How should I get from Gatwick to Waterloo?
 

I'm just piecing together this summer's European vacation, and need some advice about London transportation. I arrive at Gatwick Airport at 9:55am on a Tuesday and need to be at the Waterloo station for a train to Paris that leaves at 1:41pm. From what I've read, this 3h45m should be enough time for different options. What would be the cheapest (or best) way to get from Point A to Point B? Thanks!

easiest and cheapest <u>practical</u> way is thameslink train to London Bridge and then tube to Waterloo.

Another option is Gatwick Express to Victoria and tube or taxi from there. But that costs more and Victoria to Waterloo involves a line change.

Cheapest would be a bus - but that would be a very long, slow trip

Also, and sorry if I'm being ignorant, but how should I handle the cash end of this? Get pounds before-hand? Exchange at the airport or train station? And how much will I need?

Well technically you don't need any &pound;. You can use credit cards for the train ticket and in tube station. But if you want to get a few &pound; just use your ATM card after you land at Gatwick.

Take a Thameslink train from Gatwick to London Bridge, then another train from the same platform to Waterloo East which is linked by ramps and escalators to Waterloo International station. This is the easiest option.
Otherwise, take a Southern train from Gatwick to Clapham Junction and change there for Waterloo: this change involves stairs, but is no more difficult than getting a tube to Waterloo.
In both options, you also save the cost of the tube ticket because your train ticket from Gatwick covers the journey to Waterloo.

Oops - completely forgot about the train from London Bridge to Waterloo East. Geoffhamer gave the best option - train to London Bridge and then REALLY short train ride to Waterloo.

Geoff Hamer's first suggestion is the
best method.As a family of 5 we used the Thameslink to London Bridge last May and even though we were travelling
during morning rush hour and had to stand the journey is not that long.
You can book your tickets on-line if you wish or buy them when you arrive with a credit card.
Enjoy your trip.

And almost anything's better than changing at Clapham Junction....