London Airports: Heathrow vs. Gatwick

M

MikeUT00

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Usually go through Heathrow. Been through many many times. However, next trip has to be very time specific and the best flight time goes through Gatwick. Is this a big deal? Any pros and/or cons relating to Gatwick, or for that matter Heathrow?
 
I like Gatwick better... It's newer... better organized... etc...

Even the fact that it is 30 minutes out of London is not so bad, because it has a reasonable express train (the Gatwick Flier) that goes straight to Liverpool St. Station (or maybe Victoria Station... I forget).

The last time I hit Heathrow... I was there with 2 hours between flights and almost missed my connection due to lines, mayhem... The place was absolute nutz.
 
No worries with Gatwick- been flying in/out of there for years.

Gatwick Express takes 30 mins. to get to London Victoria- and runs every 15 minutes. You can get a ticket ahead of time- or simply hand the tickettaker cash/ credit card when the come around on the train itself. Saves a bit of time that way.
 
gatwick is easy to navigate and the gatwick express into victoria sta. is very convenient.

it was probably an anomoly, but it unfortunately took me over 2 hours to make it through customs/vistor/what you want to call it line upon arrival to gatwick. others around me said that usually wasn't the case though.
 
Gatwick by FAR. Heathrow is an unmitigated disaster. They only have 2 runways, so if you're flying in from anywhere thats not a long-haul, you'll end up circling for 30-45 minute before you get a landing spot. If you have to change terminals, you need to have a MINIMUM 2 hour connection time, security checks take absolutely forever, etc. I quit flying through Heathrow about 2 years ago after I got fed up and either fly direct from Dublin now or go via Gatwick. I'm dreading flying through Heathrow for my honeymoon trip in Sept...
 
Heathrow is busier and therefore not as efficient. I prefer Gatwick. Plus, you get a train ride through cool looking British houses en route to Victoria.
 
In Ireland right now- passed through Gatwick- Carryon rules are different- 1 per person- that is it!! Not 1 back pack and 1 roller bag- just one!

Also they actually make you stick it in one of those things to make sure it fits.

I have always flown through Gatwick- except once- seem to like Gatwick better. Just saw a report over here where you can rent a room for 50 euros or pounds in the airport for four hours if you have a long lay over.
 
I hate Heathrow.

Gatwick is a much nicer airport if you ask me. Oh, don't get the Gatwick Express if you are heading into London...just get a normal train into London. Takes another 25 minutes but is half the price.
 
Gatwick for me...been through both but now only go through Gatwick. Much easier compared to heathrow. Actually making a trip through gatwick on the 7th of Aug for a little vacation.
 
Convinced and converted. Gatwick is much more smooth. Thanks y'all.
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I realize this is a late entry, but after flying into both multiple times I would certainly recommend LHR over LGW.

Its true that LGW if fairly smooth, but the 30 min train ride actually turns out the be 45 and the cost of the ticket I believe was around 15 or 20 pounds.

I like being closer to the city and I am pretty familiar with LHR so the cluster doesnt bother me.

AA and CO will be transferring their DFW and IAH London flights to LHR next year.

Just a matter of personal preference I guess.
 
Is it certain that AA is transferring their DFW flights to LHR? I didn't think that they had announced anything yet. And I would personally be surprised if they didn't keep one at LGW.
 
I've gone through both and can't tell the difference.

The first time I landed in Europe, it was at Gatwick Airport. A lady met me and my friend's dad (who was taking me there FREE with his Platinum AirPass) at the door of the airplane. We road a cart to customs. My bags were taken through customs without being looked at while I answer 4 questions. After customs, some guy took me to a bus depot where I immediately took a shuttle to Heathrow.

My last time in Europe (February) I arrived in Heathrow from Dublin. I pushed my bags about a quarter mile to the overnight backage storage. I felt like the U.N. had let out and I was swimming up stream with my bags. I picked them up the next day and flew back to the US. The "Duty-Free" section of Heathrow seemed like it was the size of a football field.

Everyone had funny accents at BOTH locations and all of the electronic items for sale were WAY overpriced.

suerte chico
 
Napolean can see now why I hate flying via LHR from Dublin.

I think if London is your final destination from the US, then its not too bad to fly into LHR vs. LGW. If you are making a connection in London, and your arrival terminal is different than your departing terminal, then LHR is an absolute nightmare. If I go to London I go via LHR or London City Airport, but when I'm connecting, I always try to get Gatwick, or I find a different city to connect in.
 
is it possible to land at gatwick and make a connecting flight out of heathrow (and vice versa) to your final destination? are there shuttles/trains/trams between the two?
 
Well back in the states. The main thing about Gatwick ( I can't remember how it was at Heathrow) is if you make any connection you are going to go through security. On the way over I connected to Dublin- had to clear customs, get in line for security and go through their security. (where I found out the 1 bag rule)

On the way back- flew in from Edinburgh. Got off- had to go to the AA counter in the customs area (very small) two men greet you with a host of security questions- even asked me for another picture ID. Then you go to the counter get your boarding pass (even though one had been printed out in Edinburgh) Then you go through security again. which only had one line going for all international connections in that terminal

Then you go to the gate and go through more security questions. If you set your bag down ever while waiting they go through it. Then you wait- sometimes not too late- we were about 20 mins late, but I guess the same flight the day before was 3 hours late.

The let the crew on little by little. Is security like this at all European cities?

The main thing is to be mentally prepared to be in lines and wait! Make sure you have at least 1.5- 2 hours between connections. Now security let some people jump in who had to catch their flight in 20 minutes.
 
When I flew to Dublin earlier this year through Heathrow is was that same ridiculous thing of sending out OUT so that you could go back IN through security. Then the ONE Bag Rule comes into effect again!

I chose checking an old laptop computer with plenty of padding (travel books y mas) over checking my ~$2K digital SLR w/lens & flash. (Financially it was the smart decision.)

Well the computer stopped working about 6 days later!
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The ******* One Bag Rule is so stupid!!! If the rest of the world allows two, why would discourage people from flying through/to your country?!?!?!

London airports suck.
 
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