What is the best way to travel from Gatwick <BR>Airport to the city of London? We will be in<BR>London two days then will board a cruise ship<BR>in Dover. We will have two large pieces of<BR>luggage. Is the train easier or should we have a pick up service to meet us?

My last trip to London (by myself) was into Gatwick. I had one large piece of luggage plus a carry-on. I took the train to Victoria Station and then a taxi to my hotel and it was very simple. I believe a taxi all the way from Gatwick would be very expensive but if that's not an issue, a taxi or car service would certainly be easier.

We just returned from London. After getting off the plane we were walking from claiming our luggage & there was a guy with a taxi service set up inside the airport. He had drivers standing by. We paid 75 pounds for 4 people with a total of 8 bags to go from Gatwick to our hotel near Victoria Station. That was a flat rate. Later we asked the people at our hotel & they said it should have been closer to 50 pounds. But it was no hassle & it was one of the black cabs. The driver was a good source of info about the city. Probably we could have gotten a better rate at the cabs ouside the airport but husband was tired & he doesn't really bargain.<BR>After travleing the tubes & trains in London for 6 days I felt sorry every time I saw someone with luggage & was glad we didn't fool with it. The tubes were often crowded & it was a pain to get around the luggage when you wanted to get off.

Thanks for the info. It sounds like the<BR>train will be a hassel. Have you tried<BR>any of the pick up services via the internet that's found on Londontown.com?

I think if you will do a search on this forum you will find several recent posts about Ray Skinner and www.london-transfers.com, as well as Swiss Cottage Cars (no website). We used London Transfers in May for our pick up at Heathrow and our return to Gatwick. Since Gatwick is farther, the cost is higher. We paid 70 pounds including tip for 4 people and our luggage. All of their prices are on their website. We were very pleased with their service and would use them again.

All REAL black cabs are metered! Just because the cab was black does not mean it was a licensed London taxi! Some of he real black cabs are red, and yellow and pink and green!