Cheap Flights to Gatwick from CA $291

Most visitors prefer to fly into Heathrow Airport (LHR) when visiting the buzzing city of Gatwick.

The trip from Heathrow Airport to downtown Gatwick is reasonably long. You'll need to travel 40 kilometres before you can check in to your city hotel.

A flight to Gatwick means hitting the runway at either Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick. The first is 40 kilometres away from the downtown area. The second is 0.64 kilometres away.

Gatwick is serviced by 110 airlines from 252 worldwide airports.

British Airways and SWISS are some of the most sought-after airlines that offer flights to Gatwick. Travellers often choose Geneva as a departure point with British Airways flying this route the most.

Flying to someplace new is much more fun when there aren't any stopovers to worry about. If you're travelling to Gatwick, the awesome news is that there are roughly 6,282 direct flights operating each week.

Flights to Gatwick departing from Dublin, Amsterdam and Paris airports are highly sought after.

If it's Dublin you're departing, you'll be in the air for around 1 hour and 26 minutes before you arrive in Gatwick. Runway to runway from Amsterdam takes approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes and from Paris, it's 1 hour and 14 minutes.

Don't leave locking in your flight to Gatwick until the very last minute. That's one move seasoned jet-setters use to get the best prices. Booking in advance means more choices and less expensive flights. Another terrific way to score the best deal is to shop around. If your destination has several airports, be sure to look into the cost of flying into a smaller terminal. Finally, another simple way to save some money is be ready to book fast. If you come across an irresistible bargain, don't think twice — grab it while you can.

We've rounded up all the info you need to make your journey a pleasant experience. Follow our tips and tricks and you'll be hightailing it through airport security and seeing the best of Gatwick in next to no time. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a cruisy experience if you've got all the right stuff. First of all you'll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a clean pair of socks and a good novel. Secondly, find a spot in your carry-on bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, medications and maybe a quality neck pillow as well. Lastly, don't forget to take your passport, travel documents and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked luggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated. Sharp or pointed objects, like your treasured pocket knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and poisons, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and choose shoes that are flat and easy to pull on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

It's all about being organized. We've compiled some top tips for a speedy trip through airport security. Watch out Gatwick, here you come:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and passport will need to be shown to airport security. Keep them handy to avoid fumbling around for them.
• Your coat, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your tablet, phone and any other electronics also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you a few precious minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked luggage.