How Long Layover Do I Need at Gatwick?

Gatwick can be easier than Heathrow on the surface, but the right layover still depends on whether you already hold the onward boarding pass, whether you stay in one terminal and whether the trip is a protected connection or a separate-ticket plan.

Last updated: April 27, 2026.

Quick answer

• Gatwick advises at least 60 minutes if your next flight is in the same terminal and you already hold the onward boarding pass.
• Gatwick advises at least 90 minutes if you arrive and depart from different terminals.
• The shuttle itself is easy: Gatwick says it runs every few minutes and takes about two minutes.
• Separate tickets, checked bags and landside steps can still make those official baselines too tight in practice.

TripBuffer Gatwick layover table

Connection type	Official baseline	TripBuffer view
Same terminal, onward boarding pass already issued	At least 60 minutes	Possible, but still better with more margin if your inbound is exposed to delay.
Different terminals, onward boarding pass already issued	At least 90 minutes	Reasonable protected-connection baseline, but not generous if the day goes wrong.
Separate tickets with checked baggage	No simple official baseline	Treat it as a much larger layover because immigration, baggage reclaim and re-check all re-enter the process.
Short layover plus terminal change	Officially 90 minutes+	Often too tight if the trip is not fully protected or the inbound is vulnerable to delay.

What changes the Gatwick decision

• Whether you are staying in the same terminal or changing terminals.
• Whether you already have the onward boarding pass.
• Whether you need to collect bags and check in again.
• Whether the layover is protected on one ticket or behaves like a self-transfer.

Gatwick-specific check before booking

Do not overestimate the simplicity of the shuttle. The two-minute ride is not the whole layover story. The real question is how much airport process sits before and after the shuttle ride.

Best next Gatwick pages

• Best Heathrow to Gatwick Transfer Guide
• Airport Transfer Cost Calculator
• Layover Calculator
• How Long Layover Do I Need at Heathrow?

If your Gatwick plan ends in London rather than another flight, compare the route options in the Best Gatwick to Central London Transfer Cost Guide before you lock in the airport-side part of the trip.

If your Gatwick day includes an airport change rather than a same-airport onward flight, compare the journey in the Best Gatwick to Stansted Transfer Guide before you rely on a standard layover assumption.

If the Gatwick connection is overnight or built around recovery time rather than sightseeing, see How to Plan an Airport Hotel Stopover.

Frequently asked questions

How long layover do I need at Gatwick in the same terminal?

Gatwick advises at least 60 minutes if you already have your onward boarding pass and your next flight is in the same terminal. TripBuffer still recommends more margin if the plan involves separate tickets, baggage reclaim or a busy travel day.

How long layover do I need at Gatwick if I must change terminals?

Gatwick advises at least 90 minutes when flights arrive and depart from different terminals. That is a better baseline than 60 minutes, but it can still be too tight if you are not on one protected connection.

Is the Gatwick inter-terminal transfer difficult?

The shuttle itself is easy. Gatwick says it runs every few minutes and the ride takes about two minutes. The real issue is the airport process around it, not the shuttle alone.

Do separate tickets change a Gatwick layover a lot?

Yes. If you need to collect bags, enter the UK, change terminals and check in again, the layover behaves more like a fresh departure than a simple airside connection.

Sources

• Gatwick Airport: Flight connections
• Gatwick Airport: North and South Terminal shuttle