London Gatwick Accessibility & Facilities Guide
Planning to travel through London Gatwick? This guide covers everything disabled, neurodivergent, and SEN passengers need to know about Gatwick's accessibility, facilities, and support services.
At-a-glance
Key accessibility information
Everything you need before you arrive
Assistance Booking
- Who
- Operated by Wilson James. Dedicated assistance reception in both North and South terminals.
- How
- Via your airline, Gatwick website, or call the assistance line directly.
- Min. notice
- 48 hours recommended. Walk-up available but expect longer waits at peak times.
Where to Go on Arrival
- Help point
- Car parks — Help Point intercoms at entrances
- Help point
- Train station — Help Points on platforms (South Terminal)
- Help point
- Terminal entrances — signed assistance desks
- Tip
- Go to the Assistance Reception in your terminal. It's clearly signed from all entrances.
Step-Free Access
- Status
- Fully step-free routes in both North and South terminals.
- Pinch point
- Inter-terminal shuttle — accessible but can be crowded at peak times
- Pinch point
- South Terminal train station to check-in involves lifts (can queue)
- Pinch point
- North Terminal long-stay car park to terminal requires shuttle bus
Quiet / Sensory Spaces
- Available
- Yes
- Location
- Sensory rooms available in both North and South terminals (airside, after security).
- Hours
- Available during terminal operating hours.
Changing Places & Accessible Toilets
- Changing Places
- Yes
- Location
- North Terminal — landside and airside
- Location
- South Terminal — landside and airside
- Accessible toilets
- Throughout both terminals, landside and airside.
Sunflower Support
- Where
- Free from information desks in both terminals.
- How
- No proof needed. Ask at any information desk or assistance reception.
Security Support
- Priority lane
- Available. Assistance staff escort you through a dedicated lane.
- How to request
- Pre-book assistance or ask at Assistance Reception. Staff will escort you through.
Accessibility Ratings & Reviews
CAA Accessibility Rating (2024/2025)
Rated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority under their Airport Accessibility Framework.
View full CAA reportAccessAble Detailed Access Guide
This airport has been independently audited by AccessAble, providing detailed accessibility information.
View AccessAble guideCAA ratings are from the Airport Accessibility Performance Report 2024/2025. Ratings are based on waiting times, complaint handling, consultation, and overall service quality for disabled and less mobile passengers. Smaller airports below 150,000 annual passengers may not be individually rated.
Special Assistance Services
Contact your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before travel. You can also book via the Gatwick website or by calling their assistance line.
On arrival, head to the Help Point in the car park, at the train station, or at the terminal entrance.
Departing
Help from the car park or station through check-in, security, and to your gate, including boarding assistance.
Arriving
Support disembarking, through immigration and baggage reclaim, and to your onward transport.
Connecting
Assistance transferring between North and South terminals via the inter-terminal shuttle.
Accessible Facilities
Accessible toilets
Throughout both terminals, including Changing Places in North and South terminals.
Changing Places
Available in both North and South terminals, landside and airside.
Sensory rooms
Quiet, low-stimulation spaces available airside in both terminals.
Wheelchair provision
Wheelchairs available within the airport. You can use your own to the aircraft door.
Accessible parking
Blue Badge spaces in both terminal car parks, close to terminal entrances.
🌻 Hidden Disabilities & Sunflower Lanyard
Gatwick participates in the Sunflower lanyard scheme. Lanyards are free from information desks in both terminals. No proof of disability is required.
Wearing a Sunflower lanyard signals to staff that you may need extra support, patience, or understanding — without having to explain.
Sensory Profile (ND/SEN)
For neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive passengers
Noise Hotspots
- •Security halls — scanner alarms, crowds (peak: 04:00–08:00 for early departures)
- •South Terminal main concourse — large open space, high footfall
- •Inter-terminal shuttle — engine noise, automated announcements
- •Baggage reclaim — carousel noise, echoing halls
Lighting Notes
- •South Terminal — mix of natural and artificial light, large windows
- •North Terminal — recently refurbished areas have bright modern lighting
- •Retail zones — high-intensity commercial lighting in both terminals
- •Sensory rooms — deliberately low-lit and calm
Quieter Areas
- •Sensory rooms in both terminals (ask assistance staff)
- •North Terminal upper departure lounge seating (away from shops)
- •South Terminal gate areas furthest from main concourse
- •Multi-faith rooms in both terminals (quiet, low-lit)
Queue Predictability
Early morning (04:00–07:00) is the busiest period, especially in South Terminal. Assistance passengers are escorted through a separate security lane. Check-in queues vary by airline — self-service bag drop is generally faster.
Suggested Request Script
“I have a hidden disability / I'm neurodivergent and I've pre-booked assistance. Crowds and noise are difficult for me. Could you please take me to the sensory room or a quieter area, and let me know what each step involves before it happens?”
You can say this to any staff member, or show it on your phone.
Getting There & Transport
By train
Gatwick Express, Southern, and Thameslink serve the airport. The station connects directly to the South Terminal with step-free access.
By car
Blue Badge parking in both terminal car parks, close to terminal entrances.
By bus or coach
National Express and local services serve the airport. Accessible coaches available on most routes.
Drop-off & pick-up
Designated drop-off and pick-up areas at both terminals. Blue Badge holders may have concessions.
Passenger Rights & Complaints
Your legal rights
Under the UK Equality Act 2010 and EU Regulation 1107/2006, airports and airlines must provide assistance to disabled passengers free of charge. This includes wheelchair assistance, accessible toilets, and other reasonable adjustments.
How to complain
- Contact the airport's customer service team directly with details of what happened.
- If unresolved, escalate to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at caa.co.uk.
- Document everything: what happened, when, who was involved, and keep records of all communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare other London airports
Useful links
Last checked: 4 March 2026
Source: Gatwick Airport official website