Arrive Heathrow, leave via Gatwick: what to do in 21 hours?

Are they leaving from or arriving at Gatwick? The title and post is contradictory.

As far as I'm aware there are no 04.00 flights from Gatwick, departing flights start from 06.00.

What is the reason they give for not wanting to use public transport?

Too much luggage?

They don't like the bus to Pittsburgh?

Too expensive?

Too slow?

Not private enough?

Would rather look at concrete road and traffic than deal with locals?

Language problems?

Fear of being killed?

Once we know what the objection is perhaps an objection can be overcome.

Which direction is the travel, towards returning home, or arriving from Pittsburgh?

It will make a difference. Do they know that for a domestic flight from Gatwick they need to be there 90-120 minutes ahead, and 3 hours for a transatlantic flight? 4am??? Horrid. They did this voluntarily?

Yes, I confused the direction of the travel in the text.
They will arrive at Heathrow and leave from Gatwick.
Sorry for the confusion.
Both have been to London and don't want to spend their limited there.
Aversion to public transport is their mistake.

They will arrive 7 a.m. morning and leave less than 24 hours later at 4 a.m.

They will arrive from Pittsburgh at 7 a.m. at Heathrow
They will leave Gatwick at 4 a.m. for Croatia.

To be honest, I don't think it's the best of plans, but... if they are determined to do it, I would suggest picking up a car at heathrow, drive to Guildford (cute town) wander around, have lunch and then head to Gatwick - turn in the car and book a hotel at the airport to get some sleep before their next filght.

Flying to England and refusing to use public transportation instead of renting a car is like flying into most of the US and refusing to use anything but public transportation.

Whether they love or hate public transportation, getting in a rental car immediately after a transatlantic flight is potentially dangerous.

They can certainly use a pre-booked car (called a minicab in Brit-speak), which will be cheaper than a taxi, yet safer than driving themselves. These have set rates to London, but can take people lots of other places, if they can afford the price quoted.

In addition to Brighton and Hampton Court, look at Kew Gardens.

I have no personal experience with minicabs, but here are three minicab companies that are often recommended on this forum. Contact them directly with specifics to get price quotes. Note that Just Airports has a substantial discount for paying cash; I don't know about the other two.

https://www.justairports.com/
http://www.simplyairports.co.uk/
http://www.blackberrycars.com/

Sorry, but getting off a long transatlantic flight red eye then spending a day driving around some of the most congested roads in the country whilst jet lagged is really not a good idea.

The National Trust properties at Standen, Chartwell and Wakehurst aren’t too far off route.

They may have to be at Gatwick at 4 am, but there aren’t any flights out at until just before 6am.

There will be a one way drop fee for returning the car to a different depot.

There is a bus that leaves Heathrow Airport central bus station and goes directly to Gatwick airport. They would be wise to take that. Check into a hotel at Gatwick airport, drop their bags.

Use one of the car services (pre book) mentioned to then go to Hever Castle. Give themselves a couple of hours to explore. Tell the driver when to pick you up at Hever and return you to your hotel.

Have an early dinner, shower, and then early to bed. If it were me, I'd be in bed by about 7:00. Nothing wrong in relaxing, watching a little TV, then early to sleep. With an early morning departure ahead of them, they would be wise to follow this plan.

Yes, I am well aware they don't want to use public transportation, but in this particular case, the bus is a godsend.

"They are not keen on taking subway, train or bus into London."
In my itinerary, they will not be taking any of those into London. And won't be going into London at all.

The bus (coach) airport to airport will have comfy seats and WiFi. They will be glad they did this instead of renting a car. Jet lag will hit them sometime in the afternoon. Walking around Hever Castle will be a great way to ward off jet lag. But I wouldn't want to be driving a rental car on unfamiliar roads with jet lag.

If they absolutely insist on driving, they can pick up the M25 Ring Road at Heathrow Airport, drive south, then continue east on M25, get off at Westerham, see Churchill's country home, Chartwell; then drop south to see Hever Castle; then head west to return the car at Gatwick airport.

Personally, I like my itinerary better. Much more relaxing.

P.S. You can use the "Edit" button to correct your headline on your question, to reflect the correct arrival and departure points.

Hi,
Wish I could find the edit button, but can't. Give me a clue...
Found it.
Thanks

I cannot find any direct PIT-LHR flights. So I presume they will fly from PIT to a 'coastal' city airport. The total journey will take 10.5 to 12 hours ( maybe more) and the trans Atlantic flight is about 6.5 hours. It seems unlikely to get any real restful sleep on that short an overnight flight. So they arrive sleep deprived, wanting to drive in a major metro area and the natives drive on the other side of the road.

What could possibly go wrong?

Renting a car is a really bad idea.

British Airways just announced nonstop service PIT-LHR but it doesn't start until next April.

Let's see...arrive from an overnight flight after probably not getting much or quality sleep....drive on the other side of the road to places they've never been...deal with tiredness or jet lag or both.....what could go wrong?

Sounds to me like a recipe for two tired cranky people about halfway to Gatwick!

British Airways just announced nonstop service PIT-LHR but it doesn't start until next April.

BA website shows that having a 1025 arrival, not the 0700 arrival OP references

I agree they will be too tired to move upon arrival, much less up for a drive on unfamiliar roads.

I stand by my first 3 paragraphs of my earlier post.
Bus airport to airport, check into Gatwick hotel. Then see how they feel.
A car service can take them somewhere like Hever Castle and pick them up 2 hours later to return to the hotel.

If they could overcome their aversion to public transportation they could take the aforementioned bus (coach) - note luggage goes into storage underneath, to Gatwick, dump luggage and take a train to Brighton, visit the fantastic, in all senses of the word, Royal Pavilion, wander The Lanes nearby, the older part of Brighton, narrow streets, lots of interesting shops, pubs, restaurants. Walk along the Promenade. Take train back to Gatwick when they are ready for an early dinner and a good nights sleep before their early morning flight. Arrive in Croatia rested and ready to go.

I have used the coach from LHR to Gatwick on a number of occasions; a journey that Is scheduled to take about 1.5 hours usually ends up taking about 3 hours due to heavy traffic and road construction. It always seems to be stop and go for a good part of the journey even on the Motorway.

They should also remember that flight arrives at 7.30 A.M., by the time they do immigration, pick up luggage, and find car rental office it will be at least 9.30., by the time they are on the road it will be getting towards 10 or 10. 30. Allow 2 hours for drive to Gatwick... 12 noon. Attractions usually close at 5.00.....

An alternative....leave bags at left luggage in Terminal 3, take bus from airport to Windsor, spent a few hours there, bus back to Heathrow, coach to Gatwick, check into hotel, early dinner and well earned sleep.

Just reread your post, maybe not an aversion to public transportation, just not wanting to sclepp luggage around crowded busses etc. That I can understand!