I am planning on landing on 12/25/07 in london and wondering about the transportation and convenience between both airports into the city. My understanding is that they both are connected by train. Would also appreciate any other cheaper options, ie air shuttle bus. My hotel does not offer that. Thanks

6 of 1/half dozen of the other.

LHR can be a BEAST to transfer through. But for arriving in London both are about equal.

LHR has the tube, car services, very expensive Express train, and less expensive local train.

LGW has the fast, semi-expensive express train, cheap/slightly slower commuter train. No tube and car services would not be practical from LGW.

So - just use the one that gets you the best fare. If it turns out to be LHR - then where you are staying and how many in the party will determine the "best" mode of transport.

oh damn - missed the Dec 25 bit. Christmas day all bets are off. I "think" the HEX runs on Christmas but not sure. All other transport is shut down.

If it were me - I'd book a car service ASAP

The tube, London buses, and National Rail trains will NOT be running on Christmas Day. The Heathrow Express train to Paddington WILL be running (buses probably will be substituted for the trains) and the Gatwick Express to Victoria WILL be running. However, you'll need to take a taxi from either Paddington or Victoria to your hotel.

Another option is a private car service like www.justairports.com (sizeable discount for paying cash). Since Heathrow is closer to London, a car service from there to your hotel would be a lot cheaper than from Gatwick.

You might find www.dot2dot.com is what you're looking for, given that finding a cab is going to be tricky

Their site implies they're operating on Christmas Day. But they're new, so I'd contact them directly to check.

The usual rule of not travelling between Gatwick and the centre by road doesn't apply on Christmas Day.

HEX & GEX will be running on the 25th but probably as a coach service

note dot2dot don't do a service between Gatwick & London - they put you on the GEX then pick you up at the other end

www.dot2.com/StaticPages/OurService/Gatwick.aspx

I would recommend using a car service from the airport, which means LHR wins clearly over LGW (distance-wise, congestion factor is irrelevant on 25 Dec).

Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express were replaced by slow/infrequent/inconvenient coach services in the last couple of years. Then you'll have to find a taxi from the train station and cabs (if you find one) have surcharges on Christmas Day.

Where is your hotel located?

BTW, you CAN find some restaurants open--though they are most likely either kebab shops, curry houses or chinese joints. Don't expect any stores (even Tesco express) to be open that day. This is probably the quietest day to be staying in London. We usually make sure to load up on provisions and rent good selectin of DVDs if we're staying in town.

I am staying at the Ridgemount Hotel, near the British Museum.

You don't have your tickets booked yet? If not, and you have a choice, then use LHR. And then get yourself booked w/ a car service.

justairport.com will probably be the best.

The Express coach services that replace the trains in from the airports that day will not get you anywhere near your hotel and as we said, all other public transport is shut down.

oops -- TimS gave the right url (justairport<b><u>s</u></b

janisj:

Attempting to avoid hauling luggage through central London, what is your recommendation regarding transportation from Gatwick to the Royal Horseguards mid-morning on an autumn Saturday?

Thanks in advance…

First Capital Connect to London Bridge, stand at the same platform then get the next train to Charing Cross which is virtually next door to Royal Horseguards if you come out in the direction of Embankment Tube Station

See map of the area - http://tinyurl.com/2y9h57

bdj: alanRow has given you the the very easiest way. Many people assume the Gatwick Express is the only/best train from LGW. But for other areas - other trains can be better. For the Royal HorseGuards (especially on a weekend) LGW &gt;London Bridge &gt; Charing Cross is the best.

Thanks again all, your advice is invaluable. I never thought the trains would be down on Christmas Day.

janisj &amp; alanRow:

Much obliged for the assistance. Particularly since my knee-jerk thought was Gatwick Express to Victoria and taxi to Royal HorseGuards. A few more questions if you will:

Is First Capital Connect as luggage friendly as Gatwick Express? Is it as convenient regarding purchasing tickets? How does it compare cost-wise? Does either offer a more convenient boarding process coming from an international flight at Gatwick?

Thanks…

In ordering of asking

no - but it's Saturday so the trains won't be jammed packed
no - you have to buy the ticket before getting on the train

Gatwick to LONDON Charing Cross via London Bridge is &pound;10.50 one way, &pound;20.60 return, GEX is &pound;15.90 one way, &pound;26.80 return plus taxi fare

It's the same station, just a different platform, all of which are easily accessible from the airport

janisj, alanRow, et.al, while I have your expertise at my disposal (and realizing this topic probably merits its own thread):

It appears my only option for Stone Circle access at Stonehenge is the 8:00am slot on a Sunday morning in late September. Wishing to stay in London the previous night, my guess is that the best strategy is to leave Heathrow in a rented car around 5:30-5:45am. Would you concur?

If not, please outline a superior process. If so, what is your recommendation to get from the Royal HorseGuards to the car hire booth at Heathrow in order to stay on schedule?

Thanks in advance…bdj

You're probably allowing a bit too much time. From Heathrow to Stonehenge on a Sunday morning really shouldn't take more than an hour and a half.

But allowing some margin, your estimates are probably right, so you need a taxi from the hotel at 0430. The first Heathrow Express (at 0510, arriving 0525) still needs a bus to the distant hire complex - and who knows how often they run that early on Sunday mornings? A cab to Paddington and the HEX ticket is gong to cost you at least &pound;25 anyway, and in September it's a bit dark (and far) to walk to Paddington

So unless you want to see other things, there's a serious argument for getting a train to Salisbury the night before, overnighting in a hotel there, then getting a bus or local taxi out at a civilised time te following morning. Even assuming you're keeping the London room and paying for it, I can't imagine that'll be more than the cost of the cab to Heathrow and the hired car.

bdj: I totally agree w/ flanneruk. The practical way to do this is to stay Sat. night in Salisbury. Even if you have to &quot;eat&quot; a night at your London hotel/flat that is what I would do.

Then you wouldn't need to rent a car at all. You could take the last train of the day to Salisbury - therefore still having a full day in London.

But if you have an event in London Sat. night - I suggest renting the car Sat. afternoon and parking it. Then leave London early in the a.m. w/o having to hassle w/ going to LHR at all. The cost of parking will be about the same as a car service to LHR.

Drving out of central London at 5:00-5:30 sunday a.m. will not be a problem. I'd arrange the rental to be picked up in central London and drop off at LHR. Then you can also drive around and visit Avebury or Wisley or something.