mr_texas

What is the most practical/economical means of transportation from Gatwick? How long does it take?

ben_haines_london

From Gatwick to which part of London ? This will affect my reply

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mr_texas

Actually, I haven't decided where I'm staying....just now getting around to booking my flight. I was under the assumption that there were only 2 or 3 options. I am considering the Bloomsbury or Kensington area for lodging if that helps.

janis

It does make a difference. Also making a difference is exactly where your hotel is, how much luggage you are carrying, and how many are traveling together.

the basic options are:

Gatwick Express (or a slightly slower local train) to Victoria station. From there a cab or the tube to kensington.

If you are near Bloomsbury, take the Thameslink train to kings Cross and then a cab or the tube to your hotel.

If there are 3 or more traveling together it is cost effective to take a car service from LGW right to the hotel. They charge a flat rate so it is cheaper than 3 train tickets plus the cab or tube.

if you have a LOT of luggage the tube can be a real hassle and a car service makes sense even for 1 or 2 even tho' it would be more expensive.

So after you know where you are staying we can give you the best advice.

mr_texas

Okay, I'll post again once I book my hotel. Thanks.

ben_haines_london

For Bloomsbury, Thameslink trains run every quarter hour straight to Kings Cross Thameslink. Step on the platform, find the sign fir the Underground, drop a short flight of stairs, walk under the railway lines, at the news kiosk turn right, go straight up by escalator to street level, go through the glass door, and you are at a bus stop. Take a bus one stop to St Pancras station, then a taxi to your hotel. You can cross the roads at Kings Cross Thameslink and take a taxi from there, but with luggage that is awkward.

For Kensington Connex trains leave Gatwick at 0552, 0937 and hourly, but not Sundays, and take 35 minutes to Kensington Olympia. There you walk along the platform to the District Line, and take a train to Kensington High Street. For South Kensington the same, but at Earls Court you leave your train from Olympia and take a train from the same platform to South Kensington or Gloucester Road. At other times Connex trains run often to Victoria, from the roof of which there are taxis. To increase your fare by a pound you can take the Gatwick Express. If luggage is light you can take an underground train from Victoria to Kensington, South Kensington or Gloucester Road.

Please write if I can help further. Welcome to London.

ben.haines@:btinternet.com