Heathrow to Gatwick timing
Nov 7th, 2004, 03:14 PM
#1
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Heathrow to Gatwick timing
We will be flying from Boston to Heathrow and have a connection at Gatwick 3 hours from arrival. Forgetting for the moment that the fligt could be late, how long does it take to pick up baggage, get to Gatwick and check in? Is 3 hours cutting it too close? thanks in advance for your help.
Nov 7th, 2004, 03:27 PM
#2
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this was just discussed and the consensus is 4 hours at the absolute bare minimum, 5 to do it comfortably.
the trip takes about 1.5 hours itself. clearing immigration, baggage, etc can be an hour, plus the bare minimum 1 hour at gatwick. = 3.5 hours. you also have to get to (and perhaps find) the bus, wait for it and get from the bus to your check-in. this will put you at 4 hours in the best case scenario.
this leaves no room for any traffic delays (scheduled bus times are greater in rush hours) or delays landing or getting a free stand at heathrow (which are very common).
the trip takes about 1.5 hours itself. clearing immigration, baggage, etc can be an hour, plus the bare minimum 1 hour at gatwick. = 3.5 hours. you also have to get to (and perhaps find) the bus, wait for it and get from the bus to your check-in. this will put you at 4 hours in the best case scenario.
this leaves no room for any traffic delays (scheduled bus times are greater in rush hours) or delays landing or getting a free stand at heathrow (which are very common).
Nov 7th, 2004, 03:55 PM
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I've never done this, but they advertise 1:10 terminal to terminal:
<b>http://www.speedlink.co.uk/speedlink_page.html</b>
If you don't check baggage, you can probably clear LHR in :40 or so, giving you an hour at Gatwick.
Good luck.
<b>http://www.speedlink.co.uk/speedlink_page.html</b>
If you don't check baggage, you can probably clear LHR in :40 or so, giving you an hour at Gatwick.
Good luck.
Nov 7th, 2004, 05:54 PM
#6
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1 hr 10 mins is the nominal time for the coach terminal to terminal-- I have done it a little faster and quite a bit longer.
BUT -- even if you don't check luggage (highly unlikely if you are using BA or Virgin since they only allow 6 kilos in teh cabin), you will not be anywhere near that coach until well after you land.
Add it up -- 10 to 15 minutes (minumum) taxi-ing to the gate, 10 to 15 minutes just to get off the plane, at least a 10 minute walk to immigration, anywhere from 5 mins to 45 mins in the immigration queue, another 5 min walk to the coach and then a few minutes waiting for the next scheduled coach.
So if everything goes like clockwork and you have no checked luggage you are facing 2 1/2 hours from touchdown to LGW and then you still have to go through security. If like most travelers, you have checked luggage you need to add another 60 minutes (retrieving the bags at LHR and checking them at LGW)
BUT -- even if you don't check luggage (highly unlikely if you are using BA or Virgin since they only allow 6 kilos in teh cabin), you will not be anywhere near that coach until well after you land.
Add it up -- 10 to 15 minutes (minumum) taxi-ing to the gate, 10 to 15 minutes just to get off the plane, at least a 10 minute walk to immigration, anywhere from 5 mins to 45 mins in the immigration queue, another 5 min walk to the coach and then a few minutes waiting for the next scheduled coach.
So if everything goes like clockwork and you have no checked luggage you are facing 2 1/2 hours from touchdown to LGW and then you still have to go through security. If like most travelers, you have checked luggage you need to add another 60 minutes (retrieving the bags at LHR and checking them at LGW)
Nov 8th, 2004, 12:24 PM
#7
Have you already booked the tickets?
On British Air this past summer the first "lowest fare" that showed on the website involved a Heathrow/Gatwick transfer. But on "show all flights" for a very slight increase in fare was a Heathrow/Heathrow connection.
I have never done it (Heathrow to Gatwick that is) because it sounds like a pain. But posters here seem in agreement that 4-5 hours is required.
On British Air this past summer the first "lowest fare" that showed on the website involved a Heathrow/Gatwick transfer. But on "show all flights" for a very slight increase in fare was a Heathrow/Heathrow connection.
I have never done it (Heathrow to Gatwick that is) because it sounds like a pain. But posters here seem in agreement that 4-5 hours is required.
