London Gatwick Airport is one of the United Kingdom's largest, being both the second largest and busiest after Heathrow. It experiences huge numbers of passengers, with over thirty-five million in 2007 alone. It's popularity is due in part to the large variety of routes airlines offer out of the airport itself, as well as the fact that it is much easier to navigate and use when compared to Heathrow. That said, Gatwick has in recent years had several extensions completed due to increase in demand and operates from two terminals, known as 'North' and 'South'. The North terminal is predominately used by British Airways and Thomson Fly, as well as Air Southwest, Easy Jet and First Choice, amongst others. The older South terminal, connected to Gatwick's train station, is used mainly by Virgin Atlantic and Easy Jet as well as FlyBe, Monarch, Ryan Air, Thomas Cook and XL Airways, plus many more.
Hiring a car upon arrival at Gatwick is recommended, particularly because getting in and around the south of England is much easier by car. Both the North and South terminals have separate car hire buildings for the sole purpose of housing the several hire companies that operate from the airport. Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Alamo, Enterprise, National, Thrifty and Dollar Car Rentals are amongst the companies who offer hire services. Gatwick Airport is located due south of London off the M23 (this connects with the M25 ring-road to the north). Within close reach of Gatwick (aside from London itself), are the towns of Crawley, Guildford, Royal Tunbridge Wells and Brighton to the south.