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time to get through to gatwick airport at 1pm

Posted by (Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand) on

I have asked an earlier question about flying out from Gatwick at 6.40 am and was given helpful information on just how early we need to be there.

But on arrival there, to get to York later on, mid June, does anyone have any idea how long roughly it takes to get through customs etc and bag pickup at 1pm, before catching a train to York. or maybe better still, to catch the train not sure which one, though to St Pancreas and then booking train to York. Also how long that first train trip will take. I know its about 2 hours from London to York but would like to book to York now, to save some money but want to allow enough time.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Posted by
2508 posts

Trains from Gatwick to St Pancras take about 1hr and run roughly every 30 minutes. Check times here
https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/

Allow an hour to get off the plane and get through passport control etc. Add another hour for luck. That should give you an idea on times to book your ticket to York.

Do remember that the cheaper Advance tickets are only for specific trains. So if you miss the train it’s a walk-up fare.

Posted by
15012 posts

No one can really tell how long it will take to get through immigration. (Customs is not an issue.)

Depending on which train you take the ride from Gatwick to St. Pancras will be about an hour give or take a few minutes. (The train to York leaves from Kings Cross which is across the street from St. Pancras.)

Don;t forget that your arriving flight could be late which could mess up your very tight schedule.

Posted by
64 posts

Thanks for your suggestions. It appears or please correct me if I'm wrong, that the times can vary so much, that it doesn't pay to book tickets and we'll have to pay the walkup price and that will be alot more of course, on the day. Certainly don't want to have wasted a ticket and have to buy another!

Posted by
2776 posts

I would book a train for around 4:30-5:00pm to York. The tickets will cost a lot less if you book ahead.
.

Posted by
1015 posts

The price difference between walk-up and Advance tickets from Kings Cross to York is quite substantial - plus pre-booking will ensure you have seats.

So you could do as the previous poster suggests and book a late afternoon train - plenty of time if things go wrong, plus it's easy to kill time at St Pancras or Kings Cross (particularly St P, which has a good selection of restaurants & shops and a stunningly beautiful building.)

Posted by
64 posts

Thanks for all the suggestions. I had no idea it was going to take so long, or could take so long to get to Kings Cross so am booking a late afternoon train and hope everything goes according to p,an and we catch it. Even now the fares aren't exactly cheap!

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