Getting from God's Own to Gatwick?

Thanks VC. Don't you just love London? (Hint: No).

So, the only viable train option is to go for the GEX with all the related hassle of getting from Victoria to Kings Cross. Or a four hour wait at LGW. Deep joy.

Tbh the wait at LGW might be the best option rather than struggle with luggage up and down stairs etc at various train and tube stations.

Four hours is a PITA but seems the least painful of the options. We found out recently that official minimum connection time from LGW to LHR is 3 hours (although the National Express bus is stated to only take an hour it still means collecting your bags and schlepping over on the bus or in a taxi). Trains on weekends and bank holidays can be a nightmare due to engineering works, and those cheap fares are only available if you book on a particular train. Miss it and you're in the same position as if connecting on different PNRs.

The Sofitel is really easy to get to and you have to go over to the north terminal anyway. If you're on time, that's half an hour gone. Have breakfast in the Sofitel rather than onboard, and then sit in the lounge for a bit with a coffee and newspapers - I bet Tizer nods off. And I'd head off for security at t-1 hour.

Faced with bad connecting times, luggage restrictions and/or high fares means I've got used to driving to LHR now when it makes sense.

But I've been to East Grinstead for a project I've been working on about four times now, and gave up trying to drive after the second time. It's only supposed to take an hour extra, but for me every time has been 5 hours plus.

I know you have another journey to do ex-MAN, but I don't think any of the other options will get you home sooner.

Regards
R3dV

Mark if you get the train please do not get the GEX. I am tempted to start a boycott of this overpriced service!! A much better, and often quieter option (out of rush hour) is the First Captial Connect service into LGW from London Bridge, and IIRC it actually runs all the way from Bedford or somewhere.

Yes its an older train and without dedicated luggage racks but is unbelievably cheap.

Mark if you get the train please do not get the GEX. I am tempted to start a boycott of this overpriced service!! A much better, and often quieter option (out of rush hour) is the First Captial Connect service into LGW from London Bridge, and IIRC it actually runs all the way from Bedford or somewhere.

Yes its an older train and without dedicated luggage racks but is unbelievably cheap.

Personally I love the GEX much nicer than the normal services IMO

Always been quiet in First, find I can relax on the GEX if going to London for the day from Sussex.

RedVee, have you been going in rush hour? 5 hours plus from where? EG to LHR norm takes an hour.

A much better, and often quieter option (out of rush hour) is the First Captial Connect service into LGW from London Bridge, and IIRC it actually runs all the way from Bedford or somewhere.

The problem is, as mentioned above, that it doesn't run all the way on weekends, you have to get off at London Bridge then get on the Northern Line up to Kings Cross St Pancras.

To be honest NH the getting on the tube bit isn't too bad - even with luggage & kids I'd say manageable and definitely better than 4 hours at LGW

Cheers
James

All this faffing around, save the grief and try this
):

RedVee, have you been going in rush hour? 5 hours plus from where? EG to LHR norm takes an hour.

A typical journey would be leaving East Grinstead at 1.30 p.m. arriving home in the north west 241 miles later at 6.30 p.m. Or leaving home at 9 a.m. and getting to EG at 2 p.m. Never managed it in just over 4 hours as Googlemaps suggests.

OTOH, home to LHR (200 miles) is supposed to take 3 hours 22 and I've always managed it in under 3 hours It seems to me to be the stretch between LHR and Gatwick that really makes the difference.

Regards
R3dV

To be honest NH the getting on the tube bit isn't too bad - even with luggage & kids I'd say manageable and definitely better than 4 hours at LGW

Cheers
James

Mark

If you are going to do the tube bit then my advice would be to do it from Victoria as compared to London Bridge - the bit between the train platform to tube platform is IMHO a lot easier at Victoria.

BTW book your train tickets via East Coast as there is no credit card surcharge like there is on the train line.

Mark

If you are going to do the tube bit then my advice would be to do it from Victoria as compared to London Bridge - the bit between the train platform to tube platform is IMHO a lot easier at Victoria.

BTW book your train tickets via East Coast as there is no credit card surcharge like there is on the train line.

:0 have you been to Victoria Tube station recently?!

:0 have you been to Victoria Tube station recently?!

Er yes (yesterday morning actually) but the family Mdvipond will be travelling to Kings X on a weekend so no crowd control like there is in the weekday evening peak.

Victoria - cross train concourse, down one flight of stairs through ticket barrier then escalator to platform

London Bridge - cross train concourse (assuming arrive plats 8-16) other wise down ramp, then for both down one escalator then ticket barrier then down another then a treck to the northern line platform.

I agree with you tontybear. LU gets an unfair bad press. It is cheap and quick and from Kings Cross incredibly easy to use

The only issues we have encountered are the unfriendly station assistants who think giving out advice is not on their job discription. So as as long as you dont need to encounter one of these muppets and plan your journey before you arrive (check there are no issues or work on tfl.com ) then it should work out for you mdvipond.

:0 have you been to Victoria Tube station recently?!

Er yes (yesterday morning actually) but the family Mdvipond will be travelling to Kings X on a weekend so no crowd control like there is in the weekday evening peak.

Victoria - cross train concourse, down one flight of stairs through ticket barrier then escalator to platform

London Bridge - cross train concourse (assuming arrive plats 8-16) other wise down ramp, then for both down one escalator then ticket barrier then down another then a treck to the northern line platform.

:0 have you been to Victoria Tube station recently?!

Er yes (yesterday morning actually) but the family Mdvipond will be travelling to Kings X on a weekend so no crowd control like there is in the weekday evening peak.

Victoria - cross train concourse, down one flight of stairs through ticket barrier then escalator to platform

London Bridge - cross train concourse (assuming arrive plats 8-16) other wise down ramp, then for both down one escalator then ticket barrier then down another then a treck to the northern line platform.

Sorry I think I sounded a bit rude there, didn't mean to be!
In my opinion Victoria is very busy at weekends with the escalator works,but as you said it isn't as far to walk as it is at London Bridge. I also prefer the northern line as it is much cooler than the vic.

The only issues we have encountered are the unfriendly station assistants who think giving out advice is not on their job discription. So as as long as you dont need to encounter one of these muppets and plan your journey before you arrive (check there are no issues or work on tfl.com ) then it should work out for you mdvipond.

Personally I think there are very few unfriendly Customer Services Assistants on LU, especially at the big stations, but then again I would have a very biased opinion...

personally i would go for the tube from Victoria but dont use the GEX use the southern trains service LGW-Victoria.
IIRC southern trains have a deal where if you buy your ticket in advance from them they will refund it if you dont use it.

link here

It's a reassuring reflection on our great capital's integrated transport system that it's oh so easy to get from one side of London to another. Think I'll stick it out for 4 hours at LGW...

It's a reassuring reflection on our great capital's integrated transport system that it's oh so easy to get from one side of London to another. Think I'll stick it out for 4 hours at LGW...

I would say it is easy, 10mins on one train from Victoria to Kings X. 30 mins from Gatwick (not in London) to Victoria isn't bad either.

[honey lamb]

It's a reassuring reflection on our great capital's integrated transport system that it's oh so easy to get from one side of London to another. Think I'll stick it out for 4 hours at LGW...

I would say it is easy, 10mins on one train from Victoria to Kings X. 30 mins from Gatwick (not in London) to Victoria isn't bad either.

Yeah, but when it's with a family and a mound of luggage it gets less easy

It's a reassuring reflection on our great capital's integrated transport system that it's oh so easy to get from one side of London to another. Think I'll stick it out for 4 hours at LGW...

Well once the Thameslink works are finished and the line is open at weekends again (closed nights and weekends for engineering until 2012) ) it will be much easier to get from LGW to St Pancras / Kings X.

tonty - killing 4 hours at LGW I can live with. Waiting until 2012 for a train to St Pancras might be pushing it.

I would say it is easy, 10mins on one train from Victoria to Kings X. 30 mins from Gatwick (not in London) to Victoria isn't bad either.

Yeah, but when it's with a family and a mound of luggage it gets less easy

True - Especially as you have to be able to keep everything with you at all times, hard with lots of luggage.

tonty - killing 4 hours at LGW I can live with. Waiting until 2012 for a train to St Pancras might be pushing it.

) ) )

Well I did suggest earlier that yo stay at LGW and fly home. Less hassel for you in lugging luggage and less chance for your good lady to loose her handbag !

tonty - killing 4 hours at LGW I can live with. Waiting until 2012 for a train to St Pancras might be pushing it.

) ) )

Well I did suggest earlier that yo stay at LGW and fly home. Less hassel for you in lugging luggage and less chance for your good lady to loose her handbag !

I'd forgotten all about the mislaid handbag until I followed HL's link to my old TR. Might have to remind Mrs V when I get home... ):

I'd forgotten all about the mislaid handbag until I followed HL's link to my old TR. Might have to remind Mrs V when I get home... ):

Didn't she also leave it (or passports etc) in the hotel safe in MAN? Or was that someone else?

Why do I remember stuff like that when I can't remember my mobile phone number 1/2 the time?

She did indeed leave all of our passports and tickets in the room safe. On the upside, I'm sure the early morning run back to the hotel room did her the power of good.