Hello,
My husband and I will be in London for one night and staying at the St.Geroge's Victoria Inn, not far from the Victoria Station.
What's the best way to get there from Gatwick airport and then to go from there to Heathrow?
We are not very experienced travelers.
Thank you.
Emily.
https://tfl.gov.uk/
https://www.google.ca/maps
You can answer the question yourself by learning to use these sites. They will serve your planning when you get there, so practice now. If details are fuzzy, come back to this site for clarification.
From Gatwick Airport, you take the "Gatwick Express" train direct, nonstop to Victoria Station. Then walk a couple of blocks to the hotel.
For Heathrow, you have a few choices--
1) Taxi (about $100)
2) Car Service--price varies
3) Walk to the Victoria COACH station (not the rail station) and take a National Express coach to Heathrow
4) At Victoria Underground station (at Victoria Rail Station), take the Distirct line (westbound) to Hammersmith. Change there for the Piccadilly line that will take you to Heathrow. (t's easy to change at Hammersmith as the two lines are on the same platform, just different sides.) The Undergound is the official name of their subway system. The "tube" is a slang version.
There is direct tube transportation from Gatwick to Victoria Station, and from Victoria Station to Heathrow.
No tube at Gatwick. But there is train service.
Is it ok to get on the bus or tube with the two small carry-on size suitcases?
What about Uber? Some friends were recommending it but frankly, I am a little uneasy about it.
Appreciate all the replies.
Also, forgot to ask - does it makes sense to get the train or bus tickets online ahead of time or is it really easy to get it there?
And as far as times, if we get the tickets online for a specific time but end up being a little late, is that ok?
Also, forgot to ask - does it makes sense to get the train or bus tickets online ahead of time or is it really easy to get it there?
And as far as times, if we get the tickets online for a specific time but end up being a little late, is that ok?
If you don't want to deal with bus, tube, train and dragging luggage on and off- this service was recommended to me a few weeks ago. We did not use as our plans changed but I was impressed with their response and service-they answered my emails within minutes.
Their fee from London to Heathrow was 30£. Door to door service.
Another service recommend here is Simply Airports- but I never got any response from them after several inquiries.
In your case I might consider the Gatwick Express to Victoria (seems simple enough), then book a car service from there to LHR
The Gatwick Express is easy. This is a train. There is no tube (underground) at Gatwick so that advice is not valid. You can buy the tickets ahead on line and save standing in a line to purchase. Buy the ones good for your date of arrival and they are good for any train. https://www.gatwickexpress.com Get on the train, 40 minutes later or so you are at Victoria Station. If you can navigate on foot from there you are better off as London traffic is a mess and a cab can take longer than you think, and cost more as well. Getting to Heathrow: the tube is reliable and easy and a previous poster gave those directions. Buy your tickets at the station from the machine. No language barrier and helpful people from the TFL to help you. Insert your ticket at the turnstile, walk through and don't forget to take your ticket (it pops up) as you'll need it to get out of the station at your final destination. Buses, taxi, car are options but keep in mind they battle traffic as well. Unless you are leaving very, very early, keep that in mind and allow much more time than you would think.
Frank is correct, Zoe is wrong.
When Frank says "Victoria Underground station (at Victoria Rail Station)" he means under it. Gatwick Express trains usually arrive in tracks 13 or 14 at Victoria. You need to leave the station by the Bridge Place exit next to track 1. As you walk around you should see the entrance and stairs to the Underground so you'll know where it is next day if you take that option. http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations-and-destinations/stations-made-easy/london-victoria-station-plan
But Victoria Coach Station is less than half a mile from the hotel and is probably easier to reach than the Underground station and there are frequent buses to Heathrow.
Huge thank you everyone!
.....does it makes sense to get the train or bus tickets online ahead of time or is it really easy to get it there?...
For the bus - yes, at least a day or two ahead of time. Easy to do if staying in the area and can walk by the bus stations. Buses will fill up. Trains never because if a seat is not available, you stand till one is. Lots of people travel between the airports and London with luggage. There are some small luggage storage that can be used or keep it by your feet -- NOT IN THE SEAT !!!
....And as far as times, if we get the tickets online for a specific time but end up being a little late, is that ok?.....
No, if you ticket specifies a certain train and time, then it is only good for that train at that time. However, if you are actually asking about the subway, Tube, or the "trains" to and from the airport, then it is an open ticket and makes no difference when you use it. Just put the ticket through the turnstile (mag reader) and you are good to go.
