Gatwick Express ticket collection and other London transit questions
Jun 27th, 2005, 07:40 PM
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Gatwick Express ticket collection and other London transit questions
I noticed that Expedia.ca is offering Gatwick Express tickets at a rate that works out to 20% off. So we would save a bit if we choose this option. However, you have to trade in the printed vouchers for tickets, and I'm unsure how much hassle that is. Also, we are scheduled to arrive late at Gatwick, like around 9:30 PM. Will the ticket offices still be open at that time?
Perhaps Gatwick Express is not the best option anyway? We're staying at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury. We could take the Thameslink to Kings Cross, and then the tube to Russell Square (only one line, instead of two if we took Gatwick). Alternatively, we could take Southern (if that's the latest name). I've taken Gatwick Express several times, so I'm very comfortable with it, but I want to make the best choice.
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The next issue is that we want to choose the best TravelCard options for our stay in London. My daughter is 14, and we have decided that for this trip we will always travel together when we're taking public transit. We're arriving the night of Aug. 24 and departing the afternoon of Aug. 29. What's the best TravelCard to purchase? Is there a deal I can work out with the train purchase? How about family cards and visitor cards? I don't think we will go beyond Zone 2 other than to go to the airport.
Perhaps Gatwick Express is not the best option anyway? We're staying at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury. We could take the Thameslink to Kings Cross, and then the tube to Russell Square (only one line, instead of two if we took Gatwick). Alternatively, we could take Southern (if that's the latest name). I've taken Gatwick Express several times, so I'm very comfortable with it, but I want to make the best choice.
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The next issue is that we want to choose the best TravelCard options for our stay in London. My daughter is 14, and we have decided that for this trip we will always travel together when we're taking public transit. We're arriving the night of Aug. 24 and departing the afternoon of Aug. 29. What's the best TravelCard to purchase? Is there a deal I can work out with the train purchase? How about family cards and visitor cards? I don't think we will go beyond Zone 2 other than to go to the airport.
Jun 27th, 2005, 08:07 PM
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First of all - Gatwick is outside of the London Transport zones so the travel card zones really have no bearing on LGW travel. Well - it could if you bought a train ticket to a station w/i the zone structure and then added a travel card on top of that. But really more trouble than its worth IMHO.
The Thameslink train/tube might be your best option. I have been having trouble with the rail site so I can't check schedules - but I'm fairly sure they still run that late.
I haven't taken kids to London so I get confused about the various family travel cards. There are many threads on here w/ detailed info about family options. You will be there 6 days - I always get a 7 day travel card (usually just for zone 1) when I am in London 5 or more days. But the 14 yo could mean daily travel cards and a family weekend pass would be cheaper.
Maybe one of the family transport "gurus" will see your thread.
The Thameslink train/tube might be your best option. I have been having trouble with the rail site so I can't check schedules - but I'm fairly sure they still run that late.
I haven't taken kids to London so I get confused about the various family travel cards. There are many threads on here w/ detailed info about family options. You will be there 6 days - I always get a 7 day travel card (usually just for zone 1) when I am in London 5 or more days. But the 14 yo could mean daily travel cards and a family weekend pass would be cheaper.
Maybe one of the family transport "gurus" will see your thread.
Jun 27th, 2005, 11:08 PM
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The last Thameslink leaves Gatwick at 0015. It's a very great deal easier for Russell Sq than a route through Victoria if you're using the tube. Id be amazed if the Gatwick Express, even with 20% off, were cheaper tham Southern Railway. Network Rail (the station operating company) claim there's a 24-hour ticket office/information centre on the main Gatwick concourse.
But Gatwick Express is just about the only train company in the London area that doesn't charge a surcharge or fine for buying tickets on the train. If you take that option and can't find the ticket office (offices get unmanned for all sorts of reasons), the guard on the train should have the kit to handle your discount coupon. But check the small print.
But Gatwick Express is just about the only train company in the London area that doesn't charge a surcharge or fine for buying tickets on the train. If you take that option and can't find the ticket office (offices get unmanned for all sorts of reasons), the guard on the train should have the kit to handle your discount coupon. But check the small print.
Jun 28th, 2005, 02:31 AM
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From Victoria to Russell Square, you would have to walk with your luggage down several flights of stairs and change at Green Park to the Piccadilly Line (more stairs up and down).
From Kings Cross Thameslink, you would have some stairs down and one long walk through mostly level tunnels and then down escalators to the Piccadilly Line. My one concern would be the possibility that any work on an escalator might mean priority going to passengers going up, meaning that the rest have to walk down a long set of stairs.
From Kings Cross Thameslink, you would have some stairs down and one long walk through mostly level tunnels and then down escalators to the Piccadilly Line. My one concern would be the possibility that any work on an escalator might mean priority going to passengers going up, meaning that the rest have to walk down a long set of stairs.
Jun 28th, 2005, 06:24 AM
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Another possibility is to take Thameslink to Kings Cross and then a taxi on to your hotel. From the Kings Cross Thameslink station, the taxi queue is across the street at the Kings Cross mainline station.
Jun 28th, 2005, 06:28 AM
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Regarding TravelCards....
I think your best deal may be a daily zone 1-2 family travelcard. Cost is £3.40 for each adult and £0.80 for each child. Use after 9.30 a.m. daily.
Technically, 14 year olds need an accompanying child photocard as proof of age. My experience with our kids is that tourist families don't need these cards (if questioned, a passport would do, I suppose). But that's just practice, not official policy.
I think your best deal may be a daily zone 1-2 family travelcard. Cost is £3.40 for each adult and £0.80 for each child. Use after 9.30 a.m. daily.
Technically, 14 year olds need an accompanying child photocard as proof of age. My experience with our kids is that tourist families don't need these cards (if questioned, a passport would do, I suppose). But that's just practice, not official policy.
Jun 28th, 2005, 06:39 AM
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I dutifully printed out the application for a photocard for my teen, and the agent at Heathrow told me he didn't need one.
Please note that the off-peak restriction on the Family Travelcard does not apply on weekends.
Please note that the off-peak restriction on the Family Travelcard does not apply on weekends.
Jun 28th, 2005, 08:28 AM
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It seems that Southern to Victoria would cost us 27 pounds for return tickets, which is indeed cheaper than Gatwick Express at 20% off, as flanneruk suggested.
So if we take Southern, should we get the Victoria, Charing Cross, or London Bridge line for maximum convenience?
But I'm looking at Thameslink again, and it seems that maybe I can get a greatly reduced Families with Children rate (which seems to be the same as Kids for a Quid):
http://www.thameslink.co.uk/main.php?page_id=54
I can't figure out the total cost, although if I recall correctly, this would mean roundtrip tickets for both of us are 22 pounds total.
So if we take Southern, should we get the Victoria, Charing Cross, or London Bridge line for maximum convenience?
But I'm looking at Thameslink again, and it seems that maybe I can get a greatly reduced Families with Children rate (which seems to be the same as Kids for a Quid):
http://www.thameslink.co.uk/main.php?page_id=54
I can't figure out the total cost, although if I recall correctly, this would mean roundtrip tickets for both of us are 22 pounds total.
Jun 29th, 2005, 05:11 AM
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well for one, the LGW Express won't be crammed w/ commuters morning and afternoon. And there is more room for luggage.
The Southern train is just fine during less busy times but at 8:30 a.m. for instance - - I'd hate to have to stand all the way into Victoria after an overnight flight.
The Southern train is just fine during less busy times but at 8:30 a.m. for instance - - I'd hate to have to stand all the way into Victoria after an overnight flight.
Jun 29th, 2005, 08:27 AM
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You should be able to get a 2 for 1 when traveling the Gatwick Express Family Pass I believe. We traveled with my inlaws 2 weeks ago and went to the ticket counter and the cost for 4 was 26 pounds. You cannot purchase the family ticket while onboard, you must get the ticket at a tkt counter beforehand. So I believe you should get one of the 3 tickets for free with the family pass. Can someone else verify for 1 person vs. 2 like we had? Also I believe it's cheaper to book RT vs. one way in person.
