Interesting Facts About London Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is a major international airport just south of London, around 47.5km south of Central London. It is second only in terms of passenger traffic to London Heathrow Airport, and it processes around 40.8 million passengers every year. However, there’s lots more to Gatwick than simply being ‘the other’ airport in London, so here are 7 interesting facts that you might not know about London Gatwick Airport.

Busiest Single Runway Airport: London Gatwick Airport is the busiest single-runway airport in Europe. While the airport has two runways, they cannot be used simultaneously due to their proximity to each other.

Longest Air Passenger Bridge: Another interesting fact is that Gatwick Airport is home to the longest air passenger bridge in the world, at a whopping 3,316 metres. This bridge covers a taxiway, so passengers can watch aircraft taxi in the vicinity.

Excellent Rail Links: Not only does Gatwick Airport have excellent rail links to other stations around the country, but it was also the first airport in the world to have a direct railway link to and from other train stations.

Historical Significance: Gatwick was originally opened as a members-only flying club in the 1930s. It was officially opened as an airport as we know it by Queen Elizabeth II on 9th June 1958.

Aeroplane Storage: Gatwick has two terminals, each of which has 31 stands. They also have 57 remote stands, meaning they have room to park up to 186 planes at any given time.

Quick Check-In Process: With 245 check-in desks, 123 self-service check-in desks and 119 self-service bag drop kiosks, check-in at Gatwick Airport is much quicker than in similar-sized airports.

Easy to get to London: Despite being nearly 50km from Central London, trains depart Gatwick every 3-4 minutes and can reach central London and all of the famous sights like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and more in around 30 minutes.

Things You Didn’t Know About Airport Parking at London Gatwick Airport

Leaving your car in a secure car park while you jet off on holiday is great for peace of mind and saves you spending a fortune on taxis or even drop-off fees when you’re flying from London Gatwick Airport.

Here are a few things that you may not know about parking at London Gatwick Airport:

Pre-Booking Parking Discounts: Booking your parking in advance can not only save you money compared to booking it on the day, but it also helps to guarantee you a parking spot. Many pre-booked parking options also offer you a degree of flexibility, meaning that if you need to amend the dates or even cancel the booking, you can do so.

Flexible Cancellation Options: This leads nicely to the next point, which is that London Gatwick Airport offers flexible cancellation options and policies. We all know how flights can get delayed or plans can change with little to no notice, so it’s good to know that at London Gatwick Airport, some car parking options offer you the freedom and flexibility to chop and change with little to no cost at all if you book in advance.

Safe and Secure Parking: Gatwick Airport is the recipient of a Park Mark Award, which recognises its safety and security efforts in its car parks. With round-the-clock CCTV cameras, regular security patrols and exit and entry barriers on its car parks, parking at Gatwick is safe, secure and reliable.

Things You Didn’t Know About Airport Hotels at London Gatwick Airport

For the ultimate stress-free start to your holiday, don’t try and beat the traffic by getting up at daft o’clock to arrive at the airport all too late anyway. Instead, opt to stay in one of the airport’s many hotels, which provide a comfortable refuge in the heart of the airport – perfect for those early morning flights, as you’re already in the airport.

Here are some things you may not know about hotels at Gatwick Airport:

Budget-Friendly Hotels: Many people think that airport hotels will cost a fortune, but this is not the case at Gatwick. There are plenty of budget-friendly hotels at the airport such as Travelodge Express and the Premier Inn Hotel at the airport, both of which are under €66 per night.

Free Shuttle Services: For the hotels which are slightly farther away from the main airport terminals, such as Cambridge Hotel Gatwick and Radisson Red Hotel Gatwick, a free shuttle bus service operates directly from the hotel to the airport terminal, so you can get there safely and efficiently.

Beautiful Views: For aviation enthusiasts, an airport hotel is a dream come true! Watch planes land and take off at your leisure from the comfort of your hotel room bed.

Things You Didn’t Know About Car Hire at London Gatwick Airport

When you book with FHR, hiring a car from London Gatwick Airport couldn’t be easier. Our extensive database searches hundreds of deals on car hire to present you with the very best ones for your needs. Booking in advance is essential, particularly if you are travelling in peak season. Simply follow signs for the car rental desks in the South Terminal once you are in Gatwick Airport to find them.

You also have the opportunity to pick your car up at an alternative location – just make sure that you state when and where when you book the car hire initially.

London Gatwick Airport offers car hire through reliable providers, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National and more.

Things You Didn’t Know About Booking With FHR

Consider FHR your reliable travel partner for all things car hire! With over 35 years of experience in the industry, you can expect a simple booking process, great deals and excellent customer service.

But it’s not just car hire that we offer – here at FHR, we offer a wide range of services, including access to premium airport lounges, booking airport hotels, and affordable airport parking.

Human Interaction: We don’t believe in using AI as an excuse to talk to a robot – we have a real-life customer service team, so you can rest assured that you’re talking to a real human if you have any questions, queries or issues.

Free Cancellation: We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

Confirmation Options: You can get your confirmation sent straight to your phone by SMS at no extra cost.