Holidays from London Gatwick
Compare Gatwick holiday destinations, flight times and packages, with practical advice for an easier departure.
London Gatwick is a useful airport for comparing very different holidays from one departure point. You might be looking for a quick Mediterranean beach escape, three nights in a colourful city, a family package during school holidays or a longer trip across the Atlantic. The trick is to start with the dates you can travel and Gatwick (LGW), then compare where those dates can take you, rather than assuming the first destination or headline price is the best fit.
Our two Gatwick infographics highlight Crete, Marrakech and Cancún, along with the airport's North and South terminals, free shuttle and rail connections. This guide goes further: it explains how to pick a holiday by journey length, compare real package value, avoid terminal mistakes and keep transport costs under control.
What holidays are worth looking for from Gatwick?
- Easy beach and family holidays: look at Greek islands such as Crete, Spanish resorts, Portugal and Mediterranean package destinations when flights operate.
- City and culture breaks: Marrakech is one example where food, markets and historic sights can make a memorable three- or four-night escape.
- Winter sunshine: check Canary Islands options and other warmer destinations, while remembering that short-haul winter warmth is not the same as tropical heat.
- Long-haul holidays: Cancún and other Caribbean or further-afield options can suit a longer stay, provided the flight schedule, season and total package cost work.
Don't confuse an airport route with a bookable package. Airlines, flight frequencies and tour-operator packages change seasonally. Verify the exact departure against Gatwick's official flight information and your chosen holiday provider rather than treating any destination in this guide as a guaranteed daily service.
Current holiday ideas departing London Gatwick
These changing package-holiday listings are filtered to London Gatwick (LGW). They may not include the three destinations pictured above or match a particular month. Compare the advertised departure, number of nights, airport, provider and final live price before booking.
LGW • 7 nights
B&B · Skiline
LGW • 7 nightsHB · Neilson
LGW • 7 nightsSC · Ski Line
LGW • 7 nightsHB · SkilineChoose your destination by the time you actually have
Two or three nights: prioritise well-timed direct flights, a compact destination and a hotel close to the places you want to visit. A hotel 90 minutes from the airport can turn a short city break into a transfer-heavy trip. Four or five nights: you can mix sightseeing with a little relaxation, or make an island break feel worthwhile. Seven nights or longer: a resort stay or long-haul journey generally becomes easier to justify, especially when jet lag and transfers take time.
Before comparing hotel star ratings, write down your actual usable hours: when does the outbound flight land, when can you check in, and when must you leave the hotel on the final day? That often reveals more about value than the advertised nights alone.
1. Crete: beaches, food and much more than a resort pool
Crete is well suited to travellers who want variety. You could stay near Chania for harbour evenings and western scenery, choose the Heraklion area for archaeological sites including Knossos, or look at quieter resorts for beach-centred family time. The island is large, so a hotel's precise location matters more than a photograph that simply says “Crete”.
Gatwick comparison tip: check which Cretan airport serves the package and how long the transfer takes. For a week, one well-chosen base can be more relaxing than trying to explore the whole island. In spring and autumn, verify that seasonal hotels, boat excursions and children's facilities are open. See Visit Greece's Crete guide and our guide to the best months for Greece.
2. Marrakech: a rich cultural break where the hotel location matters
Marrakech offers a completely different holiday from a beach resort: the medina's lanes, gardens, courtyards, souks and restaurants are the reason to go. A traditional riad may be atmospheric, while a larger resort hotel outside the centre might offer pools and a quieter environment. Neither is automatically the better choice; decide whether you want to spend your time walking in the city or relaxing by the hotel.
Gatwick comparison tip: for three nights, choose a manageable transfer and a place to stay that suits your mobility and evening plans. Check whether a “riad in the medina” involves walking luggage through narrow streets, and arrange airport pickup details in advance. Temperatures and evening conditions vary substantially across seasons. Consult Morocco's official tourism guide and the UK travel advice for Morocco before departure.
Gatwick's two terminals: a simple detail that saves stress
Gatwick has North and South terminals. Do not choose one just because your airline used it on a previous trip: check the terminal shown on your latest airline booking and the official Gatwick airport website before travelling. This matters when booking parking, meeting a lift or arranging an airport hotel.
The airport railway station is at the South Terminal. If your flight uses North Terminal, follow the signs to the free inter-terminal shuttle. Gatwick says it operates around the clock, every few minutes, with a journey of about two minutes; allow additional time to walk, wait and reach check-in with luggage or children.
3. Cancún: make the long-haul journey worthwhile
For a longer sunshine holiday, Cancún and the surrounding Riviera Maya can offer resort stays, beaches and excursions to historic Maya sites. But “Cancún holiday” covers quite different bases: the Hotel Zone, Playa del Carmen and resorts further south involve different transfer times, atmospheres and journey distances. Think carefully about whether you want an all-inclusive hotel, independent exploring or a mixture.
Gatwick comparison tip: confirm whether the flight is direct on the specific departure you are buying, check the return arrival day in the UK and compare the real number of nights in the hotel. For a transatlantic trip, a very short stay can lose much of its value to flying and time-zone adjustment. Weather patterns and the Atlantic hurricane season are also relevant to travel timing, so don't assume Caribbean sun is uniform year-round. Check the FCDO's Mexico advice and Mexico's tourism information.
Getting to Gatwick without letting airport costs eat the saving
By train: useful for London and the South East
Gatwick's station at the South Terminal is served by several rail operators. For some travellers, a regular train may be a better overall choice than driving and paying for several days of parking. Compare the complete door-to-terminal journey, not just the advertised train fare. An early-morning flight might mean that the first train is too late; a late return might leave fewer onward options. Check live timetables and engineering work through National Rail and the official Gatwick rail guidance.
By car: parking, drop-off and pickup are different things
Gatwick's official drop-off guidance confirms that designated terminal-forecourt drop-off zones are chargeable. It also explains how payment works and points to a free period at the Long Stay car parks with a shuttle to the terminals. The exact charges and conditions can change, so check them just before travelling rather than relying on a saved article.
Money-saving comparison: price airport parking, station parking plus rail, a taxi both ways and a hotel-and-parking package. Include the time from the car park to the terminal and the return journey with tired children or bulky bags. If someone is collecting you, check the pickup arrangements separately; a quick drop-off zone is not designed for waiting.
Know when you can fly from Gatwick?
Choose London Gatwick and your dates to compare holiday options across destinations.
Explore holidays by dateSix checks before booking a Gatwick package holiday
- Terminal and flight: verify the actual operating airline, departure terminal and whether the flight is direct or includes a connection.
- Total package price: compare baggage, transfers, room type, board basis, resort taxes and any extras for children rather than just the headline price.
- Family practicality: match arrival times to children's routines; check cot requests, adjoining rooms, kids' club dates and whether the swimming pool is heated when needed.
- Passport and entry rules: a Greek island, Morocco and Mexico can require different travel documents and entry checks. Read the UK government's country-specific advice.
- Package protection: check exactly who is selling and organising the holiday, and whether it is covered by relevant CAA ATOL protection. A flight-plus-hotel price on a website is not automatically the same kind of booking in every case.
- Travel to the airport: include train or parking costs, terminal changes, transfer buffers and the journey home in your budget.
How to find better-value holidays from London Gatwick
Compare dates before choosing a place. If you're free for the same week but open to several destinations, browsing Gatwick departures by date may reveal a beach break, city visit or longer trip you would never have searched for by name. Keep an eye on the return date, especially for overnight flights from long-haul destinations.
Don't assume school-holiday dates are identical everywhere. If you're travelling with children, check your own term dates and compare permissible departure days. The UK school-term finder helps you reach your local information. For families, a direct flight and short transfer sometimes offer better value than a cheaper holiday with an awkward journey.
Compare nights and usable days. Three nights with early outbound and late return flights can offer more holiday than four nights with poor timings. For long-haul travel, check the time-zone difference and whether the return flight arrives back on a different calendar day.
Explore seasons, not fixed price promises. The Mediterranean tends to be more beach-focused during the warmer months, while winter can favour warmer Atlantic islands or longer-distance trips. Routes, school demand and accommodation prices still change, so no single week is reliably cheapest. Our guide to cheaper holiday months, family holiday timing guide and winter-sun guide provide more context.
Frequently asked questions about Gatwick holidays
Can I book family package holidays from Gatwick?
Yes, Gatwick is a starting point for comparing family-oriented holiday packages, but the exact choice depends on your travel dates, airline schedules and operator inventory. Check room arrangements, baggage, transfers, pool and kids' club facilities before booking.
Which Gatwick terminal is the train station in?
The railway station is at South Terminal. If your flight departs from North Terminal, take Gatwick's free inter-terminal shuttle. Check your actual airline terminal before travelling.
Is the Gatwick terminal shuttle free?
Yes. Gatwick says its shuttle between North and South terminals is free, operates 24 hours a day and has a travel time of around two minutes. Leave time for walking and waiting as well.
Is there a free Gatwick drop-off option?
The terminal forecourt drop-off zones are chargeable. Gatwick's official guidance identifies a limited free parking period at Long Stay with a terminal shuttle, subject to the airport's current terms. Check the official drop-off page before driving.
Can I find long-haul holidays from Gatwick?
Yes, it is worth comparing long-haul packages alongside short-haul options, particularly when you can travel for a week or longer. Check the precise dates, direct versus connecting flights, destination season and total package inclusions.
Keep exploring holidays from UK airports
See our UK airports holiday guide hub, holidays from Manchester Airport, European beach holiday timing guide and October destination ideas. When choosing between London-area departure airports, compare the journey from home, total package price and arrival or return times, not just the outbound fare.
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