college_travelers

Continental decided to take away two of their flights from EWR to LGW. My flight was scheduled to leave EWR at 8:30 P.M. and arrive into LGW at 8:30 A.M. I am now departing EWR at 6:15 P.M. and arrive into LGW at 6:15 A.M. My friends are arriving into LGW at 9:00 A.M.

I called the hotel and the guy wasn't much help. He said that I could check in only at 2:00 P.M., but I could put my bags in the fax room. So, should I wait for three hours at LGW for my friends, or go to the hotel, drop my bags off, and walk around the city until they arrive?

elberko

Sit at the airport for 3 hours or walk around Paris...hmmm, that's a tough question.

ira

Hi traveler,

I suggest you have your friends meet you at the hotel. Better to see some of London while waiting than sitting around the airport.

indytravel

I'd wait and decide at the last minute. What if your flight is 1.5 hours late and theirs is 1 hour early?

Christina

There is no way you could pay me to hang around an airport AFTER my plane arrived for three hours.

richardab

Go to the hotel. Plan to meet them there later in the day. Have a walk, get something to eat, shop, etc.

Don't wait at the airport. Dull. Uncomfortable. Bad Food. Crazy People.

HowardR

It's a no-brainer. Leave the airport and get to the hotel and get the advance preview before your companions arrive.

janis

Both planes could land late - or early for that matter. So there is no reason to wait at the airport. Hotels usually say you can't check in early because they can't guarantee your room will be ready. But when you get there your room might be ready and you can check in afterall. If not, just leave your bags and take a walk or doo something else near the hotel.

Arrange to meet up with your friends at the hotel several hours after their ETA. That would give both of you "wiggle room"

Deborah

Did you request "early check-in if available" at your hotel? Although most places says check-in isn't until 2 or 3, most will accommodate you if there is a room ready before that time. I would go into town, check status on room and if it's not ready, go out for a late breakfast/early lunch and do a little sight seeing. Enjoy your holiday.

bajaflash

I believe LGW is London, so it would be hard to walk around Paris while you wait for your friends.

elaine

Hi
I say don't waste more time at the airport. Go into London, either taxi all the way, or else Gatwick Express to Victoria Station, and cab or walk or Tube from there.
Say hi to your hotel front desk, smile and tell them how tired you are, ask when the room might be ready.
Then ask for a suggestion for a great place to have breakfast (unless your hotel offers it as included.)Leave a message for your friends that you'll be back about ___pm (when room should be ready.)
Have some breakfast, thumb through your guidebook, find one short activity you'd like to do that's within walking distance, or short distance by Tube. Go do it.

beachcomber

Instead of using airport codes, why not simply say you are flying from Newark to London Gatwick? Many readers of this forum are not familiar with airport codes (Sorry, but this is one of my pet peeves).

Anyway, in answer to your question, I would head straight for the hotel after the flight. I have never had to wait until the official check-in time when I arrived early at my hotel. The longest I ever waited was two hours. Many times I have been given a room immediately. There'a good chance you will be already checked in by the time your friends arrive.

littletraveler

Yes yes, get out of that airport and start LIVING your vacation!! I agree with the others, most times when I have wanted to check in early, there was a room available. But, if not, just stash your bags, wash your face and brush your teeth, run a comb through your hair and get out there and ENJOY! Seeing London in the early morning when its just "waking up" is terrific!

Daisy2222

I had this happen to me last summer. I waited at the airport. I didn't know my way around so I chose to stay and wait for my friend. I didn't mind because I like to people watch and an airport is a great place to do that.