Gen Z rail travel rises as Gatwick Airport strengthens sustainable airport connectivity

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) has reported a marked rise in rail travel among younger passengers, with more than half of Gen Z travellers now choosing to reach the airport by train.

New figures show that 53% of 16 to 24-year-olds travelled by rail in the first three months of 2025, up from 47% in 2024. This compares with 44% of all passengers, highlighting Gen Z’s growing preference for sustainable and efficient transport.

The data also reveals that younger travellers are more likely to make longer rail journeys. In 2024, 17% of Gen Z passengers travelled more than two hours to Gatwick by train, compared with 14% of all passengers.

London Gatwick is the UK’s best-connected airport by rail, with direct services to over 120 stations and hundreds more available with one change. Up to 19 trains per hour depart from its on-site station to London, averaging a service every four minutes. Central London can be reached in just 30 minutes, while direct connections also link Gatwick to Brighton, Cambridge and Reading.

Nick Williams, Head of Passenger Operations at London Gatwick, said: “It’s inspiring to see younger passengers embracing rail travel in such strong numbers. Gen Z is leading the shift toward more sustainable airport access and we’re proud to support that with excellent rail connectivity and frequent services to meet their needs.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “Our Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink trains are a swift and sustainable way to reach London Gatwick, so it’s refreshing to see so many younger people choosing us. Many will also be attracted by the multi-million-pound redeveloped station, opened at Gatwick less than two years ago. This has wider platforms, a brand-new concourse, new lifts and escalators to make it bigger, better and more accessible than ever before.”

London Gatwick has invested nearly £45 million in rail connectivity over the past two years. Through its Sustainable Transport Fund, the airport has supported improved timetables, longer operating hours and new direct services, including the doubling of the Great Western Railway connection to Reading. The redeveloped station now offers double the concourse space, wider platforms and improved accessibility.

Alongside rail links, Gatwick is served by up to 40 local buses per hour at peak times, as well as National Express and Flixbus coaches that connect the airport to more than 50 UK destinations.

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