I was looking to use a private car service to get from Gatwick to Heathrow. I will be traveling with two kids. I saw some prices as low as 60 pounds but was wondering if anyone has a company they would recommend. I looked at the bus service but I think I would prefer a car service. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We only have three hours between flights but we are on the same airline(BA) and ticket.

<<< We only have three hours between flights but we are on the same airline(BA) and ticket. >>>

Good luck - you'll need it and lots of it to boot. 3 hours is the minimum I would consider EVEN if I was arriving from another UK airport, had hand luggage only had done online check-in and had the boarding pass already in my hand.

If I was you I'd have a word with someone who actually understands London airports and change one of your flight times

I still need the name of a reliable car service.

There are several - Justairports may be the cheapest.. But unless you are landing at 5:00 AM on a Sunday you'll have a very hard time making this connection. What time/day do you land? And are these to teenagers - or is it two little ones. If you are traveling w/ young children it will be even tougher because they are just slower.

You have to go through immigration, retrieve your bags and then drive all the way around SW London - 45 minutes if everything goes like clockwork or much longer if there is traffic.
Then at LHR at minimum you have to drop you bags and get through security.

You say you are on BA both flights - great. But is it one ticket or two? Even on one airline, if it is two tix, you have no recourse if you miss the flight. Did BA sell you this as a legal connection? If yes, then don't sweat it because they will put you on the next flight out.

You really need 4 hours minimum and even that can be cutting it close.

Thanks for the name of Justairports, I will look them up. I bought one ticket so its a legal connection. Its actually 3hours and 40 minutes between flights and the airlines stance is no worries (but I am worried). My kids are seven and eight, I'll have them start there sprinting training. We plan on packing light but I'm sure I'll have at least one checked bag.

I agree, this is a four hours minimum connection. When one of my flights to LGW was delayed, the gate agent re-booked my connecting flight out of LHR as she said I needed at least four hours. I did it by bus in a bit less, but I had a UK passport (quicker line through immigration), and there wasn't much traffic to speak of on the M25 (absolutely cannot be counted on). With small kids I'd want five hours.

Just airports would be my choice. Regarding time. I believe the airport site recommend 5 hours from the time the first planes lands to the time of departure of the second. On domestic flights they want you to be checked in 2 hours prior to the flight. You will most likely will still be at Gatwick.

Now, just as a thought, not counting cost, would it be faster to take the train to Victoria, taxi to Paddington and then Express or connect train to Heathrow?

That's different. There is a huge difference between 3 hours and 3 hrs 40 mins. And now I see you said it is one ticket. I'd not worry - unless yours is the last BA flight of the day to your destination. BA will take care of you (Unless they say you unnecessarily dawdled and missed the flight due to your own actions).

W/ 3 hr 40 mins you have a much better chance of making this -- as long as you land near on time.

I did say "better" - still close but that extra 40 mins helps a LOT.

And no, I definitely wouldn't follow rogeruktum's suggestion. ( I know you were just throwing it out there for ideas). But two trains, taxi through central London - 30 mins to Victoria, 20 mins at least Victoria to Paddington, 20 mins plus waiting time for the HEX (it stops at T-5 last) all not counting the sometimes long walks involved

roger - depending on the time of day, National Express wants 1 hr 10 min to 1 hr 25 min for LHR to LGW. A private car should do it in a bit less, because of no stops, but I would think a minimum of one hour. TFL wants at least 1 hr 19 min for train-tube-train, not counting waiting for the train, so not worth the hassle. (I doubt the taxi would be that much faster than the tube, especially if it's rush hour!)

Click on this link for BA advice about this connection: http://www.britishairways.com/travel...w/public/en_gb

Get your boarding cards for your second flight in advance, either printing them out yourself if you check in online, or at the airport when you check in for your first flight.

As long as your first flight arrives on time, you shouldn't have any problems making your connecting flight. I've done it a number of times.