Horsham to Gatwick Airport: Train, Bus 200, Taxi and Driving Guide

Horsham to Gatwick: At a Glance

If you only read one section, read this. The full picture — fastest, cheapest, best for groups, best for early flights — in one honest table.

* Indicative fixed fare for a saloon at ~15 miles including the £10 Gatwick drop-off charge; your exact fixed fare is confirmed at booking by pickup postcode, vehicle, date and time. Distances range 11–16 miles depending on your Horsham address and destination terminal.

• Fastest: Train — 18 minutes scheduled. Taxi — 20–30 minutes door-to-door with no station transfer.
• Cheapest: Metrobus 200 — from ~£3–£5 single, 24-hour service. Train from ~£4–£8.
• Best for groups: Taxi or MPV — one fixed fare covering everyone and all luggage, door-to-door. From £57 (MPV5) at ~15 miles including drop-off charge.
• Best overnight: Metrobus 200 (first bus 03:49) or pre-booked taxi (24/7). Train does not operate between ~23:30 and 05:15.

Horsham to Gatwick Airport: Journey Overview

Horsham is a market town in West Sussex approximately 11–16 miles south-west of Gatwick Airport. The corridor is well-served in every direction and at almost every hour.

How Far Is Horsham from Gatwick Airport?

Distance depends on how you measure it — and three figures appear online for good reason.

• Road distance: approximately 11–16 miles. The exact figure varies by your departure point within Horsham (RH12 vs RH13 postcodes), your destination terminal (North or South), and the specific route. The main driving route via the A264 east through Faygate and the A23 northbound to the terminal roundabout is approximately 15.8 miles.
• Rail distance: approximately 18 km (about 11 miles) between Horsham station (HRH) and Gatwick Airport station (GTW). Rail distance follows the track alignment, not the road.
• Straight-line distance: approximately 13 miles — useful for geographic context but not for journey planning.

Use road distance for taxis and driving; the rail timetable for train planning; and the scheduled route time for Metrobus 200.

The Four Options at a Glance

• Train: direct from Horsham station every 20 minutes, fastest journey 18 minutes — arrives at South Terminal.
• Metrobus 200: direct from Horsham Bus Station (Bay C) to North Terminal (Stop 9), 24-hour operation, first bus 03:49.
• Fixed-fare taxi: door-to-door from your exact Horsham address to your chosen terminal, 24/7, fares from £53 including the £10 Gatwick drop-off charge.
• Driving: via A264 and A23, approximately 19–24 minutes traffic-free, with the £10 Gatwick drop-off charge applying from 6 January 2026.

Horsham to Gatwick by Train

The fastest public transport option on this corridor. Direct services run every 20 minutes throughout the day — no change required for most journeys.

Is There a Direct Train?

Yes. Direct trains operate regularly between Horsham railway station (HRH) and Gatwick Airport station (GTW). Services run every 20 minutes — at least 3 times per hour — operated by Thameslink and Southern. The route runs via the Brighton Main Line. During engineering works or disruptions, some services may require a change at Three Bridges — check National Rail before you travel.

Journey Time

Train Timetable

Always check live times at National Rail (nationalrail.co.uk), Thameslink (thameslinkrailway.com) or Southern (southernrailway.com) before you travel — engineering works can alter times and require changes without notice.

Train Ticket Prices

Fares vary by time of day, booking channel and operator. Average fares for this route are approximately £4–£8. Verify current prices at the operator's website or National Rail before you travel.

Horsham and Gatwick Stations

• Horsham station (HRH): Station Road, Horsham RH13 5DX. Ticket office open daily, ticket machines, step-free access, lifts, waiting room, taxi rank, Metrobus 200 connections (Bay C), and car parking (charges apply).
• Gatwick Airport station (GTW): located directly beneath South Terminal. Step-free access, lifts and escalators, luggage trolleys available. Passengers for North Terminal take the free inter-terminal shuttle — 3 minutes, every 6 minutes.

Is Three Bridges a Useful Alternative?

Three Bridges station, near Crawley, is approximately 5 minutes from Horsham by train and provides connections to Gatwick, London and the south coast. It is a useful contingency if your direct service is cancelled or engineering works are affecting the main line. Taxi from Three Bridges to Gatwick is also an option if onward rail connections are disrupted.

Returning: Gatwick to Horsham by Train

Direct trains from Gatwick Airport station to Horsham run every 20 minutes, average journey approximately 20 minutes. First train from Gatwick is approximately 05:30 on weekdays; last train approximately 23:50. For arrivals after the last train, Metrobus 200 overnight service or a pre-booked taxi are the alternatives.

When the Train Is and Is Not the Right Choice

• Train is right: solo or paired travellers, light luggage, daytime or early-evening travel, starting close to Horsham station, budget-conscious travel.
• Train is not right: flights before 05:15 or after 23:29, heavy luggage, groups of three or more where per-person taxi costs become competitive, passengers needing door-to-door from a specific Horsham address.

Horsham to Gatwick on Metrobus 200

The budget and overnight option — direct from Horsham Bus Station to Gatwick North Terminal, 24 hours a day since February 2024.

Does Metrobus 200 Go Directly to Gatwick?

Yes. Metrobus 200 operates direct from Horsham Bus Station (Bay C) to Gatwick North Terminal Bus Station (Stop 9) without a change. The route runs via Horsham Carfax (Stop J), Horsham railway station, North Heath, Bewbush, Gossops Green, Ifield and Manor Royal. Full stop details are available on the official Metrobus route map at metrobus.co.uk.

Where to Board in Horsham

Board from Bay C at Horsham Bus Station, located on Albion Way, Horsham RH12 1AH — a short walk from Horsham railway station. Tickets are purchased via contactless card, debit/credit card or the Metrobus app. There is no requirement to pre-book.

Journey Time

Timetable

Sample overnight departures from Horsham Bus Station (Bay C): 03:49 · 04:48 · 05:48 · 06:48 · 07:53 · regular services throughout the day. Verify current times at metrobus.co.uk before travel.

Ticket Prices

Boarding at Gatwick — Return Journey

Metrobus 200 departs from Gatwick North Terminal Bus Station (Stop 9). Follow airport signage for "Buses" or "North Terminal Bus Station". Passengers arriving at South Terminal should take the free inter-terminal shuttle to North Terminal (3 minutes, every 6 minutes) before boarding. Gatwick-to-Horsham first bus is approximately 03:30 on weekdays; last bus approximately 23:00.

When Metrobus 200 Is and Is Not the Right Choice

• Metrobus 200 is right: budget travel, overnight flights (03:49 first bus from Horsham), late arrivals, 1–2 passengers with manageable luggage, passengers who need North Terminal directly.
• Metrobus 200 is not right: heavy luggage or large groups (limited space), passengers for South Terminal who want to avoid the shuttle transfer, missed bus with a tight flight window (no immediate alternative).

Horsham to Gatwick by Fixed-Fare Taxi

Door-to-door from your exact Horsham address to your chosen terminal — no changes, no luggage hauls, no clock-watching at the drop-off barrier. The £10 Gatwick drop-off charge is included in every fare.

Driving Route and Journey Time

The standard route follows the A264 east from Horsham through Faygate, joining the A23 northbound at Pease Pottage and continuing directly to Gatwick's terminal roundabout — approximately 15.8 miles from central Horsham.

Fixed Fares by Vehicle — £10 Gatwick Drop-Off Charge Included

Fares below are indicative at approximately 15 miles (central Horsham to terminal). Your exact fixed fare is confirmed at booking by your specific pickup postcode, vehicle, date and time.

* Indicative fixed fares at ~15 miles including the £10 Gatwick drop-off charge. Your exact confirmed fare is set at booking by pickup point, vehicle class, date and time. Final fare confirmed at booking — no meter, no surge.

The Honest Verdict on When a Taxi Wins

We will not pretend a taxi beats the train for a solo traveller with a cabin bag heading to Gatwick at 10am. It does not. But there are four situations where a fixed-fare car is genuinely the right call:

• Early flights before 05:15. The first train departs at 05:15 — too late for many long-haul check-ins. A pre-booked taxi covers any pickup time, including 03:00 or 04:00, with no reliance on a first-train that could be cancelled.
• Late arrivals after 23:30. The last train to Horsham departs Gatwick at approximately 23:29. After that, rail simply is not running. A pre-booked taxi with flight tracking meets you in the terminal whenever your flight actually lands.
• Groups of three or more. Split across three people, a £53–£58 taxi fare becomes £17–£19 per head — comparable to three train tickets, with door-to-door service and all luggage in one vehicle.
• Heavy luggage or families. A car takes the bags at your front door and delivers them to the terminal kerbside. No station steps, no crowded carriages, no hunting for luggage space at the door. Child seats available on request.

What the Taxi Includes on Every Journey

• ✔ Fixed fare agreed at booking — no meter, no surge, no peak-time premium
• ✔ £10 Gatwick drop-off charge included — no surprise at the barrier
• ✔ Drop-off at your chosen terminal: North or South — confirm at booking
• ✔ Flight tracking on return journeys — meet & greet with name board, 45–60 min free waiting
• ✔ 24/7 availability — covering pre-dawn departures and post-midnight arrivals

Gatwick Airport Drop-Off Charge — What You Need to Know

Every vehicle dropping off at Gatwick pays this charge, effective from 6 January 2026. Here is how it works — and why our taxi fares include it rather than adding it on arrival.

If you are driving yourself to drop someone off: the Long Stay car parks offer free drop-off with a free shuttle to the terminal, making them a practical alternative to the forecourt charge if you have time to use the shuttle. If you are using our taxi service, the £10 charge is already included in your fixed fare — no separate payment, no barrier surprise.

Driving from Horsham to Gatwick Airport

A practical option for flexible schedules — but the drop-off charge, traffic on the A264/A23, and parking costs are all worth calculating before you choose it over a taxi.

Route

• Join the A264 eastbound from Horsham town centre through Faygate.
• Continue to the A264/A23 interchange at Pease Pottage.
• Join the A23 northbound and follow signs to North or South Terminal.

Estimated Costs of Driving

• Fuel (round trip): approximately £6–£10 depending on vehicle and current fuel price. Distance approximately 15–16 miles each way.
• Drop-off charge: £10 — applies to every vehicle. Plan payment before midnight the following day to avoid a fine.
• Parking (if leaving the car): Short Stay from ~£10–£20 per hour; Long Stay from ~£20–£40 per day; off-airport from ~£15–£30 per day. Long Stay includes a free shuttle to the terminal.

Driving vs Fixed-Fare Taxi

Cost Comparison: One to Four Travellers

This is where the taxi maths changes. The fixed fare is the same regardless of how many people share it — so at three or four passengers, the per-person cost becomes directly competitive with separate train or bus tickets.

What the table shows. For a solo traveller the train is the clear financial winner. For four travellers, a saloon taxi at ~£13–£14 per head is competitive with four separate train tickets, and you get door-to-door service with all luggage in one vehicle. The crossover point is typically three passengers — especially when luggage, early hours or distance from the station are factors.

Early Flights and Late-Night Arrivals

The hours outside the train timetable are where transport choices narrow — and where a pre-booked car or a 24-hour bus becomes essential.

Best Option for a 06:00 Flight

Work backwards: check-in for a 06:00 departure typically requires airport arrival by 04:00–04:30. That means leaving Horsham by 03:30–04:00 depending on traffic. The first train departs at 05:15 — arriving at Gatwick around 05:33 — which is too late for a 06:00 flight. The options that work:

• Pre-booked taxi: pickup from your door at 03:30 or 04:00, guaranteed arrival at the terminal with time to check in. Recommended for reliability.
• Metrobus 200: first bus at 03:49 from Horsham Bus Station (Bay C), arriving at North Terminal approximately 04:22–04:30. Add 3 minutes for the inter-terminal shuttle to South Terminal if needed. A viable option for passengers starting close to the bus station.

Can You Travel from Horsham to Gatwick at 03:00?

Yes — by taxi (24/7) or Metrobus 200 overnight service. The 03:49 bus from Horsham Bus Station is the first Metrobus 200 departure of the day. Taxis operate at any hour, pre-booked or on-demand. The train does not run at this hour.

Late Arrivals — After the Last Train

The last train from Gatwick to Horsham departs at approximately 23:29–23:50 on weekdays. If your flight lands after that window, or if immigration and baggage reclaim push you past the last departure, the options are:

• Pre-booked taxi from Gatwick: flight tracking means your driver knows your actual landing time, not the scheduled one. Meet & greet in the arrivals hall with name board, 45–60 minutes free waiting from touchdown.
• Metrobus 200 overnight: overnight services run at reduced frequency. Last bus from Gatwick approximately 23:00. Check the live Metrobus timetable before relying on a specific departure.

First and Last Services Summary

Gatwick North and South Terminals — Which Does Your Transport Serve?

Always confirm your airline's terminal before you travel. The inter-terminal shuttle is free and quick, but it adds time — and if you arrive at the wrong terminal with 20 minutes to check-in, those 3 minutes matter.

The inter-terminal shuttle runs 24 hours, every 6 minutes, and takes approximately 3 minutes. It is step-free and luggage trolleys are available. Allow 10–15 minutes in your overall timing if you know a terminal transfer is needed after alighting from the train or bus.

Service Disruptions and Alternative Routes

Engineering works, road incidents and route diversions all happen. Here is the contingency plan for each.

• Train engineering works: typically occur on weekends and bank holidays. Check National Rail and the operator journey planner before you travel. Replacement bus services are usually provided but take longer and do not guarantee arrival at the same time as the train. Three Bridges station provides connections if the direct Horsham service is affected.
• Metrobus 200 diversions: check for route diversions and stop closures at metrobus.co.uk or via live vehicle tracking apps. If a specific stop is closed, the nearest alternative stop is usually signed.
• Road delays on the A264/A23: peak commuter hours (07:00–09:00) add 10–15 minutes, as do major events and airport congestion on Fridays and Sundays. If driving or taking a taxi, allow extra time during these windows. A taxi driver monitors traffic and selects the best route on the day.
• If your primary option fails: check the next direct service → check Three Bridges connections → check Metrobus 200 (24-hour service) → book a taxi (available 24/7 from £53 including drop-off charge) → recalculate your airport arrival time and contact your airline if check-in may be affected.

Practical Travel Tips — Horsham to Gatwick

Eight things worth knowing before you travel, collected from the most common planning mistakes on this route.

• Confirm your terminal before you leave. South Terminal and North Terminal are served by different transport links. The train arrives at South; Metrobus 200 arrives at North. The free shuttle takes 3 minutes, but arriving at the wrong terminal with a tight check-in adds stress you can avoid.
• Work backwards from check-in, not from departure. Most airlines require you at check-in 2–3 hours before departure. Add security time (30–60 minutes), your journey time and a buffer. A 06:00 departure means airport arrival by 04:00 at the latest — not a 05:15 train.
• Allow extra time at peak periods. Weekday 07:00–09:00 adds 10–15 minutes on the A264/A23. School holidays, bank holidays and Friday/Sunday airport peaks compound queue times inside the terminal too.
• The Gatwick drop-off charge applies to everyone. From 6 January 2026, every vehicle dropping off pays £10 for up to 10 minutes. If you are being dropped off by a friend or family member, they pay this charge. Our taxi fares include it — there is no separate payment at the barrier.
• Check Sunday timetables separately. Both train and Metrobus 200 run reduced frequency on Sundays. Do not assume weekday timings apply. The difference can be an extra 20–30 minutes between buses or trains.
• Avoid undated aggregator data. Many journey planner tools cache old information on fares and timetables. Always verify at the operator's website or National Rail immediately before you travel.
• Check luggage capacity before you book. Train luggage racks and bus luggage spaces fill quickly at peak times. For three or more large cases, an estate taxi or MPV removes the problem entirely.
• Pre-book your return taxi before you fly. Setting up the return booking at the same time as the outbound one means your driver is already scheduled for the correct flight, terminal and Horsham address — nothing to arrange when you land tired after a long-haul.

Quick Answers — Horsham to Gatwick

Fast-reference answers to the most common questions on this route.

• Is there a direct train? Yes — Thameslink and Southern, fastest 18 min, from ~£4–£8, every 20 minutes from 05:15.
• Is Metrobus 200 a 24-hour service? Yes — 24 hours since February 2024, first bus from Horsham at 03:49 from Bay C.
• How far is Horsham from Gatwick? 11–16 miles by road; 18 km by rail; 13 miles straight-line.
• What is the fastest option? Train at 18–21 minutes scheduled. Taxi at 20–30 minutes door-to-door with no station transfer.
• Which terminal does the train serve? South Terminal — free shuttle to North Terminal (3 min, every 6 min) if needed.
• Which terminal does Metrobus 200 serve? North Terminal (Stop 9) — free shuttle to South Terminal if needed.

Book Your Horsham to Gatwick Transfer

Stansted Airport Taxi is a TfL-licensed private-hire operator. For a solo traveller with light luggage in service hours, take the train with our blessing — it is the honest choice. But when you have luggage, a group, an early departure, a late arrival, or need a door-to-door ride from your exact Horsham address to either Gatwick terminal, we will get you there on a fixed fare with no surprises.

• ✔ Fixed fare from £53 saloon — indicative, confirmed at booking; no meter, no surge
• ✔ £10 Gatwick drop-off charge included — no separate payment at the barrier
• ✔ Door-to-door from any Horsham address (RH12/RH13) to North or South Terminal
• ✔ 24/7 availability — pre-dawn pickups and post-midnight return journeys
• ✔ Meet & greet with name board, flight tracking, 45–60 min free waiting on return legs
• ✔ Full vehicle range: Saloon, Estate, MPV5–8, Executive and Executive MPV for groups

👉 Get your fixed fare in under two minutes — book online or call +44 20 3617 7825. See also our Stansted Airport Drop-Off Charges Guide and Stansted Airport Arrivals Guide for your other airport journeys.

Last reviewed August 2026 · Stansted Airport Taxi Route Team. Times and fares last checked August 2026. Verify live times at nationalrail.co.uk, thameslinkrailway.com, southernrailway.com and metrobus.co.uk before travel.