Planning trip to London this Summer

What's the difference between the Gatwick express and a normal train? We've never been on a train, the older the better actually . Was it $75 for the both of us or each?

That weather sounds absolutely perfect!

As far as the tube goes, we're going to be there most of the month, and I'd guess we'd want to use it a lot wouldn't we? Or is the trolly and other means better for tourists and really getting the sites? If the tube is anything like the Subway in LA, we'd have a lot of fun just getting off at random stops.

What's the difference between the Gatwick express and a normal train? We've never been on a train, the older the better actually . Was it $75 for the both of us or each?

The Gatwick Express is an express train service from the airport into Central London (London Victoria station) - kind of like a shuttle service. However, while it is convenient, it can be quite a lot more expensive to travel on than a normal train service.

The ticket price was for both of you - the standard single far is £16.80 (about $34) per person or about £27 ($54) per person for a round trip, which to be honest, I find very expensive (a single fare on the normal train service could be as little at $18 each). In contrast, you could take a National Express coach (kind of like the Greyhound in the US) into London - it's an 85 minute journey, but is currently only $12 per person one way.

As far as the tube goes, we're going to be there most of the month, and I'd guess we'd want to use it a lot wouldn't we? Or is the trolly and other means better for tourists and really getting the sites? If the tube is anything like the Subway in LA, we'd have a lot of fun just getting off at random stops.

The tube is the easiest and usually quickest way to get around London because you don't have to deal with the traffic on the roads - however, there can be delays on the service and it gets very busy in rush hour time. I'd think of it as similar to the New York Subway. The stops are usually only a few minutes apart, so it's fairly easy to get around. I believe that you can buy tickets which allow you to use both the tube and the buses within Central London, so you could probably alternate transport modes if you wanted to.

Or is the trolly and other means better for tourists and really getting the sites?

Not sure what you mean by trolly / trolley?

City Airport is central and lovely but not relevant to you.  Because the runway is part built over the river it is only a short runway, and therefore only has the capacity for smaller planes.  Smaller planes take less fuel, ergo transatlantic flights cannot go there.  I suppose if you had a connection from Ireland then you might find yourself on a flight into City, but I doubt it.

I am probably going to repeat what others have said, but this is my feeling on the matter:

Heathrow is easy to get out of on the Heathrow Express, two normal mainline routes (one to Paddington, one to Waterloo) and the expensive Heathrow Express.  There is also the tube, but may want to consider the time you are landing if thinking of going this route, as getting the tube during rush hour after a long haul flight with big bags is NOT fun. 

Gatwick is, as others have said, a train, and I would say that it is not really worth paying the extra for the Gatwick Express - it doesn't really shave much off your travel time.

It might help if I knew where in London you are staying (sorry if you have already said) as this might make a difference. 

I am assuming that by 'trolley' you mean 'tram'....the best form of transport known to man!!!!  I LOVE trams!!!


Vicky (transport geek)

Can I PLEASE repeat my plea for you not to use the Tube as a tourist during peak travel times?  Please?  Pretty Please?  With a cherry on top??   

I am assuming that by 'trolley' you mean 'tram'....the best form of transport known to man!!!!  I LOVE trams!!!

There are no trams in London that I know of... unless he is going to Croydon!

The Croydon trams are 'in London', in that they are run by Transport for London and part of the London Transport system.

Vicky

Or is the trolly and other means better for tourists and really getting the sites?

From this, I assumed that by "trolly" Gattaca means the various tourist buses.

The Croydon trams are 'in London', in that they are run by Transport for London and part of the London Transport system.

Vicky

Not very many people I know mean London when they say Croydon.

The Tramlink that serves Croydon stretches from Wimbledon to Beckenham Junction.

Good point Peedal

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/Tram-system-map.pdf

and is defined by Tfl as 'South East London'.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/south-east-london-bus-map.pdf

I think to suggest that the tram system is outwith London may confuse a newcomer to London who may then have the misapprehension that her London-wide Oyster/Travelcard would not be valid there.  Which it obviously is.

Further to this, Croydon is a London Borough

http://www.croydon.gov.uk/

But if it is just the Mayor of London, the London Assembly, and Transport for London who think that Croydon is in London, I guess that doesn't really count for much.


Vicky

My father-in-law comes from Croydon, and we all most definitely consider him a Londoner!

If I had come all that way to spend a month in London, I don't think I'd want to waste it traipsing down to Croydon for the sake of a tram. I think the OP means the bus system.  As for whether it's in London or not, I always think of it as "Croydon, Surrey" not "Croydon, London" but thankfully, to date,  I have had no reason to become an expert on its municipal status.

If I had come all that way to spend a month in London, I don't think I'd want to waste it traipsing down to Croydon for the sake of a tram. I think the OP means the bus system. 

Not to mention that I've seen the sights from the Croydon Tramlink (well, from East Croydon to Wimbledon, anyway) and they're not much to write home about! 

Not to mention that I've seen the sights from the Croydon Tramlink (well, from East Croydon to Wimbledon, anyway) and they're not much to write home about! 

I bet!!