Gatwick Airport & Transport

London Gatwick Airport Guide

Gatwick Airport is Britain's second largest airport after Heathrow and stands as the biggest single runway airport in the world. Serving around 35 million passengers per year as of 2008 and with a forecast of serving 40 million by 2010, London Gatwick has two terminals (North and South Terminals) which are home to around 80 airlines which offer flights to over 220 locations around the world. Gatwick is the sixth busiest airport worldwide and in the Government's 'Future of Airport Transport White Paper published in 2003 it specified that lands should be put aside for a second runway at Gatwick after 2019 should a new runway at Heathrow not meet environmental standards. A second runway and the option of a 'so called wide spaced runway' at Gatwick is vigorously opposed by two local councils in the Gatwick area and numerous residents' and environmental groups.

The huge number of airlines serving Gatwick mean that cheap flights from Gatwick Airport to and from all major holiday destinations across Southern Europe and beyond are always available. Budget airlines operating from Gatwick include Easy Jet, Monarch Airlines, Flybe and First Choice Airways. Long haul destinations are numerous, offered by British Airways, Virgin Airlines and Delta. Check the Gatwick lowdown of destinations and airline providers via Gatwick Airport's webguide. Gatwick is also well served by internal UK flights for example from Manchester, Aberdeen and Glasgow which often come at a bargain price with the added advantage of speed. Internal flights to Gatwick from the North are a good option for weekend breaks in Sussex, for example Brighton weekend breaks. Gatwick offers extensive rail links into the south and Sussex with Plane to Train deals available as well as a choice of car hire firms on-site.

Facilities at both Gatwick terminals are extensive and the two terminals are linked by an automatic transit train with a quick journey time of around two minutes departing every 3 minutes during peak times and every 6 minutes at other times. Both North and South Terminals at Gatwick include a huge selection of shopping outlets, restaurants, cafes, currency, car rental, pubs and bars as well as Prayer rooms and wellbeing facilities such as relaxing airport lounges.

Gatwick Airport, West Sussex RH6 0NP United Kingdom. Gatwick Airport general enquiries tel. 44 (0)870 000 2468.

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Newhaven Ferries Dieppe/Le Havre

Newhaven Ferry Port is the closest port to London whilst Dieppe, a major destination from Newhaven is the closest port to Paris. The Dieppe to Newhaven ferry route is a popular channel crossing offered by Transmanche Ferries (weblink right). Transmanche's sister company LD Lines offers a daily summer service only between Newhaven and Le Havre. Both foot passengers and vehicles are welcome on these routes.

Two to three ferries operate daily from Newhaven to Dieppe and Dieppe to Newhaven. See the Transmanche/LD Lines weblinks right for an up-to-date timetable. Crossings take around 4 hours and check-in is 2 hours prior to sailing times. Passengers who arrive less than 45 minutes before their departure time are not guaranteed to board.

Facilities at Newhaven Ferry Port include the Haven Cafe open 7 days a week until 5pm plus a freight drivers lounge open two hours prior to all sailings. A rest area, showers and toilets including disabled access toilets are all on-site.

Newhaven Ferry Port, Railway Approach, Newhaven, East Sussex BN9 0DF. General Enquiries Tel. 0844 576 8836.

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Getting to Brighton Buses Trains Ferry Airports

As befitting one of Europe's top beach cities, Brighton is highly accessible for both international and national visitors. The city is also just under one hour from London by train, and Southern Railway run regular trains from both London Victoria and London Bridge to Brighton Station. (see Southern's weblink right for timetables). First Capital Connect offer direct trains from Bedford and Luton to Brighton and connector services along the Great Northern route from King's Lynn. From elsewhere in the UK travel by train direct to main stations Euston, St Pancras and Kings Cross and connect to London Victoria or London Bridge for Brighton via the London Underground.

Some superb deals combining buses, ferry travel and train travel are available, as well as the mega saver Downlander offering unlimited train travel across the South Downs inclusive of Brighton. Virgin Trains offer services direct from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester to London Euston where you can connect on to Brighton. Newhaven Ferry Port is situated just to the east of Brighton and regular services are offered by Transmanche and Southern Ferries from Dieppe and Le Havre. Other options for international visitors from the continent include Eurostar trains to St Pancras, Folkestone Eurotunnel and Dover Ferries. Kent transport links are within easy driving distance from Brighton. Direct trains are now available from St Pancras to Brighton which is good news for Eurostar travellers.

Direct Trains run regularly from Gatwick Airport to Brighton and for city breaks in Brighton train travel is highly recommended, leaving the car behind. Parking in Brighton Centre is limited and expensive and major attractions are clustered together within easy walking distance of each other. The value Downlander train ticket offers a further incentive to leave the car behind. See the Brighton Transport webguide link right for comprehensive advise on real-time bus information, cycling and walking around Brighton, taxi services and further details on trains. Brighton and neighbouring Hove are ideal for touring on foot or by cycle. The long seafront promenade runs the full stretch of Brighton and Hove beach. Download free Brighton city cycle and walking maps via the Transport webguide link right. Find travel information for disabled visitors via the Accessible Brighton weblink right.

Checkout the PlusBus weblinks right for tickets combining train and bus travel to Brighton. National Express offer direct coach services from London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports to Brighton and the journey takes around 2 hours. International visitors wishing to hire a car from London airports and travel by road to Brighton can expect excellent transport links via the M23/A23 main motorway into Brighton which is a mere 30 minutes by road from Gatwick and around 90 minutes from Heathrow.

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Shoreham Airport

Shoreham Airport on the West Sussex coast is within easy reach of both Worthing and the city of Brighton & Hove and is fast becoming a centre for business travel in the south.

Scheduled flights to and from France to destinations Deuville and Caen in Normandy and Le Touquet in Pas-de-Calais are available at Shoreham Airport. Flight times are around 40 to 55 minutes plus a swift 30 minute check-in time. For more details on scheduled flights to Shoreham Airport from France see the webguide links right.

Shoreham Airport also offers flight instruction and pleasure flights. The Shoreham Airport site boasts a Fly-In Bar and Restaurant in the historic art deco fronted Terminal Building. Shoreham stands as the oldest licensed airfield in all the UK!

Shoreham Airport, Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex BN43 5FF. Tel General Enq. 01273 467373. Recorded Information Line.01273 467372.

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