Gatwick-London-Luton
Replies: 17 - Last Post: Jul 22, 2012 10:34 AM Last Post By: johnbccanada
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Gatwick-London-Luton
HiIn the first weekend of SeptemberI fly in to Gatwick in the morning and then fly from Luton early the next morning. I am thinking of going from Gatwick to London to spend the day wandering around and maybe seeing of the tourist attractions that I haven't seen (St. Paul's Cathedral") andf then taking a train or bus to Luton airport and get a few hours of sleep in the airport before leaving early the next morning for Istanbul. (I understand that luton airport is a poor place to sleep but I don't want to spend money for a place to sleep and have to get up very early in the morning to get to Luton. Much more fun things to spend money on!) I had thought about going directly from Gatwick airport to Luton and spend the day in Luton before going to the Luton airport but there really doesn't seem a lot to do in Luton.
Just curious if anyone sees any obvious problems with this. I've done a couple trips that included London but I am no expert at getting around southern England.
John
1
Here are your bus options from London to Luton; http://www.luton-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html#a The Holiday Inn is perfect for one night.2
I think you've got the right idea to spend the day in central London, instead of going directly to Luton. There really isn't much for the tourist in Luton.In terms of getting from Gatwick to central London, this site gives you the options: http://www.gatwickairport.com/transport/to-london/
Assuming you will have heavy baggage which you don't want to carry round during the day, it might be a good option to take the Gatwick Express train from Gatwick to Victoria, leave your baggage at the 'left luggage' at Victoria station, then go back to Victoria later to take the bus to Luton.
3
Thanks Matt for the suggestion about the luggage. I am going to be doing some backpacking/trekking so I will have only one medium sized pack but it will be more enjoyable to walk around London without it. I think I may book a ticket at the New Globe theatre which will be much more enjoyable I imagine than wandering around Luton.Clodbod - I do appreciate your suggestion but I don't have a lot of money and I would rather spend it on theatre in London and other similar treats than a hotel bed for only a few hours.
John
4
Please take into account, that The Gatwick Express is a lot more expensive than other trains.The time difference is just a few minutes.
Luton's OK - but hardly a holiday destination....
http://www.visiteastofengland.com/Luton-Luton/details/?dms=13&nearby=1&venue=0140943
5
between Gatwick and Victoria, you should usehttp://www.southernrailway.com/
If you buy ticket on line in advance (two weeks to a month is sufficient), it can be as low as £4 or so. Ticket can be picked up from the machines with the credit/debit card you purchased with AND the confirmation code. It will take you only 5-15 minutes more than Gatwick Express.
After your train from King's Cross/St Pancrass to Luton Parkway (not Luton), you will change to a bus, which takes 6 minutes to Luton Airport. The bus is £1.60, can be covered by train ticket, or you can pay onboard the bus. The conductor knows how to read your ticket. S/he does give change if you don't have any.
http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/
both train tickets can ALSO be purchased from
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
You must need an extra tube or bus ticket from Victoria to King's Cross/St. Pancrass.
6
A few corrections to....*4 - milehighnd above....The Mainline Station is St. Pancras International, not King's Cross St. Pancras.
King's Cross St. Pancras is the Underground station.
King's Cross and St. Pancras International - are two different main line stations.
There is no station called Luton Parkway.
If you need to get a service to Luton Airport, then you need to get a ticket to Luton Airport.
A Luton Airport Parkway ticket will only get you as far as the station - and not to the airport.
To board the Airport Shuttle-bus without paying anymore, you must get a ticket to Luton Airport.
Otherwise you will have to pay an additional fee to board the Shuttle-bus.
You must need an extra tube or bus ticket from Victoria to King's Cross/St. Pancrass
Not so. You can get a ticket that combines both Mainline and Underground trains, for the complete journey(s).
8
From Victoria to Luton Airport, you can also tryhttp://www.easybus.co.uk/
But I have never done it before myself, so I cannot give any tips on it.
Edited by: milehighnd
9
Ahh so much information which I do appreciate. I will check out the information. I am thinking of taking a train from Gatwick to Victoria Station and then walking over to St. Pancras International (where I get the train to Luton Airport I understand) and leave my pack in a locker there, walk over to the New Globe theatre for a play and then walk back to St. Pancras and a train to Luton.I know it is lots of walking but I do like to walk and have lots of time. If I am feeling lazy I may take the bus from Victoria station to St, Pancras where I will leave my pack (I assume and hope they have luggage lockers) and then wander off unencumbered to the New Globe)
John
11
I don't think I will be in a hurry. Maybe I'll have a coffee along the way and my only luggage is a medium sized backpack. If I get there and I don't feel like walking I can take a city bus from Victoria station to St. Pancras if I remember correctly.thanks for all the suggestions, advice and help!
12
I am thinking of taking a train from Gatwick to Victoria Station and then walking over to St. Pancras InternationalDon't do that- there are direct trains from Gatwick to St Pancras (operated by First Capital Connect)- these are generally slightly cheaper than both Gatwick Express and Southern trains to Victoria- buy a ticket valid for "FCC only".
14
http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/First Capital Connect looks like THE WAY to go, a train from Gatwick Airport to St Pancrass every 30 minutes and it only takes 45 minutes, WOW!
Thanks, greencelery!
