UGH. Evidently many people want to spend the OP's money on transfers from LGW. Texasbookworm knows better. Yeah, it's more direct to take a car service, but it's far more expensive and likely slower. Also, you're going to England where most of the people speak some form of comprehensible English, so getting directions and help shouldn't be a problem. To get past any language barriers, look here.

Listen to Janis and the hobbit - take the train from Gatwick to Victoria. Round trip it can cost less than 1/2 what a car service will for one-way. Gatwick is to London what FLL is to Miami or BWI to DC - it's an airport way outside where you're going to be. The Gatwick Express will go straight to Victoria station. But you don't need to take the G'Ex because there are "regular" trains that do the trip with one or two stops and take only about 4-5 minutes longer for half the G'ex price. For train times and prices, run a search like this but put in your dates.

If you ask for the least expensive travel at the Gatwick station ticket office on the dates you want, they'll help you - you're not the first clueless Americans they've dealt with.

BTW, print off your vouchers before you go for the 2for1 offers. There's no limit.

ok, I am chastened. Ha. It's my age showing--more willing to spend money to avoid steps/details.

But as said above--train now will work best for OP--and you'll have what needed for 2for1 sites, ASAIK. So sounds good.

Yes, come back with tentative itineraries--use a map and group things by neighborhoods, in general; allow plenty of time for moving from spot to spot, ticket-getting, lines, etc. One or two major spots per half day is good way to start lining out what's possible.

"use a map and group things by neighborhoods"

Londontown.com used to have suggested self-guided walking tours arranged by neighborhood/area. Likely still does but I haven't checked in a bit.

I am happy I got the Kensington Hotel, But paying 200 GBP/night.feels expensive.
I have 24hr cancellation period ,But not sure if I can still get a better hotel so late.
How do I go about taking the train from LGW ,do I buy return tkt,to be eligible for
2-4-1 & buy Oyster Card for travel at GTW.

£200 per night in central London is not bad at all.

If you don't need a Marriott check Dolphin Square. They have studios and 1 bedroom flats under £200 per night for your dates

https://www.dolphinsquare.co.uk/dolphin-house/

The advantages of a hotel and the space of a flat. Close to Pimlico tube station and a ver short cab ride from Victoria station

I think I will stay at the Marriott . Thanks Janisj for the quick reply.
Will start planning my itinerary.

Thanks to all the wonderful people who helped me, Thursdaysd, Janisj, Kartikparik,
PatrickLondon, Bilboburgler, Odin,Texasbookworm, MarthaT, BigRuss.
I have a CapitalOne Debit card, can I use it to withdraw cash or do I need an ATM card?

If it's a debit card tied to your checking account, it should work in ATM. We ALWAYS take credit cards from at least 2 different accounts AND debit cards tied to at least 2 separate banking/credit union accounts. Almost every trip at least once some ATM machine wouldn't work with one card but would with the other; at least a couple times there's been some issue (never on "my" side) with one of the credit cards at a business so would whip out the other. Redundancy is good when it comes to money in a foreign country (even England!)

And always elect to do all transactions in pounds when given any option to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion fees.

And I'd recommend using some sort of under-clothing pouch to carry cards, passport, and most cash, leaving just a bit of cash (and maybe your travel card/ticket) more accessible. London is as safe as any big city today (more so than most, I think, for tourists, despite the spate of murders this year), but it's toooooooo easy as a visitor unfamiliar with all of it to get distracted and be pickpocketed or drop or forget those important pieces of plastic and paper. Some will disagree; some will suggest leaving passport and maybe other stuff in a hotel safe. I've just shared what has become our protocol and what has worked well.

Thanks for the reply, Texasbookworm. your tips are duly noted.
BTW, I live near Dallas, TX.

I'm sure it will work, but if you are concerned, why don't you try it in a nearby ATM? Just ask for your account balance.

I second the recommendation for a money belt. I like this one, worn with the pouch at the back:

https://lewisnclark.com/waist-stash/

Yes try to take as many ATM cards as possible - I too have had some that worked here not work there even though they should have. I also like thursdayds always have cards and money and passport in a money belt that goes under your clothing. Everything stays in there from take off to touch down except at nights.
If not mentioned above tell your card-issuing bank what countries you are going to and say that's all you're going to. If not they mayn block your transaction as a security move.

>>Yes try to take as many ATM cards as possible - I too have had some that worked here not work there even though they should have. <<

But card hasn't technology changed significantly since you last visited London years ago. >) "as many ATM cards as possible" is sort of over kill. Two is certainly enough.

>>Everything stays in there from take off to touch down except at nights.<<

That is not how one should use a money belt/pouch. If you put everything in it it is EXTREMELY inconvenient. What goes in the money belt (if you decide to use one) is the 'spare' credit cards/ATM card, extra cash if you have a boat load for some reason, and possibly your passport. Your 'walking around' daily money and one or more cards should be in you wallet or cross body just like at home. Never EVER access a pouch/money belt in public . . . EVER. (which is semi impossible if everything is in it.

But card hasn't technology changed significantly since you last visited London years ago>

Yes but apparently some still have this problem - unless TXworm has not gone recently? - TXworm posts above (which you probably did not read or would have made that remark to that post?)

Almost every trip at least once some ATM machine wouldn't work with one card but would with the other; at least a couple times there's been some issue (never on "my" side) with one of the credit cards at a business so would whip out the other>

Good idea to have two or more if you have them - not to get as many as possible.

>> unless TXworm has not gone recently? - TXworm posts above (which you probably did not read or would have made that remark to that post?)<<

Not at all, I did read it -- she recommended two ATM/debit cards (as did I).

Yes, I have gone recently--June 2018. On that trip I had no ATM issues; 2 adults I was with did have to go to a second bank to get their cards to work. I had a CC issue with the letting agency (their mistake) which was solved by giving an alternative account number. For the first time in all my international travels, since 1988, I LOST a debit card, which was not a major problem as I had a second one from a different account as back up.

So, yes, technology has changed travel (how'd we do it without Google, GPS, and cellphones?--ha) and finances are much more easily handled. But glitches and mistakes still occur, but if one goes prepared, as suggested, the glitches are just minor annoyances.

So, enough said about that, I hope; post those itineraries soon, Kindgirl; love to hear a fellow Texan is going to my favorite city (where I'll be on a 40th anni trip in less than 9 weeks--not that I'm counting down or anything!)

OH, and above when I said "almost every trip"--I meant every international trip DH and I have made; I've had more issues with cards in countries other than the UK, but we have had a very few problems in our travel in the UK.

Thanks for the tips,keep them coming. I have a neck pouch that I will use & cross body for the daily cash & cards.

>>Yes, I have gone recently--June 2018<<

Oh -- Not to worry. I know you've been there. My comment had nothing at all to do with your post (it is other people who haven't been there in 15 years and insist on 'helping' on every thread).

Kindgirl--It would help to if we knew a little about what your daughter and you enjoy. Here are a few examples of things people might see on a first trip to London. Check them out on the Destinations Tab of Fodors/Europe/London. Which sound interesting to you?

Medieval sites: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey
Renaissance: Hampton Court
Architecture: St. Paul's (and climb to the top)
Art: National Gallery, Tate, Tate Modern)
Archeology and world everything: British Museum
20th century history: Churchill War Rooms
Parks and outdoors: Kensington Garden, St James Park, Buckingham etc...
public spaces: Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden
shopping and what kind: London has about everything
Music:
Tech: Bletchley Park
Amusement ride: The Eye of London

Isn't the debit card tied to an account so it works as an atm card in the US? My ATM card says "Debit Card" on it, but it's an ATM card. If not, Cap One could also send you a specific atm card and that will be good because Cap One has no fee for foreign exchange.

Also: NEVER PAY IN DOLLARS. You may be offered the choice to pay in local scratch or told that you can be charged for your purchase in dollars - this is point-of-sale dynamic currency conversion and it is ALWAYS unfavorable. Always opt for British wampum. Same thing for ATMs, withdraw in local dinero only, no conversion.