British holidaymakers flying from London Gatwick Airport this summer are set for a major change, and it is good news. In perfect time for one of the busiest travel periods, there will be two new overnight rail services departing from London and Reading to London Gatwick. Operated by GTR and Great Western Railway (GWR), they will be available throughout the summer, making it even easier to catch those early-morning flights.
Additional Train Services
There will be additional Gatwick Express trains departing from London Victoria at 3:40 am on Saturdays and Mondays between July 18 and September 7, as well as trains leaving Gatwick Airport at 4:35 am back to the city. Meanwhile, the overnight services between Gatwick and Reading will run in the early hours of Saturdays and Mondays until September 12 in a bid to improve services across the Thames Valley.
Bus Services Also Enhanced
In addition to train travel, numerous bus services are available to Gatwick Airport. Thanks to a new bus service from Eastbourne, there are now eight routes operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Holidaymakers flying from Gatwick can also take advantage of the 14 coach services that run continuously, for even smoother travel. These depart from major UK cities such as Birmingham, Oxford, Manchester and Swansea, to Gatwick Airport.
Comments from Officials
Following the launch of the new services, Gatwick's senior surface access manager Hannah Godfrey said: "With many flights departing early in the morning during the summer peak, having reliable public transport throughout the night is crucial. By working closely with our transport partners and investing through our Sustainable Travel Fund, we are helping passengers and staff get to the airport easily, affordably and in a way that is better for the environment."
Louis Rambaud, chief customer officer at GTR, also commented: "We know people want to make the most of their time away by getting the first flight out of London and the last flight back home again, so to accommodate this we are trialling two new overnight services from mid-July to provide even more options for people choosing to travel to the airport by train."
GWR managing director Mark Hopwood added: "This trial allows us to test demand for extended operating hours to Gatwick and gather real-world data on how passengers use these services. Improving sustainable connectivity to airports is important to support the growth in air travel, and we are pleased to work with Gatwick Airport and Network Rail to explore what is possible."
Further Information
For more information, or to book your train travel this summer, visit the GWR or Gatwick Express website. You can also find further information on travel by visiting the Gatwick Airport website.
