Best way to get from Gatwick to St.Pancras

The fares that Marie lists aren't cheap because of early departure times but because as of today fewer discount fare tickets have been sold for those specific trains on the June date she listed. If a person books far enough in advance (up to 120 days) at www.eurostar.com, he/she can get the $59 fare for any train all day long.

First Capital Connect trains run directly from Gatwick Airport to St Pancras. Unfortunately for most of this year they won't be running at weekends because of works on the tunnel through Central London: on a Saturday or Sunday go to Victoria and take the Underground Victoria Line to Kings Cross Saint Pancras station.

I just noticed your comment about getting the Eurostar to Calais. If you actually want to get to Calais and not France in general, very few Eurostar trains stop there. You will probably have to get off at Lille and backtrack.

There are three trains a day (I picked June 7th out of the hat). Cheapest o/a 6 a.m. or 8 p.m. ($59 each way) or o/a 11 a.m. ($86). Remember for a 6 a.m. train you'll have to actually be at the station by 05:30. Spring for the extra $27 my friend:) Check out the web site at www.eurostar.com
for specific dates. Be very very sure to buy your (restricted non-refundable) tickets in advance. Day of departure tickets will bust the budget. I have never had a problem buying my tickets over the site and having them delivered to my home. Pick up a nice lunch and drinks for the train. There is, if I recall correctly, a Mark's and Spencer's in the station proper. The prawn sandwiches are my personal favorite. Yumm

But OP said early May. If you don't have your ticket yet you need to get on the stick. And, as said above, check in early. If you are after the 30 minute check in deadline you don't go. Garry is it weekend or weekday?

Hello: First off, Thank You to all those that have replied with explanations and advise. We will be arriving May 11th at Gatwick in London. That's where I am wondering the best way to get from Gatwick to St. Pancras. From St.Pancras we would take the Eurostar train over to Calais Farnce. We will then be heading over to Calais France, pickup a car and travel Europe. We will be heading back from Calais to London on June 4th. Any further help or tips on this would be most appreciated. Also, if anyone has any info on where to get an European GPS map for my Garmin Nuvi that would also be most appreciated. I've looked into buying a new SD card in Canada, but I was hoping to find someone with a used one. Guess if not, I`ll buy a new one, use it and then put it up for sale. Thanks again everyone.
Garry

Thanks for the Garry. Using FirstCapitalConnect for the train is the best idea. I don't think we know your arrival time at GTW. If you are early morning like most transatlantic flights you will travelling at or just after the rush hour - be prepared for the fact that most of the rest of the western world will also be on the train, especially at East Croydon. Most of them will also, happily, have got off prior to Kings Cross / St Pancras. What luck have you had with your Eurostar tickets? You do know that the station at Calais is in the middle of nowhere?

Hi Nigel: Booked our tickets on the Eurostat today (April 3rd). We'd leave St.Pancras at 18:30 May 11th to Calais. Pick up the our car on the 12th. Travel to about 6 or 7 countries. Return back to Calais on June 4th and get on the 9 am train June 5th back to St.Pancras and London. That's it so far. Thanks for all the so far.
Garry

6 or 7 countries? Make sure that if driving in ___ you have ____: Germany - Umwelt Plakette (environmental sticker needed to drive into most cities Austria - Vignette window sticker - allows driving on motorways Switzerland - Vignette - same CHF40 for the year Italy or eastern Europe - permission from the car hire firm and the appropriate insurance. Any country which does not have English as first language - recommended to have IDP. MANDATORY in Italy. Happy trails...