Transfer Heathrow to Gatwick?
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,741
Likes: 0
Transfer Heathrow to Gatwick?
Can anyone recommend a car service that can pick us up at Heathrow and take us to Gatwick? Also, we are scheduled to arrive Heathrow at 10:35am and depart Gatwick at 3:25pm. I'm assuming this is plenty of time for the transfer. How long to get out of Heathrow? (This is a Sunday in September). Thx!
#2



Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,057
Likes: 50
There is a regular express coach between the two airports. Five hours is fine to just take the coach/
If you do want a car service -- justairports.com will do it for £60-£70 cash price and about £10 more for credit card
. . . but assuming this is two different bookings, if your inbound flight is delayed you will be totally out of luck no matter the mode of transport.
If you do want a car service -- justairports.com will do it for £60-£70 cash price and about £10 more for credit card
. . . but assuming this is two different bookings, if your inbound flight is delayed you will be totally out of luck no matter the mode of transport.
#3

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,709
Likes: 1
Agree with janisj. I have done the transfer by National Express coach and see no need for a car. https://book.nationalexpress.com/coach/#/choose-journey No one can predict how long it will take for you to clear immigration and collect any checked bags, but it will probably be quicker than arriving three hours earlier. American Airlines once told me to allow four hours for the transfer but I have done it in considerably less.
#4

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 0
IIRC, if there are two or more in your party, you might as well book the car service to LGW as it would be much more comfortable than a coach.
We just went entered the UK through LHR a couple of times and used the e-gates both times. It worked a treat and was much, much, much quicker than waiting in line for an agent -- including the priority line. We got to the baggage claim before they even had assigned the carousel number. If everything is running roughly on time you should have more than enough time for the transfer.
We just went entered the UK through LHR a couple of times and used the e-gates both times. It worked a treat and was much, much, much quicker than waiting in line for an agent -- including the priority line. We got to the baggage claim before they even had assigned the carousel number. If everything is running roughly on time you should have more than enough time for the transfer.
Last edited by Trophywife007; Jul 26th, 2019 at 09:07 AM. Reason: Clarification
#7
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
The National Express coaches are more comfortable than buses, they have wifi,aircon and sufficiently comfortable seats, more suitable for longer journeys, although it's only one hour 20mins from LHR to LGW (unless there is traffic). I'd go with National Express for the airport transfer.
Trending Topics
#8
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
Really don’t think the buses are that bad although I would never consider them for most journeys, but LHR/ Gatwick is fine.
Regarding getting through passport control quickly. I find that unless there’s an unusually long wait at passport control, you wait at one end or the other. Getting through quickly means you’ll just wait on you luggage or a bit longer getting through passport control and your luggage is waiting for you when you get to the carousel.
Regarding getting through passport control quickly. I find that unless there’s an unusually long wait at passport control, you wait at one end or the other. Getting through quickly means you’ll just wait on you luggage or a bit longer getting through passport control and your luggage is waiting for you when you get to the carousel.
#9
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,666
Likes: 0
The National Express coaches are more comfortable than buses, they have wifi,aircon and sufficiently comfortable seats, more suitable for longer journeys, although it's only one hour 20mins from LHR to LGW (unless there is traffic). I'd go with National Express for the airport transfer.
Downsides: you have to wait but LHR to LGW is about every 20 minutes on average I believe. I believe that you also need to buy your ticket at the heathrow ticket centre rather than on the bus. A pain when you just went to get to the stop to avoid missing it. National Express is in the dark ages when it comes to customer experience (ticket buying, information availability for basics like a schedule, etc) but overall it's not at all unpleasant. kind of like a business class domestic flight.
#10

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,709
Likes: 1
I am admittedly biased against buses... detest and avoid them at pretty much all costs.
-- What buses have you ridden?
National Express is in the dark ages when it comes to customer experience (ticket buying, information availability for basics like a schedule, etc)
#11
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,666
Likes: 0
LHR isn't one place. But the point is that you need to get to the ticket desk rather than head straight to the bus stop which is well sign posted. If you're boarding at LHR Central Bus Station, this is less of an issue as it's right where you wait - not so with T4 and T5. But wherever you board, the customer service of the live agents is poor and the automated ticketing machines are bad too. It's just human nature that once you're ready to go, you don't want to be delayed buying tickets if you're in danger of missing your bus. It's not my job to design the customer experience but all I can say is that they can do much better. No problem. Nothing's perfect. I gave many positives along with my constructive criticism.
#15
Original Poster
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,741
Likes: 0
Thanks, all, for the input. I get sick on buses if I have to ride for more than an hour. It looks like this trip could feasibly be an hour and 20mts. I will try to take some dramamine 30 mts before we land. But I've decided we should go ahead and take the National Express, not knowing if we will arrive late or not. Thanks again!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FrancisFranco
Europe
9
Mar 5th, 2010 08:18 AM




