Gatwick North Terminal Map | Arrivals, Departures & Navigation

Gatwick North Terminal Map at a Glance

The principal areas this map covers.

• Main terminal building — the central passenger building containing check-in, bag drop, security, the departure lounge and arrivals
• Departures — check-in and bag drop on the upper level; security at the end of the check-in hall
• Arrivals — lower level, containing baggage reclaim, customs and the arrivals exit
• Gates — airside, beyond security, within the departure lounge and pier structures
• Road access — the approach road from the A23/M23 into the North Terminal road circuit
• Drop-off zone — on the terminal forecourt, accessed from the North Terminal road circuit
• Car parking — Short Stay adjacent to the terminal; Long Stay with shuttle connection
• Inter-terminal transit — connecting North Terminal to South Terminal

Gatwick North Terminal Layout

One building, a clear vertical split, landside and airside.

Main building. A single integrated facility — departures processing (check-in, bag drop, security) on the upper level; arrivals processing (baggage reclaim, customs, arrivals exit) on the lower level. The two flows are kept physically separate, and the building connects to the inter-terminal transit on the lower level for passengers needing South Terminal.

Landside and airside. Landside — accessible to all visitors, no boarding pass required — covers the check-in hall, bag drop, the arrivals exit and ground-floor public areas. Airside begins beyond the security checkpoint and includes the departure lounge, gates, duty-free and airside retail — accessible only to departing passengers who've cleared security, who can't return landside without exiting through the terminal. The departure gate is always airside; meeting an arriving passenger takes place in the landside arrivals area.

Levels and key areas. Check-in and security sit on the upper level; baggage reclaim and the arrivals exit sit on the lower level. Ground-floor access connects to the inter-terminal transit and the forecourt transport connections.

Gatwick North Terminal Gate Map

Not all gates are the same distance from security.

Gates sit within the airside departure area, beyond security — the departure lounge extends from the security exit, with gates positioned along it and into pier structures beyond. Gates are identified by number on departure information screens, typically displayed from approximately 45 to 60 minutes before departure — monitor the screens after clearing security rather than assuming a gate position from the map alone.

The route from security to your gate depends on the assigned number — gates within the main lounge are a short walk; pier gates require longer. Allow sufficient time, particularly travelling as a family or group. Directional signs throughout the airside area indicate the direction for gate number ranges.

Gatwick North Terminal Arrivals Map

Aircraft → Arrivals → Baggage Reclaim → Customs/Exit → Pick-up / Transport.

Arriving passengers are directed from the aircraft into the terminal's arrivals corridor. International arrivals pass through UK Border Force before baggage reclaim; EU and domestic arrivals may follow a different route — follow overhead signage from the gate.

Arrivals area: lower level. After border control, proceed to the baggage reclaim carousels — the carousel for each flight is displayed on screens in the reclaim hall. Baggage reclaim: carousel allocation can change between landing and baggage arrival, so check the screens rather than assuming a fixed carousel. Passenger exit: after customs, exit into the public arrivals area on the lower level — the meeting point for those being collected, connecting to the terminal forecourt where taxi, private hire, bus and coach are accessible. Pre-booked private-hire drivers typically wait here with a name board.

Onward transport: from the arrivals exit, access the inter-terminal transit (for South Terminal and the railway station), North Terminal bus and coach stops, taxi and private-hire areas, and the Short Stay car park.

Gatwick North Terminal Departures Map

Entrance → Check-In → Bag Drop → Security → Departure Area → Gate.

Terminal entrance: from the forecourt, via the drop-off zone, the Short Stay car park walkway, or the inter-terminal transit — leading directly into the check-in hall on the upper level. Check-in: upper level, arranged by airline zone (shown in your booking confirmation or airline app), with self-service kiosks and staffed desks by zone. Bag drop: within or adjacent to your airline's check-in zone — bag drop closes before check-in, so confirm the deadline with the airline. Security: at the far end of the check-in hall, a single consolidated checkpoint. Departure area: airside — gates, duty-free, shops, food and drink, seating; departure screens throughout show flight status and gate numbers. Lounge access is available here — see our Gatwick North Terminal Lounges page. Gates: proceed to the displayed gate number, following directional signs — allow time for pier-end gates.

Gatwick North Terminal Drop-Off Map

Road approach, the zone itself, and the difference from pick-up.

The drop-off zone is accessed from the North Terminal road circuit, reached from the main airport access road off the A23/M23. Road signs at the entrance junction direct vehicles to North Terminal separately from South Terminal — once past this point, reaching the other terminal requires returning via the main road.

The zone itself sits directly in front of the main terminal entrance — vehicles pull into designated bays, passengers alight with luggage, and the vehicle moves on immediately; waiting isn't permitted. A drop-off charge applies — check the current fee on the Gatwick Airport website. From the bays, the distance to the departures entrance is minimal — a short, covered walk directly into the check-in hall.

Drop-off vs pick-up: genuinely separate functions. Dropping passengers at the forecourt is the drop-off function; collecting arriving passengers requires following the airport's current pickup instructions — pick-up doesn't take place from the departures forecourt.

Gatwick North Terminal Parking Map

Two tiers, at different distances from the terminal.

Short Stay is the closest facility, connected by a short covered walkway — primarily used for brief stays, meeting arrivals, or the most convenient terminal access. On the map, it's shown immediately adjacent to the building, accessible from the North Terminal road circuit. Long Stay parking sits further out, connected by shuttle bus — allow time for the transfer when planning your airport arrival. For current prices, booking and availability, check the Gatwick Airport website (not covered on this page). On the map, parking zones are shown as separate areas around the northern part of the site, with approach-road signs directing to the correct zone for your booking.

How to Navigate Gatwick North Terminal

Six stages, from entrance to gate — and the reverse for arrivals.

• Entrance to check-in. From the terminal entrance or Short Stay walkway, follow signs for Departures and Check-In to the upper-level hall. Locate your airline's zone using the number from your booking confirmation or app.
• Check-in to security. After check-in and bag drop, follow signs for Security at the far end of the hall. Have your boarding pass and documents accessible before joining the queue.
• Security to the departure area. After clearing security, enter the airside area and check the departure screens for your gate number — note it before moving away.
• Departure area to the gate. Follow directional signs for the displayed number. Allow adequate time, particularly for pier-end gates — be at the gate before boarding closes (typically 10–20 minutes before departure).
• Arrivals to the terminal exit. After landing, follow signs for Arrivals, then UK Border Force or EU/Domestic as applicable. Collect bags from the displayed carousel, pass through customs, and exit into the public arrivals area.
• Terminal to parking and transport. From the arrivals exit, follow signs for the inter-terminal transit, bus/coach, taxi/private hire, or the Short Stay car park walkway.

Gatwick North Terminal Map for Departing Passengers

Journey: Arrive at terminal → Check in → Bag drop → Security → Departure area → Gate.

Before travelling to North Terminal as a departing passenger, identify the following on the map: the correct terminal entrance relevant to your approach route (road drop-off, car park, or inter-terminal transit); the position of the check-in hall and the zone for your airline; security location, at the end of the check-in hall; the departure area, airside beyond security; and gate location, confirmed on screens after clearing security. Knowing the position of each stage before arriving reduces navigation time and avoids unnecessary confusion — the terminal is well signed, but understanding the overall layout from the map means you can move through it efficiently.

Gatwick North Terminal Map for Arriving Passengers

Journey: Arrivals → Baggage reclaim → Exit → Pick-up / Taxi / Transport.

Arriving passengers should identify the following on the map: the arrivals exit location, lower level of the terminal; the baggage reclaim area, lower level, before the customs exit; the customs exit leading to the public arrivals area; and onward transport connections — inter-terminal transit, taxi/private hire areas, bus/coach stops. Those meeting arriving passengers should be in the public arrivals area beyond the customs exit — pre-booked private-hire drivers will typically be at the arrivals meeting point with a name board.

Gatwick North Terminal Map for Pick-Up and Taxi Passengers

What the map helps a collected passenger identify.

For passengers being collected at North Terminal by a pre-booked private-hire vehicle, the map helps identify: the arrivals exit as the starting point for collection; the transport areas outside the terminal connecting to the pickup arrangement; and the relevant meeting area confirmed by the private-hire service. The specific pickup arrangement follows the airport's current operational instructions — confirm the meeting point with your private-hire service before leaving baggage reclaim.

Gatwick North Terminal Map PDF

Check the version date before relying on any downloaded copy.

A PDF may be available through the official Gatwick Airport website. If currently published, it will be on the airport's passenger information pages. Before printing or saving one, check it's the current version — airport layouts can change, and a map several months old may not reflect current terminal configurations, construction works, or facility changes. If no current PDF is available, the online map on the official Gatwick Airport website is the most accurate resource — it reflects current operational status, which a printed PDF can't. For the most current layout, check gatwickairport.com.

Gatwick North Terminal and Nearby Transport

Rail, bus, taxi and parking — plus the transit link itself.

Railway station: connected to South Terminal, not North Terminal — North Terminal passengers travelling by rail need the inter-terminal transit; allow time for this in your journey plan. Bus and coach: services stop at the North Terminal bus and coach area on the forecourt — services may differ from South Terminal, so confirm your specific service's terminal before booking. Taxi and private hire: pre-booked services collect and drop off via the relevant road access and designated areas. Parking: Short Stay adjacent to the terminal; longer-stay parking further out with shuttle access — check the Gatwick Airport website for current information.

Inter-terminal transit: connects North and South Terminal — the transit journey itself takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes, plus walking time to and from the stations at each terminal. Allow at least 15 to 20 minutes for the full transfer if switching terminals.

Gatwick North Terminal Map: Quick Reference

Twelve common questions, answered directly.

Gatwick North Terminal Taxi Pickup & Drop-Off

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Last reviewed September 2026 · Next review December 2026 · Terminal layout, gate positions and facility locations at Gatwick North Terminal are subject to change — always check current official Gatwick Airport information before travelling · Stansted Airport Taxi editorial team, operated by QMH Technologies Ltd (Company No. 13506378, registered office 10–16 Tiller Road, London E14 8PX — verified via Companies House; distinct from its Stansted operational base).