How long would it take to get form Heathrow to Gattwick on public transport, middle of the day?

Answer 1

Heathrow and Gatwick are about 30 miles apart -- but for such a small distance, you really need to allow quite a lot of time to get between them, especially if you're trying to catch another flight (which I assume you are.) Bottom line: give yourself plenty of time -- the journey times I'm going to list below should be taken with a huge grain of salt. Depending on a variety of factors -- traffic, long lines, waiting around -- it may well take you a lot longer. Don't, in any circumstances, think you can cut it too close!

Probably the easiest, one-step, no-hassle way to get from Heathrow to Gatwick is to take the National Express Airports bus service, which departs from Heathrow (and isn't actually public transport; it's a private bus company.) If you haven't ordered your ticket online (more on that in a minute), you can buy it from the check-in lounge near the pick-up point in the terminal -- there should be a fairly obvious sign when you arrive. It will cost you 19 pounds (about USD$38) for a one-way ticket (half price for kids ages 3-15). If, however, you happen to be a transferring British Airways passenger, you can get a slight discount by showing your boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation (it'll be 17 pounds, or USD$34.)

You can save time if you want by ordering your ticket online (I've provided a link below) -- it'll be delivered to your email inbox, and all you have to do is print it out at home and bring it with you. There are about 100 services a day each way, so you should be able to find a time that works for you -- you must stipulate a specific transfer time in order to reserve your seat. If your flight coming into Heathrow end ups being late (or early), you will more than likely be able to catch the next available bus, but your seat isn't reserved. The journey is supposed to take an hour and fifteen minutes, but you should certainly count on it taking a little longer -- you never know about traffic or roadworks. Giving yourself two hours would probably work to your advantage.

Alternatively, if you really DO want to use public transport. you can do the journey via tube and train (though honestly it's a bit more complicated, and you probably won't feel like dragging your luggage all over London. You also won't really save any money -- or any time.) If you want to try it though, take the tube from Heathrow to Victoria -- you'll need to get on the Piccadilly Line and change at Earl's Court or South Kensington to the District line, getting off at Victoria. I'd allow an hour at the minimum for this journey; it'll cost you 4 pounds (about USD$8.) You'll come up out of the tube station and into Victoria station, where you can buy a train ticket to Gatwick for around 15 pounds (about USD$30) on the Gatwick Express, which leaves every 15 minutes and takes about half an hour. (You can save a little bit of money by taking a regular train, rather than the Gatwick Express -- it'll run you around 9 pounds or USD$18) but it'll take longer and won't leave so frequently. If you have tons of time, however, and you're really pinching pennies, it could be an option.

If all this sounds like too much, you can pre-book a taxi from Heathrow to Gatwick for 69 pounds (USD$137) for three people (that's about $45 each -- it might be worth the extra few bucks to escape the hassle. Remember, however, to leave time for traffic and roadworks.) If there are six or more adults in your party, it might actually be a good idea to pre-book a shuttle for 115 pounds (USD$229. It'll run you USD$38 a person, the same price as taking the National Express. I've included links below.

Hope this is helpful -- good luck, and have a fabulous trip!

Answer 2

I choose to use public transport. All in all it's much cheaper than paying all the costs which are involved in the running of a car; petrol, parking, insurance, road tax and maintenance. Often when buses are late it's because of traffic. I think that too many people drive with just one person in their car. The number of cars on the road would be so much less if people just car shared. Public transport does need a lot of improvement. If the demand was greater perhaps things would improve at a faster pace.

Answer 3

By public transport, the quickest route (and also most expensive !) is probably the non-stop Heathrow Express train to Paddington (about 20 minutes), then tube to Victoria (about 30 minutes), then Gatwick Express train to Gatwick (about 35 minutes).

So, assuming there are absolutely no delays,and everything runs on time , and you make your connections...it takes about an hour and a half. But you'll turn up at Gatwick a sweaty, breathless, nervous wreck!

Answer 4

I don't think the National Express is public transport, but try the journey planner at http://tfl.gov.uk/

It says about an hour and an half

Answer 5

1 hour 15 minutes by National Express coach will be the quickest, easiest and cheapest route

http://www.nationalexpress.com

Answer 6

on the picadlly if there isn't a lot of construction probaly about 30-45 minutes top