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Sudden solo travel: Gatwick to Hilton Garden Inn at Heathrow

Posted by (Pacific Northwest) on

I am leaving in 2 weeks for a trip to Sicily. I am suddenly faced with taking this trip alone - my partner will stay home.

On my way back, I am flying Catania to Gatwick on November 12.

I fly home to the US from Heathrow on November 13.

I land at Gatwick at about 8:30pm. I have carryon luggage only.

An open/anytime National Bus ticket is 37 pounds. A private ride is 90 pounds. Normally, we would split the cost, making the private ride pretty similar in cost.

Now it’s all on me. Is the bus workable for a single female traveler….probably about a 9:15 bus?

I’ve been to Heathrow many times and I’ve even stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn twice. I worry about the walk from the Heathrow bus terminal to the hotel. It’s 5 minutes according to Maps - but I don’t see that well at night and I always feel like Heathrow is so massive.

So any thoughts? Is that walk from the bus stop to the hotel so foolproof that even I can do it with poor nighttime vision?

Am I missing a third - perhaps better - option?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Posted by
10622 posts

The price of the bus sounds wrong. On the hourly Oxford Airline that transfer costs £13. On the train it costs £21.60 via Farringdon (Thameslink then Elizabeth Line).
Looking at National Express I can only see fares of £29 as a fully flexible ticket, or £16.80 as a Standard Ticket (every bus tonight). So I would create a National Express Account (to save on the £2 on site booking fee, £1.50 on line) then just buy a £16.80 ticket on the next bus out on your phone on arrival.

Or, as I say, use the Oxford Airline.

Also for anyone (not you) who is over 60 and travels a few times a year on Nat Ex it is worth getting a £17 senior coach card (has to be mailed to you). That saves 1/3 off all fares, so the £16.80 becomes £11.10.

It's really easy for me to say, but Heathrow CBS and surrounds is lit up like a Christmas Tree on steroids at night, so I can't see any problems navigating, but I'm a bloke.

Posted by
9681 posts

Valerie, first of all, you will do great as a solo traveler. It may be different than your usual experience but it will still be good.

I’ve taken National Express Coach between Gatwick and Heathrow. It was convenient and safe. I think you would do fine walking to the Hilton Garden Inn, but if you are looking to splurge somewhere, consider the Sofitel at terminal 5. You don’t even need to walk outside.

Heathrow always has a large number of staffers near transportation options. They could help steer you the right direction of any hotel you choose.

Posted by
2843 posts

Thanks to you both! It's a big mental shift to move to solo travel with 13 days to departure!!

I am using the Sofitel on the outbound trip since my flight to Palermo leaves from Terminal 5.

My Delta flight back to Seattle from Heathrow leaves from Terminal 3, so I'm staying over there.

Posted by
17970 posts

So, I passed the Central Bus station about 30 minutes ago on my way to the Hilton Garden Inn.

The entire walk is very well lit and if you want you can even do most of it indoors (uderground.)

Lots of people around. You won't have a problem. Just follow signs to Terminal 2. (That's where the Hilton is located.)

Posted by
5398 posts

You're going somewhere where many of the residents speak English, so you'll be fine :)

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