Hi,

We have a plane connection from Europe to the US that requires us to spend 1 night in London. We are flying out of Gatwick late the next morning. Can anyone recommend a cheap (but clean) hotel convenient to either Gatwick or the train to Gatwick? Also, we will be arriving late afternoon/early evening. Does anyone know of a London-by-night or highlights tour? I've never been to London and want to take advantage of our layover.
Thank you.

You don't say which night of the week you'll be there but there are some evening walks.

http://www.walks.com/

One of a number of sites with hotels near Gatwick airport :


http://www.holidayextras.co.uk/gatwi...rt-hotels.html


Trains to London run from the airport. By time you get out of the airport, check in to your hotel and get back to the airport, and over an hour's train ride to London it will probably be too late considering you have to get back to Gatwick that night. If you do decide to try it, the train drops you at Victoria station. Check the times of return trains before trying it though.

You don't say what airport you're flying into. It would make a difference in planning your strategy.

The Gatwick Express train goes into Victoria Station, and the Thistle Victoria Hotel adjoins the station. In fact, you don't even have to go outside to get into the hotel. I would rather stay there than out at the airport since you are not leaving early in the morning.

You can get a hop-on, hop-off bus, with commentary, to see the major sights. You probably would not have time to get off and on much, but you could get an overview of the city.

Or you could get the tube to Covent Garden, have some supper, and see a play. Or you could book by internet and see Wicked which is at the Apollo Theater just across the street from Victoria Station.

Or you could just go see the outside of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and stroll through St. James Park.

Get a Streetwise London map and see what is close together that you might be interested in, and enjoy your visit to my favorite city.

You can also see what's close together with a free map from any Tube station: www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/centlond.pdf
To use your limited time efficiently, you might get a bus pass (£3.50) and print out this map before you leave home: www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/cen_bus.pdf

Gatwick Express goes between Victoria and the airport for £26.80 r/t.
Southern Railways goes between Victoria and the airport for £17.80 r/t.
Southern's provision for luggage is somewhat less than Express, but this has never been a problem to us.

are you also flying in to LGW? That makes a difference.

Getting in to central London is a bit faster from LGW (30 or 35 mins depending on which train you take). But in from LHR is easy too by tube or train. The heathrow express train is fast at only about 15 minutes, but by the time you add in tube and/or taxi transfers it will take just about as long as the tube to get anywhere interesting.

No matter which airport you are landing, you should book a hotel at/near Victoria Station and be walking distance or a short cab ride from the Gatwick express the next morning. BTW, the train will only take 30 or 35 mins - not the hour mentioned above.

The Thistle Victoria is fine - but if that is outside your budget - the entire Victoria area is full of moderately priced hotels and B&Bs.

<i>p.s.</i> Southern Railways will also carry you to London Bridge station for &pound;15 r/t, affording you many more lodging choices.

Thanks for all the helpful advice. Sorry I didn't post the airports. We're flying into Heathrow around 4:30 pm and flying out of Gatwick the next morning around 10:30.