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    Gatwick Express

    2.7 (106 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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    A Gatwick Express train waits at Gatwick Airport station in January 2008
    David J.

    The Gatwick Express does what it says on the tin, and is useful for those - especially visitors to these shores - who are not familiar with the myriad of train companies and their services which now characterise Britain's train services. It shuttles between Victoria and Gatwick, with no confusing intermediate stops, and you can buy your ticket on board, so there is no need to queue at either end. And the journey only takes 30 minutes, with four trains an hour, and it runs all night (but with a reduced frequency). The trains are purpose built for the service ie they have lots of luggage space. As the other reviews have said, though, you pay a high price for this convenience: £16.60 single and £28.80 return. There are various deals around (eg Easyjet will sell you discounted tickets on in-bound flights) if you plan ahead. But there are alternatives: Southern also operates a train every 15 minutes from Victoria, and takes between 2 and 5 minutes longer - ie hardly any difference. These trains also stop at Clapham Junction and East Croydon, which is better for onward connections to south and south-west London. And it's a lot cheaper - £10.90 single, £21.80 return. The only downside is that the frequency falls away late at night (ie after 21h) but if you are travelling that late it's worth planning ahead anyway. I must confess that I always use Southern. Another alternative if you live in north London or are heading for the City is First Capital Connect (the former Thameslink), which goes via London Bridge, Blackfriars and King's Cross/St Pancras. Again there are 4 trains an hour, although two are slow (1 hour) and two fast (43 minutes to Blackfriars). They are cheaper still - £8.90 single and £17 return. They also do a £55 return option for four adults or children (any combination) travelling together from any destination on First Capital's routes to Gatwick or Luton. And, although it is slower, for many destinations it removes the need for changing onto the underground - a key advantage if you have screaming kids in tow, infeasible quantities of luggage, or (heaven help you) both. However, all this will change when Southern takes over the Gatwick Express franchise in December 2008. They have promised to retain the same branding and frequency to and from Gatwick, and the extra luggage storage. However, six Gatwick Express trains in the morning peak will start at Brighton, calling at Haywards Heath, Gatwick and London Victoria, and the same service will operate southbound in the evening peak. These trains will (it is promised) be longer - a minimum of 10 carriages - compared with the current 7-coach Gatwick Express trains. What is not clear is what will happen to the fares. Watch this space!

    Derrick D.

    I enjoyed my ride on the Gatwick Express (to simplify I'll refer to it as GE from now on). It may be expensive, but 1. everything in London is expensive, and 2. you can't beat convenience. Personally, I had a britrail pass so my ticket on the GE was taken care of. However, besides the price, I still enjoyed the ride. I don't know if I'm used to the roughness of a NYC Subway express train flying down uneven tracks, or the BART in SF squealing its head off even on straightaways, but the GE was a very smooth ride. Maybe that's how all trains are in the UK and I've forgotten, but nevertheless the train flies down the tracks at full speed and the ride is as smooth as the most luxurious car you can buy (assuming it's the smoothest ride you can get, of course). I believe the fare was around 22.50... in my opinion that's pretty expensive, but then again the last time I was in London I did pay the full fare for the Heathrow Express. Like I said, convenience. Train cars are clean, and the staff is friendly. They go through with a food cart as well. Unlike Heathrow where you can take the tube, there aren't very many other options out of Gatwick so the GE is your best bet if you're a tourist.

    Waiting for Gatwick Express at Victoria Station
    Paige M.

    A train that shuttles you directly from Downtown London to the airport in 15 minutes? What a grand idea! Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, our local airport is a 45-minute drive from Downtown. We have no rapid transit system, and have no choice but to take our car. For arriving travelers, they must rent a car, as the airport is located in the middle of a rural area. (Read more about Cincinnati's subway - or lack thereof - here: http://www.thecincinnatisubway.com ) Coming from this background, I'm really grateful that London has implemented an easy transit system to shuttle people to and from the airport. The cost is reasonable, the train is reliable, and it is centrally located at Victoria Station. It's perfect for a tourist like me to visit the city without being tethered to a rented vehicle. Cost: £12.00 one way

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    10 years ago

    Terrible - two services cancelled as I sat on train - not enough time to make alternative travel arrangements. Missed flight.

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    Gatwick Express Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Gatwick Express

    This is a great transportation option for getting from Gatwick airport into London.

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    Smiths Airport Transfers

    Smiths Airport Transfers

    4.6(11 reviews)
    46.9 mi

    Alan found this company on Cruise Critic and made arrangements for us to be transported from our…read moreLondon hotel to the dock in Southampton where our cruise ship awaited. Mick was our driver and he was not only on time, he was 15 minutes early. When the hotel front desk staff wasn't helpful in contacting us to let us know he was there, Mick was patient and persistent and we connected, almost by chance in the lobby as our luggage was being brought down. The luggage was loaded into the trunk of Mick's new Hyundai, an attractive model not found in the US as far as I know. He skillfully and courteously drove us out of London, though traffic and right up to the terminal where the ship was docked. He made excellent time and good conversation as well. The cost was about £125, which seems reasonable for that distance and for the convenience of door-to-door transportation. We would use Smith's again. Alan's only complaint was that the car wasn't a bit larger, because he felt cramped in the back seat.

    I was flying into Heathrow and needed to get to Southampton for a cruise. I found that Smith's…read morewas recommended on some message boards on www.cruisecritic.com . I went to their web page and filled out the electronic form. Within 30 minutes, I had a quote of 92 pounds- roughly $150.00 each way (300.00 round trip) for all three people and all our luggage. The cruise line on the other hand offered a transfer via bus, with restrictions on the amount and weight of our luggage for 100.00 USD per person each way ($600.00). I booked via email and they answered my emails within minutes. I had a last minute change in pickup location (See my review of the Heathrow Sheraton) and emailed Smith's. It wasn't a problem.... They replied in minutes. They showed up in a almost brand new mini van and were on time. The drivers were polite and dressed professionally. Upon pickup, I again had a last minute change of pickup times.... Easily done via email. I would highly recommend Smith's for transportation needs in and out of Heathrow

    Heathrow Connect

    Heathrow Connect

    4.2(18 reviews)
    24.2 mi

    Really convenient train between Heathrow and Paddington station that I wish I'd known about several…read moreyears ago! I'm not sure if this is advertised a lot or that many people know of it. There's the Heathrow Express, which is advertised at the airport and station a lot more clearly than its sister the Connect. The Express goes directly from the airport to Paddington and takes roughly 15 minutes, whereas Connect stops at multiple stations, picking up people/dropping them off along the way. Follow the signs for the Express, and you'll be just about where you need to be for the Connect. The trains are clean and you're not dealing with the general crowds of the London tube, so it's a relief when you're carrying luggage and just want to sit back and relax a bit after/before a flight and during the commute. I decided to give both a try to see how they compare with each other, and I'm glad I did. The Heathrow Express is even nicer, but that's also reflected in the price tag of 22 pounds; the Connect is about half that price, but also takes about twice as long. Either way though, you'll have to drag and carry your luggage around a bit to get to the platforms, but it's not as extensive as taking the tube and carrying them around flights of stairs. If you're traveling solo, both the Express and Connect are the better financial options over hailing a cab to central London. However, if you're in a group, hailing a cab and dividing the fair could still be the most convenient and worth it.

    My wallet and I feel much better taking Heathrow Connect, than its brother Heathrow Express: it's…read moreroughly half the price, but also half as quick - a trade-off that I'm willing to do more often than not. (Being German, I'm way early anyway, so I can comfortable squeeze in that extra 15 minutes.) Both Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect leave from Paddington Station. Yet while the former is very easy to find, the latter is less obviously advertised throughout the station. Let me tell you where to find it: Platform 12! Make sure you get the tickets before heading to the platform though - you can buy them from the normal National Rail ticket machines. Life in the fast lane - not always my preferred choice!

    Photos
    Heathrow Connect - From Website

    From Website

    Heathrow Connect - The route

    The route

    Heathrow Connect

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    Gatwick Express - airport_shuttles - Updated May 2026

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