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What time should we catch the Gatwick Express?

What time should we catch the Gatwick Express?

Old May 2nd, 2007, 06:30 PM
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What time should we catch the Gatwick Express?

Our flight leaves Gatwick at 9:45am to Florence, and I believe we need to be at the airport at least 2 hours before our flight.

So, if we want to be at the airport at around 7:30am, what time should we catch the Gatwick Express?

We will be in Chelsea, close to Sloane Square tube station, but we will be calling a taxi to take us to Victoria Station.

If the journey on GE takes 30 min, should we have our taxi pick us up at between 6:30am-6:45am, and then try to catch either the 7am, or 7:15am Gatwick Express?
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Old May 2nd, 2007, 07:22 PM
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Definitely the 7am Gatwick Express, or even an earlier one.

If you're departing on a weekend, the GEX takes 35 mins instead of 30 mins to reach Gatwick.

Also, the GEX arrives at the South Terminal. If your flight departs from the North Terminal, you'll have to add in an extra 5-10 mins to travel to the North. Terminal.
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Old May 2nd, 2007, 07:32 PM
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Thanks Yk,

We are leaving on a Monday - if we wanted to catch a 7am train at the lastest, when should we call a taxi to pick us up?

Also, we need to go to left luggage at Gatwick - can we do this after check-in?
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Old May 2nd, 2007, 09:32 PM
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5:30 for the taxi as for left luggage there's no problem going after check-in BUT do check that your luggage THEN meets UK hand baggage rules (ie one bag, up to a given size with liquids in a plastic bag etc)
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Old May 2nd, 2007, 10:13 PM
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Alanrow,

Did you mean 6:30am for the taxi? Or do you mean that we would need to catch an earlier GEX train?
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Old May 2nd, 2007, 10:34 PM
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6:30, it comes of posting at some ungodly hour

You could also consider getting the Southern Trains service from Victoria to Gatwick.

It's substantially cheaper and only 5-10 minutes slower. At that time of the day they'll be plenty of space
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Old May 2nd, 2007, 10:40 PM
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alanrow,

You mentioned southern trains - did you mean we shouldn't use GEX?

How much cheaper would it be? Would we need to buy the tickets in advance?
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Old May 3rd, 2007, 03:34 AM
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A single fare on Southern bought on the day costs £9 & takes 32 minutes to get to Gatwick, the GEX costs £14.90 & takes 30 minutes.

At that time of the morning the Southern trains FROM Victoria will be mostly empty, so why not save a fiver per person to go towards breakfast
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Old May 3rd, 2007, 12:23 PM
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Alanrow,

Thanks for the info - southern is the name of the train company? Do you know where I can find train times with the southern trains?
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