New Overnight Train Service to Connect West of England with Gatwick Airport
Great Western Railway (GWR) has announced the launch of a new overnight train service connecting the west of England with Gatwick Airport. This trial service is set to begin on 6 June, operating between Reading and the airport via Redhill, Reigate, Dorking, and Guildford.
The overnight trains will run along the North Downs Line and are scheduled to operate for 12 weeks on a trial basis. The service will include two trains from Reading to Gatwick and three return journeys every Saturday morning. On Mondays, there will be a reduced schedule with one service from Reading and two from Gatwick.
This initiative aims to address a gap in rail connectivity to the airport, making travel more convenient for passengers who need to catch early flights or arrive at Gatwick late at night. Currently, GWR services operate between 4.30am and 11.30pm, leaving those with early departures or late arrivals without a rail option from the west.
Improving Connectivity and Sustainability
The North Downs Line has experienced multiple closures over the past few years due to maintenance and upgrades, making the introduction of overnight services a significant development for the route. Mark Hopwood, managing director at GWR, highlighted the importance of this trial: “This trial allows us to test demand for extended operating hours to Gatwick and gather real-world data on how passengers use these services.”
He also emphasized the significance of improving sustainable connectivity to airports to support the growth in air travel. GWR is pleased to collaborate with Gatwick Airport and Network Rail to explore what is possible.
Jonathan Pollard, chief commercial officer at London Gatwick, welcomed the news, stating that he was “delighted” by the new service. He added that the overnight trains would “make travelling to and from Gatwick even easier for passengers and staff working at the airport.”
GWR will monitor the popularity of the services before deciding whether to extend them permanently.
Reliability of Airports During Peak Times
This announcement comes after Gatwick was named the second-least reliable airport during Easter in a recent study. Researchers analyzed Civil Aviation Authority data from March 2024 and April 2025 during two different Easter periods, identifying differences in how airports manage the seasonal surge in passengers.
Smaller regional hubs performed best overall, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport leading with an average on-time performance of 86.85 per cent. East Midlands Airport followed closely at 85.20 per cent, while Glasgow Airport ranked third at 84.60 per cent.
Belfast International and George Best Belfast City also showed strong reliability, with 84.35 per cent and 84 per cent of flights departing on time, respectively.
In contrast, larger and more congested hubs were more prone to disruption. Cardiff Airport recorded the lowest on-time performance at 76.05 per cent, followed by Gatwick Airport with a rate of 77.20 per cent. Bournemouth and Southampton had similar figures of 77.50 per cent and 77.55 per cent, while Manchester Airport reached 78.25 per cent.
This study highlights the challenges faced by major airports during peak times and underscores the importance of improving connectivity and efficiency in transportation networks. The new overnight train service from GWR could play a crucial role in supporting passengers traveling to and from Gatwick, especially during busy periods.
