We are headed to SW France the end of June/beginning of July 2024. Ticket prices on our usual routes are off the charts expensive (I understand it's due to the Olympics.) So, we are looking at SEA to LHR route then flying from London to either BOD or EGC. The route saves us about $1000 per ticket. However, we will have to change airports. My questions are:
1) Which airport is easiest to get to from LHR: STN, LCY or LGW?
2) How would you get from LHR to any one of these airports most efficiently? Taxi, Train, other?
3) What amount of layover time would be the minimum you'd allow? Would 5 hours between flights be enough?
Thank you, seasoned travelers, for the help!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8429 posts
I have done the trip from Heathrow to Gatwick by National Express Coach. It worked just fine. I think 5 hours should be enough, but we all know irregular operations can happen at any time on any route.
Posted by
Land of La
8723 posts
As countless others will read this inquiry and responses might you clarify the BOD and EGC airports you reference.
I get the 4 UK airport abbreviations but its only because I’ve traveled to England a number of times.
Posted by
Preston UK
916 posts
The nearest is LCY and it's also by far the best in terms of airport experience - short check in times, no liquids rules through security and better flights, assuming the flight is on BA. You can get there these days in a little over an hour taking the Elizabeth Line to Stratford and then DLR.
LGW would be the next easiest - either into London on the Elizabeth Line to Farringdon and then Thameslink to Gatwick. Or take a coach the whole way, which you may feel is easier with no changes but can get bunged up travelling around the M25.
STN would have the same options at LGW, either trains through London or coach round it, but a bit further.
Prices being affordable I would opt for LCY every time.
Airport codes - BOD is Bordeaux and EGC Bergerac Dordogne.
Posted by
Lake District, England
6015 posts
In terms of time taken to transfer there isn't a lot of difference. LCY should be about 1 1/2 hours, LGW about 2 hours, and STN about 1 3/4 to 2 hours.
LGW- I would do via National Express or Oxford Bus Company direct Bus (coach) (by personal preference), or Elizabeth Line to Farringdon/Thameslink to Gatwick. or Tube to Victoria, then Southern or Gatwick Express train. Time wise there is very little difference between the two train routes.
The hugely revamped Gatwick train station has just opened this week, with a far better design and much more room in it for circulation.
STN- Elizabeth Line to Liverpool Street, then Stansted Express- much more frequent than the direct National Express bus (coach)
LCY Elizabeth Line to Stratford, then Docklands Light Railway to LCY (down side is that Stratford is a big station to navigate around, personally I get a bit confused there).
My own subjective ranking would be LGW, STN and then LCY, but all of that is relative hair splitting.
On non connected tickets 5 hours feels a bit optimal, workable but a bit optimal for either road or rail delays. If you can build in more time, then I would do so, getting as late an afternoon flight as you would get. But perhaps that is just cautious me.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
229 posts
Thank you all for the great information! It helps my planning (and my wallet) immensely!
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2200 posts
I am bookmarking this for future reference. Changing airports on our upcoming reservations was an option we didn’t need, but it’s good to know how to navigate if it comes up in the future. After last year’s incident where we got stuck at LHR, we were too mentally exhausted to figure this out.
Posted by
Southeast of Seattle
701 posts
Look at flying into Toulouse. No airport change and Toulouse is a wonderful city. Also an easy train connection to Bordeaux.