London B & B for 2 nights - arrive Heathrow - depart Gatwick

When you say "7:45 departure from Gatwick", do you mean taking off at 7:45 or check-in opens at 7:45? If you mean taking off at 7:45 then the 5am Gatwick Express will be just about enough time if there's no disruption, but it's extremely tight. If I were taking off that early, I'd move to a hotel at the airport for the night.

Thank you for your reply to my question. Our flight is on EasyJet and departs at 8:00 a.m. Now another question -- What if we took the 4:30 a.m. train from Victoria Station? We're trying to stay in the same location for the two nights.

I agree with Philip. But if you want to stay in London, just get to Gatwick as early as possible. Do you have bags to check in? If so, I'd definitely recommend checking in online the day before if possible so you aren't stuck in a really long line.

The Gatwick Express runs as early as 3:30am and 4:30am from Victoria Station to Gatwick airport. If you stay near the Station you could either walk or have your hotel call a cab to get you there in time. As for hotels around Victoria Station, here are a few you might consider:

[$$$] Lime Tree Hotel, enthusiastically run by Charlotte and Matt, is a gem, with 25 spacious, stylish, comfortable, thoughtfully decorated rooms, a helpful staff, and a fun-loving breakfast room (Sb-£110, Db-£165, larger superior Db-£195, Tb-£205, family room-£225, usually cheaper Jan-Feb, free guest computer and Wi-Fi, small lounge opens onto quiet garden, 135 Ebury Street, tel. 020/7730-8191, www.limetreehotel.co.uk, info@limetreehotel.co.uk, Alex manages the office).

[$$] Morgan House, a great budget choice in this neighborhood, has 11 nicely decorated rooms with far more character than you’ll find in other nearby hotels in this price range. It’s also entertainingly run, with lots of travel tips and friendly chat from owner Rachel Joplin and her staff (S-£58, D-£84, Db-£108, T-£108, family suites: Tb-£148, Qb-£158, free Wi-Fi can be spotty, 120 Ebury Street, tel. 020/7730-2384, www.morganhouse.co.uk, morganhouse@btclick.com).

[$$] Luna Simone Hotel rents 36 fresh, spacious, remodeled rooms with modern bathrooms. It’s a smartly managed place, run for more than 40 years by twins Peter and Bernard--and Bernard’s son Mark--and they still seem to enjoy their work (Sb-£80, Db-£115, Tb-£140, Qb-£170, these prices with cash and this book in 2015, free guest computer and Wi-Fi, at 47 Belgrave Road near the corner of Charlwood Street, handy bus #24 to Victoria Station and Trafalgar Square stops out front, tel. 020/7834-5897, www.lunasimonehotel.com, stay@lunasimonehotel.com).

[$$] Bakers Hotel shoehorns 11 brightly painted rooms into a small building, but it’s conveniently located and offers modest prices and a small breakfast (S-£45-55, Sb-£70-80, D-£70-85, Db-£85-95, T-£85-95, Tb-£110-120, family room with bath-£135, can be about £5-8 cheaper per person off-season, discounts for stays of at least a week, ask for Rick Steves discount when booking directly with hotel, free Wi-Fi, 126 Warwick Way, tel. 020/7834-0729, www.bakershotel.co.uk, reservations@bakershotel.co.uk, Amin Jamani).

Keep in mind that a 2008 guidebook was researched in 2007. They go outdated about 20% per year so your edition is mostly outdated. The places don't change, but contact info, hotels, restaurants, prices, hours, etc change constantly. Although we don't recommend it, if you plan on using your 2008 guidebook anyway, make sure you double check all prices, contacts, hours, etc.

I hope this helps some.