Gatwick to US waiting times

hi

I'm flying to the USA via Gatwick on 8 Sept with Northwest. Can anybody tell me how far in advance I really need to be there? They say 3 hours, but if I do that, my train ticket will very pricey since I'll have to travel at peak time.

thanks

ron

Professional speaking (travel agent here) yes the check in is 3 hours and with the way security is now that is pushing it as well!

thanks - and how long will it take to get through customs and collect baggage on the way back?

There is no definitive answer to that......depends on how long the line is in immigration and or if you have to declare anything for customs...baggage is how long it takes them to get it off the plane..

I would say about 2 hours..just to be sure.......

I just came in 2 days ago (UK>US) and I was 2hrs early...I made it ok.

I just did the Heathrow trek with my sis last week and we were 3 hours early and certainly didn't need to be.

I know what you are saying out a more expensive ticket during peak time. You really have to weigh up the variables... late trains (once I nearly missed a LGW flight because someone jumped in front of a train), missed connections, missed flight... all for the savings of £10 or so, depending where you are travelling from.

I'd check out the transit situation the morning of and night before and make my decision then.

Good luck.

I've been wondering about Gatwick myself.  I've always flown into Heathrow, but I found a cheaper flight to Gatwick for later in September.  Is it a large airport?  I hate flying into somewhere new and not knowing where to go when I get off the plane.

hey mekaw, Gatwick's pretty easy to navigate- it's big, but smaller than Heathrow so if you can navigate Heathrow, Gatwick should be a cinch.  Just follow the signs when you get off the plane- it's all pretty straightforward.

I agree with Andrea...Gatwick is easier to navigate than Heathrow.  Of course, I avoid London airports altogether these days and just fly right into Edinburgh!!! 

Thank you!  The first time I flew into Heathrow I was so overwhelmed, I almost cried.

Continental has a pretty good fare to Gatwick now, but I'm still a little hesitant to fly them. BF wasn't too keen on it earlier today. The fare isn't that cheap, but cheaper than flying VA into Heathrow which is what I usually do. I might be able to use miles which is a plus.

I've only flown out of Gatwick once, and I found it to be nicer than Heathrow in terms of size, navigation about and the waiting area.

I have also had too many near misses with regards to getting caught in traffic or other situations outside of my own control, so I tend to err on the side of giving myself that extra time for international flights.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip

Gatwick is a breeze and has good train connections into London.

American Airlines also has great fares through LGW. Continental does suck... I think that was the one with no in flight entertainment?? It was a loooong flight.

Virgin used to have a SFO-LGW flight.... oh how I long for that these days!!

virgin still has a LHR - SFO flight.  i have a credit on virgin and may use it up going to see my sis in SFO.

virgin still has a LHR - SFO flight. 

Yep, I am doing that flight in November  but I have to traipse across London from the SE. 

Hi, I have flown into Gatwick several times and believe me I am beyond "directionally challenged". I can't say how much time you'll need to allow yourself now with the new security measures, but can tell you that I haven't managed to get lost in that airport yet. And that is saying A LOT! 
Best of luck to you for a great trip!