Need Gatwick info please

Courtney, I flew out of Gatwick to Houston this past Thursday, and even with the 'slightly' relaxed security, it was still a nightmare.

I got there 3 hours before my flight, and am an elite frequent flyer, meaning I don't have to wait in the long line to check my luggage. Even with that to help my wait time, I still waited in the queue to get thru security that took about an hour an a half. Alot of people were missing their flights. I mean alot. It was a real mess. This was on Thursday, which I would have thought would have been less busy. The queue wrapped around the airport, like a ride at Disneyworld. I got thru it, just as my flight was to start boarding. Luckily tho, my flight was delayed an hour due to an engine problem.

Just wanted to give you a heads up, we were really shocked.

Have a great time visiting your family

Thanks for all the tips!

I was planning on doing the parking till my friend offered to drop me. He might actually be able to pick me up as well but he travels to Edinborough a lot for work so there is a chance he will be up North. I did book a cab to meet me at arrivals for £54. If I don't end up needing it, I can cancel it in advance.

Heathrow will always be my first choice since I (seem to) live on the runway, but the fare sale out of Gatwick was too good to pass up. Even with the added expense of parking or a cab.

Tebs, thanks for the update. I think we are planning on being at the airport by 7:30 but maybe I will push our leaving back an additional half hour. I have no idea how the traffic on the M25 will be early on a Friday morning. You would think 3.5 hours *should* be enough. 

I think some of the delay was a result of the "new" measures in place for x-raying your quart, pint, whatever ziploc baggie

Yeah, you would think that was what the long line was due to wouldn't you? But once I got up to the front, it just zipped right along. Very strange. I had to remove my laptop,  and place it in a tray, along with the baggie of lip gloss, and my insulin. But everything else just zoomed right thru the x-ray thingie. Oh, we did have to remove our shoes as well, so that could be part of the reason. Wear shoes you can slip in and out of easily.

I'm flying into Gatwick Thursday (and out again Tuesday after next) - so this is an interesting thread for me.

Don't mind if I hijack a bit, do you Courtney

Is the Gatwick Express really the best way to get to and from there? I mean, if I can't afford a cab. I should just have one bag (which I'll be wearing on my back) and another small-ish camera rucksack that I'll be carrying by a handle on the top, so I shouldn't be struggling with a ton of luggage. If I take the Gatwick Express, should I try to purchase my ticket ahead of time?

tebs, I'm a bit worried about my outbound flight now!

Hijack away! It's all good info for the next person who needs it I'd like to think.

Gatwick express is just a faster, direct train to Victoria Station. It's also more expensive because of this. It may or may not be worth the extra expense to you. I am not entirely certain how much time you save on it actually.

If I was traveling (personally) with less luggage, I'd take the regular train unless there was a compelling reason to use the faster one.

I'm sure others may chime in too. Have a great time Amanda!

Amanda, where do you live?  It may not be worth going all the way into Victoria then out again.  I seem to remember Courtney, for example, lives somewhere where she can easily get a local train to Gatwick with only one change (not a stalker, Courtney, just a train geek with a good memory!) and the same may be true for you.

Vicky

Vicky, when I arrive from Memphis, I'll be staying in a hostel near the British Museum. The directions the hostel gave me said "Take the Gatwick Express train to Victoria Station. Change to the Underground system where you catch the northbound Victoria Line (light blue) to Green Park Station and change to the northbound Piccadilly Line (dark blue) to Russell Square."

That is probably the quickest route, yes.  Your alternative is to get a local train from Gatwick to Victoria, which may take longer but may be a little cheaper.

Vicky

And you don't have to purchase your ticket on the Gatwick Express ahead of time. you can actually purchase it while you are on board the train.  They will come around and check tickets, or you can purchase one from the guy then.  But if you don't want to do that, there is a ticket machine or information desk you can buy the tickets from before you board.

I am ALL FOR the Gatwick Express... I made the error of taking a regular train from King's X to Gatwick last time - YUCK - nasty train AND TOOK FOR...EV...ER.
Gatwick Express coming home was lovely.  I wouldn't go any other way.
(is the price difference a lot?)

I think its £5 more. Which is not a lot to some and a lot to others.

Amanda,

As a former backpacker to London, here is my suggestion...

Buy a day off peak (after 9:30am) travelcard for £10. This includes your travel on Southern train into Victoria Station. You are on holiday, so no rush to get there and you can enjoy the passing scenery if it is still daytime. This card can also be used for the tubes and buses which will save you money.

Gatwick Express and Southern (as do First Capitol Connect and South Eastern) arrive at the same station.

So here is what you need to do once you arrive!

1. Use the loo, they are free 
2. Withdraw money if you haven't exchanged money in advance. There are loads of cash machines and exchange desks all over.
3. Find out what terminal you are in- North or South
4. The train station is in the South terminal which is just an connection away from the North... signs are EVERYWHERE... and people speak English
5. Before you go to the platforms downstairs, buy your tickets... there are machines and the line is tucked away in a corner... I always forget to get my ticket and end up having to walk back up.
6. Buy the day travelcard to London.
7. You can also buy other travelcards for the days you will be in London, up to 7 days in advance... so if you know you will be around for the weekend you can get a 2-3 day card (no cost savings, but all on one card)

Good luck! You will be FINE and a pro by the end of it! 

http://www.gatwickairport.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=c46f206972d62010VgnVCM100000147e120a____&CtID=448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____&Ct=B2C_CT_GENERAL&RootCh=Getting%20to%20or%20from%20our%20Airport&Ch=National+Rail&ChID=233b206972d62010VgnVCM100000147e120a____&ChPath=LGW%5ETo+and+from+our+Airport%5EBy+Train+or+Bus%5ENational+Rail&ChIDPath=d4f597dc2eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____%5E47f697dc2eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____%5E059a206972d62010VgnVCM100000147e120a____%5E233b206972d62010VgnVCM100000147e120a____

This may be handy for you too.

Thanks SO much, Olive Oyl. That's extremely helpful information about the train.

I need to start a thread about the other few last things that are worrying me! (or that are causing my dear ole dad to worry me  )