Train/Tube from London Gatwick at midnight?
Mar 20th, 2010, 02:01 PM
#1
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Train/Tube from London Gatwick at midnight?
Hello. My wife and I will be arriving at London Gatwick around midnight, and I was wondering if the train/tube would be easy and safe to take to get to our hotel, Copthorne Tara Kensington. We will each have one rolling suitcase.
If it's a hassle or unsafe at that hour, I would definitely prefer to get a cab. Or are there other transportation suggestions?
Thanks!
If it's a hassle or unsafe at that hour, I would definitely prefer to get a cab. Or are there other transportation suggestions?
Thanks!
Mar 20th, 2010, 02:09 PM
#2
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The tube does not run out to Gatwick, and will be closed by the time you get into London.
You can check the trains www.nationalrail.com but I am not sure you will be able to catch the last train.
Also try www.gatwickexpress.com to Victoria and then take a cab.
Another option would be a car service (cheaper than a cab) www.justairports.com is the company we use and have been very happy.
Enjoy!
You can check the trains www.nationalrail.com but I am not sure you will be able to catch the last train.
Also try www.gatwickexpress.com to Victoria and then take a cab.
Another option would be a car service (cheaper than a cab) www.justairports.com is the company we use and have been very happy.
Enjoy!
Mar 20th, 2010, 02:13 PM
#3
well the tube doesn't connect LGW and London -- at ANY hour of the day.
And the tube in central London stops running before you'd get there.
You can take the Gatwick Express train from LGW to Victoria station and then a cab from there. Where are you staying -- because another option would be Train to Victoria and Night bus to your hotel.
But what time are you actually scheduled to land??? Because there is a train at 00:50 and the next (and last) train is at 01:35. If you land at midnight the 00:50 might be a tough catch.
If you miss those you are going to have along wait - like 3 hours til the next train.
And the tube in central London stops running before you'd get there.
You can take the Gatwick Express train from LGW to Victoria station and then a cab from there. Where are you staying -- because another option would be Train to Victoria and Night bus to your hotel.
But what time are you actually scheduled to land??? Because there is a train at 00:50 and the next (and last) train is at 01:35. If you land at midnight the 00:50 might be a tough catch.
If you miss those you are going to have along wait - like 3 hours til the next train.
Mar 20th, 2010, 02:23 PM
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There is a b&b about 5 minutes from Gatwick and we stay there when traveling. Perhaps taking a taxi to a b&b close to Gatwick and then finding your hotel the next day would be a better idea. www.lawnguesthouse.co.uk They are really good about picking you up at the airport and getting you to the airport on time for your flights. Doubt they would pick you up at that late of an hour.
Mar 20th, 2010, 02:39 PM
#6
bratsandbeer's idea rates some consideration -- again depending on what time you actually are scheduled to land. . . .
If it really is after midnight -- most B&Bs won't let you check in that late, but maybe The Lawn will. If not, another option would be to priceline a Gatwick hotel, take a cab the short distance, then take the train into London the next morning.
If it really is after midnight -- most B&Bs won't let you check in that late, but maybe The Lawn will. If not, another option would be to priceline a Gatwick hotel, take a cab the short distance, then take the train into London the next morning.
Mar 20th, 2010, 02:42 PM
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Thanks for the responses! I looked up the car service mentioned above, and it will cost 47 pounds to get to our hotel. The Gatwick Express will cost 30 pounds (15 pounds each) plus the taxi from Victoria to our hotel.
How much do you think the taxi from Victoria to Copthorne Tara Kensington will cost? Would it be just as much to just get the car?
How much do you think the taxi from Victoria to Copthorne Tara Kensington will cost? Would it be just as much to just get the car?
Mar 20th, 2010, 02:50 PM
#8
Again -- what time do you actually land? If it is really at midnight, you might not be able to catch that 00:50 train.
If so, a car service would be your best bet. Besides the cost, the main objection to a car service from LGW is the traffic and <u>very slow/long</u> drive. That would definitely NOT be a problem at 0100 . . . .
If so, a car service would be your best bet. Besides the cost, the main objection to a car service from LGW is the traffic and <u>very slow/long</u> drive. That would definitely NOT be a problem at 0100 . . . .
Mar 20th, 2010, 03:04 PM
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Check Southern Railway:
http://www.southernrailway.com/
They also have trains from Gatwick to Victoria (and London Bridge, too, though not conveneient for your hotel) - they run till about 2:00 a.m. And they usually have great off-peak fares; a lot less than the Express.
They used to also have 2-for-1 coupons for many of the top sights in London if you bought a ticket...but I can't find them at their site now, so maybe they have stopped that. (We have used these on all three of our recent trips to London, saving hundreds of dollars.)
http://www.southernrailway.com/
They also have trains from Gatwick to Victoria (and London Bridge, too, though not conveneient for your hotel) - they run till about 2:00 a.m. And they usually have great off-peak fares; a lot less than the Express.
They used to also have 2-for-1 coupons for many of the top sights in London if you bought a ticket...but I can't find them at their site now, so maybe they have stopped that. (We have used these on all three of our recent trips to London, saving hundreds of dollars.)
Mar 21st, 2010, 05:13 AM
#11
If you are considering the train from Gatwick airport to central London, there is the Gatwick Express, which is the most expensive train and quickest too.
There are two other train companies that also do this route - First Capital Connect and Southern Railways. These two train companies are cheaper than the Gatwick Express and take a bit longer - about 15-20 mins longer so not much.
Another option is to stay within Gatwick Airport at the Yotel www.yotel.com it's like a pod hotel, we stayed there and thought it was fine, small room and no outside windows but Ok for a sleep and a shower. Then you could be on your way in the morning, drop your luggage at your hotel and go off sightseeing. If it was me, I'd prefer doing the travelling in the morning after a good night's sleep and when you can see your surrounds. The Yotel is inside the terminal so no travelling to get there. We liked the convenience.
Kay
There are two other train companies that also do this route - First Capital Connect and Southern Railways. These two train companies are cheaper than the Gatwick Express and take a bit longer - about 15-20 mins longer so not much.
Another option is to stay within Gatwick Airport at the Yotel www.yotel.com it's like a pod hotel, we stayed there and thought it was fine, small room and no outside windows but Ok for a sleep and a shower. Then you could be on your way in the morning, drop your luggage at your hotel and go off sightseeing. If it was me, I'd prefer doing the travelling in the morning after a good night's sleep and when you can see your surrounds. The Yotel is inside the terminal so no travelling to get there. We liked the convenience.
Kay
Mar 21st, 2010, 06:34 AM
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Hi, Kay...
I have found that Southern usually takes only about 5-10 minutes longer...and that seems to be true after midnight. GX is about 36-39 min. Southern is 45 min max.
You can have them generate a custom timetiable on their website for your specific days and timeframe.
Of course, all this depends on no holdups on the line - which are more common, I suspect during rush hour.
Steve
I have found that Southern usually takes only about 5-10 minutes longer...and that seems to be true after midnight. GX is about 36-39 min. Southern is 45 min max.
You can have them generate a custom timetiable on their website for your specific days and timeframe.
Of course, all this depends on no holdups on the line - which are more common, I suspect during rush hour.
Steve
Mar 21st, 2010, 07:15 AM
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If you don't want to stay overnight by Gatwick then take the car! You will be tired and you won't have to make changes getting to your hotel. It should be safer also. Sometimes spending the extra money is worth it.
We hired a car from Paddington Station to Gatwick and it was worth every penny of it. We used to always take the metros etc with our luggage. Now we budget taxis etc into our travel plan.
We hired a car from Paddington Station to Gatwick and it was worth every penny of it. We used to always take the metros etc with our luggage. Now we budget taxis etc into our travel plan.
Mar 21st, 2010, 09:25 AM
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If I were to take the Southern train, would I take it from Gatwick to London Victoria or is there somewhere closer to my hotel (Copthorne Tara Kensington)?
And if I take the train to Victoria and catch a taxi to my hotel, how long will the taxi ride be? How much (approximately)?
And if I take the train to Victoria and catch a taxi to my hotel, how long will the taxi ride be? How much (approximately)?
Mar 21st, 2010, 09:42 AM
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If you are weighing the cost issue between the car service at 47 pounds and the train to Victoria at 30 plus taxi, the taxi from Victoria to your hotel will be around 8-10 pounds as you will be on night rate.
I tip 10% (not everyone does) so that's roughly 9-11 quid, total of 39-41 pounds.
For the sake of saving 6 to 8 pounds max, I would opt for the car service.
I tip 10% (not everyone does) so that's roughly 9-11 quid, total of 39-41 pounds.
For the sake of saving 6 to 8 pounds max, I would opt for the car service.
Mar 23rd, 2010, 04:54 PM
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I found the 2-for-1 website:
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/
Works with Southern Railway from gatwick, I'm pretty sure, but you can email/contact them to be certain. The Tower of London, St Paul's, Tower Bridge, City Cruises, and London Eye are just a few examples of the 2-for-1 coupons you can print our before you go that will save a bundle. But you must show your train ticket stubs with your coupons (though on occasion they don't check), so remember to carry it with you all the time.
[There are 17 screens of coupons to scroll through (though not all in London proper)...so take your time on the site. I believe they only let you print out 3 at a time, but you can keep going back to get as many offers as you wish.]
This why we NEVER take the Gatwick Express -- only Southern. Definitely worth the extra 5-10 minutes on the train.
SS
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/
Works with Southern Railway from gatwick, I'm pretty sure, but you can email/contact them to be certain. The Tower of London, St Paul's, Tower Bridge, City Cruises, and London Eye are just a few examples of the 2-for-1 coupons you can print our before you go that will save a bundle. But you must show your train ticket stubs with your coupons (though on occasion they don't check), so remember to carry it with you all the time.
[There are 17 screens of coupons to scroll through (though not all in London proper)...so take your time on the site. I believe they only let you print out 3 at a time, but you can keep going back to get as many offers as you wish.]
This why we NEVER take the Gatwick Express -- only Southern. Definitely worth the extra 5-10 minutes on the train.
SS
