Gatwick Express Brings Back Four Trains an Hour After Seven Years
Gatwick Express will run four trains an hour between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport from 13 December, twice its current frequency. It is the first return to this level of service since 2019, giving passengers more departure options for winter flights. The journey will still take around 30 minutes. Anyone travelling over Christmas, however, should note that the higher frequency will be interrupted by holiday restrictions.
Gatwick Express: December Service Changes
- Operator: Gatwick Express, operated by GTR.
- Route: London Victoria–Gatwick Airport, nonstop in both directions.
- Starts: Sunday 13 December 2026.
- Frequency: Four trains per hour, up from two.
- Journey: Around 30 minutes between Victoria and the airport.
- Season: Part of the winter timetable; no end date announced.
- Airport station: South Terminal, with a free shuttle to North Terminal.
- Payment: Oyster, contactless or tickets bought online.
Booking online with Gatwick Express gives 10% off many adult Single and Return tickets, but the discount cannot be combined with Railcards or GroupSave. Southern costs less when using Oyster or contactless. At London Victoria, the fare depends on the gateline used: Gatwick Express generally uses platforms 13–14, while Southern uses 15–19. Check the platform before tapping in to avoid paying more than intended.
Gatwick serves around 230 destinations this winter, with flights for Christmas-market breaks, ski holidays and trips to warmer countries. More frequent trains from Victoria will give passengers greater choice when arranging their journey to the airport. The improved service also benefits visitors arriving in London, who can travel directly to Victoria and take the Underground to Westminster, South Kensington's museums or the West End.
The extra trains will not run throughout the festive break. National Rail says Gatwick Express finishes early on 24 December and has no services on 25 or 26 December. Southern plans limited Victoria–Gatwick trains on Boxing Day. Gatwick Express is scheduled every 30 minutes from 27 December to 1 January; details for 2–3 January are still pending. Check your exact departure before booking an airport transfer.
