London Gatwick Airport (LGW), England's second-busiest airport, sits south of London in Surrey, and a rental car here is a convenient way to reach central London, explore the South Downs and Sussex countryside, or continue onward across southern England without relying on rail connections alone. Gatwick's terminals house desks from all the major international rental companies, and the airport's dedicated rental facilities make for a relatively efficient pickup despite the volume of passengers passing through daily.
From Gatwick, the M23 motorway runs north directly into the M25, London's orbital motorway, connecting to central London in roughly forty-five minutes to an hour depending on traffic, which can be heavy at peak times around the capital. Heading south instead, the A23 and connecting roads lead into the South Downs National Park and the Sussex coast, with Brighton reachable in around forty-five minutes and rolling downland scenery beginning much sooner than that. Gatwick's position just off the M23/M25 junction makes it a practical base for day trips in either direction.
Driving in the UK is on the left, the one adjustment that trips up the most visitors arriving from abroad, and Gatwick's rental return areas are set up with this in mind, often offering a brief orientation on request. The M25 and M23 are well-maintained motorways, though congestion around London is common at rush hour and on weekends, and the London Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone apply if driving into central London itself, so it is worth checking a route's zone status before heading that way. There are no tolls on the M23 or M25 themselves, though the nearby Dartford Crossing charges a fee. Fuel stations are abundant throughout the region, and roundabouts, common on English roads, are worth a little extra caution for drivers unused to left-side driving. Rush-hour traffic on the M25 can add real delay, so travelers with a flight to catch generally build in extra buffer time on the return trip.