Passengers traveling to and from London Gatwick now have a new overnight rail option following the launch of a trial service operated by Great Western Railway (GWR). The new service links Gatwick Airport with Reading via the North Downs Line, providing much-needed rail connectivity for travelers catching early morning departures or arriving on late-night flights.
The overnight trains began operating on June 6 as part of a 12-week summer trial running through mid-September. The initiative is designed to test demand for round-the-clock rail access between the Thames Valley and one of the UK’s busiest airports.
Along the route, trains call at Wokingham, Blackwater, North Camp, Guildford, Dorking Deepdene, Reigate and Redhill before reaching Gatwick Airport.
Until now, GWR services on the route operated only between 4:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m., leaving a significant gap for passengers traveling on early departures or returning on late flights. According to GWR, more than 20% of Gatwick’s daily passengers have been unable to use rail services from western England because train schedules did not align with flight times.
On Saturdays, trains depart Gatwick Airport at 12:30 a.m., 1:24 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., while departures from Reading are scheduled at 2:28 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. Monday service is more limited, with one overnight departure from Reading and two from Gatwick. Journey times average around 80 minutes.
The service is expected to benefit not only air travelers but also airport employees and shift workers commuting along the corridor. The trains provide convenient connections to early departures operated by airlines including easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways.
GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said the project supports efforts to improve sustainable access to airports while reducing reliance on car travel. The rail operator is working with Gatwick Airport and Network Rail to assess the viability of extending overnight operations on a permanent basis.
Early passenger feedback appears encouraging. Rail enthusiasts and travelers posting on Reddit reported healthy patronage on the first overnight departures, with some services carrying around 50 passengers by the time they reached Gatwick.
If the trial proves successful, the overnight trains could become a permanent feature of the North Downs Line.
