I've read the previous discussions about getting to London from Gatwick, but I'm still a little confused. I went to the National Rail website as Patrick suggested on another thread, and the cheapest ticket for our family of four on the Southern Line was 36 pounds vs 50.70 on Gatwick Express. What's the difference between the two? The times the trains take is the same; does anyone know why one might prefer one train over the other? Thanks for any insight anyone can provide!
Posts: 187 | Location: Lilburn, GA | Registered: 29 July 2006
I had always assumed they were faster, but it seems not so (some of the Southern ones are slower). The advantage of the Gatwick Express, in addition to the proper luggage space, is that it starts from Gatwick and so is not going to be full of commuters from the south coast - only relevant if you are going to be travelling in the rush hour (and that would be uncomfortably full).
(The train would be much faster than a minicab - not too bad up the M23 but then prey to all kinds of traffic as soon as it comes into outer London )
Posts: 1400 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
[QUOTE]The advantage of the Gatwick Express, in addition to the proper luggage space, is that it starts from Gatwick and so is not going to be full of commuters from the south coast - only relevant if you are going to be travelling in the rush hour (and that would be uncomfortably full).[QUOTE]
Aha! That would be the difference! Hmmm...we'll have to consider this carefully as our flight arrives at about 7am on Friday, Dec. 18. I assume we'd get to the train at about 8 or so, whichever one we choose. We're not in a big hurry (it is slow travel, after all!); we'll just be tired. I remember the first time I went to London--it was the early '80s, and we took a coach from Gatwick to Victoria. That was when people could smoke on the coach, and it was hot (it was March and the heat was on), it was packed, and I was near to throwing up I felt so awful. Yuck!! I hate even remembering it!
Posts: 187 | Location: Lilburn, GA | Registered: 29 July 2006
Yep. That's exactly what I was thinking. What's a few more pounds when you're tired and cranky already?!!
What she said. The London airport express trains are not particularly cheap--but actually good value for the money if you are interested in getting where you want to go quickly and easily. We took the Heathrow Connect for the first time last month--and although it was half the cost of the Heathrow Express--it ran half as often, and took nearly three times as long. It does pay to do a quick promotion search--you can save as much as 5 pounds off a return ticket as well as good discounts for groups of 4 etc. and you can usually save by booking on line. Some airlines offer good rates buying onboard or through their phone agents. Our Virgin Atlantic status gets us free upgrades on the Express trains, which are a pretty funny and slightly pathetic perk--as no one else is on those First Class cars and who cares--it's 20 to 30 minutes!
When my son was living in London for grad school, we took the train a few times rather than the Gatwick Express. The train was packed with people and there was no room for luggage. I would only take it with one carryon per person (which is how we travel). Gatwick is much more leisurely and enjoyable.
