Gatwick to Ashford?
Feb 10th, 2006, 07:55 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gatwick to Ashford?
Hello,
I am arriving at Gatwick from Vancouver at 8:40 am in mid May en route to Paris on the Eurostar. It leaves Ashford station at 1pm. I wonder how long it takes to clear customs at Gatwick, and is an hour long enough to allow to get to Ashford by taxi. The friend I am travelling with has limited mobility so doesn't want to take the train to London and then taxi over to Waterloo. Would also like a taxi recommendation and any other suggestions. Haven't bought my Eurostar ticket yet . Thanks for your help.
I am arriving at Gatwick from Vancouver at 8:40 am in mid May en route to Paris on the Eurostar. It leaves Ashford station at 1pm. I wonder how long it takes to clear customs at Gatwick, and is an hour long enough to allow to get to Ashford by taxi. The friend I am travelling with has limited mobility so doesn't want to take the train to London and then taxi over to Waterloo. Would also like a taxi recommendation and any other suggestions. Haven't bought my Eurostar ticket yet . Thanks for your help.
Feb 10th, 2006, 08:40 AM
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You need to be at Ashford checkin at 1230, more or less.
Assuming you're out of immigration (Customs? What Customs?) by 11, you'll get to Ashford in a bit under 90 minutes. If you're looking at the map, you can't go straight across, but have to do 60 miles up to the M25 - often Europe's busiest road - and back south again. Mrs F would do it in 45 mins, but not all car drivers are that aggressive.
In practice, it's very unlikely it'll take you much more than an hour to get through Gatwick. Assume 90 mins at Gatwick, and book a car for 1000.
Assuming you're out of immigration (Customs? What Customs?) by 11, you'll get to Ashford in a bit under 90 minutes. If you're looking at the map, you can't go straight across, but have to do 60 miles up to the M25 - often Europe's busiest road - and back south again. Mrs F would do it in 45 mins, but not all car drivers are that aggressive.
In practice, it's very unlikely it'll take you much more than an hour to get through Gatwick. Assume 90 mins at Gatwick, and book a car for 1000.
Feb 10th, 2006, 08:42 AM
#3
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PS: Make sure you've taken your heart pills before you see the quotation to book that car. And under no circumstances get a cab off the rank, unless the CAD suddenly gets to be worth a very great deal more.
Feb 11th, 2006, 06:06 AM
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,056
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can catch a train between the two without having to go into London as luckily for you, the train lines in Kent are quite a 'webby' network with trains going in all sorts of directions! I've searched one example for you: see http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/Journe..._2006211145831.
You leave Gatwick Airport at 10;53 going to Tonbridge (very small town so no big crowds or hassle for your friend) then change there for a train to Ashford International, arriving at 12.25. Fare £15.60 each. A lot cheaper than a taxi and I'd say more reliable than risking traffic problems on the M25. For some reason the link has gone a bit weird but if you click on the 2nd half it will work!
You leave Gatwick Airport at 10;53 going to Tonbridge (very small town so no big crowds or hassle for your friend) then change there for a train to Ashford International, arriving at 12.25. Fare £15.60 each. A lot cheaper than a taxi and I'd say more reliable than risking traffic problems on the M25. For some reason the link has gone a bit weird but if you click on the 2nd half it will work!
Feb 11th, 2006, 01:49 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My recollection (from 2001) of the Tonbridge station is that there are no elevators. It is possible that your friend would have to negotiate stairs if the transfer is not simply across the platform.
