Off-Topic: Gatwick/Heathrow connection

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Eric the Viking
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Off-Topic: Gatwick/Heathrow connection

Post by Eric the Viking »

I have a friend planning a trip from the U.S. to (continental) Europe. By far the cheapest flight itinerary we've between able to find is one that involves arriving at one of the above airports and departing from the other 3 hours later. What kinds of transportation are available between the 2 airports, how expensive/reliable/confortable/convenient are they?

Thanks for any advice!
Shirow
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Post by Shirow »

There are 3 choices.

A coach from one airport to another - that should take 1hr 10 mins acccording to the website but that could be more depending on date and time of day. £17 according to the website on a weekday.
http://www.nationalexpress.com/nxairport/home.cfm

The alternative would be get the Gatwick express into London Victoria (£12, 30mins) then the tube to Paddington (£1 i think, about 25mins) then the Heathrow express (£15, 15mins) or the reverse of course.
Bear in mind walking around stations and up and down stairs and waiting for trains will add on some time.

http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/X ... anguage=en
http://www.gatwickexpress.com/
http://www.heathrowexpress.com/

It's doable but if the flight lands late and the journey takes up to 2 hours things could get nervous.
Last and most expensive is a taxi but i would expect that to cost £60-£80 but it should take less than an hour.
Matchfixer
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Post by Matchfixer »

If you book a taxi days in advance it should be around £30 - £35 I think.
Eric the Viking
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Post by Eric the Viking »

Thanks for the helpful info. In this case we found an alternative not involving a transfer between airports for around $200 more, and the extra expense seemed worth the peace of mind and lower stress.
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