Cheap Holidays from Gatwick
Discover where Gatwick can deliver good value, how to compare real package costs and which airport extras are worth avoiding.
Looking for cheap holidays from Gatwick? The trick is not simply finding the lowest number on a search card. London Gatwick (LGW) offers a wide mix of beach destinations, short city breaks and longer escapes, but the best-value trip depends on your departure date, airport journey, hotel location and what's included. For travellers in Surrey, Sussex, Kent and south London, even getting to Gatwick can change which deal is actually cheapest.
Our three featured ideas are Málaga, Marrakech and Crete. They offer very different ways to use a budget: a walkable Spanish city beside the sea, a culture-packed Moroccan break and an island holiday where the correct airport and resort location make a big difference. They are destinations to compare, not verified winners in a cheapest-price league table.
First, compare the total price of a Gatwick holiday
Put two or three holidays on equal terms before deciding. Count the full party cost, not the headline rate per person. The checklist in the second infographic is especially important at Gatwick, where a low outward fare could be offset by a costly return time, luggage or ground transport.
- Flight and hotel: same travellers, nights, room type and cancellation conditions.
- Bags: the exact cabin and checked allowance for every traveller, both ways.
- Getting to Gatwick: rail fare or petrol, parking and any overnight hotel.
- Onward travel: included transfers, public transport, taxis or car hire.
- Food: self-catering versus breakfast, half-board or all-inclusive for your actual habits.
- Usable holiday time: consider a late arrival and early departure before paying for an apparently cheap extra night.
Browse holiday ideas departing Gatwick by date
TripsByDate lets you start with when you can travel, rather than committing to one destination too early. Test adjacent dates and compare three, four and seven nights. A Sunday return or midweek departure can work out better, but there is no guaranteed cheapest day: demand, flight schedules and operator availability change.
Current holiday ideas from London Gatwick
The changing sample below contains only Gatwick (LGW) departures. It is not a confirmed cheapest-first ranking and may include destinations beyond the three in this guide. Check final live prices and inclusions with each provider.
LGW • 7 nights
B&B · Thomas Cook
LGW • 7 nightsB&B · Skiline
LGW • 7 nightsHB · Neilson
LGW • 7 nightsSC · Iglu SkiThree destinations worth checking, for three different budgets
1. Málaga: spend less by treating the city as the holiday
A budget-friendly Costa del Sol trip does not automatically mean choosing the cheapest outlying resort. Málaga city has its own beaches, markets, old-town streets, the Alcazaba and excellent food, making it possible to combine a coastal break with a city getaway without hiring a car. Spain's official Málaga guide is a useful starting point for deciding what to do on foot.
Where the saving comes from: compare a central hotel with a resort package farther along the coast. Málaga Airport has a rail connection to the city and some Costa del Sol towns; a remote resort may require an additional transfer or hire car. For a three- or four-night trip, the convenient hotel can beat the cheap room requiring daily transport. For a week of family beach time, a packaged resort with transfers may be the better fit. Also consider quieter periods outside major festivals and the peak school-holiday weeks.
2. Marrakech: a short break with a very different cost profile
Marrakech is an alternative to the familiar Mediterranean beach week. A few nights can be filled with Jemaa el-Fnaa, the souks, gardens, palaces and local food. Accommodation ranges from traditional riads in or near the medina to larger hotels in modern neighbourhoods. The Moroccan National Tourist Office has a useful overview of the medina and its sights.
Where the saving comes from: choose the base to match your plans. A central riad may reduce repeated taxi journeys, but ask about how close the vehicle drop-off point is to its entrance, especially with bulky cases. A resort hotel outside the centre might include more facilities but make excursions costlier. Compare the same board basis, airport transfer and activity budget rather than just the room price. For first-time visitors, check UK government travel advice for Morocco, including current entry requirements.
3. Crete: an island where distance can change the total cost
Crete suits a longer beach holiday, but booking the lowest-priced hotel without checking its location can be a false economy. There are two main international arrival points, Heraklion and Chania, and the island is large. A transfer across Crete can take a substantial part of a short holiday. Make your first filter where do we actually want to stay?, then compare flights, packages and the correct airport.
Where the saving comes from: Chania and Rethymno mix culture with beaches, while areas around Heraklion and eastwards have different resort choices. If you want to explore rather than stay around a pool, allow for car hire, fuel and parking. If you prefer family relaxation, compare an all-inclusive package with transfers against a cheaper-looking self-catering hotel. Visit Greece's official Crete guide helps you select the right region. Much of the island's conventional beach-resort season is seasonal; don't assume the same facilities operate all winter.
Four Gatwick-specific ways to protect your budget
1. The cheapest way to reach Gatwick depends on where you live
Gatwick's railway station is at South Terminal, with services from Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink among the options. North Terminal passengers can take the free inter-terminal shuttle. Compare the actual rail fare and any railcards or group discounts rather than assuming the Gatwick Express is the only train. Travellers from Brighton, Crawley or parts of Sussex may have very different options from those starting in south London or Kent. Use Gatwick's official rail guidance and check your journey on the day.
2. Do not automatically pay for terminal-front drop-off
Gatwick charges to use its designated terminal drop-off zones. Its official guidance also describes an alternative: up to two hours' free parking in Long Stay with a free shuttle to the terminals. The latter is especially useful when someone is taking you to the airport and has time for the transfer. Check the current drop-off terms and charges before travelling; fees and arrangements can change. The most convenient option may still be worth paying for if mobility or time is an issue.
3. North and South terminals can change your time budget
Before paying for parking or planning a train connection, check which terminal your airline uses. Gatwick has North and South terminals, with the free shuttle connecting them. If you arrive by train for a North Terminal departure, allow time for that transfer. If someone is collecting you, agree on the correct terminal and meeting place to avoid parking surprises. The airport's transport advice explains the terminal transfer.
4. A cheap red-eye departure can have an expensive knock-on effect
An early outward flight might require a taxi or airport hotel. A late-night return may leave fewer train options or lead to an overnight stay. Price the whole return journey, especially for families, before deciding that the cheapest departure time is the best buy. A slightly higher flight-and-hotel quote that saves an airport hotel and two taxis can be more economical.
Choosing the best-value type of holiday from Gatwick
- Two to four nights: Málaga or Marrakech can work well when flight times allow nearly full arrival and departure days. Avoid hotels that add long transfers.
- One week with children: compare an actual family package with bags, transfers and meals included. Check the ages in the booking, as child prices vary.
- Beach holiday in the shoulder season: Crete and Spanish resort areas may have better availability outside peak summer, but check weather, pool heating and which local facilities remain open.
- Winter escape: broaden the destination search rather than assuming every Mediterranean resort is suitable for sunbathing. See our winter-sun timing guide.
One day can change the holiday options
Start with your travel dates and compare available Gatwick departures across destinations.
Explore Gatwick holiday datesA five-minute method to find a genuinely cheap Gatwick holiday
Step one: decide your total group budget, including airport journeys and daily spending. Step two: search Gatwick on the dates you can actually travel, then check one day either side if possible. Step three: compare two short trips and one longer package. Step four: add bags, transfers, airport transport, meals and unavoidable extras. Step five: ask how many usable hours you'll get away and whether the destination suits that time of year.
School-holiday travellers can still compare destinations, durations and accommodation types even when the dates are fixed. Remember that a cheap-looking flight-only purchase isn't the same product as an ATOL-protected package. Review the CAA's ATOL guidance and MoneyHelper's travel-insurance information before booking.
Cheap holidays from Gatwick: common questions
What is the cheapest place to go from Gatwick?
There is no reliably cheapest destination throughout the year. Málaga, Marrakech and Crete are useful starting points for different kinds of trip, but exact prices depend on dates, duration, party size, operators and hotel inclusions. Compare live packages rather than treating destination suggestions as a price ranking.
Is it cheaper to fly from Gatwick or Heathrow?
Neither airport wins automatically. Heathrow may be better for certain long-haul or connecting itineraries, while Gatwick has a broad range of leisure options. Compare the total price and ground transport. See our Heathrow guide and full Gatwick Airport guide.
Is the Gatwick Express always the cheapest train?
No. Gatwick is served by several rail operators. Compare valid fares for your origin and travel time, and account for any connection you need to reach the terminal.
Can I use Gatwick's Long Stay car park for a free drop-off?
Gatwick currently advertises up to two hours of free parking in its Long Stay car parks with a free shuttle to the terminals. Check the latest conditions on the official airport website before setting out.
Are package holidays necessarily cheaper than separate flight and hotel bookings?
No. Compare like for like, including bags, transfers, meals, booking terms and protection. The better deal is the option that meets your needs at the lowest confirmed total cost, not necessarily the lowest headline price.
Are the Gatwick deals shown here sorted by cheapest price?
No. The dynamic listings are an airport-matched editorial sample, not a verified lowest-price list. Use the date-first holiday search to explore departures, then verify prices directly with the operator.
Explore more date-first holiday advice
Read Holidays from London Gatwick for airport planning and the wider destination mix. You can also compare Stansted, Luton, Heathrow and Southend if travel costs make them practical. Our cheapest-months guide and UK airports hub provide broader comparisons.
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