If you’re truly broke and have a strong stomach, consider the Megabus. It’s sometimes as low as £5 from Victoria to Gatwick, but it leaves from a spot that feels like a parking lot behind a skip. I once waited 45 minutes for a Megabus that never showed—turns out the driver was stuck in traffic on his coffee break.
Or, you could cycle. Yes, people have done it. It’s 30 miles from central London to Gatwick, and there’s even a bike path part of the way. Just don’t expect to arrive smelling like a flower—more like a damp mushroom with determination.
My advice? Avoid Megabus unless you’re writing a screenplay about public transport chaos. The National Express coach is cheaper and more reliable; your sanity is worth the extra fiver.