I'm thinking of rebooking a cancelled trip from this March to September and early October. One option is a flight that drops me at LTN at noon with my flight back to the states the next day at 11:30 from LGW. I'll stay at a hotel near LGW (suggestions are welcome). What I'm wondering is, would it be feasible to see London and maybe have a beer and chips on the way to the LGW hotel? I have all afternoon but would like to make it to the hotel fairly early for a good nights rest prior to flight.
Posted by
11156 posts
Hotels at LGW- there is a Sofitel( somewhat dated) and a Hilton at the airport. They have a shuttle train to take you between terminals there. We stayed at the Sofitel and it was OK but not up to the high standard of Sofitels we have stayed at before.
Posted by
Folsom
2707 posts
If your budget can handle it there are worse places to spend a day. We had tea, wandered down a country road to a pub where we crashed a wake, napped, had a great dinner on site, to LGW the next day: https://www.alexanderhotels.co.uk/langshott-manor/
Posted by
Noblesville, Indiana, USA
1371 posts
Four years ago we stayed at the Copthorne Hotel London Gatwick for 2 nights and had a delightful stay. I would definitely stop in central London for the afternoon before traveling on to Gatwick. If you have time, walk a few blocks over from the hotel to The Prince Albert and have a pint with the locals.
Posted by
OP
Florida
127 posts
Thanks all for the hotel suggestions. So TheKBKMan can you detail how I would get from LTN to the city center (what train, bus, car etc. would you suggest) and then how do I get to hotel from there?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32746 posts
Depending on when you travel and whether or not the new people mover has been commissioned and built, you either take the new people mover (unlikely) or the dedicated shuttle bus from Luton Airport to Luton Airport Parkway train station. Take any train heading south to London or Brighton. In London you will get off the East Midlands train at St Pancras International station or you can get off a Thameslink train either at St Pancras or one of five stations in the centre of London or stay on the train all the way to Gatwick Airport.
Note that it is unusual in the UK to refer to airports by their are 3 letter abbreviations. It is much more common to refer to them by their names-therefore Luton or Gatwick.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32746 posts
Which hotel do you want directions to?
Posted by
OP
Florida
127 posts
I'm not sure yet on hotel. Mainly wanted to get a feel for how difficult it would be to get from luton airport to downtown London (spend a few hours) and then get out to a hotel near Gatwick by 8 or 9.
Posted by
OP
Florida
127 posts
Also what area in London would be best to go to for a short visit. Or would it be best just to go from Luton to the hotel near Gatwick. Our flight will only be 2 hrs in the morning so we shouldn't be overly tired.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32746 posts
any luggage?
Posted by
OP
Florida
127 posts
yes...backpacks and small roller. Would probably want to store in locker.
Posted by
37 posts
Left Luggage service is available at St Pancras International. You would then need a bus or tube from there to see part of London. You could also book a hotel there and travel to Gatwick in the morning in about 50 minutes.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4044 posts
This interactive government-run site will sort out the itinerary options including times and cost.
Posted by
OP
Florida
127 posts
Thanks for the feed back everryone...if we do go this has been very helpful.