Im headed to London in September and have a flight that arrive at Gatwick at 9:10am. The train I need to catch leaves at 11:03am. Im not sure if that gives me enough time to make it through the US customs line and baggage claim. Its a Saturday in early Sept. and I can't figure out if that time of year would be busy or not. Any input would really help! The next train is a much later train and adds a few hours to my trip to Wales.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15777 posts
I wouldn't buy a ticket in advance, I'd just hope to make it. Even though 2 hours may be enough time to get through the airport and to the train station, any flight delay, whether it's a late takeoff for any one of a number of reasons, bad weather increasing the flight time, congestion at the airport, or just waiting for your luggage to be unloaded, can make you miss a train on the day of your arrival.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
How are you going to get around once you get to Wales, and where are you going next?
Posted by
OP
DeBary, FL, United States
2 posts
Im meeting my family there for a few days before heading to central England. Going to catch a ride with family the rest of the trip this will be my only long train ride.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Okay. My idea would have been a dud then. Do what Chani said, it's the only thing that's safe.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33759 posts
Is your train from Gatwick, or do you need to get into Paddington in London first? I guess you're taking the train that turns left and connects at Reading to your train? BTW - It will be UK Immigration and the walk through UK Customs. US Customs doesn't enter into it.
Posted by
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
331 posts
If you go "carry-on" there will be no waiting for your bags at the baggage claim and you will be one of the first from your flight in the customs line.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32345 posts
Rebecca, Just to clarify, you likely won't be going through "Customs" but rather Passport control. I've found that the time to get through Passport control can be "variable" at Gatwick, depending on how many flights arrive at that time. As I recall, there are two lines, one for U.K. residents and one for the rest of us. The U.K. queue is usually shorter and moves more quickly. In any case, you have almost two hours so you should be fine (assuming your flight isn't late), even if you have to wait to retrieve luggage off the carousel. However, I also agree with Chani - buy your tickets when you arrive there. I'm assuming your reference to "US customs" was a typo? I usually travel in September and it can be busy as lots of people like to visit Europe in the fall shoulder season. Happy travels!