Wallington sits between Sutton and Croydon, a quiet residential area of Edwardian and inter-war houses, good schools and leafy streets running down to the Wandle. For flights from Gatwick, it is well placed: the A23 is a few minutes away, and from there it is a straight run south. A taxi from Wallington to Gatwick Airport costs from £59 for a saloon, fixed at booking, collected from your door and taken straight to North or South Terminal.
The quickest way down
Most drivers head east to Purley Way, the A23, then south through Purley and Coulsdon to join the M23 at junction 7, which runs directly into Gatwick. Another route goes south through Woodmansterne and Chipstead to the M25 at junction 8, then round to the M23. The A23 route is usually the faster of the two.
It is about 16 miles. In normal traffic, the journey takes 30 to 35 minutes. The A23 through Purley and the Purley Cross gyratory can be slow during rush hour, and the school runs around the Wallington grammar schools add a few minutes to local roads at 8am and 3.30pm. Early morning flights are much quicker, sometimes under 25 minutes.
Picking up across SM6
SM6 covers Wallington town centre around the station and Woodcote Road, Beddington and Beddington Corner, Hackbridge on the northern side, and the residential roads towards Roundshaw, the estate built on the old Croydon Airport land. Most streets are easy to find and have unrestricted parking, so the driver can wait a few minutes if you are not quite ready.
If you live in one of the newer apartment developments around Hackbridge or the BedZED eco-village, tell us which building and entrance to use.
Croydon Airport: a local footnote
Wallington and Roundshaw sit right next to the site of Croydon Airport, which was London's main international airport in the 1920s and 1930s. The old terminal building, Airport House, still stands on Purley Way, and the visitor centre there tells the story of the early days of air travel. It is a nice reminder, on the way to Gatwick, of how far flying has come.
Train from Wallington to Gatwick
Wallington station has Southern services, but there is no direct train to Gatwick. You would usually change at Sutton or West Croydon to reach East Croydon, then take a fast train to Gatwick. With good connections, the trip takes around 45 minutes to an hour. For a single traveller with a small bag, it is cheaper, but the changes with luggage make it harder work than it looks on a timetable.
For families, couples with holiday cases, or anyone with an early flight before the trains are frequent, the car is the easier choice, and the fixed fare compares well against two or three train tickets.
Gatwick's drop-off charges
If someone is giving you a lift to Gatwick instead, they should know the forecourt drop-off zones cost £10 for the first ten minutes since January 2026, then £1 a minute up to a maximum of thirty minutes. The plate is read by camera and the charge is paid online by midnight the next day. The Long Stay car park offers free drop-off for up to two hours with a shuttle bus. With a pre-booked taxi, the fixed fare covers it.
Timing your pickup
As a guide, leave Wallington about two hours before a short-haul flight and two and a half hours before long-haul. In the school holidays or at bank holiday weekends, add half an hour, since queues at bag drop and security can be long. When you book, we will recommend a pickup time based on your flight and terminal.
Coming home
The same fixed fare applies from Gatwick back to Wallington. Your driver tracks your flight, waits in arrivals with a name board, and drives you home. Delays do not cost you anything extra.
Families and school holidays
Wallington is a family area, and most of our bookings from SM6 are families heading off on holiday at the start of the school breaks. That is when Gatwick is at its busiest, bag drop queues are longest, and every family has a buggy, a car seat and more luggage than they planned. Choose a car that fits the luggage rather than just the passengers: an estate takes four large cases, and an MPV takes a family of five or six with their bags.
Child seats are free. Tell us how many and the children's ages, and they will be fitted before the driver arrives. If you have a pushchair, mention it so there is room in the boot.
Business travel from Wallington
For work trips, our executive saloon gives you a quiet cabin and a suited driver, and business accounts get monthly invoicing with a reference for every journey. Many of our regular customers in Wallington and Beddington commute to Gatwick for work trips several times a month, and a standing account saves booking details every time.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Wallington to Gatwick?
From £59 for a saloon carrying up to four passengers, fixed at booking.
How long does it take?
Usually 30 to 35 minutes for about 16 miles via the A23 and M23.
Do you cover Beddington, Hackbridge and Roundshaw?
Yes. Any address in SM6 can be booked at a fixed price.
Is there a direct train from Wallington to Gatwick?
No. Most journeys change at Sutton, West Croydon or East Croydon.
What time should I leave for my flight?
About two hours before short-haul and two and a half hours before long-haul. Allow more in school holidays.
Can the driver wait if I'm running late?
Yes, a few minutes is fine. Call the driver if you need longer.
Do you also go to Heathrow?
Yes. Book it online at a fixed price in the same way.
Are child seats free?
Yes. Tell us the children's ages and we fit the right seats before the car arrives.
