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Gatwick South Terminal is the airport's rail-access point — the railway station is integrated directly into the building on the lower level, no exit to the exterior required. It serves British Airways, Vueling and other carriers, with its own check-in, security, arrivals and gates.
This page covers the South Terminal layout — where arrivals and departures sit, how to navigate from security to the gates, drop-off and parking, and the railway station connection. Confirm your flight uses South Terminal before relying on this page. For airport-wide orientation, see our Gatwick Airport Map page; for North Terminal, see Gatwick North Terminal Map.
Departures processing (check-in, bag drop, security) occupies the main terminal hall; arrivals (baggage reclaim, customs, exit) occupies a separate level. The railway station is integrated into the building on the lower level — no need to exit to reach it.
Gates sit airside, beyond security, extending into pier and satellite structures — some a short walk from security, others considerably further, particularly for longer-haul flights.
Drop-off is on the terminal forecourt; Short Stay parking sits adjacent with a covered walkway, longer-stay parking further out with a shuttle. South Terminal's direct rail connection is its single biggest practical advantage over North Terminal.
The principal areas this map covers.
Where are the gates at Gatwick South Terminal?
In the airside departure area, beyond security, extending into pier and satellite structures. Gate numbers appear on departure screens roughly 45–60 minutes before departure.
Is the railway station connected to South Terminal?
Yes — integrated directly into the building on the lower level, accessible without exiting to the exterior.
Where are arrivals at South Terminal?
On the lower level, separate from departures. After border control, collect baggage and exit through customs into the public arrivals area.
Where is South Terminal drop-off?
On the terminal forecourt, accessed from the South Terminal road circuit off the A23/M23. A drop-off charge applies.
Where is parking at South Terminal?
Short Stay is adjacent with a covered walkway; longer-stay car parks are further out with shuttle bus access.
How do I get from the railway station to departures?
Take escalators or lifts up from the lower level to the departures level, then follow signs to your airline's check-in zone.
One building, the railway station built in, a clear split between departures and arrivals.
Main building. An integrated facility — departures processing (check-in, bag drop, security) occupies the main hall; arrivals processing (baggage reclaim, customs, exit) occupies a separate level. The railway station is integrated into the building on the lower level, accessible from within without exiting to the exterior. The terminal connects to the inter-terminal transit for passengers needing North Terminal.
Landside and airside. Landside covers the check-in hall, bag drop, the arrivals exit, railway station access, and public forecourt areas — accessible to all visitors without a boarding pass. Airside begins beyond security 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.
Levels and key areas. The upper/main level handles departures check-in and the departure hall; the lower level handles the railway station, arrivals, baggage reclaim and the inter-terminal transit connection. The road-forecourt entrance connects directly to the departures level.
Gate distance varies more here than at North Terminal, due to the pier and satellite structures.
Gates sit in the airside departure area, beyond security — the departure lounge connects to pier and satellite gate structures extending from the main area. Some gates sit within the main lounge; others require passing through a pier structure and, in some cases, a transit connection. Gate assignments are operational, displayed on departure screens from approximately 45 to 60 minutes before departure — check the screens after clearing security and follow directional signs toward the relevant gate range.
The distance from security to your gate varies significantly by assignment — main-lounge gates are a short walk; satellite pier gates require considerably longer, particularly for longer-haul flights that may use gates farther from the security exit. Allow sufficient time accordingly.
Terminal entrance → Check-In → Bag Drop → Security → Departure area → Gate.
Terminal entrance: from the forecourt via drop-off, the Short Stay walkway, or from the railway station and inter-terminal transit on the lower level — leading into the check-in hall on the main departures level. Check-in: arranged by airline zone, shown in your booking confirmation or airline app/website, with self-service kiosks and staffed desks by zone. Bag drop: within your airline's zone — the bag-drop deadline is earlier than check-in for some airlines, so confirm the specific deadline. Security: at the end of the departures hall, a single consolidated checkpoint. Departure area: airside — gates, duty-free, shops, food and drink, seating; for lounge access here, see our Gatwick South Terminal Lounges page. Departure screens throughout show flight status and gate numbers. Gates: follow directional signs for the displayed number — allow time for pier-end and satellite gates.
Aircraft → Arrivals → Baggage Reclaim → Customs/Exit → Pick-Up / Transport.
Arriving passengers are directed from the aircraft into the arrivals corridor — international arrivals pass through UK Border Force before baggage reclaim; domestic arrivals follow a separate route, indicated by overhead signage from the gate. The arrivals area sits on the lower level, separate from departures.
Baggage reclaim: carousels are in the arrivals hall, with the carousel for each flight displayed on information screens — allocation can change between landing and baggage arrival, so check the screens rather than assuming a fixed carousel. Terminal exit: after customs, exit into the public arrivals area on the lower level — the meeting point for those being collected; pre-booked private-hire drivers typically wait here with a name board.
Onward transport. From the arrivals exit: direct access to the railway station (integrated into the building), bus and coach connections from the forecourt, taxi and private-hire areas, and the Short Stay car park. South Terminal's direct rail connection is a genuine practical advantage for onward travel by train.
Road approach, the zone itself, and the difference from pick-up.
The drop-off zone is accessed from the South Terminal road circuit, off the main airport access road from the A23/M23 — signs at the entrance junction direct vehicles to South Terminal separately from North Terminal. Confirm the correct terminal with your driver before the approach, since the road split happens before the terminal forecourt.
The zone sits directly in front of the main 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 terminal entrance is a short walk, leading directly to the check-in hall on the departures level.
Drop-off vs pick-up: separate functions. Drop-off happens at the forecourt bays; collecting arriving passengers requires following the airport's current pickup instructions.
Two tiers, at different distances from the terminal.
Short Stay parking is adjacent to the building, connected by a covered walkway — used primarily for short visits and passenger collections needing immediate terminal access. Longer-stay car parks sit further away, connected by shuttle bus — allow time for the transfer on both the outward and return journey. For current prices, booking and availability, check the Gatwick Airport website (not covered on this page). On the terminal map, Short Stay is shown adjacent to the building; longer-stay zones sit separately on the airport site, connected by shuttle bus routes.
Six stages, from entrance to gate — and the reverse for arrivals.
Journey: Arrive at terminal → Check in → Bag drop → Security → Departure area → Gate.
Before travelling to South Terminal as a departing passenger, identify the following on the map: the terminal entrance relevant to your approach route (road drop-off, car park, railway station, or inter-terminal transit); the check-in zone for your airline; security, at the end of the departures hall; the departure area, airside beyond security; and gate information, confirmed on screens after clearing security. Passengers arriving by rail will enter from the railway station on the lower level and need to proceed to the departures level via escalators or lifts — allow time for this transition in your journey plan.
Journey: Arrivals → Baggage reclaim → Exit → Pick-up / Taxi / Public Transport.
Passengers arriving at South Terminal should identify the following on the map before travelling: the arrivals area, lower level of the terminal; baggage reclaim, lower level, before the customs exit; the customs exit leading to the public arrivals area; the railway station, directly accessible from the lower level; taxi and private-hire areas, from the terminal forecourt; and the inter-terminal transit, if connecting to North Terminal. The direct railway station connection at South Terminal is a significant convenience for arriving passengers travelling onward to London or other rail-connected destinations.
What the map helps a collected passenger identify.
For passengers being collected at South Terminal by a pre-booked private-hire vehicle, the map helps identify: the arrivals exit as the starting point for collection; the transport areas accessible from the lower level and forecourt; and the agreed meeting arrangement 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.
Five passenger types, each with a slightly different starting point.
Before travelling: confirm the terminal entrance, check-in zone, security location, and the departure area. Identify your gate approach after clearing security. Arriving by rail? Identify the route from the station to the departures level first.
After landing: follow signs for Arrivals and baggage reclaim. After collecting bags and clearing customs, exit into the arrivals area and locate the relevant onward transport — railway station, taxi, or bus — from the lower level.
Wait in the public arrivals area on the lower level, beyond the customs exit. For pre-booked private-hire collection, confirm the meeting arrangement with the service provider. The railway station entrance is also accessible from this level for those continuing by rail.
Travelling with pushchairs, extra luggage, or young children should identify lift and accessible route positions on the terminal map before travelling. Lifts and escalators connect the departures level to the lower level and railway station — allow additional time for moving through the terminal.
Should contact their airline in advance to arrange support. Gatwick Airport also provides accessibility assistance — confirm arrangements before travel. Accessible routes, lifts, and assistance meeting points are shown on the official terminal map from the Gatwick Airport website.
Check the version date before relying on any downloaded copy.
A PDF may be available through the official Gatwick Airport website, accessible from the passenger information pages if currently published. Before printing or saving one, verify it's the current version — airport layouts and terminal configurations can change, and a PDF produced before a construction project or facility change may show incorrect information. If no current PDF is available, use the online map on the Gatwick Airport website, which reflects the current configuration and can be saved to a device for offline reference where supported. For the most current layout, check gatwickairport.com.
The railway station, plus everything else.
Railway station: directly integrated into the South Terminal building, accessible from the lower level without exiting to the exterior — services run to London Victoria, London Bridge and other destinations. South Terminal passengers have the most direct rail access of any Gatwick terminal; North Terminal passengers reach the station via the inter-terminal transit. Bus and coach: services stop at the South Terminal bus and coach area on the forecourt — National Express and other operators use designated stands; confirm the stand number for your specific service before travelling. Taxi and private hire: pre-booked vehicles collect and drop off via the designated areas on the terminal approach. Parking: Short Stay adjacent with a covered walkway; longer-stay with shuttle access — check the Gatwick Airport website for current information.
Inter-terminal transit: connects South Terminal to North Terminal — the transit journey itself takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes, plus walking time to and from the stations. Allow at least 15 to 20 minutes for the full transfer between terminals.
A ten-point checklist.
Twelve common questions, answered directly.
| What are you looking for? | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Terminal entrance | Main entrance from forecourt; railway station on lower level |
| Check-in | Departures hall — airline-specific zones |
| Bag drop | Within check-in zone |
| Security | End of departures hall |
| Departure area | Airside — beyond security |
| Gates | Airside — departure lounge and pier/satellite structures |
| Arrivals | Lower level — after border control |
| Baggage reclaim | Lower level — arrivals area |
| Drop-off | Terminal forecourt — South Terminal road circuit |
| Parking | Short Stay — adjacent to terminal; Long Stay — shuttle bus |
| Pick-up | Designated airport collection areas — follow current airport/service instructions |
| Railway station | Integrated into South Terminal — lower level |
Where to go next.
Q: Is there a map of Gatwick South Terminal?
A: Yes. An official South Terminal map is available on the Gatwick Airport website. This page provides navigational orientation covering gates, arrivals, departures, drop-off, parking, and the railway station connection.
Q: Where can I find the Gatwick South Terminal map?
A: The current official map is available on the Gatwick Airport website. Check the passenger information section for the current version, including any available PDF download.
Q: Where are the gates at Gatwick South Terminal?
A: In the airside departure area, beyond the security checkpoint. Gate numbers are displayed on departure information screens from approximately 45 to 60 minutes before departure. Follow directional signs for the relevant gate range.
Q: Is there a Gatwick South Terminal gate map?
A: Gate positions are shown on the official terminal map from the Gatwick Airport website. Assignments are operational and displayed on departure screens in the airside area — monitor these after clearing security.
Q: Where are arrivals at Gatwick South Terminal?
A: On the lower level of the South Terminal building. After landing and clearing border control, passengers collect baggage from the lower-level arrivals hall and exit through customs into the public arrivals area.
Q: Where are departures at Gatwick South Terminal?
A: In the main departures hall — check-in, bag drop, and security — with the airside departure area and gates beyond security.
Q: Where is South Terminal drop-off?
A: On the terminal forecourt, accessed from the South Terminal road circuit off the A23/M23. A drop-off charge applies — check the current fee on the Gatwick Airport website.
Q: Where is parking for Gatwick South Terminal?
A: Short Stay parking is adjacent to the terminal with a covered walkway. Longer-stay car parks have shuttle bus access. For current pricing and booking, check the Gatwick Airport website.
Q: Is there a Gatwick South Terminal map PDF?
A: A PDF may be available through the official Gatwick Airport website. If not currently available, use the online map, which reflects the most current terminal configuration.
Q: How do I get from security to my gate at South Terminal?
A: After clearing security, check the departure screens for the gate number. Follow directional signs for the relevant gate range. Allow sufficient time, particularly for gates in the satellite pier structures.
Q: How do I find someone arriving at Gatwick South Terminal?
A: Wait in the public arrivals area on the lower level, beyond the customs exit. Confirm the flight's landing time and allow time for passengers to clear border control and collect baggage. For pre-booked private-hire collection, confirm the meeting arrangement before the passenger lands.
Q: Where should a taxi or private-hire passenger go at South Terminal?
A: Departing passengers are dropped off at the South Terminal forecourt drop-off zone. Arriving passengers follow the airport's current pickup instructions — confirm the meeting arrangement with the private-hire service before leaving baggage reclaim.
For pre-booked private-hire transfers to or from Gatwick South Terminal, Stansted Airport Taxi is a TfL-licensed private-hire operator confirming the correct terminal and meeting arrangement before your journey.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · Next review December 2026 · Terminal layout, gate positions and facility locations at Gatwick South 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).
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