Hello All, I have a 6am flight from Gatwick on Oct. 4th. Apparently, Gatwick is pretty far from Hillingdon (where I am staying....at least that is the closest train stop I can name.). Does anyone know from experience what I should do? I have heard (a) there is a bus from Heathrow (which is close by), or (b) go the Victoria line and take the Gatwick direct. Keep in mind, I will have to leave around 3:30 am to start traveling. Thanks!
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Sounds like the smart money will say to sleep overnight at Gatwick, or stay at a hotel close enough that you can get an early morning taxi(problematic)- you need to check in about 2 or three hours before departure time. Heathrow and gatwick are not "close". Victoria line (and all tubes ) close for the night.
Posted by
Reston, Virginia
403 posts
Brian is dead right. A 6 am flight means checking in by 4 am. Really, your only feasible solution is staying IN Gatwick. There is a Yotel in the airport. It will be tiny tiny tiny but clean and cheap and a decent place to crash.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
According to the National Rail site, there is no train station at Hillingdon. The closest station is Hayes & Harlington. More importantly, you can't easily do this by train in the middle of the night. If you don't want to pay for a bed at the Yotel, then your best option is to take a taxi to Heathrow and then take a National Express coach (highway bus) directly from Heathrow to either the North Terminal (1hr15min ride) or the South Terminal (1hr25min ride) at Gatwick. The fare is £19:50. Coaches leave from the Heathrow central bus station at 00:30, 02:35, 02:50, 02:55, 03:00, and 03:05. To be at Gatwick by 04:00 you'll need to leave Heathrow no later than 02:35. See the timetables at www.nationalexpress.com.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, Ga, USA
28 posts
As usual, you guys are life savers. I went ahead and booked a room at the Yotel. Again, a million thanks!