Londoners heading to Gatwick Airport in early 2026 face several weekends of disruption on the Brighton Main Line, with key sections of the route shut for major engineering works.
Network Rail is closing parts of the Brighton Main Line on multiple weekends so it can carry out essential maintenance and upgrade work. The programme includes track renewals, bridge repairs and drainage improvements along the route between London, Gatwick and the south coast.
Which train routes from London to Gatwick Airport will be affected?
There will be no rail connection between Purley / East Croydon and Gatwick Airport on certain January weekends, disrupting one of the main corridors from central and south London to the airport. Separate closures will also affect the line between Brighton / Lewes / Hove and Three Bridges, though these south coast works will not impact London-Gatwick travel on their specific dates.
What dates will the line be closed?
Trains between Gatwick Airport and Purley / East Croydon, plus the branches between Reigate and Redhill and between Redhill and Tonbridge, will be suspended on January 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25, 2026. Further closures between Brighton / Lewes / Hove and Three Bridges are scheduled for February 1, March 21-22 and May 10, 2026.
How to get to Gatwick Airport during rail closures
Rail replacement buses will run along the closed sections of the line, but journeys will take longer than usual. Additional buses will link Three Bridges or Gatwick Airport with East Grinstead, where frequent trains will continue to run to and from central London via East Croydon.
Alternative routes and journey times to Gatwick Airport
A diverted train service will operate from London Victoria via Clapham Junction, offering another option for airport passengers. This rerouted journey is expected to take around 1.5 hours, compared with the usual 30-40 minutes on the direct Brighton Main Line service.