How to Transfer from Heathrow to Gatwick Airport
For Cheap US-Europe Air Travel, Use Low Cost Carriers from Gatwick
Oct 23, 2009
The holidays are ahead, and Europe beckons. It's hard to find a good, old-fashioned bargain airfare. How can US-based budget travelers save money on a trip to France or Italy? One way to trim costs is by flying the big name brand airlines to London for just the transatlantic portion of the trip, and then hopping onto a cheaper, regional carrier for the European leg. London Gatwick Airport is a hub for often wildly cheap flights.
London Gatwick is located 28 miles south of London. Expect a busy scene; it's the UK’s second largest airport, serving over 32 million passengers traveling to over 200 destinations in 90 countries. Many of its carriers are low-cost regional airlines that fly to both major destinations, such as Amsterdam and Madrid, but also to hundreds of smaller cities throughout Europe.
And here's where the budget traveler planning comes in: Smaller European cities are often impossible to reach non-stop from the US. So, for example, it can be cheaper to fly to London, and then to Toulouse on a regional carrier, than to fly to Paris on Air France, and then switch to the Air France route from Paris to Toulouse.
See the London Gatwick Airport Web site for a full list of airline carriers and their destinations.
Airport Transfer: Getting from Heathrow to London Gatwick Airport (and Gatwick to Heathrow)
Airport transfer buses make the Heathrow-Gatwick loop frequently. It's helpful to book ahead, as the buses have limited space. It's essential to book in advance during Christmas season.
Tips on transferring from Heathrow to Gatwick airports (and vice versa):
- How to book: Book online at National Express.
- Where to find the buses: At Heathrow's North and South Terminals.
- Travel time for Heathrow to Gatwick (or back): Allow one hour and a half for the trip between airports
- Price: £8 per person, one way.
- Family rates: Cheaper rates apply for families; see the National Express Web site.
- Time between flights: Leave two and a half hours, minimum, from getting on the bus at Heathrow until the flight departing Gatwick. (Baggage claim time not included.)
- Flight Check-in Times: International flights departing Heathrow will require longer advance check in times than European flights departing Gatwick. Check the carrier.
If one's incoming flight is late, National Express will try to accommodate. There are no guarantees.
Accessibility and Luggage for the Heathrow-Gatwick Airport Transfer
Upon arrival from the US to Heathrow Airport, the luggage won't be checked through to Gatwick. Passengers have to collect it at baggage claim, go through customs (and passport control) at Heathrow, and then check in again for the subsequent flight departing from London Gatwick Airport. The same holds true on the return trip.
- Wheelchairs: National Express buses are not wheelchair-accessible, but if a passenger can walk up the bus stairs, the drivers will assist with the wheelchair.
- Luggage: National Express has a per-person luggage maximum of two "medium-sized" suitcases weighing up to 20kg each, plus one small piece of hand luggage.
- Oversized bags, skis, etc. Skiers who may be transferring to Gatwick for cheap flights to, say, Innsbruck or Geneva, will find that the skis are the last priority in terms of luggage. There are no guarantees for oversized bags.
Stay Overnight at London Gatwick Airport
There's the usual cluster of airport hotels near Gatwick, some of which have gym or pool facilities or offer package deals combining room rate with dinner. The Gatwick Hilton connects directly via covered walkway to the terminal, which is a nice amenity for travelers with heavy luggage or scheduled for early morning flights.
How to book a hotel at either Heathrow or Gatwick:
- Book full price via Holiday Express.
- Use the online service booking Priceline for discount prices at the same hotels, which can sometimes run as low as $60 a night. For convenience, use the airport codes, LHR for Heathrow, and LGW for Gatwick.
Getting to and from London from Gatwick and Heathrow Airports
- Gatwick-London: The fastest way to get from Gatwick into London is by Gatwick Express. This train runs every 15 minutes into London's Victoria Station. Victoria Station is a hub for various London Underground lines. The trip takes a half hour and costs about £17 each way.
- Heathrow-London: The cheapest and often the fastest way into London from Heathrow is by the London Underground, about £ 4 each way. There are also buses, cabs, airport shuttles and trains into Central London. See the Heathrow Airport Web site for details.
US -based budget travelers going to Europe may find it's worthwhile to make their way first to London, and then from London Heathrow Airport (where the transatlantic flights arrive) to London Gatwick Airport (from where the Europe-bound flights depart). This may sound daunting for the weary jet-lagged tourist, but, actually, it's completely doable. Just get it organized in advance.
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