Train from Gatwick
 

We will be flying into Gatwick airport and staying at the Trafalgar Hilton or possibly the Chesterfield Mayfair. Is it easy to get into London via the express train? Thanks.

Yes. The Gatwick Express takes you right from inside Gatwick to Victoria Station in London. From there, if you've got lots of baggage, catch a cab. They are readily available.

I would recommend that you not try the Tube if you are carrying much, especially during rush hour. We arrived at Gatwick early in the morning and took the Gatwick Express, putting us in Victoria Station in the middle of rush hour. I've never seen such quickly moving HORDES of people pouring down the stairs to the trains. You really had to watch it even without bags. Give yourself a break upon first arrival....! In off hours, you'll have an easier time.

Forgot to mention that there's a website for Gatwick (just google it) and you can get more detailed information on finding the Express, ticket prices, hours of service, length of ride, etc.

The Trafalgar Hilton is at the south east corner of Trafalgar Square, and Charing Cross station is at the south east corner. Do you will do well to ask whether the Thameslink trains are running from Gatwick to London Bridge. You arrive at platform 6 of London Bridge station, and you wait at that same platform till the next train, in a few minutes, which takes you to Charing Cross in 7 minutes. At Charing Cross you use a pound coin to release a luggage trolley, wheel your goods to the taxi rank, and book the taxi 200 yards to your hotel. Less walking than in Victoria, and a much shorter taxi journey.

For Mayfair Victoria is suitable.

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If you take Ben's advice, please come back to the board to tell us about the conversation between you and the cab driver about your - well I'd say 50 yard - cab journey.

And which of you felt the more ripped off by the transaction.

Personally, I'd put the luggage on the trolley, turn left out of the station, walk to the hotel and ask the concierge to return the trolley. Letting him have the pound as a tip.

Flanneruk: I agree end to end. But I was advisng a rspectable American, not a dodgy Londoner like the two of us. The taxi driver will take the hire (he or she has to), but charge all that can be charged.

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Ben:

Do you want to explain the phrase "GBH of the earhole"?

Make sure you get on the "Express." I got on another train (a "local," I guess. They sell tickets for the Express on the train, but don't do that on the other.

I had to bull my way through the turnstile at the end. Fortunately I wasn't arrested, and received a free ride, but it could have been bad.

Keith