Navigating London Airports

March 13, 2009 7:29 AM

London-Airports-Filter : Is this trip realistically possible?

Apologies in advance if this is a stupid question but I'm not all that familiar with the airports around London (I've only ever been to Gatwick before).

So - I am planning a trip from Berlin to Vancouver in April, one way. I have managed to find a great combination of two flights that total out to a little over 400$ CAD and would just like to make sure that I won't end up missing the second.

My first flight would take me from Berlin to London's Stansted airport, which I am totally unfamiliar with. I would arrive at 10:25 am on a Thursday. Then, my flight to Vancouver would depart from Gatwick at 6:20 pm. Basically I would just like to be confident that this would leave me enough time in the morning to collect my bags, pass customs (do I go through customs if I'm coming from another European country?) and travel to Gatwick airport, I'm assuming by train, in time to check-in for the Vancouver flight. I'm guessing I should be there 2 to 3 hours in advance since it's an international flight. Oh, if it helps the firstr flight is RyanAir and the second is Air Transat.

If I've left out any important info just ask and I'll try to fill it in. I'm also open to any better travel suggestions to get me between these two cities although I don't expect it will get any cheaper than this. Thanks everyone!

posted by mannequito to travel & transportation (13 comments total)

from here:

National Express coaches depart every 30 - 60 minutes to Gatwick Airport. Tickets can be purchased from the National Express ticket desks in the terminals, the coach station at Stansted Airport or from the coach driver.

The journey time is approx two hours and 45 minutes and the adult return fare is £34. Coaches serve North and South Terminals at Gatwick.
posted by DreamerFi at 7:38 AM on March 13

Yeah, this'll work. The fastest public transport route is probably the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street Station, the Underground from Liverpool St to Victoria, and the Gatwick Express from Victoria to Gatwick. Personally, I would avoid coaches unless your budget compels you to take them.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 7:40 AM on March 13

You have more than enough time to get from one to another. This page lists all your options.

pass customs (do I go through customs if I'm coming from another European country?)

Yes.

Your biggest risk is your RyainAir flight getting delayed.
posted by vacapinta at 7:41 AM on March 13

The journey takes about 3 hours. It is best to take a bus rather than a train.
The best service is with NationalExpress. They have buses leaving at 11.30, 12.00, 12.45, 13.30. If you need to get to Gatwick 3hrs in advance you should take the 12.45, but to be honest, you'd probably be fine with the 13.30.
You can also take a taxi, but it will cost about £140 (and not be much quicker).
posted by jonesor at 7:41 AM on March 13

Hmm, OK, looking in more detail, it's possible the coach might be worth doing. You'd be unlikely to do the train trip in under 1h30, and it could take more if you had to wait for trains.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 7:42 AM on March 13

Should be fine. A bit of a trek across London, Stanstead Express to Liverpool St, (46 mins). Liverpool St to Farringdon (underground/Tube) 27 mins, Farringdon to Gatwick (40mins).

Go to nationalrail.co.uk, type in stanstead and gatwick in to the seach.

Or, get a taxi, but I would estimate that to be in the region of 5 x the cost. The above is £28.

You;d have time to kill in town if you diverted from Farringdon.
posted by daveyt at 7:43 AM on March 13

Cool. I might take the coach just for peace of mind, and because I'm already saving on the flights. I just wonder - 34 for return, wouldn't most people be going one way? I wonder if they have one way?
posted by mannequito at 7:43 AM on March 13

They will have one way, though don't assume it will cost half.
posted by biffa at 7:54 AM on March 13

Quickest way will be stansted express to gatwick express.
posted by zia at 8:18 AM on March 13

The TFL Journey Planner will help you.
posted by devnull at 8:30 AM on March 13

Or.... You could do Stanstead Express to Tottenham Hale, tube it across to Victoria and then Gatwick Express. Total journey time 1h 42 mins. It's also the recommendation from TFL.
posted by eb98jdb at 9:29 AM on March 13

Yeah, that last one. Stansted -> Tottenham Hale -> Victoria -> Gatwick.

There will be a customs point but the allowances are enormous. You walk through the blue channel (for flights arriving from the EU) and your chances of being checked are close to zero. Last several times I've been into STN I was at the front door less than 20 mins after stepping out of the plane.
posted by genghis at 12:55 PM on March 13

Last few times I've been into STN it took over an hour - very long queue to get through passport control....I'd take the coach, purely from a you don't really want to be lugging luggage across London point of view.
posted by koahiatamadl at 5:51 PM on March 13