I spent years as senior cabin crew, and I lost count of the passengers who ran onto the aircraft at the last minute because "the trains were on strike". The strike was never a surprise. The plan was. So here's the plan, written down once, for every strike day to come.
Which trains to Gatwick and Heathrow a strike affects
Most of us in West Sussex reach the airport on three routes:
- The Brighton Main Line (Brighton to Gatwick and London): Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express. When these go on strike, the fastest way from the coast to Gatwick goes with them.
- The West Coastway (Littlehampton, Worthing, Shoreham to Brighton, Southampton and Portsmouth): Southern. Even if Gatwick trains run, you may not get to Brighton or Horsham to catch one.
- The Arun Valley line (Arundel and Pulborough to Horsham, Gatwick and London): Southern.
Heathrow is usually reached via London or Reading, so a strike on GWR, South Western Railway or the London Underground can hit you even if Southern is running. Engineering works do the same, mostly at weekends, when buses replace trains and journeys take far longer.
The day a strike is announced: a five-minute checklist
Strikes have to be announced in advance, so you'll normally hear about them well before your trip. The moment you see the dates, do this:
- Check your flight date against the strike dates. Include the day after a strike too: first trains often start late.
- Look up your actual train on National Rail's journey planner, or on Southern, Thameslink or Gatwick Express. Revised timetables usually appear a few days before the strike.
- Decide your plan B now, not the night before. Every car, coach seat and parking space in Sussex gets booked by the people who left it late.
- If you book a car or a transfer, book the time from your flight, not from the train you were going to catch. Two hours before short-haul, three before long-haul, plus the drive.
- Sort your train ticket (see refunds, below) once your plan B is booked.
Want a nudge when it happens? Rail watch lists the strikes and engineering works coming up on our lines, and you can sign up for a text the day a strike is announced on your line.
Your four ways to Gatwick when the trains are on strike
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Coach | Solo travellers on a budget, from Brighton or Worthing. | Limited times, and every seat fills fast on strike days. Luggage limits. |
| Drive and park | Long trips if you book parking well ahead. | Strike days push up last-minute parking prices, and you'll do the return drive after a long flight. Our parking maths. |
| A lift from family | Free, if you have a saint in the family. | A 4am pickup, two airport trips for them, and drop-off charges at the terminal. |
| A fixed-price transfer | Families, early flights, lots of luggage, anyone who wants it sorted. | Book early on strike days. Check the price is fixed, not "from". |
The trains are on strike. Your holiday isn't.
Worthing to Gatwick is £80 fixed, per car, door to door. Heathrow £120. The same price on a strike day as any other day, because our prices don't check the news. Arundel, Rustington and Littlehampton are £10 more; Brighton and Hove are the same as Worthing.
On the day of the strike
- Leave earlier than usual. Strike days mean more cars on the A27, A23 and M23. Add 20 to 30 minutes to your normal drive.
- Check your flight as well as the roads. Airlines and airports keep running; your plane won't wait because the train didn't.
- Coming home on a strike day? Book your ride back before you fly out. Arrivals on strike days are the busiest time for every taxi rank and car firm at Gatwick.
Train tickets, refunds and strike days
If your train is cancelled, or you decide not to travel because of a strike, you can usually get a refund on an unused ticket, normally from wherever you bought it. If your train runs but is badly delayed, you may be able to claim Delay Repay. The rules depend on your ticket and the train company, so check their website before you assume either way.
Quick answers
Do trains run to Gatwick during a strike?
It depends on which companies are striking. If Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express are all out, expect few or no trains to Gatwick from Sussex. Check National Rail on the day.
Is Gatwick Express running during the strike?
Gatwick Express is run by the same company as Southern and Thameslink, so it's usually affected by the same strikes. Check their live updates before you set off.
How do I get from Worthing to Gatwick when the trains are on strike?
Coach, drive and park, a lift, or a fixed-price transfer. A transfer is £80 per car from Worthing, booked in advance, door to door.
How far in advance are rail strikes announced?
Unions must give notice before a strike, so you'll normally hear about it at least a week or two before. That's your window to book plan B.
Can I get a refund on my train ticket if there's a strike?
Usually, yes, for unused tickets on cancelled trains, from where you bought them. Check the train company's rules for your ticket.
Does an airport ever close because of a rail strike?
No. Rail strikes don't close airports, and flights keep their times, which is exactly why missing a train is so expensive.
H · Sussex Airlink, Worthing. Former senior cabin crew, current enemy of missed flights.