shellio

Our original itinerary has changed and at the end of our quick swing from Oxford to Bath next spring, we will be taking a flight from London Gatwick to Venice departing at 2:00 P.M.. We will be coming from Bath that morning and would appreciate advice from all you knowledgeable UK travelers about the easiest and I hope also the least expensive transport between Bath Spa and Gatwick.

And on the subject of airports, at a later point we will be returning to the US via United at London Heathrow. In order to make that early flight we plan to stay at the airport the night prior to departure. From what I can see, it appears that United flies from Terminal 1. The Sofitel at Terminal 5 is out of our budget. Would the Hilton in/at Terminal 4 be a better bet than an off-airport hotel? I'm completely unfamiliar with LHR and would appreciate any advice on this question as well.

Thanks for your help.

flanneruk

From Bath to Gatwick: train, changing Reading.

As a general rule of thumb, never get involved with road travel to Gatwick

janisj

The off airport hotels would be best IMO. All are along the same Bath Rd and accessible to the terminals via the Hotel Hoppa. And several are on the free local bus route.

As for Bath to LGW - that is a long way to go for an early afternoon flight. You'd want to take the train to Reading and then to LGW. Train every 30 minutes and takes 2.5 to 3 hours depending on which train you catch.

janisj

Was posting the same time as flanner . . .

bilboburgler

Hoppa is good but since they operate a circular system then can get out of kilter, so if the time table says "one every thirty minutes" that could become 45 minutes and then one in 15 minutes.

Ackislander

Priceline is often recommended for LHR hotels. I have not used it there, but based on airport hotels elsewhere, I would certainly try it.

jamikins

Premier inn at gatwick North is an excellent choice for airport hotels at gatwick. I would definitely stay there the night before an early afternoon flight if coming from bath!

flanneruk

There is not the slightest reason for overnighting at Gatwick for a 2 pm flight.

The entire economy of the Thames Valley (by some measures, the richest real economy in Europe, outside Norway) is based on two crucial assumptions:

1. We can get up at home, have a leisurely breakfast, get a train, bus or car to a London or Birmingham airport and effortlessly make a mid-morning flight.

2. We don't tolerate worryworts among our population. Without exception, such people rapidly disappear to societies better suited to inveterate neurotics. Canada, for example, or parts of the US. For us, life is just too short to fritter away with absurd levels of protection against misfortunes that simply never happen.

The second rule of thumb, though, is always to get a train to Heathrow or Gatwick at least one departure earlier than the one you'd naturally select. And be very aware how long you need to get from the station to the baggage drop in YOUR terminal (the train arrives a 3 minute walk from the South Terminal monorail to the North Terminal)

Being prudent, we're getting the 0930 train from our local railway station for a 1400 flight to Venice.

jamikins

Unless you are travelling this damn as there are no trains to and from Gatwick due to engineering works...ok there a few but they will take forever to get to and from London

jamikins

Sigh...make that this NYE after dec 27...not 'damn' haha

shellio

Flanner, If I get a 9:00 train from Bath (haven't checked schedules, but assuming something around that hour will exist), should that be enough time to get to LGW comfortably for the 1400 flight?

How long is the connection at Reading? Is the flight to Venice in the North or South Terminal? As you can see, this worrywart is busily indulging her neurosis.

And about trains, we will have several bags since it will be the beginning of a lengthy trip. Is there dedicated luggage space on these trains? Is it difficult to get luggage on and off, i.e. how difficult will it be to change in Reading bogged down with baggage? I have visions of running after the departing train trailing baggage in my wake.

janisj

You have to schlepp your own luggage and be able to take up the steps on the train and store it in racks at the end of the car.

But my question is - why so much luggage? A long trip doesn't necessitate tons of luggage. (I use a 21 inch roll aboard whether per on a 3 day, 10 day, or month+ trip - though that is just me). A 24 inch or 26 inch max plus maybe a small carry on per person should be adequate for Judy about ANY trip.

flanneruk

Shelio: No idea.

Instead or worryworting, why not:
a) Ask your airline which terminal they use. I don't even know which airline you're on.
b) Go to www.nationalrail.co.uk Again, I've got no idea what day you're travelling. I can't imagine in your country railway schedules are identical every day of the year - or that even if such modernities haven't made it to where you live, you really imagine schedules never change. If the connection looks tight, get the previous departure from Bath.

Reading connections can't take more than 7 mins: all platforms have lifts or escalators.

janisj: when did British trains have "steps"? Filthy foreign nonsense we abandoned here about 1850. Big trains have one step: the train from Reading to Gatwick, none.

jamikins: The poster is travelling "next spring".

adamhornets

Two points.
1) Not all United flights depart from T1. Some are from T4 which is located on the south side of the airport with a Hilton attached. It depends on your destination in the US. You can check at the LHR website.
2) All United flights will come together under one roof in the new T2 from early June. Some people may regard June as next Spring!

janisj

You are right about the steps - I was picturing a French train I rode a couple of weeks ago.

But still it is a schlepp with a lot of bags. The luggage area at the end of the car can get very congested.

shellio

Flanneruk:

"Being prudent, we're getting the 0930 train from our local railway station for a 1400 flight to Venice."

I assumed from the above that you too were going to Venice on a flight leaving at 1400 and thus would know which airline departed at that hour and from where. Are you telling me you are not in fact omniscient?

Thanks for the link. The rail site doesn't go as far out as May 4, but looking at a Sunday in January shows a fast train at 8:56 that arrives at 11:47 with 15 minute connection at Reading. I will assume that May is similar. Looks easy enough.

Janisj: 2 people, 2 months=several (4) bags. Good to know there are spaces at the ends of trains; on some Italian trains for example we had to keep them at the seat.

Adam: Thanks, the return date will in fact be late June so I will keep an eye on the LHR website to see if all goes as planned.

Frances

The 4th May is Bank Holiday Sunday.
The fact that the train may have luggage areas at the end of the carriage doesn't guarantee that there will be space there for your luggage.
A quick check shows that if you catch the 8.58 am from bath Spa you should get to Gatwick at 11.57. However this doesn't leave you wrong for foul ups if you have to check in by 12.
The 7.53 gives you a connection of 16 minutes in Reading and gets you in at 10.48 ( in theory)

janisj

Sorry but for me I don't take more luggage for 2 weeks than for 2 months.

shellio

Frances, does Bank Holiday Sunday mean there are likely to be fewer/more trains?

I was figuring we could check-in an hour ahead of the flight (i.e. at 1300 for a flight at 1400) rather than the 2 hours I would allow for trans-Atlantic flights. Will check with the airline (BA). Thanks.

Foul-ups? Do trains often have serious delays in schedule?

Frances

Sundays have a different train service and on top of that engineering works (which can involve delays and bus connections = more delays). The significance of it being Bank Holiday is that you could have more people travelling- although anyone who has dealt with a Sunday train problem will probably stay away.
Trains ARE delayed . Often? well it depends on how often you travel.The last twice my daughter has travelled home from London she has had compensation because of the delay.
However unless it is important people just deal with the delay as they have no option.
I agree that you should not catch the last service which is scheduled to get you somewhere on time.