geramy

We are arriving in London, Gatwick at 1230 pm and have to get a connecting flight at Stansted at 430 pm for Rome. Will there be enough time by bus and/or train? Any suggestions?

flanneruk

If your question is "should I book this?" the answer is no.

If your question is "I've booked, and now I've realised it's a mistake. Is there the remotest chance?" the answer is "possibly"

You'll miss the scheduled 1250 bus. The 1350 gets to Stansted after your plane's left. If you're not an EU citizen, you've got luggage and your plane's on time, you'll be through Immigration, and collected your luggage somewhere after 1315. Two options:

1. Pre-book a cab. If you're lucky you'll do it in 90 mins (it's only 70 miles, and pretty much all motorway, but it's one of Europe's busiest) 2 hrs would be a reasonable average. Cost: £100? (Don't know, wouldn't try it, but sounds right). You'll arrive round about 1530, which might be OK for your operator's check in demands

2. Gatwick Express to Victoria (35 mins)mins) Tube (Victoria Line) to Tottenham Hale (22 mins) Stansted Express train to Stansted (33 mins). 90 mins travelling, at least 30 mins getting to and waiting for the trains. Make that 45 (it's a long walk at Victoria to the tube)
Schedules for the trains at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

If it's Ryanair or Easyjet, I'd cancel the connection now and write it off to experience.

janis

I assume you mean 4:30 p.m. (1630) and not 0430. If so - Just listen to flanneruk - these two airports are 30+ miles south and 30+ miles north of central London.

If a travel agent booked this mess - have her fix it. If you did - yep, a good experience for the future. If you haven't booked it yet - DON'T.

The low fare airlines are very strict about late check ins, so even 1 minute late after the desk has closed and you are out of luck.

geramy

I sort of expected that response. Yes chalk it up to experience or the lack of it. We will pay the change fee and go to Rome the next morning. Any thoughts on places to stay near Stansted?

AAFrequentFlyer

Here is an idea. Dump the ticket. Buy Alitalia ticket that will fly you from Heathrow to Rome. They are $175 R/T. By the time you figure in the change fee, the transfers and the hotel, the direct flight from Heathrow to Rome may not be that much more.

geramy

I am humbled and wiser. We have changed our booking(about $100 for the 3 of us) and flying out the next morning (more rested too). Now we need a place to stay near the Stansted Airport.