Hello all - wish I'd found this a couple of weeks ago....as we will be going through Gatwick this week.

Question: We have 8 hours between flights from the US to North Africa. Is it reasonable to assume that we could leave our luggage, but head to Victoria Station for a couple of hours - and do lunch or at least wander around a bit? Given the possibility of delays, I would not want to cut our time too close - but it would be nice to spend at least a couple of hours in London proper. We are arriving at 8:30 am and leaving at 2 pm.
Given the newest security requirements, am assuming we'd need to be back to Gatwick by noon.

I read that the first class London express tix, while more expensive, does provide some enhanced access to check-in on the way back.

Is this doable? And what is the recommended way to do it!

So much appreciate your help!

You should have time for a short trip into London . . allow an hour each way on the Gatwick Express just to be safe. 8:30 is a busy time at Gatwick so get the onward boarding pass prior to leaving the airport . . if you do not get it at your ititial departure, go to one of the transfer desks prior to clearing immigration. The wait at immigration can be as long as an hour if you are American.

You should be able to check luggage thru to the final destination so you would not have to bother with that.

To save time, after immigration, go straight to the train . . you can purchase a day return trip ticket while you are onboard.

If it is your first time to London, you can hop a taxi and have him take you around Buckingham Palace, past Parlament and across Tower Bridge, back to Victoria for the train to Gatwick. That will give you a good quick overview of London and most cabbies will tell you what you are seeing.

If you have your boarding pass, you can go straight to the gate.

Have fun . . Rich

From GatwickExpress.co.uk site, it does mention that with first class ticket, one could go through FastTrack security check. I have never taken first Class, but have gone to London during the layover many times, as the train only takes 30 minutes. it would be nice to just walk around a bit after the lond flight.

Presumably, the luggage would be checked through, and you would have the boarding pass already(depends on which airline), you could leave Victoria around noon.

If this is your fist London visit, and don't mind a bit of walking, you could take a short walk to Buckinfham Palace, then walk through St.James Park (my favorite park after a long flight),the cafe Innthepark opens whole day-nice place for some snack and see the pelicans. Turn to Westminster Abbey and Parliment, walk along Westminster Bridge across The Thames, then along Thames Path down to Hungerford Footbridge (lovely view of London Skyline) back to the north side of the rive. Walk up Villiers Street to Trafalgar Square. From Trafalgar Square,Bus #11,#24 go back to Victoria Station.

If you have been London before, there must be many places you would like to revisit.

Rich & JudyC - Thank you both for the information! And the suggestion for a Taxi tour is super - hadn't thought of that. I've spent a few days in London quite a while back, but it will be my sister's first trip across. This will make the perfect birthday gift for her. Appreciate your help! Ann

How did it go?

Rich