Money at London Gatwick (LGW)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at London, United Kingdom.
London uses the GBP (£). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly £10–£24 (train) · £100–£140 (cab). Card/contactless standard; black cabs always take card.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at London Gatwick (LGW)?
United Kingdom uses the GBP (£). Airport ATMs dispense GBP directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from LGW to the city cost?
Expected fare on the LGW → Central London route is roughly £10–£24 (train) · £100–£140 (cab). Around £160–£200 is already high, and £220+ is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at LGW?
10% or round up. Drivers in United Kingdom don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at LGW?
Card/contactless standard; black cabs always take card. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of GBP notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at LGW?
Only if you need $10–20 of GBP to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
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