Heathrow or Gatwick
 

Just starting to plan a trip to England for next year. Would it be easier to get into London from Heathrow or Gatwick ?

There is no problem getting in from either airport, but Heathrow is a bit closer and I personally prefer Heathrow.

I also favour Heathrow more than Gatwick. You haven't mentioned where you will fly from, intra-europe or intercontinental, if it is intercontinental, LHR is better.

Bruce, <BR>You can probably get to London more quickly from Heathrow than Gatwick but the difference between the two airports is really negligible. The real key is which airline you'll be flying. That may dictate where you'll arrive. Delta for example does not go to Heathrow from the US.

Bruce, if money is a concern and you're prepared to take the tube into London, Heathrow is much cheaper. We've always used Gatwick when we've been picking up a rental car, much easier to get out of and on the road.

The airline you take determines where you get to land! That said Heathrow is probably easier and my preference, but Gatwick is not difficult either. We've done both, but mostly fly BA which goes into Heathrow from Los Angeles. If you plan on using a driver pickup service (highly recommended, flat fee, door to door service) it's less expensive from Heathrow (30-35 pounds into London) whereas it's about 50 pounds from Gatwick. If there is more then one of you consider a pick up service, it's more practical then schlepping luggage on and off trains if you have jetlag. We've been doing this for several years now and it sure beats the heck out of trains, etc. <BR> <BR>Both airports have express trains, Heathrow into Paddington and Gatwick into Victoria. You can check your luggage (return trip) right at the train station if you wish too. The disadvantage with trains (my personal opinion) is that for several people they are as expensive as a driver pick up service and no where near as comfortable, plus you still have to take a taxi once you get to the train station to your hotel (assuming you don't want to take luggage on the Tube .. something I'd never do ... again personal opinion). You can also take the Tube in from Heathrow if you have very little luggage, it's the Picadilly Line, but I would avoid that if it's rush hour! The Tube has many escalators to haul luggage on and off and it's my personal opinion it is no way to start off a vacation - we've seen people doing it and they don't look like they are having much fun unless it's one small bag! <BR>

Lori: I have used the Gatwick Express, but I travel very lightly. I hope to be taking a few people to London in April. What pick-up service did you use? How many people would it take at one time? Is it like the Paris Shuttle system?

Marty, we used http://www.chauffeur.co.uk/ <BR>for transfer from Gatwick&gt;London for 6 people. It was cheaper than 6 train tickets, then a cab(s), and it was door-to-door. PBA, the luggage area holds limited luggage, so if you have more luggage, you'll need to hire a van/car larger than the number of people you're transporting. <BR> <BR>The trains are great for one or two people with one small suitcase each, but cost-effectiveness for more than that is a car and driver. <BR> <BR>Bruce: as stated before, don't make the airport the consideration; make the flight your focus. If you have to change planes 4 times to get to Heathrow, and 1 to get to Gatwick, then pick the Gatwick flight. If the flight to Gatwick is twice the cost of a flight to Heathrow, then pick the flight to Heathrow.

Bruce, <BR> <BR>Time and your ultimate destination are two other factor to consider in getting into and out of London from the airports. The Heathrow train takes about 15-25 minutes from the airport terminal to Paddington rail station (north of Hyde Park). The Gatwick express takes about 30 minutes from the airport to Victoria rail station south of Buckingham Palace. <BR> <BR>Now if you take ANY non-rail transportation during rush hours, it is going to take longer to get from the airports to those London rail stations. Gatwick, especially, since it is almost 30 miles south of town. <BR> <BR>(Taking the Tube with luggage in tow is something you probably do NOT want to try.) <BR> <BR>Once you get into the rail stations, you'll have to get a taxi to your hotel. At some times of the day, this means waiting in a line to get a cab. If your flight arrives early in the morning (like many do from the U.S.), then you'll probably get into London before the main rush hour and getting a taxi will be no problem. <BR> <BR>Other alternatives are the pickup services described by other posters. But again, during rush hours this will take some time. From Heathrow, you could also take a London taxi into town...it will be a bit expensive. Also, from Heathrow, there is an Airlink bus service that runs a loop between major London hotels and the airport. <BR> <BR>All in all, the airport to London links are good from either Heathrow AND Gatwick. Much better than from many U.S. airports! <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip...you're wise to start planning early. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>David White <BR>www.KidsToLondon.com <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Well, I guess I'm alone here, but I've flown into Heathrow several times and into Gatwick only once, but we vastly preferred Gatwick for the simple fact that it was much more "user friendly". It may have only been a fluke, but we found that customs at Gatwick was infinitely faster and MUCH friendlier, lines were shorter and that it was, in general, easier to get around in. As far as getting into London, we saw very little (if any) difference in the two. Whether you take the train or the Tube, neither ride is very pretty and should be considered little more than a necessary evil. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

Marty, <BR>Contact www.chauffeur.co.uk - there are also several other companies and if you do a web search for airport transportation London you will find them. We've used these folks with no trouble. You have to let them know how many people you have in your party and approx. how much luggage so that they can determine the size of car/van. It's not like the Paris Shuttle (which we have also used). You and your party would be the only passengers. You may be able to get by with what is called a salon car (4 door sedan) but you might need an estate wagon (station wagon) or even a mini-van. Prices vary depending on the type of vehicle. Once you make arrangements they will wait for you in the arrivals area after immigration, holding a sign with your name on it. You will have your luggage on a cart and the cart can be wheeled to the parking structure right across from where you exit the building. The are not able to bring the cars right to the door, remember they are inside waiting for you so the car must be parked. We've found it no trouble to push the luggage cart over to the garage, no big deal really. <BR>There will be no stops for other passengers as you are the only ones so it's great. You go from the airport to your hotel/apartment/whatever without the hassle of public transport, and for a flat fee. The fees are on the web page. We always give the driver a tip as well as they have been real good about helping with luggage. We also used a company in London called Ambassador Cars for a trip out to Heathrow one time, they were very good and picked us up at the apartment right on time. They do not have a website but they are listed in the London phone book. Happy Traveling!!