is LHR > LGW for a morning flight, from covent garden-ish? w bonus qs.
October 2, 2023 5:33 PM Subscribe
If I'm at a tourist hotel, probably near Covent Garden (but possibly closer to like St Paul's?) and I need to catch a morning flight from LGW or LHR, is it worth the extra money to fly BA out of LHR rather than Easyjet or Wizz out of LGW?
BONUS QUESTIONS INSIDE!
Really the biggie is the airport question on the tin. Should I just pay the extra and stay somewhere that I can tube straight to LHR? But if you want to help more:
BONUS Q: if the goal is to have a very quick tourist trip to London, which includes an Evensong (which could be at St Pauls, or Westminster, or somewhere else you know of) on the afternoon of arrival, and the Tower on the morning of the following day, where should we stay, taking into account the need to be at one of those airports on the morning of the day of departure? Assume walking needs to be minimized.
(i.e.
Day 1 afternoon arrival LHR. get to hotel. Evensong. Some sort of dinner.
Day 2: Tower in morning, open-air tourist bus to see sites while resting feet after that, afternoon either B.Museum or walking tour of City depending on weather. Dinner at one of Ottolenghi's joints? Or just stay near to hotel?
Day 3: morning departure from LHR or LGW.)
BONUS BONUS Q: feel free to recommend a better quick itinerary for a teenager's first trip to London.
Really the biggie is the airport question on the tin. Should I just pay the extra and stay somewhere that I can tube straight to LHR? But if you want to help more:
BONUS Q: if the goal is to have a very quick tourist trip to London, which includes an Evensong (which could be at St Pauls, or Westminster, or somewhere else you know of) on the afternoon of arrival, and the Tower on the morning of the following day, where should we stay, taking into account the need to be at one of those airports on the morning of the day of departure? Assume walking needs to be minimized.
(i.e.
Day 1 afternoon arrival LHR. get to hotel. Evensong. Some sort of dinner.
Day 2: Tower in morning, open-air tourist bus to see sites while resting feet after that, afternoon either B.Museum or walking tour of City depending on weather. Dinner at one of Ottolenghi's joints? Or just stay near to hotel?
Day 3: morning departure from LHR or LGW.)
BONUS BONUS Q: feel free to recommend a better quick itinerary for a teenager's first trip to London.
Best answer: Opinions might vary, but I’d absolutely pay more to fly Heathrow over Gatwick. I lived in central London for three years and flew a lot in that time. Both are pretty far out from the centre of the city, but Heathrow is much better connected. Gatwick feels like another planet and I really dislike it. Calling it a ‘London’ airport is in my view a marketing ploy.
If you have the money and really want to maximize time you can also take the Heathrow Express straight from the airport to Paddington Station and then get on the Tube.
St Paul’s is fun and the British Museum could easily eat a day of time. Personally I’d prefer staying in Bloomsbury, as it has many hotels and is more or less centrally located between some of the places you’ve named (British Museum, St Paul’s, etc, as well as westerly routes to Heathrow).
YMMV, but enjoy! There tons to do. Oh, and Dishoom is a Bombay Iranian restaurant with several branches, including one in Covent Garden (maybe Carnaby?) and they’re outstanding,
posted by scdjpowell at 8:39 PM on October 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
If you have the money and really want to maximize time you can also take the Heathrow Express straight from the airport to Paddington Station and then get on the Tube.
St Paul’s is fun and the British Museum could easily eat a day of time. Personally I’d prefer staying in Bloomsbury, as it has many hotels and is more or less centrally located between some of the places you’ve named (British Museum, St Paul’s, etc, as well as westerly routes to Heathrow).
YMMV, but enjoy! There tons to do. Oh, and Dishoom is a Bombay Iranian restaurant with several branches, including one in Covent Garden (maybe Carnaby?) and they’re outstanding,
posted by scdjpowell at 8:39 PM on October 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
How much extra money are you talking, how early is the flight, and how much luggage are you travelling with? This is basically a question of how much it's worth to you to pay for a degree of convenience. But I mostly just wanted to say if your overriding concern is catching one single mode of transport to the airport, then this can be achieved with either airport.
Or at most (why I asked about luggage) you could be one tube or cab journey away from being able to train to Gatwick. But you could stay near where you can train direct to Gatwick. There are a few options, and I'd call those locations central but I'm not familiar enough with London geography to know if these stations would best suit your sightseeing plans. I don't think you can tube to Gatwick so you'll need to buy a separate train ticket and I assume this will be slightly more expensive than the tube (the Gatwick Express even more so).
I have done the tube + train to Gatwick (with luggage) and personally would not pay substantially extra just to fly out of a different airport. But maybe it's worth it to you! It was to the answerers above. Especially if the difference in cost isn't that much (although I suspect it is, or you wouldn't be asking...) And BA is theoretically a better airline than easyjet and there may be more accommodation choices along the Piccadilly line to LHR than around the stations the Gatwick trains leave from.
posted by pianissimo at 8:53 PM on October 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Or at most (why I asked about luggage) you could be one tube or cab journey away from being able to train to Gatwick. But you could stay near where you can train direct to Gatwick. There are a few options, and I'd call those locations central but I'm not familiar enough with London geography to know if these stations would best suit your sightseeing plans. I don't think you can tube to Gatwick so you'll need to buy a separate train ticket and I assume this will be slightly more expensive than the tube (the Gatwick Express even more so).
I have done the tube + train to Gatwick (with luggage) and personally would not pay substantially extra just to fly out of a different airport. But maybe it's worth it to you! It was to the answerers above. Especially if the difference in cost isn't that much (although I suspect it is, or you wouldn't be asking...) And BA is theoretically a better airline than easyjet and there may be more accommodation choices along the Piccadilly line to LHR than around the stations the Gatwick trains leave from.
posted by pianissimo at 8:53 PM on October 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I really don't think that LHR is that much easier to get to than LGW. Tube from Covent Garden to Victoria and then Gatwick Express to LGW is not especially difficult compared to Paddington and the Heathrow Express, is it?
posted by alby at 10:46 PM on October 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by alby at 10:46 PM on October 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
(And scdjpowell is correct about Dishoom. Get the black daal.)
posted by alby at 10:53 PM on October 2, 2023
posted by alby at 10:53 PM on October 2, 2023
Another vote for "no real difference" from me. Both airports are fine when everything is working and hell holes if you happen to hit a day when it is not. If I were starting my journey in central London then I would not pay a premium to stay in one or the other.
posted by rongorongo at 10:54 PM on October 2, 2023
posted by rongorongo at 10:54 PM on October 2, 2023
Best answer: Skip the Heathrow Express. It's a waste of money. Elizabeth Line trains from Farringdon or Tottenham Court Road, whichever is closer to your hotel, are the easiest way to get to LHR. Gatwick is a worse experience.
posted by srednivashtar at 2:01 AM on October 3, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by srednivashtar at 2:01 AM on October 3, 2023 [4 favorites]
Best answer: I'm also in the equivocal camp, but most people by far will say they prefer the LHR experience of LGW (from central London). If you're heading to SFO or OAK, I expect there are more options via LHR anyway.
Note that there have been many, many strikes/industrial actions for rail and tube alike this year. Make sure to check the schedule (because, tidily, these strikes are scheduled two weeks in advance).
Evensong is a great thing to do. Don't forget to consider some of the options other than Westminster and St. Pauls!
If you're going to Dishoom (love how much of a recommendation this is), I prefer the Kings Cross location in Coal Drops Yard. Gets you to Regents Canal for a lovely walk along it before/after dinner (or, minimizing walking, just people watching at the big plaza there).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 3:34 AM on October 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
Note that there have been many, many strikes/industrial actions for rail and tube alike this year. Make sure to check the schedule (because, tidily, these strikes are scheduled two weeks in advance).
Evensong is a great thing to do. Don't forget to consider some of the options other than Westminster and St. Pauls!
If you're going to Dishoom (love how much of a recommendation this is), I prefer the Kings Cross location in Coal Drops Yard. Gets you to Regents Canal for a lovely walk along it before/after dinner (or, minimizing walking, just people watching at the big plaza there).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 3:34 AM on October 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: To add: LHR is much easier as there are direct connections from Covent Garden.
Note that the recommendation to go to Paddington and take the Heathrow Express is advice that is several years out of date. Not something a Londoner would do unless they had specific reasons to be in Paddington.
From Covent Garden, it will be much easier to take:
1) Elizabeth Line, which leaves from Tottenham Court Road (10 minute walk from Covent Garden) and goes direct to LHR. Cost £12.80 pp.
2) Piccadilly Line, which leaves from Covent Garden and goes direct to LHR but can be slower, plus it's not as nice as the Elizabeth Line. Cost £5.5 pp.
Both Elizabeth Line and Piccadilly Line are direct connections to London Heathrow. That is, you get on once and you don't have to get off until you reach LHR. Can't get any easier.
posted by moiraine at 3:56 AM on October 3, 2023 [4 favorites]
Note that the recommendation to go to Paddington and take the Heathrow Express is advice that is several years out of date. Not something a Londoner would do unless they had specific reasons to be in Paddington.
From Covent Garden, it will be much easier to take:
1) Elizabeth Line, which leaves from Tottenham Court Road (10 minute walk from Covent Garden) and goes direct to LHR. Cost £12.80 pp.
2) Piccadilly Line, which leaves from Covent Garden and goes direct to LHR but can be slower, plus it's not as nice as the Elizabeth Line. Cost £5.5 pp.
Both Elizabeth Line and Piccadilly Line are direct connections to London Heathrow. That is, you get on once and you don't have to get off until you reach LHR. Can't get any easier.
posted by moiraine at 3:56 AM on October 3, 2023 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Farringdon station has the Elizabeth Line direct to LHR cross with the Overland rail service to Gatwick Airport.
There's a Premier Inn (great beds) south of Smithfield Market which answers to searches for "Premier Inn Farringdon" and puts you a few minutes walk from either station. You're 10 minutes walk from St Paul's and maybe 20 minutes walk from Tower of London.
posted by k3ninho at 5:27 AM on October 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
There's a Premier Inn (great beds) south of Smithfield Market which answers to searches for "Premier Inn Farringdon" and puts you a few minutes walk from either station. You're 10 minutes walk from St Paul's and maybe 20 minutes walk from Tower of London.
posted by k3ninho at 5:27 AM on October 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: (Raises hand) I was going through this just a couple of weeks ago. Very brief hot takes, some supporting things said above:
Elizabeth line to Heathrow is great.
I was travelling in a group of three, one of the other people in the group bought a lot of "stuff" and ended up returning with an extra bag. They didn't want to wrestle with the extra stuff on the train, so we took an Uber from dinky hotel near Paddington. I was surprised at how smooth it was, quick response, comparatively quick to get to Heathrow, slightly more than Heathrow Express (another person called/paid for the ride, I don't have the exact amount), but not crazy expensive in context.
posted by gimonca at 6:21 AM on October 3, 2023
Elizabeth line to Heathrow is great.
I was travelling in a group of three, one of the other people in the group bought a lot of "stuff" and ended up returning with an extra bag. They didn't want to wrestle with the extra stuff on the train, so we took an Uber from dinky hotel near Paddington. I was surprised at how smooth it was, quick response, comparatively quick to get to Heathrow, slightly more than Heathrow Express (another person called/paid for the ride, I don't have the exact amount), but not crazy expensive in context.
posted by gimonca at 6:21 AM on October 3, 2023
Best answer: Gatwick is a bit grotty, but honestly so is Heathrow. You can travel to Gatwick very easily from City Thameslink Station (right by St Paul's).
I don't think there's a real difference between the two, so would pick the one with the best fares/flight times.
posted by Chausette at 7:01 AM on October 3, 2023
I don't think there's a real difference between the two, so would pick the one with the best fares/flight times.
posted by Chausette at 7:01 AM on October 3, 2023
Best answer: Sidenote: Wizz Air is consistently voted the worst airline in the UK. Best avoided.
posted by Hogshead at 8:00 AM on October 3, 2023
posted by Hogshead at 8:00 AM on October 3, 2023
Best answer: Agree with those saying both are comparatively easy to get to from central London. I’ve almost missed two planes from Heathrow before due to extensive Piccadilly/Elizabeth line delays. Heathrow is probably a nicer airport, but I wouldn’t pay much extra for the privilege.
posted by amerrydance at 8:09 AM on October 3, 2023
posted by amerrydance at 8:09 AM on October 3, 2023
I have no opinions on airports but I would pay a (reasonable) premium to fly BA over EJ or Whizz.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 8:19 AM on October 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 8:19 AM on October 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It's worth mentioning that you can also get to Gatwick from Blackfriars or City Thameslink [they're seconds apart from each other] in 35 mins for under £14 on Thameslink.
It is both a lot cheaper than the Gatwick Express from Victoria, and only at the other end of Fleet Street from Covent Garden. 10-15min on foot, or a one-stop tube hop from Temple, on the other side of the Strand down Surrey Street behind King's College.
I'm not wild about LGW either but it's *fine* given you'd be saving probably over a hundred pounds.
posted by genghis at 8:38 AM on October 3, 2023
It is both a lot cheaper than the Gatwick Express from Victoria, and only at the other end of Fleet Street from Covent Garden. 10-15min on foot, or a one-stop tube hop from Temple, on the other side of the Strand down Surrey Street behind King's College.
I'm not wild about LGW either but it's *fine* given you'd be saving probably over a hundred pounds.
posted by genghis at 8:38 AM on October 3, 2023
Response by poster: if it matters: flight out is to be a short one, to a European hub; and I hope to be traveling with one wheeled carryon + a backpack apiece; it is a winter trip so rain is always a possibility.
Super helpful answers so far, thank you all, keep em coming.
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:44 AM on October 3, 2023
Super helpful answers so far, thank you all, keep em coming.
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:44 AM on October 3, 2023
I think we really need to know how much money is involved to make a sensible decision.
Also, it's a bit Inside Baseball but you can save a few quid on the Elizabeth Line journey by tapping out at Hayes and Harlington and then tapping straight back in to go to Heathrow.
posted by alby at 11:22 AM on October 3, 2023
Also, it's a bit Inside Baseball but you can save a few quid on the Elizabeth Line journey by tapping out at Hayes and Harlington and then tapping straight back in to go to Heathrow.
posted by alby at 11:22 AM on October 3, 2023
Best answer: Be aware that Wizz and EasyJet carry on allowances are not normal-sized allowances. Anything bigger than a handbag will attract an extra charge, or just be disallowed. Whereas BA lets you take a wheeled bag and a second smaller handbag/backpack.
Gatwick and Heathrow are about equidistant time-wise from the Blackfriars/Farringdon area. Thameslink from Blackfriars to Gatwick, or Elizabeth line from Farringdon to Heathrow. Both will take about 30-40 mins. I’d opt for Gatwick as I like the scenery more and there are more frequent departures, but it doesn’t really matter.
The only thing to check is exactly how early you need to get to the airport - there aren’t so many Gatwick trains leaving before 5am.
posted by tinkletown at 11:51 AM on October 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Gatwick and Heathrow are about equidistant time-wise from the Blackfriars/Farringdon area. Thameslink from Blackfriars to Gatwick, or Elizabeth line from Farringdon to Heathrow. Both will take about 30-40 mins. I’d opt for Gatwick as I like the scenery more and there are more frequent departures, but it doesn’t really matter.
The only thing to check is exactly how early you need to get to the airport - there aren’t so many Gatwick trains leaving before 5am.
posted by tinkletown at 11:51 AM on October 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: the LGW flights are like £20 and the LHR flights are like £80, there are two of us, so like £120 difference in the price, it's a ~2 hr flight, and I assume that the LGW ones will make me pay for the 2 overhead carryons. Also it will suck mightily if the flight is delayed, and I would definitely pay more for better chance of reliability.
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:54 AM on October 3, 2023
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:54 AM on October 3, 2023
Best answer: Go with BA then - once you factor in having to pay for checked baggage, there won’t be any difference in price.
posted by tinkletown at 11:58 AM on October 3, 2023
posted by tinkletown at 11:58 AM on October 3, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by assenav at 8:37 PM on October 2, 2023 [2 favorites]