Round the M25
Gatwick is about 55 miles from Barnet. Most drivers take the M25 anticlockwise round the western side of London, past Heathrow, then south on the M23. The alternative, straight through central London, is shorter on a map but rarely quicker. Allow 70 to 90 minutes, and more on Friday afternoons or during school holidays.
Planning your pickup
For a morning flight, the M25 around Heathrow can be busy from early on. We'll suggest a pickup that gets you to the terminal with time to spare. As a guide, most airlines recommend arriving two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul one, so work back from there, adding the drive and some slack for the M25.
North or South Terminal
The North and South Terminals are connected by a free shuttle train. Check which one your airline flies from and we'll pull up outside it. On the way back, your driver waits in the arrivals hall of whichever terminal you land at.
Car or train?
Thameslink trains run to Gatwick through central London, but from Barnet you'd first need to reach a Thameslink station, and with suitcases the changes add up. A Barnet to Gatwick cab takes you door to door, and because the fare is per car, it's often good value for families and groups.
Drop-off charges
Gatwick makes a charge for dropping off outside its terminals. We'll confirm how that's covered when we give you the price.
Written by the Barnet Airport Transfers team. Last updated 23 September 2026.