| captaincrash |
Mar 30th, 2003 11:39 PM |
Although I'm not a Brit, I recently returned from a trip involving London and Wales. There were lots of logistic considerations as we had a complex situation. While dealing with our challenges - I have a comple of suggestions to offer.<BR><BR>Dover probably is served by Britrail. So check their site or call the US reservation line to look into schedules and getting to and from the stations. <BR><BR>Further considerations: From Dover it is likely you'll have to go into London to catch a concenient train to Gatwick. The time involved can be considerable if routing does not match up. Renting a car is fairly direct but probably costly. When we were in the UK 45 days ago we rented a minivan. It cost us $481 for a week inclusive of taxes, VAT, and all for a week! Fuel on the other hand ran us over $200... it is expensive. But with a car you can see all you want in between at your pace! Oh and drive in the city center now triggers a "Congestion fee". IE, to enter the city center during certain hours requires you pay a fee of I believe 6 or 8 pounds (by tel is OK) otherwise after 10 or 11pm they cite your vehicle something like 80 pounds. The rental agency should ask if you're going into London city center and they will give you the scoops in detail.<BR><BR>Another way to get about is by "coach" (bus). There is probably some kind of bus that will take you into London than you could catch any number of transit means to Gatwick. <BR><BR>From London my preferred choice is taxi AFTER I negotiate the fare down. When we weere departing we had a different departure time from everyone else so we elected to saty a few hours longer in town and caught a taxi. Actually, the original plan was to taxi a short distance to wellington station to check our bags at the United counter than take an express train to Heathrow. But I'm a bit anal retentive about planning so I called the local United office to double check and sure enough the rep said they closed their counter after 9-11. So we did not want to lug bags between trains and taxis and so forth. So we tried negotiating with the cabbie and he cut the traditional 50 pound rate to about 35 pounds. At that he was finishing his day but heathrow was in the opposite direction from his home. So he say...at least. An nice chap.<BR><BR>So there are lots of ways to structuyre the transit - depending on your timing, budget, preference and means.<BR><BR>Good luck, any further Qs let me kno and I'll try to respond. <BR><BR>
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