You might repost with Gatwick in the title, if you want anyone to respond.

"Also how difficult will it be to get out of Gatwick at this hour??"

Not at all difficult. Just buy the train tix and board the train. easy peasy.

"I am trying to get price for Gatwick to St Pan using First Cap - but no luck - "

Try entering London St Pancras (not just 'St Pancras').

"do we do then buy travelcard or 7day Oyster?? " If you have the R-T train tix from LGW, then you just need an Oyster for the rest of your travel w/i London.

"We are planning a visit to Cranbrook - will be using tube, bus and of course walking...."

If you mean Cranbrook in Kent - nothing to do w/ the tube. It is far south of London. You'd take the train to Royal Tunbridge Wells and then a local bus or taxi from there

You don't need to take the gatwick express - you can get direct trains from gatwick to st pancras on first capital connect check on www.nationalrail.co.uk unless there are engineering works the day you arrive. These tickets will get you 2for1 access if you get a return ticket.

"you can get direct trains from gatwick to st pancras on first capital connect check on www.nationalrail.co.uk unless there are engineering works the day you arrive."

Just be sure to use 'London St Pancras' - which is how it is listed on the National Rail site.

thanks everyone! I do appreciate it.

GOODNESS!! I have been looking on http://nationalrail.co.uk/ for our train tickets - yes janisj me and transportation again!! There will be five in our group and I thought I saw where having five in the group we could take advatange of the groupsave ( I am pretty sure we will when we go to Cranbrook) but when when I do search it showing gatwick express - not that I have a problem with that but I thought Gatwick Express was more expensive.....

we arrive at Gatwick 6:20 am - I have been looking at trains leaving around 8 am - and we will return March 19 and I want to be there around 7 am - giving two and half hours before our plane leaves -

St Pancras was the original plan so we could hit Platform 93/4 but rethinking Victoria will be bette bet - closer, shorter time dragging luggage and we meet our greeter at the flat at 9 am

Again help is appreicated!!

what do you want to know?

There are other (cheaper) trains to Victoria besides the Express.

here is the link re groupsave http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/railcards-discounts/group-discounts.html

The cheaper trains are on Southern and that company is included in the groupsave. However - it is only good for off peak travel. 8AM on a weekday wouldn't qualify. (8AM on a weekend would.)

Yes the time is what I thought was the issue - how early is offpeak?? If I am reading it correctly with the Groupsave on Gatwick EXpress tickets would be $34 pp for the five of us. Southern even without the groupsave would be $39 and First Capital is the most expensive. Still not bad for roundtrip!!

around 9:30AM starts off peak - but it can vary a bit.

For a big savings it might be worth hanging around the airport, have b'fast and delay the trip into town during off peak.

I have to meet our greeter at the flat at 9:00 (they do give some time) so that wont work plus I have too much planned to sit around a wait! I just didnt want to miss out on a cheaper fare if I could - again thanks so much!!!!

then you'll just have to pay the regular fares.

But a couple of things to think about . . . The rep very likely could meet you later.

and - >>plus I have too much planned to sit around a wait!<< - it may not be a great idea to over fill/over schedule your first day. Jetlag can be a bear . . .

I already asked them to move it back from 8:30 so hate to do that - I did consider jetlag - so March 14 IS less than the other days! But thanks for the reminder. Planning to be outside and moving - hydrating and staying up til a usual bedtime - early bedtime but close to one!!


Did I tell everyone our Ceremony of the Keys tickets have come in too??

oh -that's great.

Be sure to be there on time. A little early is good for peace of mind, but no need to be there more than say ten minutes ahead. You will be standing outside a gate until precisely 9:30, when they take the tickets and admit you. They say 'precisely 9:30' and mean it.