Gatwick to Heathrow?

[SuperFLUF]

I'm thinking about flying in to Gatwick and making a connection to Lisbon out of Heathrow on a Monday morning.

Anyone have tips or warnings? Can it it be done with a 3 hr connect?

Basically I can sit up in first to LGW, if I connect through AMS or CDG I'll be in a middle seat back in steerage.

 

[EagleRJ]

I know the Tube goes to Heathrow, but not to Gatwick. I've always flown into Gatwick- it's the best kept secret of non-rev'ers. The loads are always better than the Heathrow flights.

The cheapest way would be taking the train into the city, and then the Tube out to Heathrow. I think King's Cross was the main station for connections from the Gatwick rail line. If memory serves, it's about 40 minutes into the city, so probably another 40 out to Heathrow.

There's also an express coach (bus) between the two airports. It's probably faster and more hassle free, but I think it's expensive. Like £30 or so.

 

[transpac]

If you have lots of time and want to spend minimum money, take the regular train (Not the Victoria/Gatwick Express) from the South Terminal to Victoria Station, then a regular tube to Heathrow. You'll have to change tube lines at least once, but this is relatively painless if you don't have a lot of luggage. Also, the Terminal 4 tube stop at Heathrow is closed, Terminal 1/2/3 stops are open. Easiest way is to take the express coach (bus) from Gatwick to Heathrow, but it's a little pricy.

 

[ProLine4]

You actually have quite a few choices, but I think 3 hrs is tight for any of these methods. LGW is 30 minutes south of London's central district even with an express train service. Let me get this map out....

# 1- Express Bus "Heathrow Express" from LGW to LHR nonstop. This runs I believe every 15 or 30 minutes. If traffic is light, its probably the fastest method. But the M25 roadway is probably always busy so you could end up stuck in traffic. I think it was around 30 US dollars.

# 2- Express Train- "Gatwick Express". This is heavily advertised as you are exiting LGW, and is the fastest method by far for train service. It runs nonstop from LGW to Victoria Station in central London. The fare is 12 euros one-way and takes 30 minutes, with trains leaving every 15 minutes. At Victoria, purchase an Underground (tube) ticket and take the Yellow line (Circle Line) to the South Kensington station. Transfer at South Kensington from Yellow to Blue line (Picadilly Line). Take Picadilly westbound all the way to LHR, which has 2 stops, T1 thru 3 and T4.

# 3- Slow multistop commuter train. "ThamesLink" This runs from LGW to central London and the fare is 10 euros. You would have to connect from Thameslink to the Tube at Blackfriars station.

I have used all 3 methods and would use the Express Bus or Train again when I go back.

FYI, The Tube is the Underground (subway) system, ThamesLink/NationalRail is a slower multistop train system, and Gatwick Express is just a high-speed nonstop train from Victoria to LGW. They may share common stations, but you'll have to purchase separate tickets to transfer between the operators.

 

[Wankel7]

You actually have quite a few choices, but I think 3 hrs is tight for any of these methods. LGW is 30 minutes south of London's central district even with an express train service. Let me get this map out....

# 1- Express Bus "Heathrow Express" from LGW to LHR nonstop. This runs I believe every 15 or 30 minutes. If traffic is light, its probably the fastest method. But the M25 roadway is probably always busy so you could end up stuck in traffic. I think it was around 30 US dollars.

# 2- Express Train- "Gatwick Express". This is heavily advertised as you are exiting LGW, and is the fastest method by far for train service. It runs nonstop from LGW to Victoria Station in central London. The fare is 12 euros one-way and takes 30 minutes, with trains leaving every 15 minutes. At Victoria, purchase an Underground (tube) ticket and take the Yellow line (Circle Line) to the South Kensington station. Transfer at South Kensington from Yellow to Blue line (Picadilly Line). Take Picadilly westbound all the way to LHR, which has 2 stops, T1 thru 3 and T4.

# 3- Slow multistop commuter train. "ThamesLink" This runs from LGW to central London and the fare is 10 euros. You would have to connect from Thameslink to the Tube at Blackfriars station.

I have used all 3 methods and would use the Express Bus or Train again when I go back.

FYI, The Tube is the Underground (subway) system, ThamesLink/NationalRail is a slower multistop train system, and Gatwick Express is just a high-speed nonstop train from Victoria to LGW. They may share common stations, but you'll have to purchase separate tickets to transfer between the operators.

I wanna know how you pay the fares in Euros! That would save some cash.

 

[Gigiddy Goo]

When you get on the picadilly line, make sure it is the one going to LHR. The pic line splits. One goes to harrow and the other to LHR.

 

[SuperFLUF]

Thanks guys,

It looks like if we do it we'll take the Express bus. Its 18 pounds per person and the schedule shows 1:05 from Gatwick to Heathrow.

 

[ProLine4]

I wanna know how you pay the fares in Euros! That would save some cash.

Crap, sorry, I meant pounds.

 

[garf12]

are there any flights between any of the london airports? Like LGW - Hearthrow or Luton. Just curious, I know it would be stupid to do it, but I know there are some very short flights like that here in the U.S.

 

[KC-10 Driver]

On a similar vein, does anyone have a good suggestion on connecting from Gatwick to Stansted, and back? Cost and time? I suspect fairly expensive, and not too quick, either?

 

[EuroWheenie]

garf12

Although London is the biggest city in Europe, it's not big enough to warrant intra-city airlinks. Ask yourself if you there are regular airlinks between LGA, EWR and JFK .... so actually, mate, it was a pretty daft question

KC10

LGW to STN is a different beast. I am not aware of any direct bus service between the two airports, but I'm sure a google on the intraweb could answer that for you. Barring that, I'd suspect the cheapest option is probably by train to major train station in central London (Kings X/Vicky/Paddy) and a bus service from there. Easiest option would be a taxi, but you'd be looking at a very expensive fare; LGW is to South of London and STN roughly 60 miles to the North. Might actually be cheaper to rent a car than take a taxi!

 

[PHX767]

Lgw - Stn

We took the Stansted Express from Liverpool St station back in May, I think it was 14 pounds per adult for one way. We were in a hotel at Paddington station, so just took the tube over to connect.

You could take the train from LGW to Liverpool St station and then hook up there. The express costs a bit more, but it is really quick not having to stop at all of the intermediate stations. Also they leave every 15 minutes during the business day. Trip takes about 45 mins.

www.stanstedexpress.com

We really liked the Stansted airport. If you are flying Ryanair, check in early for boarding priority. Kind of like the SW system with a Euro twist.

 

[80/20]

I have used the speelink bus many times when going from the US to Heathrow and had to continue from Gatwick. They used to give an airline discount but I don't think they still do. It takes 60 to 70 minutes, but you should allow more.
Check out their web site: http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/heathrow_gatwick_transfer.htm