Hey there. My mom and I will arrive at Heathrow around 11am and have a 5pm flight at Gatwick. Suggestions for a quick tour or activity that will let us see London but also pick up and drop off at different airports?
We looked into London magical tours but they suggested The Windsor castle tour, not seeing downtown london. Any ideas that would allow us to see downtown (the bridge, Westminster, etc)?
Thanks.
I suspect with the transfer time from LHR to LGW , security processing etc, you have just enough time to make to make the connection, at best. "Touring" is really not an option.
see this info: https://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/heathrow_gatwick_bus_transfer.htm
Is your trip on a single booking, or have you made separate flight reservations? If the latter, I hope your first flight arrives on time, and that you have a backup plan in case it does not.
It seems you would be rushed if you attempt something like this. If it was one person that knows how to navigate London with a back pack and not luggage maybe
Bus to Gatwick: 1-1½ hours, depending on M25 traffic and bus timetable: 13:30
17:00 flight out of Gatwick
Where are you flying to? Minimum check-in time usually 60-90 minutes fro European flights, more for intercontinental. Say check-in 15:00.
Walking through terminal from bus to check-in: 15 minutes, more if north terminal.
You have very little wiggle-room, not enough to go anywhere. And, what would you do with your luggage?
There are a couple of ways to do this but they will be pricy......
1) HIre a driver to pick you up at Heathrow, drive you past the big sights in London and then on to Gatwick. Depending on traffic, this could be a problem.
2) Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington. Arrange to have a driver pick you up there, drive you around the main sites and drop you off at Victoria Station no later than about 2:00. Take the Gatwick Express to Gatwick Airport. (You might be able to do the London part in a taxi if the driver is willing to do this.)
3) Take a National Express coach from Heathrow to London Victoria Coach Station and then either a coach from there to Gatwick or walk a block to Victoria Rail Station for the Gatwick Express (You won't see a lot of London but this would be the cheapest option.)
There are no tours that pick up at Heathrow, visit London and then drive to Gatwick.
Personally, I think it's risky especially if your plane is late. I would just take the coach from LHR to LGW--which unfortunately doesn't go through London, and just chill at Gatwick.
On a bad day it will take you that long just to get out of LHR travel to LGW and be checked in and through security in time...
Frank's suggestions are good ones if money isnt an issue.
You barely have enough time to get to Gatwick in time, without seeing the sites.
You barely have enough time to get to Gatwick in time, without seeing the sites.
You would be hard pressed to do the Windsor tour from Heathrow and back in the time you have let alone getting down to Gatwick......
These trips requiring a change of airport same day are awful. 6 hours is the minimum I'd suggest and it could still be very tight. You have no time for sightseeing, unless you've never seen traffic flow on the left, which you will get to see when transiting LHR to LGW. Get to Gatwick and enjoy a pint or two of British beer.
The general consensus is that you need a minimum of 3.5 hours from landing at Heathrow to arriving at Gatwick and you will need to be at Gatwick 90-120 minutes before your flight, assuming you are flying within Europe, otherwise it's 3 hours. That doesn't leave much spare time, assuming your flight is on time.
Just head to Gatwick. Less stress.
