Gatwick Airport North Terminal (North Terminal) is one of the UK's major aviation terminals — this guide covers everything specific to this terminal that you won't find in generic airport transfer guides. Unique delay data, exact meeting procedures, scam warnings, terminal-specific tips, and honest cost comparisons.
North Terminal overview
North Terminal is located at Gatwick Airport, 28 miles south. Drop-off charge: North Terminal Multi-Storey Car Park or short-stay forecourt. The North Terminal is accessed from the M23/A23 via the Gatwick Airport North exit. Follow signs for 'North Terminal Departures'.. Driver meeting point for arrivals: North Terminal Arrivals, ground floor. After customs, your driver is in the North Terminal International Arrivals area. Look for name boards near the central meeting zone after exiting customs..
Airlines operating from North Terminal in 2026
TUI Airways, Jet2 (largest UK charter operator), Norwegian Air Shuttle, Wizz Air, Air France, KLM (European), easyJet (some routes), Ryanair (some routes), Vueling, Transavia, Sunclass Airlines, Corendon, Caledonian Travel
Always verify your terminal on your e-ticket or in your airline's app before travel — allocations can change between seasons. Your terminal is printed on your boarding pass and visible in most airline apps under 'Manage Booking' or 'Trip Details'.
Exact drop-off and pick-up procedures for North Terminal
For departures (we drive you to the airport)
North Terminal Multi-Storey Car Park or short-stay forecourt. The North Terminal is accessed from the M23/A23 via the Gatwick Airport North exit. Follow signs for 'North Terminal Departures'.
Your driver will pull up to the terminal doors and help with your luggage. They cannot wait beyond the 10-minute window before the £5 charge escalates to a higher rate. Unloading takes typically 3–4 minutes for standard luggage.
For arrivals (we collect you at the terminal)
North Terminal Arrivals, ground floor. After customs, your driver is in the North Terminal International Arrivals area. Look for name boards near the central meeting zone after exiting customs.
Your driver will send a WhatsApp message with their precise position the moment your flight lands — typically while you are still taxiing. Check your messages before reaching the arrivals exit. If you cannot locate your driver, call them directly on the number in your booking confirmation. Never accept transport from anyone who approaches you in the arrivals hall.
After clearing customs at North Terminal, walk toward the main arrivals meeting area. Your driver will be holding a board with your name. They will also be sending WhatsApp updates with their exact bay/position number. You do not need to go to the car park — the driver comes to the arrivals hall area.
2026 transfer pricing for North Terminal
Data analysis: Gatwick North Terminal — charter flight capital of the South
Gatwick's North Terminal handles a fundamentally different passenger profile to any London airport terminal except Stansted. The North Terminal is where British charter aviation lives — Jet2 and TUI together operate over 600 departures a week in peak summer, making this the UK's holiday flight hub. Understanding this shapes everything about North Terminal transfers.
North Terminal vs South Terminal: who goes where and why it matters
| Terminal | Primary operators | Peak period | Typical passenger | Average bags per pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Terminal | Jet2, TUI, Norwegian, Air France, KLM Europe | Sat morning, Jul–Aug | UK holiday traveller | 2.8 checked bags |
| South Terminal | easyJet, British Airways, Gatwick Express trains | Mon morning, year-round | Business traveller, short break | 1.4 checked bags |
The Saturday morning North Terminal problem (and how to beat it)
Gatwick North Terminal on a peak summer Saturday (first Saturday of July is typically the single busiest day of the year) is one of the UK's most intense travel environments. Jet2 and TUI operate changeover day on Saturday — meaning arriving and departing charter passengers are in the terminal simultaneously. In 2025, the record queue for North Terminal security on a Saturday morning was 78 minutes. The only reliable way to avoid this stress is to arrive very early (3+ hours before departure) or with Fast Track security (available for purchase).
A23/M23 to North Terminal: the real journey time data (2025)
| Time window | From Croydon (A23) | From Bromley | From South London (SE10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05:00–06:30 | 28 min | 35 min | 42 min |
| 07:00–09:30 | 42 min | 52 min | 60 min |
| 10:00–15:00 | 32 min | 40 min | 48 min |
| Sat 08:00–11:00 (peak summer) | 55 min | 68 min | 78 min |
⚠ Scam warnings specific to North Terminal
🚨 Known scams and frauds at Gatwick Airport North Terminal
- Jet2 charter 'representative' approach at North Terminal arrivals — unlicensed touts sometimes wear yellow hi-vis jackets at charter terminal arrivals to appear official. Your RushXO driver does not wear a hi-vis jacket and is at the formal meeting zone.
- North Terminal inter-terminal trickery — if you arrive at South Terminal by mistake (e.g. if your Gatwick Express stops at South), the inter-terminal shuttle takes 8–10 minutes. Always check your terminal before boarding the shuttle.
- Peak Saturday surge pricing — on peak charter Saturdays (July–August), rideshare apps at Gatwick North can show 2.5–3.5x surge. Pre-booked transfers are immune to surge pricing.
- Holiday rep 'private transfers' — some holiday reps at North Terminal arrivals offer 'cheaper private transfers'. These are not pre-vetted, not insured as private hire, and not accountable. Always use a licensed, pre-booked service.
If you encounter any suspicious behaviour at North Terminal, do not engage. Contact your pre-booked driver directly on the number in your booking confirmation, or call RushXO on +44 7418 377666.
Practical tips for North Terminal
Jet2 and TUI Saturday check-in: arrive 3 hours early
Jet2 and TUI close check-in 40 minutes before departure — but with North Terminal security queuing at 40–78 minutes on peak Saturdays, you need to be through the check-in queue with bags dropped 2+ hours before security entry. The total of check-in + security + walk to gate is often 2h30m.
Air France and KLM at North Terminal: hub connections
Air France and KLM use Gatwick North for their feeder services to CDG and AMS respectively, connecting Gatwick passengers to the wider Air France/KLM long-haul networks. These are typically smaller aircraft (E190, A320) with tighter turnaround times.
North Terminal's fast track security
Fast Track security at Gatwick North reduces the average security wait to 6–8 minutes versus 20–45 minutes standard. Available to purchase online for £8–£12 per person. For summer Saturday departures, it is worth every penny.
Baggage allowance with charter operators
Jet2 and TUI have strict bag weight limits and measure cabin bags at the gate on peak days. Weigh bags at home — excess baggage charges at Gatwick North in summer are significant (£12–£17 per kg for Jet2).
North Terminal taxi rank vs private hire
The North Terminal taxi rank is a licensed black cab rank with metered fares. For journeys to south and central London, metered fares are 30–50%% higher than a pre-booked private hire. The difference on a journey to Croydon (typical North Terminal catchment) is £8–£15.
How to book your North Terminal transfer
Get an instant fixed price
Visit rushxo.com/book or message us on WhatsApp. Enter your pickup address, select Gatwick Airport North Terminal as your destination, and your journey date, time, and passenger count. A fixed price appears in seconds.
Add your flight number
Your flight number (on your e-ticket) activates live tracking. We monitor your flight from departure — delays and early arrivals are automatically handled. You provide this at checkout.
Receive driver confirmation
Your driver's name, vehicle, registration, and direct mobile number arrive by email and WhatsApp immediately after booking. Save the WhatsApp number — that's your direct line on travel day.
Travel day: meet at North Terminal
Your driver sends a WhatsApp when your flight lands with their exact position. Walk to the arrivals meeting area — your name is on the board. No searching, no uncertainty.
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