Get me to Gatwick!

I was looking for internal flights from Leeds or Humberside to Gatwick. The only ones I have found cost far too much. At least £130 per person, and I don't even know if it was a return ticket. Plus, we'd have to change planes out of the country. I really don't want to drive. I don't like the idea of Jamie driving 5 hours before and after a 7 hour flight. He said he's ok driving, but I want this holiday to be as relaxing as possible. So the train is really our last option. How easy is it traveling on the train with all of your things? We'll each have a normal sized suitcase and I'll have a carry on. I don't suspect it'll be difficult, but I've never been on a train with the amount that we'll have..

Oh yea, I forgot. Which train service can get me from Hull to Gatwick without changing loads of trains?

sorry can't help with how to get to Gatwick... just offer some things to think about when considering the train.

Stairs... are there elevators?
Porters... are you leaving from a big station? is there the possibility for porters or carts?
Luggage... does it have wheels? is it cumbersome?

once on the train it is cake. I can check this weekend if Gatwick has trolleys upon arrival. I know you can't take a trolley down to the train from the airport unless you have a porter though.

I had to do this solo from Heathrow to my house... via a bus, taxi, train and taxi. I vowed never to do it again, but your situation may be more manageable.

Actually train travel (aside from rush hour) is great! I prefer the train to flying because flying brings a lot of hassles.

My husband and I have done long haul train journeys in the UK with no problem (and with a lot of luggage)...its actually relaxing once you get settled! Hopefully you won't have a lot of transfers.  Check out TheTrainline.com for available routes. Example we went direct from Reading to Leeds (and back)...it was painless. Maybe you can find a train from Leeds to Reading with a transfer at Reading to Gatwick. Reading is a great connection point, a lot of availability and an easy station to navigate through. Who knows, there may be a train straight through.

PS - Try to avoid trains that route through London because most likely there will be a tube journey as well.

PS - Try to avoid trains that route through London because most likely there will be a tube journey as well.

oh right.... but can you avoid it? I think trains from that part of the country enter Paddington and to get to Gatwick you go via Victoria. Which is easily done by taxi as opposed to lugging to through the tube.

We had an option to get to Leeds directly from Reading via the Oxford route (direct) or go into London which meant to Paddington and then the tube to a train station (I think Victoria) and then onto Leeds. (Hands down it was the Oxford route).  If you are coming from Leeds or say Manchester (I've taken from both), you can get to Reading without changing and avoid London. Once in Reading, you can get to Gatwick easily because there are frequent trains heading that way. I know that because my manager often takes the train from Reading to Gatwick.

oh right.... but can you avoid it? I think trains from that part of the country enter Paddington and to get to Gatwick you go via Victoria. Which is easily done by taxi as opposed to lugging to through the tube.

Yes, if you're traveling from Paddington to one of the other stations, definitely go by taxi rather than on the tube. Luggage and the tube do not go together!! Trains from where I live enter Paddington, and if I need to get to Waterloo (for the Eurostar) I always take a taxi. It's so much easier and less stressful.

As for train travel, I'm a huge proponent!! I always take the train down to visit my bf -- about an 8-hour trip in all. I always have a biggish suitcase as well as a carry-on. No problems at all. The trip involves two changes, but they're both easy -- there are always lifts at stations, even some of the smaller ones. Although, often at the smaller ones, you don't need to go "up and over." I've also taken trains to visit friends in London and that's easy as anything as well. If you have to connect in Reading, it's a breeze. And in all the time I've been doing it, I've never had a train that was late, I've never missed a connection, etc. I love the train! It's relaxing and way way way less expensive than driving!

both trainline and www.qjump.com are good for booking trains. I always use qjump and get excellent deals -- try and book approximately three weeks before you need to travel. That seems to be the magic number.

Did I mention that I love the train!!?

your qjump link didn't work! its under construction.

I think the train from Leeds comes in Euston.  If so, you can basically walk to Kings Cross Thameslink station and take the Thameslink down to Gatwick or take a taxi to Victoria and get on the Gatwick Express.

your qjump link didn't work! its under construction.

Oooops! It's www.qjump.co.uk. My mistake!

Did I mention that I love the train!!?

Me too, its soo relaxing to me! When I used to travel to Manchester a lot for work, my American boss (at the time) could never understand why I wanted to take the train vs fly. To me I would rather jump on a train than have to get to Heathrow and go through all of the hassle. It was 3 hrs by train direct and the door to door flying (with taxi from Reading, advance arrival for check in and waiting) was at least 3-4 hrs with hassle. No decision there!  

My favorite part is stocking up on newspapers for the journey! Love UK newspapers!  

I think the train from Leeds comes in Euston. 

Yes, that's correct...forgot since we opted not to go that way.

Could you possibly switch your flight in/out of Manchester? I'm not far from you and I use Manchester for my commute.  I get on the train at Cleethorpes and it's direct (no changes) to Manchester airport. So much easier than going all the way to Gatwick. I think you can go from Hull to Manchester Picadilly and then just change to the airport train. Transpennine express is the one that goes there.

If you can get a train to Bradford or Luton, then you can get the Gatwick Express which goes straight to Gatwick.  Easy peasy.

If you can get a train to Bradford or Luton, then you can get the Gatwick Express which goes straight to Gatwick.  Easy peasy.

I think you mean Bedford.  That is the Thameslink service, not the Gatwick Express which only leaves from Victoria.

I second atlcollie's advice.  Going from Hull to Gatwick is kinda on the long side, IMO.  Being up here, we fly in/out of Manchester...taking a Leeds to Manchester Airport train is a breeze, especially if you get a direct one.  We have towed quite a bit of luggage back & forth this way before.