London Gatwick (LGW) Airport

Guest Services and Help

 Change Airport

GUEST SERVICES AT GATWICK AIRPORT: Separately listed below are Services available at the North and South Terminals: A. Information Desk; B. Family Facilities [for traveling with small children/babies, see "Security"; C. Hotel Reservation Desk and at-airport hotel facilities; D. Baggage Storage/Left Baggage; E. Shower facilities. (See also individual listings of other services)

A. The Gatwick Information Desk: are located in both the North and South Terminals, on the arrivals concourse and after security in the departure lounge. Multilingual staff are on hand to offer translation. Public address announcements and paging are made at the desks and message boards are provided. For insurance reasons, no items (including keys, packages etc) may be left at the desks or on the message boards. For paging call +44 (0)870 000 2468.

B. Family Facilities: - Traveling with children should not be a challenge. Whatever you need to keep kids happy at the airport--from baby changing rooms to pre-flight entertainment--Gatwick Airport will have it:

AT THE NORTH TERMINAL:
(a) Servisair Wentworth Lounge is for both adults and those travelling with families. You can enjoy service and hospitality for up to three hours before your flight with the following amenities: Comfortable seating with peace and quiet; complimentary alcoholic, soft and hot drinks, as well as snacks; Internet access, computer points, phone and fax (at a charge); a self contained “Fun Zone” area with soft play, video games, etc.; TV, newspapers and magazines.
(b) Food and other essentials - Most restaurants provide high chairs and children's menus. Garfunkel's (after security control) has a full children's menu complete with activity pack.
(c) Boots pharmacy (branches before and after security) supplies baby essentials including nappies, formula milk and baby wipes.

AT THE SOUTH TERMINAL:
(a) Boots pharmacy (branches before and after security) supplies baby essentials including nappies, formula milk and baby wipes.
(b) Baby changing facilities - Specially equipped rooms for feeding and changing babies are indicated by either a bottle sign or a babycare symbol. They are located in the check-in area, en route to the gates, in the transfer area and after passport control in Arrivals. There are also fold-down tables provided in some male and female toilets.
(b)The Gatwick Family Lounge located after security. Facilities include TV, complimentary soft and alcoholic drinks, showers and a selection of newspapers and magazines.
(c) WHSmith and World News offer a wide range of magazines, comics and puzzle books to keep youngsters entertained in the departure lounge and in the air.
(d) GameGrid provides the best in arcade entertainment including ice hockey, table football and computer games. There are branches before and after security, and in arrivals.
(e) There are plenty of spots in the South Terminal where your kids can watch the action on the airfield and taxiways. After security, Metro Café Bar and Est Est Est offer great vantage points for watching aircraft take off and land, while the Bridge Bar and Frankie and Benny's provide close-up views of the jets on their stands.

C. Hotel Reservation Desks: For the British Hotel Reservation Center go to its reservation desks in the arrivals area of Gatwick North and South terminals. You can book a wide selection of accommodation--from youth hostels to luxury hotels. Open 6am-11pm daily. This service charges a small booking fee. Tel: +44 (0)208 759 8797 or toll-free 0800 783 4020 (UK only). Of course, you can also book your reservation online for the accommodation of your choice.

AT-AIRPORT HOTELS:
1. Hilton London Gatwick (South Terminal) - linked to the South Terminal by a covered walkway and reached in a few minutes. Facilities include a business center, meeting rooms, hair salon, 24-hour LivingWell Express Gym, restaurants and bars.
Air-conditioned rooms have satellite TV, pay movies and video games, tea and coffee facilities, trouser presses, Hilton toiletries, hairdryers and high-speed internet access. Family rooms sleep five and executive accommodation has Executive Lounge access.

2. YOTEL (South Terminal) - offers 46 stylish cabins in a choice of premium (full size double bed) or standard (large single bed). Located inside South Terminal, moments from check-in or arrivals. Fees: from £25 for 4 hours to £55 for overnight. It is ideal for either early morning departures, long layovers, or when stranded due to unexpected cancellations. Tel: +44 (0)20 7100 1100.

3. Sofitel London Gatwick (North Terminal) - a 4-star hotel directly connected to North Terminal by a covered walkway, minutes from South Terminal by monorail, offers world-class services and amenities, including various dining options and extensive meeting and event facilities.

D. Baggage Storage / Left Baggage:

AT NORTH TERMINAL: Left baggage office is in Arrivals and open 5am-9pm. The charge is £6.50 per item per 24 hours (or part thereof). A left baggage facility is offered to passengers wishing to store luggage, etc. for a number of hours or days. All items are security checked. For more information, call +44 (0)1293 502013. Other services available: Baggage shipping and forwarding; unaccompanied baggage; UK baggage delivery; a choice of luggage and travel goods.

AT SOUTH TERMINAL: Left Baggage is located in Arrivals, open 24 hrs. The facility is available to those wishing to store their luggage, etc. for a number of hours/days. All items are security checked. The charge is £6.50 per item per 24 hours (or part thereof). For more information, call +44 (0)1293 502 014. Other services available: baggage shipping and forwarding; Unaccompanied baggage; UK baggage delivery and a choice of luggage and travel goods.

E. Shower Facilities
The nearest shower facilities for North Terminal passengers are in the South Terminal, reached in two minutes using the monorail. The shower block is upstairs on the Gatwick Village level and located before security control. Available to arriving or departing passengers.
If you're catching a connecting flight which leaves from the South Terminal, you can find showers in the departure lounge after security, next to the toilet block between Ted Baker and Boots.
For help using shower facilities, ask either the staff or go to the airport information desk. Soap and a towel can be provided for a small charge.
INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS AT GATWICK AIRPORT:

--Arrivals areas: North Terminal--Ground Floor; South Terminal--Second Floor (at the opposite end from check-in).
--After landing: After leaving the aircraft, follow signs for arrivals to go through passport control, baggage reclaim and Customs.
--Connecting flight: If your baggage is checked through to your final destination, follow the Flight connections signs when you leave the aircraft.

Passport control:
Unless you're making a connecting flight, your first stop is passport control. There are two separate areas, one for British and European Union (EU) nationals and one for all other nationalities.
At the passport booth an immigration officer will ask to see your passport and any supporting documentation necessary for your visit. Please remember that your passport must not expire during your visit to the UK. During busy times there may be long lines--be patient, as stringent checks help ensure security for visitors and UK residents alike.

Connecting at Gatwick:

Immigration and Customs:
(a) International connections: clear Customs or Immigration at Gatwick.
(b) International to UK and Ireland connections: clear Immigration and Customs at Gatwick.
(c) UK and Ireland to International connections: if your baggage is through-checked, use the special Immigration check points – if not, clear Immigration and Customs.

Baggage:
(a) If your baggage is through-checked to your final destination, you do not need to collect it at Gatwick. It will continue to your final destination for Customs clearance.
(b) If your baggage is not through-checked, you must collect your it at Gatwick. Follow signs to Baggage Reclaim – you must pass through Immigration on your way – and then proceed to the check-in desk for your next flight.

Changing Terminals:
(a) Connecting to UK, Channel Islands or Ireland flights: Follow Arrivals, collect baggage and take the free shuttle train between North and South Terminals. Transit trains depart every six minutes (three minutes at peak times) and take two minutes.
(b) Connecting to international flights: If your baggage is checked through to your final destination, use the free inter-terminal bus which operates from below the flight connections areas.

Connecting to Heathrow or Stansted airports see "Ground Transportation"

General Information

Passengers connecting on to international destinations can connect airside (ie without clearing Customs and passport control) using Flight Connections. If you need to change terminals, use the free Flight Connections bus which runs every 10 – 15 minutes. NOTE: passengers connecting airside will require either a boarding card or ticket for the onward flight, and that any hold luggage must be through-checked to your final destination.

Passengers connecting on to UK destinations (including the Channel Islands and Ireland) must follow the standard arrivals route through Customs (for international passengers) and baggage reclaim, and then proceed to check-in for their onward flight. It is a UK Immigration Service requirement that all passengers entering the UK must present themselves to Immigration at the first port of call. Therefore it is important that your passport/visa allows you entry into the UK. You can apply for a 24-hour visa on arrival. This is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer, who must be satisfied that you have a confirmed booking of onward travel within 24 hours.

Gatwick Airport has NO SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS - you must make stopover arrangements if your connecting flights are separated by an overnight stay.

In the arrivals hall: Need refreshments, travel essentials or a last-minute gift? - see "Restaurants and Shops"

UK currency is available at bureaux de change in the arrivals areas of each terminal. For pre-ordering currency, see "Currency Exchange".

For car rentals - see "Rental Cars".
LOST AND FOUND AT GATWICK AIRPORT:

Gatwick Airport's lost property service, which is operated by the Excess Baggage Company, is located in the South Terminal. Open 8am-7pm, Mo-Sat, and 8am-4pm Sun. There is a charge for each item. For further information call + 44 (0) 1293 503162, fax +44 (0)1293 504310 or email gatwick.lostproperty@excess-baggage.com.
Pets at LGW Airport are not allowed, unless they are in a secure holding carriage.
Smoking areas at Gatwick Airport: - London Gatwick is a smoke-free airport. Designated smoking areas are outside the terminal buildings (before security control only). Smoking is not allowed anywhere after security control.