Gatwick gains new overnight rail connections

Gatwick is gaining new overnight rail services from London and Reading this summer.

Two new overnight rail trials will operate by GTR and Great Western Railway (GWR), over the peak travel period.

Additional Gatwick Express trains will depart London Victoria at 3.40am and depart the airport at 4.35am to accommodate early flights and late arrivals on Saturdays and Mondays between July 18 and September 7.

Overnight services will run between Gatwick and Reading in the early hours of Saturdays and Mondays until September 12 to improve connections across the Thames Valley.

A new bus service part-funded by the airport from Eastbourne takes the total of routes operating 24/7 to eight. 

A range of 14 long-distance coach services also operate around the clock, connecting Gatwick with destinations including Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford and Swansea. 

The airport’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’re helping passengers and staff get to the airport easily, affordably and in a way that’s better for the environment.

“These services are particularly important for thousands of shift workers and local employees who rely on public transport outside standard hours.”  

Louis Rambaud, chief customer officer at GTR, said: “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’re pleased to work with Gatwick Airport and Network Rail to explore what’s possible."