We arrive at Gatwick Airport on a Wednesday afternoon around 4pm. Our flight home the next morning leaves from Heathrow, so the plan is to stay the night at the Sofitel at Heathrow. Wondering what would be our best option to get from Gatwick to Heathrow, given usual traffic conditions at that time of the day?
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35785 posts
you can take a bus around the great parking lot that is the M25 and look at the traffic - luggage goes underneath and it is direct
or you can take a Thameslink train from under the airport South Terminal. if arriving at Gatwick North Terminal there is a free mini train shuttle between the terminals every minute or two. Enjoy the Surrey countryside and views of London, change at Farringdon to the Elizabeth Line which takes you straight to Heathrow Terminal 5 where the Sofitel is. Luggage stays with you on both trains.
Both systems work - your choice.
No need for a taxi or other option in your case.
In both cases you will be in the teeth of the rush hour - road or rail. Maybe dinner at Gatwick and travel when things calm down around 6:30 or 7?
Posted by
Lake District, England
10564 posts
To me the way I would choose at that time on a weekday afternoon is the direct bus, to Heathrow Terminal 5- either the Oxford Airline or National Express, not fussed which of them.
The Airline is hourly, National Express 3 or 4 an hour. I'd just take whichever bus comes first.
If you take any kind of rail route through London- tube or Elizabeth Line it'll be packed with evening commuters.
On the bus your luggage goes in the hold and no overcrowding. If the bus sits on the M25 my view is so what, you aren't in any real hurry.
In theory travel time is pretty much identical, traffic permitting. I don't think it matters but bus is cheaper than the train at £15 on the Oxford airline or a £1 or 2 more on National Express.
There is a 3rd way, which avoids the London peak train traffic and almost all of the M25, but takes longest- the train from Gatwick to Guildford every 30 minutes (about 45 minutes) then the rail-air bus, hourly (about 60 minutes).
Posted by
Portsmouth
5825 posts
I'd also take the bus and leave as soon as you arrive. The M25 is always a pain whatever time you're driving on it. I'd also aim to have dinner at the Sofitel rather than either of the airport offerings.
Posted by
OP
164 posts
Looks like the bus it is!
I knew I could google it and try to sort out if AI is giving me a reasonable answer, or I could ask on this forum, and get the best answer.
Thank you all for your responses, I really appreciate this forum.