We are flying into the Luton airport on a Sunday and then leaving for the USA at 12:30 from Gateway. How do we get to Gateway in time for an international flight and how much will it cost?

It's Gatwick. And the easiest way between the two airports is to take the free shuttle bus to Luton Airport Parkway rail station and get a direct train to Gatwick Airport

But as the recommendation is that you allow 5 hours between flights if changing London airports I'm wondering what time your Luton flight arrives?

Just to add that one a Sunday there are 2 trains per hour leaving Luton Airport Parkway at quarter to & quarter pass the hour.

In order to get your onward flight you need to be on - at the latest - the 08:46am train.

Thanks for the reply. I am checking for my friend so I heard her wrong the the Gatwick word. Oops. In googling Luton Airport I found a Virgin Rails that takes 1 hour 38 min. The other train went to Heathrow first so it took 3 plus hours. Which train are you referring to and is Virgin Rails on time usually? They will be pushing it.

cheryl - &quot;<i>The other train went to Heathrow first so it took 3 plus hours</i>&quot; There is no train from Luton to Hethrow - that must have been a bus.

What time do they land at Luton? It is a long way from Luton north of London to Gatwick south of London. Plus they need to check in about 2+ hours before their flight.

If the train connections don't work would a taxi get them there faster? If so, which # do they call for a good rate?

A taxi on that journey is going to be VERY costly I did a search on a car service just to see and it came up at around 100 pounds (or $200)

cheryl:br <b>What time do they land at Luton?</b> It is important. A taxi will NOT be faster than a train - it will take at least 3 hours and cost well over &pound;100. Probably a lot more.

If they have booked flights too close together they need to change something.

They land at 8:20 a.m. and leave Gatwick at 12:30 p.m.
What are their chances?

Pretty slim. If they have to collect luggage, the first train they have a hope of boarding will be the 09:16 which only gives them 3 hours. Not long enough. And if their flight is delayed even just 15 or 20 minutes they won't be on a train until 09:46.

Did they book this itinerary themsleves - or was it a travel agent? If a TA - they should have her fix it. If possible, they really need to fly into the UK the night before.

In a word NIL sorry, see alanRow comment regarding time.
Land 8.20
baggage reclaim allow 45 minutes = 9.25
Train journry including getting to the station in Luton 150 minutes = 11.55
Check in and security = 60 minutes = 12.55

You missed it !!!!

And this is not allowing for the 2 hour check in

So you eill have to change something

&lt;&lt;&lt; I found a Virgin Rails that takes 1 hour 38 min. &gt;&gt;&gt;

&quot;Virgin Rails&quot; (it's Virgin Trains) doesn't do that route - it's run by First Capital Connect whose website is www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk

But as others have said you aren't going to make it by train

The only chance - and there's no guarantee it'll work is a car service for the 70 miles between airports. As it's a Sunday it should be faster than the normal 90 minutes and you won't have to wait for a train. But it'll be tight and be very expensive and you'll need to be leaving Luton by about 9:15am to have any chance of making your flight

I'd rethink this entirely. Presumably the flight into Luton is to take advantage of a cheapo deal, but that would be wiped out by missing a connection or expensive trips in between. Why not look to see if there's another flight into Gatwick? The headline rate might be more expensive but the final cost (not to mention the emotional wear and tear) would probably be much less.

I told her how great Fodor's Forum is. You all affirmed my belief. She will enjoy knowing what's up even though it isn't good. She booked the flights herself so now she gets to make some decisions. It is her first time overseas and is traveling with her college daughter. Where we live airports are on the small side. She has no clue what customs looks like so I will pass on all the info you all gathered-amazing- and she will get home somehow sometime, we all do.

Be interested to know who she is flying to LUTON with