Why Book a Gatwick Airport Transfer from Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace has trains towards Gatwick, but they usually mean a change at East Croydon or Clapham Junction, and nobody enjoys doing that with two cases and a tired child. A door-to-door car cuts out the platforms, the stairs and the wait.
There is also the early start problem. Plenty of holiday flights leave before 7am, and the first trains of the day are not much help. Our booking line runs all night, so a 3am pickup is as easy to arrange as one at lunchtime.
Families, couples and business travellers all book this route. Each one gets the same thing. A licensed driver, a fixed price and a car big enough for the luggage.
Gatwick Terminals
Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, about a mile apart and linked by a free shuttle train. Your airline decides which one you use, so check your booking before you travel.
Gatwick North Terminal Transfers
The North Terminal handles a large share of short-haul and long-haul flights. It has its own approach road from the M23 spur. Drop-offs use the set-down zone in front of departures, and the driver will stop as close to your check-in area as the layout allows.
Gatwick South Terminal Minicab
The South Terminal handles a wide mix of airlines and is joined directly to Gatwick railway station. Its approach splits from the North Terminal road at the roundabout off the spur. If you are unsure which terminal you need, call us before the day and we will check your flight.
Route, Journey Time and Traffic Tips (M25 / M23)
From Crystal Palace the normal route heads south through Croydon, down the A23 Purley Way and Brighton Road to Coulsdon. It joins the M23 at Hooley, junction 7, then passes the M25 interchange at junction 8. From there it is a short run to junction 9 and the airport spur.
The journey is about 23 miles. Typical times are 45 minutes late at night and 60 to 70 minutes at busy times, so use these as a guide only. The slow spots are Purley Cross, the Purley Way retail parks on Saturdays and the M25 interchange near Merstham during the morning peak.
If the A23 is blocked, our drivers can use the A22 through Caterham or join the M25 further east and come down the M23 from junction 8. On summer Saturdays, add extra time, as the whole of South London seems to be heading the same way.
Gatwick Trips from Every Part of SE19
Gatwick is the most popular airport for families around the park, mostly because it is the easiest one to reach by road from this side of London. There is no river crossing and no central London traffic, just a straight run south.
Pickups from the Croydon side of SE19 and from SE25 tend to be the quickest, as they are already on the way south. From Dulwich or Sydenham, add a few minutes to get across the ridge.
Gatwick Airport Cars
Holiday luggage is bulky. Choosing the right car now saves a squeeze on the pavement later.
Saloon / Estate / MPV / 8 Seater Minibus
- Saloon for up to four passengers with around two large cases
- Estate for up to four passengers who need more boot space
- MPV for up to six passengers with around four large cases, see our 6 seater minicab
- 8 seater for seven or eight passengers, see our 7 seater minicab
Child seats are available on request, so tell us each child's age and weight when you book.
Meet and Greet Pickup at Gatwick
Coming home is where a pre-booked car really helps. We track your flight number, so if you land early or late the driver adjusts. With meet and greet, your driver waits in the arrivals area of your terminal with a name board, helps with your bags and walks you to the car.
Without meet and greet, the driver calls you once you have landed and agrees a pickup point. Either way, you never pay more because your plane was late.
Crystal Palace Minicab Phone Number
Our booking line is 020 8659 9000, open 24 hours a day. Call to book, to change a pickup time, or if your plans change on the day. Have your flight number and terminal ready and the booking takes a couple of minutes.
We also take bookings by WhatsApp, and the drivers serve all the nearby areas, including South Norwood, Anerley and Beckenham.
Book Gatwick Transfer Online
The fastest way to book is the form on this page. Add your pickup address, choose North or South Terminal, enter your flight number and pick the car. You will see your fixed fare before you confirm, and you can pay by card or cash.
Flying from elsewhere next time? See our Crystal Palace to Heathrow Airport transfer, the London City Airport minicab page or, for a train to the coast, the Crystal Palace to Victoria Station car service.
