London Gatwick Airport South Terminal Map (Most Up-To-Date)
London Gatwick South Terminal is a stacked, pier-based terminal where most journeys start on the wide Level 2 landside concourse and then jump upstairs to Level 3 for security. The footprint runs rail-station/shuttle at one end through the check-in “village” to airside piers, with long walks to the satellite gates. Within London’s Gatwick airport complex, predictability hinges on committing to the right level early and using the central escalator bank between check-in Zones D and E.
Map Table
| Zone | Connection | Walk Time |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 Lower Forecourt | drop-off roadway, Long Stay bus stands 1–5, coach/Metrobus bays | 3–5 min to Level 2 check-in |
| Level 2 Sortation Concourse | rail station link, arrivals halls, check-in Zones A–K, North Terminal shuttle entrance | ~150 m arrivals→shuttle; 5–7 min rail→security |
| Level 3 Processing Layer | main security, Premium/Fast Track lane (left side), duty-free exit | 1–3 min Zone D/E→security escalators |
| Airside Pier 3 Satellite | gates 31–95, travelators, long circular gate walks | 15–20 min security exit→Gate 90+ |
London Gatwick Airport South Terminal Map Strategy
- Start-point lock-in: rail platforms → ticket barriers → Level 2 concourse → glass doors into South Terminal, then commit to the central escalators/lifts between Zones D and E for Level 3 security.
- Treat South↔North as landside-only: arrivals/customs exit → Level 2 concourse traverse toward rail station → “North Terminal / Shuttle” entrance → up one level to the shuttle platform; no airside shortcut assumptions.
- Fast Track skepticism by design: plan as if the main Level 3 entrance is your default; treat the left-side Premium lane as an optional branch only if it’s open and visibly separated through scanners.
- Queue-proof your timing: use Level 2 FIDS immediately, then minimize lateral wandering—bag drop in Zones C/D is closest to the security ascent, while far-right Zones J/K need extra walking buffer.
2026 London Gatwick Airport South Terminal Map + Printable PDF
2026 wayfinding still centers on Level 2 for check-in, arrivals, rail, and the North Terminal shuttle, with security remaining upstairs on Level 3. Check-in zone allocations continue to shift by airline and time of day, so the FIDS screens at the ends and center of the hall stay decisive. Early-morning security access typically consolidates to the main Level 3 entrance first, with Premium/Fast Track ramping up later.
2022-2025 London Gatwick Airport South Check In and Arrivals Map (Official 2022 Edition)
2022-2025 London Gatwick Airport South Departures and Security Map (Official 2022 Edition)
2022-2025 London Gatwick Airport South International Departure Lounge Upper Level Map (Official 2022 Edition)
2022-2025London Gatwick Airport South Terminal Baggage Claim Map (Official 2022 Edition)
2022-2025 London Gatwick Airport South Terminal International Departure Lounge Lower Level Map (Official 2022 Edition)
Archive London Gatwick Airport South Terminal Map
Below are all historical map versions for London Gatwick Airport. Each year includes the official map available for that period, presented as both WebP and PDF.
2022-2025 London Gatwick Airport South Terminal Map (Official 2022 Edition)
2019 London Gatwick Airport Terminal South Map
London Gatwick Airport South Terminal Map Guide
What is the exact walking route and distance from South Terminal Arrivals (landside) to the South↔North inter-terminal shuttle/people-mover entrance?
Walking is about 150 meters from South Terminal Arrivals (landside, Level 2) to the South↔North shuttle entrance, and it typically takes 7–10 minutes once you include crowd friction and the level change into the shuttle station.
Exit customs into the Level 2 arrivals meeting area by the Costa Coffee, with WHSmith and M&S Simply Food in the immediate sightline. Turn right and follow the yellow overhead signs for “North Terminal” and “Shuttle,” keeping the check-in hall on your right as you cross the main atrium toward the rail-station end of the building. The shuttle entrance is the distinct gateline/escalator portal next to the train-station access on Level 2; take the escalator or lift up one level to the shuttle boarding platform.
What is the shortest indoor route and distance from Gatwick Airport rail platforms (South Terminal station) to the South Terminal security entrance (upstairs)?
Walking is roughly 220–280 meters from the rail platform center to the South Terminal security entrance, and it’s about 5–7 minutes at a brisk pace (not counting ticket-barrier delay).
Use the central escalators or lifts up from the platforms to the station concourse, then pass through the ticket barriers (“Way Out/Concourse”). Walk straight ahead through the covered link into the South Terminal Level 2 atrium via the glass doors, passing The Beehive (Wetherspoons) and Moneycorp. Stay on the same heading to the main escalator/lift bank between check-in Zones D and E, then go up to Level 3; you emerge facing the main security search area entrance.
Where exactly are the primary check-in/bag-drop zones in South Terminal (by zone/letter), and what is the shortest path from each zone to the escalators/lifts for security?
Check-in is arranged as lettered Zones A–K on Level 2, and the fastest security access is the central escalator/lift bank between Zones D and E. Zones D/E are effectively “at” the security ascent, while Zones A and K are the long-end extremes and need extra walking buffer.
| Zone | Primary use pattern | Shortest path to Level 3 security escalators/lifts |
|---|---|---|
| A | British Airways main/premium, Fast Bag Drop | walk ~50 m right toward Zones D/E, or use premium-side shortcut when available |
| C | SSBD-heavy, overflow LCC processing | walk straight to the central escalator bank between D and E |
| D | EasyJet primary, automated SSBD hub | immediate access; escalators/lifts adjacent (<20 m) |
| E | mixed carriers, TUI-style desk queues | immediate access; step into the central escalator bank between D and E |
| F | mixed carriers, manned desks | walk 40–60 m left back toward D/E escalators |
| H | mixed/TUI overflow, far-right hall | walk left along the hall toward the D/E escalator bank |
| J | EasyJet/Wizz SSBD overflow, high density | walk left past H/G/F to reach the D/E escalator bank (~100 m) |
| K | TUI/Virgin/long-haul document-heavy desks | longest walk; head left along the hall to the D/E escalator bank (allow 5+ minutes extra) |
If South Terminal is disrupted/evacuated, what is the pedestrian route (and walking time) from South Terminal to North Terminal using signed walkways?
Walking takes about 15–25 minutes over roughly 1.2–1.5 km, and it’s an exposed perimeter route best treated as contingency-only.
Exit South Terminal to the Level 0 Lower Forecourt, then look for external wayfinding that aligns with the pedestrian/cycle route (often referenced as National Cycle Network Route 21) rather than terminal-to-terminal “indoor” signage. Follow the perimeter path north, tracking parallel to the shuttle guideway and moving toward the Hilton Hotel and Long Stay car-park edges, then continue through the pedestrian underpasses that pass beneath the A23. The route delivers you to the North Terminal lower-forecourt/Short Stay car park side; expect uneven surfaces and sparse lighting in places, which slows wheeled suitcases.
Where is the Fast Track security entrance in South Terminal relative to the main security queue start, and at what point do the lanes physically merge?
Fast Track is on the left-hand side of the Level 3 security frontage when you are facing the main security entrance, and it stays separated through the entry gates into its own screening lanes. The physical merge happens only after screening, in the repacking area beyond the scanners.
On Level 3, approach the broad main security entry with the general queueing pens; the Premium/Fast Track portal is the left-side branch marked with “Premium Gatwick” style branding and distinct lane dividers. After the ticket/entry scan, Fast Track feeds into a dedicated corridor that serves a small set of leftmost CT/X-ray lanes (often 1–2 lanes). Because segregation persists through divestment and screening, the meaningful interaction with general passengers is typically only once you’ve cleared and are recomposing belongings at the outbound end of the search area.
From Long Stay parking shuttle drop-off, what is the exact indoor route and distance to the correct South Terminal check-in area (before you go upstairs to security)?
Walking is about 100 meters from the Long Stay Parking shuttle drop-off to the Level 2 check-in hall, and it’s typically 3–5 minutes if you take the first vertical route up from the Lower Forecourt.
Get off the Long Stay bus at the Lower Forecourt (Level 0) bus stands (commonly stands 1–5) and enter through the double automatic doors directly beside the stops. Immediately look for the large-capacity lifts or the moving ramp/travelator signed for “Departures / Check-in Level 2,” and go up—don’t drift along Level 0 hunting for desks. You arrive into the Level 2 check-in “village”; stop at the nearest FIDS screens to confirm your airline’s zone, then route left toward Zone A/BA side or right toward Zones J/K if you’re assigned to the far end.
For an international arrival connecting onward, what is the exact landside path from passport control exit to the terminal-transfer shuttle, including required level changes?
A landside reset is required: you must exit immigration/customs into South Terminal Level 2, then walk to the shuttle entrance by the rail-station end and go up to the shuttle platform.
After passport control, follow signs to baggage reclaim if needed, then exit through customs (Green/Red channels) into the public arrivals meeting area on Level 2 near Costa Coffee. Turn right and follow the yellow overhead signs for “North Terminal” and “Shuttle,” walking across the main concourse toward the train-station access. Enter the shuttle station at the distinct gateline/escalator portal beside the rail-station entrance on Level 2, then take the escalator or lift up one level to the shuttle boarding platform and board the automated train (typically every 3–5 minutes, ~2–3 minutes ride).
Where are the self-service bag drop machines located within South Terminal check-in, and what is the shortest path from those machines to the security escalators?
Self-service bag drop clusters sit mainly in Zones C and D on Level 2 (with an additional overflow cluster in Zone J), and the shortest path to security is the central escalator/lift bank between Zones D and E. From Zones C/D, the escalators are essentially straight ahead; from Zone J, you must traverse back left to the center.
SSBD-heavy processing concentrates around the EasyJet-dominant Zone D and adjacent Zone C, so after tagging and dropping your bag you’re already aligned with the “center of gravity” of the hall. Walk directly toward the vertical core between Zones D and E and take the escalators or lifts up to Level 3 security (often under 2 minutes from machine to ascent point). If you used the SSBD area in Zone J (far right), walk left past Zones H/G/F to reach the same D/E escalator bank before going upstairs.
What is the walking distance from South Terminal security exit / duty-free entry to the farthest common departure gate cluster, using the fastest signed route?
Walking is about 0.8–1.2 km from the South Terminal security exit/duty-free entry to the far end of Pier 3 (Gates 90+), and it typically takes 15–20 minutes.
| Fastest signed route segment | Landmark cue | Typical distance/time |
|---|---|---|
| Security exit → main departure lounge | follow “Departures / Gates” flow out of the search area | ~100–200 m, 2–4 min |
| Main lounge → Pier 3 connector | overhead signs for “Gates 31–95” toward the satellite | ~300–500 m, 5–8 min |
| Connector → inside Pier 3 satellite | long bridge with travelators where available | ~250–400 m, 4–7 min |
| Satellite entry → Gates 90+ arc | circular satellite walk continuing to high-number gates | ~150–300 m, 3–6 min |
Which specific security entrance(s) at South Terminal remain accessible during very early morning hours (e.g., ~05:00), and where are they located on the departures level?
The main Level 3 security entrance is the reliable early-morning access point, and it typically opens around 03:00–04:00 to serve the first 05:00–06:00 departure wave. The Premium/Fast Track lane usually comes online later, often around 04:00.
Go upstairs to Departures (Level 3) via the central escalators/lifts between Zones D and E on Level 2, then continue straight to the primary security search area frontage. If you’re aiming for ~05:00, plan to be at the main entrance by about 03:30 so you’re not caught by shutters before opening. Treat the left-side Premium/Fast Track portal as conditional: it’s adjacent to the main entrance on the left when facing the e-gates, but it may be closed earlier than general processing depending on staffing and demand.
Immediately after security, where is the non-obvious corridor/entryway (e.g., signed “Lounges/Family”) that bypasses confusion around the main duty-free flow?
The bypass corridor sits just before the escalators/stairs that drop you into World Duty Free, and it’s typically signposted with cues like “Lounges,” “Family/Pushchairs,” or “Special Assistance.” It lets you avoid committing to the main duty-free loop.
After you clear the scanners and finish repacking, continue toward the outbound end of the security hall where the passenger flow narrows toward the down-escalators into duty-free. At that choke point, pause before descending and scan left: the bypass is a left-side corridor/doorway aligned with the bulkhead signage rather than the retail entrance. Taking it keeps you on the periphery or upper level and deposits you into the main departure lounge without the serpentine walk through the shop, usually saving 5–8 minutes in busy periods.
From the South Terminal drop-off/curbside entry, what is the shortest indoor route to the airline check-in desks without being pulled into the wrong concourse/queueing area?
The shortest route is to go straight up from the Level 0 Lower Forecourt drop-off to Level 2 check-in using the first lifts or moving ramp signed “Departures / Check-in,” then orient at the FIDS screens before committing left or right.
Enter through the automatic glass doors immediately beside the drop-off lanes on Level 0 and ignore any horizontal temptation to walk along the roadway-level corridors—there are no check-in desks on this level. Take the large-capacity lifts or the inclined travelator up to Level 2, where you arrive directly into the check-in hall. Stop at the nearest Flight Information Display Screens to confirm your zone letter, then walk to your zone (A far-left, D/E central, J/K far-right), keeping your movement on Level 2 until you’ve completed bag drop.
Where is the on-the-spot Fast Track purchase point (QR/booth/signage) located relative to the start of the security queue, so a passenger can decide after seeing the line?
The on-the-spot Fast Track purchase point is positioned at the Level 3 “queue start” decision node, immediately before the security entry e-gates where you choose between the general queue and the left-side Premium lane.
As you approach the main security frontage on Level 3, look at the point where the queueing pens begin and the flow compresses toward the entry scans. QR-code placards or a small digital-kiosk style prompt are typically placed right there so you can price-check and buy on your phone only after you’ve judged the general wait. Once purchased, you branch left into the Premium/Fast Track portal (left when facing security), which stays separated through the scanners and only blends back with the main flow after screening in the repacking area.
