Getting From Gatwick Into London (Waterloo)

[Pauline]

For seat selection, if you can go online 24 hours ahead to select seats. I dislike their practice of payment for seat selection.

I have taken the Gatwick Express a few times. It is easy to find in the airport and runs frequently. There are cheaper options, but it isn't that expensive.

 

[artnbarb]

The Gatwick Express is great for getting to Victoria Station, but then I'd have to take the Tube (not sure of lines or how many transfers) to get to Waterloo, which is right across from where we're staying, so IMO, the 2 best choices are the EasyBus or the option Jonathan outlined about, taking the ThamesLink train. OR.....is the Gatwick Express/Tube the equivalent of the train/Tube, as far as cost and time? For some reason I'm thinking the train is cheaper.....does anyone know off the top of their head? I'll have to search again - I think I found info on the airport website.

 

[artnbarb]

Get off the Gatwick train at London Bridge, wait (at the same platform, I believe) for the next train to Charing Cross (very frequent) and take it, just one stop, to Waterloo East. This is a separate station from the big Waterloo - but is joined to it by a level walkway - only about 5 minutes walking.

If our ultimate destination is Belvedere Rd (behind the Eye, and on the other side of the street from Waterloo station), do we still want to walk to Waterloo EAST, or can we continue on to the 'main' Waterloo? Or should we take the Southern Train to Clapham Junction changing to Waterloo Station? If not, how do we proceed?

 

[Panda]

The Gatwick Express is the faster and more expensive way to get into the centre - but you don't need or want to go to or via Victoria ( especially in the rush hour) The ordinary Southern train, which has a couple of more stops but travels the same route, is cheaper and stops at Clapham Junction which is where you need to change for Waterloo Station ( the rail terminus, not the tube station and not Waterloo East) The trains from,Clapham Junction to Waterloo are very frequent. You then take the footbridge across the road ( signposted Shell Centre and Royal Festival Hall) from where Belvedere Road is a couple of minutes walk.

Waterloo is going to be busy at that time but it is not a confusing station. Turn left as you exit your platform, and walk to the far end where you enter the footbridge. (Do not veer off to the right and head off down the wide steps)

As I mentioned before, the Thameslink into London Bridge is usually a good route but renovation works are messing that up at the moment.

As for the easybus - you would be hitting London in rush hour , though going against the main flow of traffic. It drops you almost on your doorstep with no changes, though, and no luggage to manoeuvre. It is the simplest as long as you aren't very delayed getting onto to it or the next alternative.

 

[artnbarb]

I'll check back in right before we depart - if our host will not be home we'll need somewhere to stash our luggage, so maybe it makes more sense to take the train to Clapham/Waterloo. If, OTOH, she will be home, then the EasyBus might be simpler, even if we do run into traffic - as long as I don't have to pee!

 

[Panda]

Know what you mean about that consideration ! As you are going in the opposite direction from most of the traffic at that time if day, the problem would not be grinding to a halt much, just stop and start at the junctions once you are off the M23 motorway and on to the A23 - about half of the journey.

 

[artnbarb]

After reading all the replies and thinking about our situation, I think we'll just take the EasyBus - less hassle with luggage, no worries about stairs, or lifts/escalators that are out of service (this happens all the time in Italy!), and even if there is traffic at least we'll be comfortable!

Our flight will arrive at London Gatwick Terminal N at 2:30, and I believe the EasyBus leaves from the south terminal. How long do you think I should allow for luggage retrieval, customs, and getting from one terminal to the other? I'm guessing one hour minimum, and realize something can always go wrong, like a luggage delays or longer than average waits at the customs desk, but generally speaking, what time do you think I should book the EasyBus for?

 

[Pauline]

I usually leave 1 1/2 hours from when the flight arrives to when I book our bus or train. Add in another 15 minutes to change terminals I think (or I might be thinking of Heathrow where it is a vast distance between terminals 1 and 5).

 

[Panda]

There is a speedy little shuttle train that just takes a couple of minutes between North and South Terminals at Gatwick - they are very frequent. Gatwick, particularly in the summer months, can get very busy because it handles a lot of charter holiday traffic as well as the scheduled flights. Not such a business hub as Heathrow. Means there can be quieter spells then a rush of excited/overtired families and all their luggage clogging up the baggage halls ( I have been that mother.....).

 

[Pauline]

I think it was Heathrow between terminal 1 and 5 that I was thinking of. It is a long distance.

 

[artnbarb]

Thanks!