LHR to LGW Transfer—your experience, please

What time of year ( weather issues, either at your departure airport or London?) and is what you contemplate on a single ticket?

Coming from where and where are you going?

Checked bags?

More details will get you a better 'apples to apples' experience report.

Ah, good questions. Mid-November. Carryon only.

Yes, single itinerary. BA from US connecting to BA at LGW.

Thanks for asking.

I have never made a connection between Heathrow and Gatwick, but have flown from both. It's at least a 50 minute drive between the two on the M25 aka Britain's biggest carpark, so more likely more than 1 hour and I have never landed at Heathrow and got out of the Terminal in under 40 minutes before (Albeit I always have checked bags). I personally wouldn't try that connection, but I guess it is doable if everything goes to plan!

My opinion - Don’t do it. Find an option where you don’t have to change airports.

I’ve been on too many delayed flights into Heathrow and adding the need to travel to an airport that is an hour away would not be worth the hassle to me.

As it's a through ticket BA would have an obligation to get you onto the next available flight (from any London airport, not necessarily LGW) with capacity (and look after you in the meantime), and 3:20 is within Minimum Connecting Time, but it seems a lot of aggravation and worry to go through if there is a viable connection at Heathrow.

Here is some actual info regarding the transfer - note that it's 2-1/2 years old:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/land-lhr-connect-to-lgw

As it's a through ticket BA would have an obligation to get you onto the next available flight (from any London airport, not necessarily LGW) with capacity (and look after you in the meantime)

Even if the reason for not getting there is a bus breakdown or road closure or something not related to the first flight being late?

I'm surprised BA would agree to such a booking since it puts them at so much jeopardy

BA will sell such an itinerary with only a 3 hour connection. It will be made on a high percentage of runs but if yours has a glitch somewhere along the way it adds a lot of stress even if you don't miss it.

I have had similar offers on the past from AA to connect between JFK & LaGuardia. I always ignore them.

Thanks to all of you who have replied. I’ve decided not to risk it.