cab price from Gatwick?
Jul 26th, 2006, 07:57 PM
#1
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cab price from Gatwick?
There are four in our group arriving at Gatwick. We are staying at Royal Horseguard. We think a cab direct from the airport to our hotel would be much easier but were wondering of current prices. Does anyone know approximate rate? Thanks
Jul 26th, 2006, 08:27 PM
#2
Much easier than what? A taxi from Gatwick will cost nearly £100 and could take 90 minutes (or even longer) Gatwick is 30+ miles outside of London. I wouldn't recommend a car service either - it would be cheaper than a cab, but not any faster.
Take the train to Victoria and either the tube or a taxi from there to the hotel. It will will cost less (especillay if you get a 4 for 2 special) and about an hour faster. If budget is important, you can take the "local" train instead of the Express - saves money and only takes about 5 minutes longer.
Take the train to Victoria and either the tube or a taxi from there to the hotel. It will will cost less (especillay if you get a 4 for 2 special) and about an hour faster. If budget is important, you can take the "local" train instead of the Express - saves money and only takes about 5 minutes longer.
Jul 26th, 2006, 09:16 PM
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Its a difficult choice.
As Janis said, a fixed-priced limo or taxi will cost between 70-100 GBP. The Gatwick Express will cost about 14 GBP per person and then you will have to take a taxi from there to your hotel (do not recommend the underground with luggage, unless you only have carry-on). This will cost between 10-15 GBP (an estimate).
The journey into London by car can be VERY tedious, depending on what time you arrive.
On the other hand, I have waited for a taxi at Victoria for over 30 mins in the morning! The problem is that both Victoria and Paddington are flooded with arrivals from Gatwick and Heathrow airports all arriving at the same time in the morning and trying to get to their hotels. In addition, there are the business travelers arriving from Europe trying to get to the City for morning meetings.
Given the options, I would recommend you book a fixed-price limo. Do some research on the ‘net and here and find a reliable company. Forget about the taxi option, limos are cheaper and you actually may need a people carrier, with 4 people plus luggage.
Regards Ger
As Janis said, a fixed-priced limo or taxi will cost between 70-100 GBP. The Gatwick Express will cost about 14 GBP per person and then you will have to take a taxi from there to your hotel (do not recommend the underground with luggage, unless you only have carry-on). This will cost between 10-15 GBP (an estimate).
The journey into London by car can be VERY tedious, depending on what time you arrive.
On the other hand, I have waited for a taxi at Victoria for over 30 mins in the morning! The problem is that both Victoria and Paddington are flooded with arrivals from Gatwick and Heathrow airports all arriving at the same time in the morning and trying to get to their hotels. In addition, there are the business travelers arriving from Europe trying to get to the City for morning meetings.
Given the options, I would recommend you book a fixed-price limo. Do some research on the ‘net and here and find a reliable company. Forget about the taxi option, limos are cheaper and you actually may need a people carrier, with 4 people plus luggage.
Regards Ger
Jul 26th, 2006, 09:38 PM
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Sorry rfbk50, forgot to add the following twist:
Another consideration is which terminal you arrive in. All the trains depart from the South terminal at Gatwick. If you arrive in the North Terminal, you will have to schlep your luggage (you CAN bring your trolleys with you) on a short journey to the South Terminal to get the train to London. And then you have to buy the tickets – use the electronic ticket booths.
Its just an other inconvenience to consider after an International flight. I am exhausted just thinking about it because I HAVE done it! Weigh up the cost of a limo and the exhaustion and decide.
Best of luck ... Ger
Another consideration is which terminal you arrive in. All the trains depart from the South terminal at Gatwick. If you arrive in the North Terminal, you will have to schlep your luggage (you CAN bring your trolleys with you) on a short journey to the South Terminal to get the train to London. And then you have to buy the tickets – use the electronic ticket booths.
Its just an other inconvenience to consider after an International flight. I am exhausted just thinking about it because I HAVE done it! Weigh up the cost of a limo and the exhaustion and decide.
Best of luck ... Ger
Jul 26th, 2006, 09:47 PM
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I with OReilly on this one unless you are coming in at a time when it is rush hour into the city. Given the costs of 4 train tickets and possibly 2 taxis (depends on your luggage), the cost of a limo/people mover makes the most sense to me.
Jul 26th, 2006, 09:52 PM
#8
alanRow has the best suggestion. I'm always "Victoria centric" because I usually stay in Pimlico, so recommending Victoria comes second nature to me,. Blackfriars is a better choice for Royal Horseguards. And you won't have any problem getting a cab from the station.
I must disagree w/ Oreily. A car service would be marginally cheaper than a black cab, but the drive would still be gruesome.
I must disagree w/ Oreily. A car service would be marginally cheaper than a black cab, but the drive would still be gruesome.
Jul 26th, 2006, 10:04 PM
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Janis, you are absolutely right, it is gruesome for sure, and I said so.
BUT, if you add up the time involved in getting from the North terminal to the South Terminal, buying tickets, waiting for a taxi at Victoria that seems to never come … are you SURE it is shorter to take the train? I would suggest it is certainly more stressful!
Having done BOTH options a few ties, after a LONG international flight, I’d still opt for greeting the smiling limo driver in the arrivals area, that makes all those problems disappear! More so if I was the poor unfortunate organizing the trip
BUT, if you add up the time involved in getting from the North terminal to the South Terminal, buying tickets, waiting for a taxi at Victoria that seems to never come … are you SURE it is shorter to take the train? I would suggest it is certainly more stressful!
Having done BOTH options a few ties, after a LONG international flight, I’d still opt for greeting the smiling limo driver in the arrivals area, that makes all those problems disappear! More so if I was the poor unfortunate organizing the trip
Jul 26th, 2006, 10:06 PM
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janisj:
Let's kill this "no quick and easy route".
On a Saturday or Sunday morning, or late in any evening, with a competent driver, Gatwick-central London is just fine. If you want to try it, go M23-M25-A3 then along the South Bank after Wandsworth. It took me 43 mins from Bayswater to the South Terminal a few weeks back.
What kills is doing this during the day, especially if your arrival coincides with the morning rush hour, or trying to go straight up the A23.
Let's kill this "no quick and easy route".
On a Saturday or Sunday morning, or late in any evening, with a competent driver, Gatwick-central London is just fine. If you want to try it, go M23-M25-A3 then along the South Bank after Wandsworth. It took me 43 mins from Bayswater to the South Terminal a few weeks back.
What kills is doing this during the day, especially if your arrival coincides with the morning rush hour, or trying to go straight up the A23.
Jul 27th, 2006, 02:12 AM
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With four people travelling together with luggages, I still won't recommend
black cab--probably not enough space for luggages, plus two of you will have to sit facing backwards (which can be quite uncomfortable).
If you can avoid rush-hour, I might consider car services. I've used Airport Executive or Airport Express. You need to book them in advance, tell them how many people and how many pcs of luggage. It won't be cheap, though.
Otherwise, my default option remains the train--more inclined to take Gatwick Express. Shouldn't have difficulty finding a cab if you arrive at Victoria after 9:30am. Taking the connecting train (like the one at Pittsburgh airport) from North Terminal to South Terminal is quite easy --much better than that schlep from LHR T3 in my view...
black cab--probably not enough space for luggages, plus two of you will have to sit facing backwards (which can be quite uncomfortable).
If you can avoid rush-hour, I might consider car services. I've used Airport Executive or Airport Express. You need to book them in advance, tell them how many people and how many pcs of luggage. It won't be cheap, though.
Otherwise, my default option remains the train--more inclined to take Gatwick Express. Shouldn't have difficulty finding a cab if you arrive at Victoria after 9:30am. Taking the connecting train (like the one at Pittsburgh airport) from North Terminal to South Terminal is quite easy --much better than that schlep from LHR T3 in my view...
Jul 27th, 2006, 04:05 AM
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Also, as janisj mentioned back in her first reply, Gatwick Express offers a "4 for 2" fare where 4 adults traveling together only pay the amount of 2 fares. I'm not sure these can be purchased at the electronic booths, but they cannot be purchased on the trains:
http://www.gatwickexpress.co.uk/
http://www.gatwickexpress.co.uk/
Jul 27th, 2006, 04:29 AM
#16
I have used justairports.com for car service between London and Gatwick. I just checked their website, and the price for cash payment to central London runs between 48 and 61 GBP, depending on whether you choose a saloon, estate, or MPV as your vehicle type.
Jul 27th, 2006, 05:14 AM
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Four people = take a car service. Traffic may be bad (or not) but the convenience of having the driver waiting and going DOOR to DOOR is worth every penny of the ride in my opinion. If you use a car service be sure and be honest about the amount of luggage you have so the appropriate sized car (or van) can pick you up. Prices do not include tip. While we have never used a car service from Gatwick (we normally come into Heathrow) I have friends who used one last year and they had no traffic woes coming into the city and really were thrilled they did not have to ride trains/tube/escalators, etc. after their trip. It's all a matter of personal choice, but sometimes convenience and comfort outweight cost in my opinion. You do not mention your ages, but if any of you are seniors it may also make the trip more comfortable to have a car service. Likewise if any are small children who might be rather cranky by the time you get to Gatwick from home.
Jul 27th, 2006, 05:17 AM
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I might also add that you consider a car service for return to Gatwick as well if you are returning home from London. While you won't be tired starting out it will be a long day/night and in general makes the trip home more pleasant (again just my opinion, we always use a car service).
Jul 27th, 2006, 06:17 AM
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My husband and I just used Justairports to pick us up at Gatwick and take us to the Rubens at the Palace hotel on a Sunday morning. It took almost an hour to drive there, but it was very convenient and easy. I think we paid 48 pounds plus a tip. We are in our early 50's and I have arthritis so we usually go the easiest route with things.
Ginny
Ginny
Jul 27th, 2006, 10:09 AM
#20
rfbk50. What day/time are you arriving at LGW? It makes a HUGE difference. As Gopack says it took them an hour w/ a Sunday morning (when virtually nothing in London is open and there is very little traffic) W/ a sunday arrival, I might consider a car service. But say on a Monday morning - it could very easily take two hours or even more.
So w/o more info from you the whole debate is pretty useless right now . . . . .
So w/o more info from you the whole debate is pretty useless right now . . . . .
