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-   -   Transfer Times Between Countries...Take 2 (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/transfer-times-between-countries-take-2-a-976320/)

jmkay Apr 30th, 2013 06:10 AM

Transfer Times Between Countries...Take 2
 
I'm trying to figure out the best/quickest way to get from Wengen, Switzerland to Marazion, UK (near Penzance). I'll probably leave Wengen the evening before I'm to be in Marazion and spend the night in Geneva. The following morning, there is a 7am flight out of Geneva, arriving in London (LGW) at 7:30am. There is a 9:05am flight from LGW to Newquay. From Newquay I can probably get a ride to Marazion.

First...can I make that connection at Gatwick? I have 1 1/2 hours to get my luggage, go through customs and check back in for the 9am flight to Newquay.

Second...I feel like I've wracked my brain and keyboard trying to figure this out. Any other ideas? Taking the train requires me to get to Paddington Station, so if I fly into any London airport, I need to get into the city to get back out to Penzance (a 5-6 hr train ride). Flying into Newquay seems like the best option, but I may be missing something. Oh, we've also flown into Bristol and driven down to Penzance (3 hours), but being from the U.S., driving on the left for that quick trip added so much stress (albeit the source of a few funny stories).

Any suggestions or experience with customs at Gatwick would be much appreciated.
Thank you!

Havana128 Apr 30th, 2013 06:29 AM

Can't you fly to Bristol and take the train to Penzance via Plymouth from Bristol Parkway?

jmkay Apr 30th, 2013 06:46 AM

That's a good option, Havana. If I can get to Bristol early early, I can catch the 8:30am bus to Temple Meads and the 9:13 direct train to Penzance. Thank you!

Cathinjoetown Apr 30th, 2013 06:50 AM

Did you check Flybe, Geneva to Exeter?

jmkay Apr 30th, 2013 06:56 AM

Hi Cath...I just checked and the flight is really expensive with one connection making it an over 7 hour flight. Thank you for the idea, though.

Havana128 Apr 30th, 2013 06:56 AM

<That's a good option, Havana. If I can get to Bristol early early, I can catch the 8:30am bus to Temple Meads and the 9:13 direct train to Penzance>

DI am doing Temple Meads to Bristol Airport on Friday - You might be a little tight on time in the middle of the rush hour though

jmkay Apr 30th, 2013 07:04 AM

Good point, Havana. I just checked the national rail website and they presented that bus/train option. I could always catch the next train but it isn't direct.

flanneruk Apr 30th, 2013 07:34 AM

You don't have to go back into London.

From a Heathrow flight, get the bus to Reading or from a Gatwick flight, the train to Reading: in both cases catching the Paddington train half an hour after it leaves London. From a Birmingham flight, train to New St, then change.

All far more frequent than the flights to Newquay (so no gambling with how long at immigration or stacked overhead): all single connections to Penzance

jmkay Apr 30th, 2013 07:42 AM

Thank you, flanner. I see what you are talking about on the rail website. A couple of weeks ago I was considering flying into London City Airport and someone on the forum mentioned that the only trains to Penzance from London originated from Paddington...but if I can get to Reading, I can avoid going back into the city. Thank you!


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