The Gatwick Express Is About to Run Twice as Often

Gatwick Express confirmed on November 9 that it will double its service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport starting Sunday, December 13. The non-stop train, which currently leaves twice an hour, will move to four departures an hour once the full timetable runs, which works out to roughly one train every 15 minutes.

The trip itself stays at around 30 minutes, so the change is about waiting less rather than going faster. For anyone connecting from central London with a flight to catch, a missed train will now cost a quarter of an hour instead of half an hour, which takes real pressure off early-morning departures and late-evening arrivals.

The operator says the move restores the frequency the route had before the pandemic, when four trains an hour was normal and was later cut as international demand fell. It also points to winter and Christmas travel demand, and cites its own survey in which 44 percent of respondents were interested in winter sun and 38 percent in Christmas markets or city breaks.

One caveat: no new ticket discount was announced alongside the extra trains, and perks such as fast-track security or lounge access are tied to qualifying fares rather than included with every ticket. Check the timetable closer to December 13, since service patterns can be fine-tuned before launch.

Sources: Russia Tourism News, Gatwick Express