heathrow to gatwick - enough time?

Margaret, I will answer your question but it may not be the question you are seeking an answer to. Assuming you have nothing to declare, clearing customs is as fast as you can walk about 100 feet. Say 1 minute at the longest. Immigrations, getting checked luggage, going to Nat'l Express is what takes the time. If you only have carry-on that will help save 15-20 minutes of time assuming you are flying in the cheap seats. Edwin

I would be a bit nervous, too, Margaret. IF your flight is on time, and not too many other flights arrive at the same time, you might not have to wait long for passport control (the last time I was through there it took over 45 min.). It's a pretty good hike to the central bus station from the arrival gates, and I have also had the 1-hour bus trip take 90 minutes. And, of course, you will have to go through security again at Gatwick, so you need to allow time for that. You don't say if you are flying domestically from Gatwick or what airline you are taking, but be aware that some airlines have unbendable rules about how early you must check in. If I were you, I would be more comfortable with a later flight. EDIT: Missed the mention of EasyJet. I have flown them with no problems, but they are, as Nigel states below, one of the sticklers on timing.

I see that EasyJet is your goal. They are one of the ones mentioned above as having unbendable deadlines. If you miss the cutoff you don't go. Shout and scream, cry or beg, you don't go. And they keep your money, and you have to buy a new ticket. They're so proud of it they had several years of "reality TV" shows demonstrating that. Full disclosure - never flew 'em, don't fly a lot. Stories based on their TV show, newspaper articles, TV exposés, and neighbors.

Thanks, all. Doesn't sound good for my timing, given the unknowns of passport control and potential delays between airports. It is EasyJet, it is domestic (Inverness), it is already booked. Anybody with experience w/EasyJet's insurance and missing a connection?

Easy Jet, being one of the budget airlines, considers each leg to be a separate flight, not a connection. You are flying in on USAir. If you miss your Easy Jet flight, it's just too bad - they won't help you out. But even if you were flying to London on Easy Jet and out again on Easy Jet, it still wouldn't be considered a connecting flight, just a second flight. Again, no help. About the best you can hope for now is for things to run smoothly and for there to be no delays anywhere. I have actually had that happen, but I would never bet on it.

I'm assuming that you have already bought your tickets. A couple of suggestions: 1) When you get off the plane at Heathrow, walk fast to Immigration. Don't stop for a restroom or anything. You want to be as close to the front of the line as you can be. 2) Check-in online for your easyjet flight before you leave. I believe that they do require that you be at the gate 30 minutes before departure (but check on this)
3) Review the map of Heathrow so you are familiar with getting to the bus 4) Make sure you know which terminal (North or South) your flight departs from at Gatwick 5) Figure out what your backup plan is (check other flight prices and schedules, check the train schedule and prices, etc.) and bring this info with you so that you are not completely stressed if something goes wrong. Good Luck.

Laura has given you very good advice. The M25 is the busiest motorway in the UK. However, the worst of the rush hour will be over by the time you're ready to leave Heathrow. Unless there is an accident that blocks traffic, your bus ride to Gatwick should pretty much be on schedule. Pay close attention to what Nigel said about what will happen if you miss easyJet's check-in deadline. If your plane is really late arriving at Heathrow, then you will have no chance of making the connection.