Looking for cheap car hire at Gatwick Airport? Whether you are flying into LGW for a London city break, a business trip or to tour the South Coast, getcarhire.com compares deals from the leading suppliers to find you the right hire car at the right price. As the UK’s second-busiest airport, Gatwick offers car hire from every major brand on site and sits perfectly placed for both the capital and the glorious countryside and coast of the South of England.
Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, with the car hire desks gathered on the airport campus a short walk or free shuttle ride from arrivals. The M23 runs straight from the airport to the M25 and on to London, while the A23 heads South to Brighton and the sea. That makes car hire Gatwick Airport the natural choice for exploring London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. This guide covers where to collect, what it costs, driving into London and the best destinations on the doorstep.
Quick answer: Car hire at Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the easiest way to reach London, Brighton and the South Coast. All major suppliers are on site, most in the South Terminal, with a free shuttle to the North Terminal. Prices start from around £15 per day, and you can be in Brighton in 45 minutes or central London in about an hour via the M23.
Car Hire Gatwick Airport at a Glance
| Airport code | LGW (London Gatwick Airport) |
| Terminals | North and South, linked by a free 24 hour shuttle |
| Distance to London | About 28 miles North via the M23, around 1 hour |
| Typical price | From around £15 per day, average £45 to £60 |
| Collection | Most suppliers in the South Terminal, all on airport |
| Best for | London, Brighton, the South Downs and the Sussex coast |
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Collecting Your Hire Car at Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport (airport code LGW) has all the major suppliers on the airport campus, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, Alamo, National and Sixt. Most desks are in the South Terminal, on the lower forecourt at Level 0, a short walk from arrivals following the yellow car rental signs. See the official Gatwick Airport site for terminal maps. If you land at the North Terminal, a free 24 hour shuttle and the inter-terminal travellator make reaching your car hire Gatwick Airport desk simple.
A few tips for smooth cheap car hire Gatwick Airport. Bring your driving licence, a credit card in the main driver’s name and your booking confirmation, and if you hold a UK licence bring your DVLA check code. Book online in advance for the best rates, as desk prices are far higher. There are 24 hour petrol stations at both terminals, ideal for topping up before a full-to-full return, and all on-airport suppliers offer after-hours drop-off.
How Much Does Car Hire at Gatwick Airport Cost?
Car hire at Gatwick Airport spans a wide range, with prices from around £15 per day for a small car in quieter periods, rising to an average of £45 to £60 per day across the year. As one of the busiest car hire airports in the UK with every major supplier competing on site, booking ahead is the single best way to secure a low car hire Gatwick Airport rate. Compare car hire Gatwick Airport prices early for the widest choice.
Season is the main factor. The quieter autumn and winter months, with September often the cheapest, offer the best value, while summer and school holidays bring the highest demand. Booking 1 to 2 weeks ahead usually secures a good rate, though for peak summer dates it pays to book earlier. The table below shows the seasonal pattern for cheap car hire Gatwick.
| Season | Demand | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn and winter | Lowest | Best value, September often cheapest |
| June to August | Peak | Highest demand, book early |
| Rest of year | Moderate | Good value, book 1 to 2 weeks ahead |
Driving from Gatwick to London and the South
Gatwick sits about 28 miles South of London, directly on the M23 at Junction 9, with the M25 orbital motorway just 10 minutes away. For the capital, head North on the M23 and A23, allowing around an hour or more depending on traffic, and remember that central London has a Congestion Charge and ULEZ, though most modern hire cars meet the ULEZ standard. Many visitors find it easier to park on the outskirts and take the train into the centre.
Heading South and the open road really opens up. The A23 runs down to Brighton in around 45 minutes, while the M25 connects you to the entire national motorway network. This is where car hire Gatwick Airport comes into its own, on the drives out to the coast and countryside that trains and buses cannot easily reach.
Choosing the Right Hire Car at Gatwick
For most visitors a small or medium car is the ideal choice for cheap car hire Gatwick, economical, easy to park and simple to handle on the motorways and country lanes alike. Compact cars are the most popular and best value car hire Gatwick Airport category. If you are travelling as a family or with luggage, a medium car or compact SUV gives more comfort for longer drives along the coast.
When comparing car hire Gatwick Airport deals through getcarhire.com, filter by transmission, mileage and fuel policy. Choose a full-to-full fuel policy to avoid inflated refuelling charges, check for unlimited mileage if you plan a longer tour, and book an automatic in advance if you need one, as manuals are standard in the UK.
Exploring London and the South Coast from Gatwick
Car hire Gatwick Airport puts you at one of the best-placed airports in Britain for a road trip, with the capital to the North and some of England’s finest coast and countryside to the South.
Brighton and the Sussex Coast
Just 45 minutes South down the A23, Brighton is Britain’s most vibrant seaside city, with its pier, the Royal Pavilion, independent shops in The Lanes and a famous pebble beach. Beyond it, the A27 leads to the white cliffs of Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, and the historic towns of the Sussex coast, all within easy reach by hire car.
The South Downs, Kent and Surrey
Inland, the South Downs National Park offers rolling chalk hills, walking trails and pretty villages, perfect for a day out. To the East lies Kent, the Garden of England, with Canterbury, Rye and the coast, while Surrey on the doorstep is home to family favourites like Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures. London, of course, is a short drive North with car hire Gatwick Airport whenever the city calls.
Car Hire Gatwick Airport: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car hire at Gatwick Airport cost?
Car hire at Gatwick Airport starts from around £15 per day for a small car in quieter periods, with an average of £45 to £60 per day. September is often the cheapest month and summer the busiest, so booking 1 to 2 weeks ahead, or earlier for peak dates, secures the best value.
Which terminal is car hire at Gatwick Airport?
Most car hire suppliers are based in the South Terminal, on the lower forecourt at Level 0, with some also at the North Terminal. If you land at the North Terminal, a free 24 hour shuttle and the inter-terminal travellator make reaching the South Terminal quick and easy.
How far is Gatwick Airport from central London?
Gatwick is around 28 miles South of London, about an hour by car via the M23 and M25 depending on traffic. The Gatwick Express train also runs nonstop to London Victoria in around 30 minutes, but a hire car is far better for exploring the wider South of England.
Can you drive from Gatwick to Brighton?
Yes. Brighton is around 28 miles South of Gatwick, about a 45 minute drive down the A23. A hire car is the easiest way to reach Brighton and the rest of the Sussex coast, including Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters.
Do you need to pay the ULEZ or Congestion Charge from Gatwick?
Only if you drive into central London. Gatwick itself and the surrounding countryside are outside the zones. Most modern hire cars meet the ULEZ emissions standard, but the London Congestion Charge still applies in the centre, so check before driving in.
Is it cheaper to hire a car at Gatwick or in London?
Airport branches at Gatwick have the most suppliers and availability in one place, while some city-centre branches can undercut them. Compare both through getcarhire.com, factoring in how you will reach the pickup point, to find the best overall deal.
Find Your Cheap Car Hire Gatwick Airport Deal
From the bright lights of London to the bohemian charm of Brighton and the white cliffs of the Sussex coast, a hire car is the key to the South of England. Compare cheap car hire Gatwick Airport deals with getcarhire.com, collect your car on the airport campus, and set off to explore the capital and coast at your own pace. Enter your dates below to see the latest car hire Gatwick Airport deals.