Look, if you’re standing in the middle of Victoria Station staring at the massive departure boards, you’re probably already late or feeling the pressure of a flight. Getting from Victoria Station to LGW (Gatwick Airport) is one of those London travel routes that everyone thinks they know, but almost everyone pays too much for. You see the signs for the Gatwick Express. They are big. They are red. They are everywhere.
They also want about £22 for a one-way ticket that takes roughly 30 minutes.
But here’s the kicker: Southern Railway runs the exact same route. It takes about 33 to 35 minutes. It leaves from the same station. Often, it's just a few platforms away. If you tap in with your contactless card or phone, it’ll cost you significantly less. We’re talking roughly £19 in peak hours or as low as £10.70 during off-peak times. That’s a massive difference for the sake of three minutes.
The Train Battle: Express vs. Southern
Honestly, the Gatwick Express is a bit of a marketing masterpiece. It’s marketed to tourists as the "only" way to go, but locals know better. It is non-stop. That’s its only real superpower.
Southern trains usually make a couple of stops, typically at Clapham Junction and East Croydon. Does that matter? Not really, unless you’re carrying four massive suitcases and can’t stand the idea of people getting on and off.
Pricing Realities for Victoria Station to LGW
If you want to save money, avoid the ticket machines for the Express. Instead:
- Use your Contactless bank card or Oyster card.
- Just tap the yellow reader at the gate.
- Make sure you don’t accidentally go through the specific Gatwick Express branded gates if you want the Southern price, though usually, the system is smart enough to charge based on the train you actually boarded.
Wait. There is a catch. If you use a Southern train but accidentally tap out at the dedicated Gatwick Express platforms at the airport, the system might default to the higher fare. Keep your eyes peeled for the platform numbers. Gatwick Express usually hogs platforms 13 and 14 at Victoria.
What About the Bus?
Sometimes the trains are a mess. It happens. Engineering works on weekends can turn a 30-minute trip into a two-hour replacement bus nightmare. If the trains are down, or if you are on a truly shoestring budget, you’ve got the National Express coach.
It departs from Victoria Coach Station, which is a separate building about a 10-minute walk from the main rail station. Don't make the mistake of waiting at the rail platforms for a bus.
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The coach is cheap. You can find tickets for £6 or £7 if you book in advance. But—and this is a big "but"—London traffic is a beast. A journey that is supposed to take 90 minutes can easily stretch to two and a half hours if the M23 is having a bad day. Only take the bus if you have hours to kill or if the rail network has completely imploded.
Timing Your Departure
Frequency is your friend here.
- Gatwick Express: Every 15 minutes.
- Southern: Every 15 minutes (or more).
- The "Secret" Thameslink: Okay, this doesn't leave from Victoria, but if you're stuck, you can take the Tube to London Bridge and catch a Thameslink. They run 24/7.
Most people don't realize that Victoria is basically a ghost town for trains between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM. If you have a 6:00 AM flight, you’re probably looking at the first trains around 3:30 AM or 4:00 AM.
The Terminal Trap
Gatwick has two terminals: North and South. The train station is located in the South Terminal.
If your airline (like EasyJet or many long-haul carriers) departs from the North Terminal, don’t panic. There is a free monorail shuttle. It’s right upstairs from the train platforms. It runs every few minutes and takes about two minutes to zip across.
A Note on Luggage
If you're hauling a lot of gear, Southern trains can be a bit of a squeeze during rush hour (07:30–09:30 and 16:30–18:30). Commuters will give you the "death stare" if your suitcase is blocking the aisle. The Gatwick Express has dedicated luggage racks which makes life easier, but again, you're paying a premium for that shelf space.
Actionable Next Steps
To make this move like a pro, do this:
- Check the National Rail app before you leave your hotel to see if there are delays.
- Have your payment card ready before you hit the gates to avoid the frantic pocket-fumble.
- Head for Platforms 15-19 first to check for the Brighton-bound Southern trains; they are almost always the better deal.
- Check your terminal on your boarding pass before you get off so you know whether to walk straight to security or head for the North Terminal shuttle.
Getting from Victoria Station to LGW doesn't have to be a budget-killer. Skip the "Express" hype, tap your phone, and spend that saved £10 on a ridiculously overpriced airport sandwich instead.