Getting to your terminal

A stay only makes sense for some terminals. Here is what the journey takes from the hotel to check-in at each one.

Terminal	How you get there	Hotel to check-in	Cost
Best forSouth Terminal	Covered walkway to the South TerminalHilton: connected to the South Terminal by a covered walkway. The 3 minutes is from Holiday Extras only	3 min	£0
North Terminal	Shuttle train to the North TerminalHilton: free 24-hour monorail link to the North Terminal. About a 10 minute ride per Booking.com	10 min	£0

Our view

Who it suits: An early South Terminal flight, a train arrival, or a family that wants a full hotel.
Why we would choose it: Beside the station and the South Terminal, with a 24-hour gym and restaurants.
The compromise: A large hotel, and it is further from the North Terminal.
Worth paying more?: Yes for a flight before 07:00. Not for a mid-morning flight.

The practical details that matter for one night before or after a flight.

Facilities: 24-hour gym, business centre, restaurants and bars, per Gatwick.
Rooms: Family rooms, room service, free Wi-Fi and a tea and coffee maker in every room, per Booking.com.
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast with continental, full English or Irish, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, per Booking.com.
Check-in: From 15:00, with check-out until 12:00, per Hilton. A refundable damage deposit of about £50 is taken on arrival, per Booking.com.
Children: Cribs, a kids menu and confirmed connecting rooms are available, and a room with a double and two single beds sleeps four, per Hilton. There is no childcare. Hilton states no age limit, but Booking.com says children older than 12 are welcome, so check with the hotel before booking.