Why Family Travel to Gatwick Is Different
Travelling to Gatwick with children — especially young ones — is a completely different experience to solo or adult travel. You're managing car seats, pushchairs, entertainment bags, snacks, nappy changes and emotional meltdowns, all while trying to get through check-in and security on time. Getting the transport right from the start makes everything else easier.
The Case for a Private Transfer with Kids
We're biased, but for genuinely good reasons. Here's why a pre-booked private transfer almost always makes more sense for families travelling to or from Gatwick:
- Door-to-door: No dragging car seats, pushchairs and bags through Gatwick South or North Terminal stations and onto packed trains
- Child seats included: We provide properly fitted child seats, booster seats and infant carriers on request — just add them when booking
- Flexible timing: Kids don't run to schedules. A private transfer waits for you — there's no sprinting for the 11:15 Gatwick Express
- MPV for larger families: Our Mercedes Vito MPV carries up to 8 passengers with 6 bags — plenty of room for a family of 4–6 with all their holiday luggage
- Free flight tracking: Coming home with exhausted kids after a delayed flight? Your driver will be there when you land, not 45 minutes earlier stressing at the rank
Child Seat Options
When booking your transfer, you can add the following child restraints in the "Optional Extras" step:
- Infant carrier (0–13kg / approx. 0–15 months) — from £5
- Forward-facing child seat (9–18kg / approx. 9 months–4 years) — from £8
- High-back booster seat (15–36kg / approx. 4–11 years) — from £5
⚠️ Important: UK law requires children to use an appropriate car seat until they are 135cm tall or 12 years old, whichever comes first. Always add a child seat when booking if your child requires one.
How Early Should Families Arrive at Gatwick?
With children, always add at least 30–45 minutes to the standard recommended arrival time:
- Short-haul: Aim for 2.5–3 hours before departure
- Long-haul: Aim for 3.5 hours before departure
- Summer holidays / school half-terms: Add another 30 minutes — Gatwick is significantly busier during school holidays
Gatwick Family Facilities
Both terminals have good family facilities including:
- Baby changing: Available airside and landside at both terminals
- Family security lanes: Dedicated lanes at both terminals — look for the family sign when you join the queue
- Soft play area: South Terminal (airside) has a dedicated children's area near gate 48
- Stroller storage: Available at the gate for travel systems and larger prams
- Kids dining: Both terminals have family-friendly dining options including Giraffe and Carluccio's
Top Tips from Parents Who Travel Through Gatwick Regularly
- 🎒 Pack a dedicated hand luggage bag for kids with snacks, entertainment and a change of clothes — and make sure it goes through security separately
- 🔋 Charge all devices the night before. Gatwick has charging points but they're often in use
- 🍼 Formula and baby food: Exempt from the 100ml liquid rule — declare it at security
- 🛫 Check in online and download boarding passes the night before — one less thing to do on the day
- 🚖 Book your transfer as early as possible — MPVs and vehicles with child seats can fill up, especially in peak holiday periods
Ready to Book Your Gatwick Transfer?
Fixed prices · North & South Terminal · Free flight tracking · 24/7 availability