Michael

I'll be arriving at Gatwick on a US Carrier at 6 AM. I need to catch a 10 AM British Air departure at Heathrow. Assuming it can be done, what would your recommendations be?<BR>My wife and I will have luggage and might need assistance. <BR>

janis

The best and really only viable option are the Speedlink/Airlink coaches. They run continuously between the two airports and take an average of 90 minutes for the trip. Can take less than an hour or more than 2 depending on traffic. But count on about 75 to 90 minutes.<BR><BR>There won't be too much assistance w/ luggage. Even if you took a cab (VERY expensive and just about as much time) you would still have to schlep your luggage out to the taxi rank. But there are free trolleys in both airports. My main suggestion is to pack light and not expect someone else to carry your bags.

Deb

I agree with Janis. I had to do this in October 2001. I was flying BA from Los Angeles to Nairobi. BA flights out of LAX are to Heathrow but BA flights from London to Nairobi are out of Gatwick. (By the way if you have a through ticket that forces you to change airports; i.e. LAX to Nairobi on BA, you can show your tickets and get the Speedlink coaches (bus) for free; if, however, you purchased two separate roundtrips; e.g., LAX to London Heathrow back to LAX on Virgin and London Gatwick to Nairobi back to London Gatwick on BA, you have to pay. In the first case, make sure you get the free Coach tickets by showing your airline tickets to the BA desk before you enter customs.<BR><BR>Good luck!

beavis

Not sure how feasible this is...<BR><BR>Gatway Express (L19 per person, 20 minutes?) to Victoria Station;<BR>Black cab from Victoria Station to Paddington Station (L10??);<BR>Heathrow Express (L19 per person, 15 minutes) from Paddington Station to Heathrow.<BR>Note that you can check in for your flight and check your luggage at Paddington Station, thus saving you some airport hassles.<BR>

bob

Since you are time constrained and you are looking for assistance with your bags you should consider hiring a private car. The driver can meet you at customs and he will handle your luggage. We have used this service in the past and found it well worth the money (at least for me).

stella

I have a similar situation, with a seven hour layover in between arrival at Heathrow and departure at Gatwick. I was planning on taking the tube to Victoria Station and then on to Gatwick, hopefully with enough time to stop off for lunch. I didn't realize that you can check in bags at Paddington station. Beavis - have you done this? Any more details would be appreciated!

xxxxx

I thought that system at Paddington had closed since Sep 11?

PatrickW

British Airways is certainly still checking in at Paddington. I believe Star Alliance airlines have now stopped doing so. <BR><BR>The problem that started this thread really focusses on the benefits of direct travel between Gatwick and Heathrow vs. getting between the train services to/from central London. Checking in at Paddington gives you a virtual 'presence' at Heathrow straight away and saves the schlepping of luggage from the train to the check-in. But there's getting from Victoria to Paddington to think about, vs the relative comfort of a direct ride (which however might face some delays en route).

Keith

Michael, you don't say which day you're travelling. If it's a weekday then you will almost certainly hit traffic on the M25 between Heathrow and Gatwick - that's the peak time of the day, especially in the direction you'll be travelling. Personally, I'd never recommend connecting this way, but if it has to be done then if you can make your flight from Heathrow a bit later you should do as it could be a bit tight.

Beavis

Stella,<BR><BR>I've checked in at Paddington, though it was before September 11. It would be best to call your airline and verifiy that it's still possible to check in at Paddington instead of at the airport. <BR><BR>Perhaps a local could verify that this is still possible?<BR><BR>Also, I think the prices I mentioned for the Heathrow Express may have been wrong. I thought I recently read that it was L11 per person, not L19; sorry if I've caused confusion. I was able to purchase my Heathrow Express ticket via their website (saved L1 off the price) and they mailed me the ticket. I think if you pay for your ticket on the train, you will be charged an extra fee.