This guide covers the main hotels at the North and South Terminals and nearby in Horley and Crawley: who each suits, how you reach your terminal, and when a pre-booked transfer beats the shuttle, train or parking.
Gatwick at a Glance
- 42.8 million passengers in 2025, making Gatwick the UK's second busiest airport with 14.3% of all UK terminal passengers (CAA UK Airport Data 2025).
- 92.4% of passengers travel for leisure, and only 37.0% travel alone (CAA Passenger Survey 2025).
- 53 hotels and around 6,668 rooms make up the Gatwick hotel market, which ran at 85% occupancy in 2025 (Savills, using CoStar data, 2026).
- No new hotels are in the pipeline, Savills reports, so supply is not growing.
In short, rooms are busy most of the year, so book early for peak dates.
Why Stay Near Gatwick the Night Before
Gatwick is busiest before most people are awake. The airport's own surface access strategy says that on the drop-off forecourts, "the busiest time of day is up to 0600 in the morning". On an average summer day the airport also expects around 100,000 car movements, with roughly three quarters of traffic arriving via M23 Junction 9.
For a 06:00 or 07:00 flight, you may need to be at the terminal by 04:00 or 05:00. From most of London, the train cannot get you there in time. A hotel a few minutes from the terminal turns a 02:30 alarm into a 04:00 one.
A hotel also helps after a late landing, especially with tired children or a long drive ahead.
On-Airport Hotels at the South Terminal
Hilton London Gatwick Airport
Hilton is connected to the South Terminal, and guests walk into reception from inside the terminal building. It is a large, full-service hotel that suits travellers who want a restaurant and bar without stepping outside.
Bloc Hotel Gatwick
Gatwick describes Bloc as "located in the heart of the South Terminal", with guests able to step from the front door through to security. It opened in 2014 with 245 rooms, according to a 2015 Surrey County Council hotel study. Bloc's compact rooms suit solo travellers and couples who want a short, simple stay.
YOTEL Gatwick
YOTEL sits inside the South Terminal, reached by a lift opposite the exit from the customs hall. Its compact rooms suit a few hours' sleep before a dawn departure, rather than a family stay with lots of luggage.
Courtyard by Marriott London Gatwick Airport
The Courtyard is a short walk from the South Terminal, about 10 minutes on a signed footpath with no cover from the weather. It is also a stop on the Gatwick Hoppa hotel bus.
On-Airport Hotels at the North Terminal
Sofitel London Gatwick
Sofitel is at the North Terminal, and guests walk into reception from inside the terminal. It suits travellers who want a higher-end stay and the shortest walk to North Terminal check-in.
Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport (North Terminal)
Gatwick says this Premier Inn is "directly opposite the main entrance to the North Terminal". It opened in 2012 with 701 rooms, according to the 2015 Surrey study, which makes it one of the largest hotels at the airport. It is a popular choice for families on a budget flying from the North Terminal.
Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick describes Hampton by Hilton as "conveniently connected to the North Terminal". It opened in 2014 with 192 rooms, according to the Surrey study. It suits travellers who want a mid-range hotel with an easy walk to check-in.
Nearby Hotels in Horley, Crawley and Around the Airport
Hotels outside the terminals are usually cheaper and often sell hotel-and-parking packages. The trade-off is a bus or taxi to the terminal.
Travelodge Gatwick Central (Povey Cross Road)
According to a 2026 Savills sale brochure, this Travelodge has 400 rooms, 250 parking spaces with seasonal charges from £11 per 24 hours, and a 24-hour Hoppa shuttle. The bus takes about 5 minutes to the North Terminal and 10 minutes to the South Terminal. It suits drivers who want to park at the hotel and travellers on a tight budget.
Holiday Inn London Gatwick Airport (Povey Cross Road, Horley)
This Holiday Inn is north of the airport on Povey Cross Road and had 216 rooms according to the 2015 Surrey study. It is the start and end point of the Gatwick Hoppa GH1 route, which links it with both terminals. It suits travellers who want a full-service hotel at a lower price than the terminal hotels.
Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport (A23 Airport Way)
This second Premier Inn is on the A23 near the North Terminal. A walk to the terminal is possible in about 5 to 10 minutes, but the London Toolkit travel guide warns that the path is narrow and unsigned and crosses a busy road with no pedestrian crossing. With luggage or children, a bus or car is the better option.
Radisson RED London Gatwick Airport
Radisson's own website lists 185 rooms and puts the hotel about 3.9 miles from the North Terminal, with guests travelling to the airport by bus. It suits travellers who want a modern hotel and do not mind a short road journey to the terminal.
Coming later: Gatwick's Northern Runway plans include several new on-airport hotels, including two at the South Terminal. These are indicative plans in planning documents, and timings and room numbers are not confirmed.
Getting from Your Hotel to the Terminals
- Inter-terminal train: A free shuttle train links the North and South Terminals, so a terminal hotel works even if you fly from the other one. Allow extra time for the transfer.
- Gatwick Hoppa (GH1): The GH1 bus links the Holiday Inn on Povey Cross, Travelodge Gatwick Central, the Courtyard by Marriott and a Premier Inn with both terminal bus stations. Timetables published on bustimes.org show buses every 10 minutes between 04:00 and 08:00, every 15 minutes from 03:00, and hourly through the night.
- Taxi or pre-booked car: Door to door from the hotel entrance to the terminal kerb, at the time you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Gatwick hotels can I walk to from the terminal?
At the South Terminal: Hilton, Bloc and YOTEL, with the Courtyard by Marriott about a 10-minute walk away. At the North Terminal: Sofitel, Premier Inn North Terminal and Hampton by Hilton.
How early should I book a Gatwick hotel?
As early as you can for peak dates. Gatwick hotels ran at 85% occupancy in 2025, with no new hotels in the pipeline, according to Savills.
How much does it cost to be dropped off at Gatwick?
£10 for up to 10 minutes, then £1 a minute, according to Gatwick's website. Long Stay car parks offer a free two-hour period with a shuttle bus to the terminals.
Is a transfer cheaper than the train?
For one person off-peak, the train is usually cheaper. For families and groups, or before the first train, a fixed-price transfer can be better value.
Book Your Gatwick Transfer with GM Rides
Whether you are heading to an airport hotel the night before or straight to the terminal for a dawn flight, GM Rides can take you there door to door, 24 hours a day. Fares are fixed and include meet and greet, we track your flight if you land late, and seven-seater cars are available for families and groups with luggage.
Get a quote and book your Gatwick transfer.
Sources
- CAA UK Airport Data 2025 (Tables 1 and 10.3)
- CAA Passenger Survey Report 2025 (Tables 2, 6 and 7)
- CILT(UK) Gatwick Rail Access Report (2026)
- Gatwick Airport Surface Access Strategy 2022 to 2030
- Savills Hotel Capital Markets, Travelodge Gatwick Central brochure (2026)
- Surrey Hotel Futures Study (2015)
- gatwickairport.com hotels and drop-off pages
- London Toolkit
- Radisson Hotels
- bustimes.org GH1 timetable
- RAC research via Honest John (July 2026)
Prices, fares and timetables checked 13 October 2026 and subject to change.
