airline suitcases.

Families can compare our family car hire at Heathrow guide. Larger groups should also consider our 7 seater and 9 seater Heathrow car hire guides.

If you prefer not to change gear while adjusting to UK roads, see our automatic car hire at Heathrow Airport guide.

Starting the Journey at Heathrow

Terminal 2

Check the collection process for your selected rental company.

T2 car hire →

Terminal 3

Follow your supplier's current collection instructions.

T3 car hire →

Terminal 4

Confirm your current rental collection and transfer arrangements.

T4 car hire →

Terminal 5

Use the current T5 instructions associated with your booking.

T5 car hire →

Related Heathrow Driving Guides

One-Way Car Hire

Learn how different collection and return locations work.

One-way Heathrow car hire →

International Visitors

Driving licences, UK road rules and rental documentation.

International visitor guide →

Heathrow to Southampton

Plan a south-coast journey or transfer towards Southampton Cruise Port.

Heathrow to Southampton →

Heathrow to Windsor

Plan a shorter road trip from Heathrow to Windsor.

Heathrow to Windsor →

Rental Companies

Compare our guides to the main car hire companies serving Heathrow.

Heathrow rental companies →

Main Heathrow Guide

Return to the complete Heathrow Airport car hire guide.

Heathrow Airport car hire →

Heathrow to Gatwick Car Hire FAQs

Can I hire a car at Heathrow and return it at Gatwick?

One-way rentals may allow collection at Heathrow and return at an agreed Gatwick location. Availability and additional charges vary, so select Gatwick as the return location when making your booking.

How far is Heathrow Airport from Gatwick Airport?

Heathrow's current airport-transfer guidance gives an approximate road distance of 42 miles or 68 kilometres between Heathrow and Gatwick.

How long does it take to drive from Heathrow to Gatwick?

Driving time varies significantly with motorway traffic, incidents, roadworks and your exact collection and return locations. Check live navigation and allow additional time if connecting to a flight.

Is there a direct train from Heathrow to Gatwick?

No. Heathrow states that there is no direct train between the airports. Rail journeys require a change, with routes available through central London.

Is there a direct coach from Heathrow to Gatwick?

Yes. Direct coach services operate between Heathrow and Gatwick. Current operators listed by Heathrow include National Express, FlixBus and the Oxford Bus Company Airline. Check current timetables before travelling.

Is hiring a car better than taking the coach?

It depends on your journey. A direct coach can be simpler if you only need an airport transfer. Car hire can provide more value when you also need a vehicle for other destinations or are incorporating Gatwick into a wider UK road trip.

How much connection time should I allow between Heathrow and Gatwick?

Do not calculate a flight connection using road travel time alone. You may need time for immigration, baggage reclaim, rental collection, the transfer, rental return, Gatwick check-in, baggage drop and security. Follow your airlines' connection and check-in requirements.

Does Gatwick have two terminals?

Yes. Gatwick has North and South terminals. Check which terminal your flight uses before travelling. A free airport shuttle connects the terminals.

What size car is best for Heathrow to Gatwick?

Choose according to passengers and luggage rather than passenger seats alone. Airport travellers carrying several large suitcases may need more boot space than expected.

Can international visitors drive a rental car from Heathrow to Gatwick?

Eligible international visitors can rent and drive in the UK subject to the rental company's licence, age, identification and payment requirements. Check the conditions applying to your licence before booking.

About This Heathrow to Gatwick Guide

1st UK Car Rentals created this guide to help travellers understand the complete Heathrow-to-Gatwick journey rather than presenting only a motorway driving time.

We checked current information published by Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick covering inter-airport travel, road distance, direct coach services, rail connections and Gatwick terminal arrangements.

We deliberately do not publish a guaranteed Heathrow-to-Gatwick driving time because motorway conditions, roadworks, incidents and airport procedures can substantially alter the total transfer time.

Flight schedules, coach services, rental locations and airport procedures can change. Travellers making a flight connection should check current airline and airport information before travelling.

Fact checked: 16 September 2026.

Compare Heathrow Car Hire for Your Gatwick Journey

Compare rental options, choose enough space for your passengers and luggage, and select Gatwick as your return location if you need a one-way rental.