Help and advice for emergency international trip
July 7, 2016 10:01 AM Subscribe
Emergency England travel advice. My sister is very sick and I need to get to England as soon as possible. I am in Nashville, TN USA. Where can I get the cheapest plane tickets? Do I need to clear cookies from my browser every time I search, or is there a site that is best? If I fly into Heathrow are there trains to Brighton? I will have my infant with me also. Any advice welcome.
Could you get yourself to Atlanta and fly from there?
Your main constraint (based on a few quick Kayak.com searches) seems to be that there aren't any direct international flights from Nashville to the UK. Searching Nashville>London gets you itineraries with multiple stopovers, in Boston and then again in Dublin. Whereas the same price range could get you from Atlanta to London nonstop.
From what I'm seeing, it looks like this is going to be a $1700+ round trip flight, if you want to leave tomorrow.
posted by Sara C. at 10:21 AM on July 7, 2016
Your main constraint (based on a few quick Kayak.com searches) seems to be that there aren't any direct international flights from Nashville to the UK. Searching Nashville>London gets you itineraries with multiple stopovers, in Boston and then again in Dublin. Whereas the same price range could get you from Atlanta to London nonstop.
From what I'm seeing, it looks like this is going to be a $1700+ round trip flight, if you want to leave tomorrow.
posted by Sara C. at 10:21 AM on July 7, 2016
A couple of months ago in the NYT, there was an article about how you can get super discounted (like around 50%) tickets on Priceline for same- or next-day booking, so maybe check out that option. You're apparently guaranteed no more than one layover, as well, so you'd get there pretty quickly.
posted by holborne at 10:24 AM on July 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by holborne at 10:24 AM on July 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
Priceline same day or day before. Worth a shot
New York Times article
Priceline.com now gives steep discounts on next-day — and even same-day — flights within the United States. (This is available for some international routes, too, but I’ve found the savings aren’t as consistent.)
This, of course, requires flexibility. You’re always rolling the dice with Priceline: You won’t know exactly when you leave, or the airline you’re flying, until you commit to buy. But you do get some information: You’re guaranteed a nonstop or one layover and you typically get a window for arrival and departure times. You’ll also receive a warning (a little moon-and-stars icon) if your flight could be a redeye.
As I’m writing this, the lowest published next-day, round-trip ticket from Boston to Los Angeles costs a little over $500. By booking a Priceline deal, you can buy that trip for less than $360. Next-day from Seattle to Dallas is currently $428, round-trip. On Priceline it’s $285, and you’re guaranteed a departure between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., maximum one layover.
Booking same-day can yield even greater savings and, ironically, greater control over when you leave. The current lowest published price for a same-day New York to Los Angeles trip is nearly $900. On Priceline it’s $428, saving you over 50 percent. Best of all, depending on what time of day you book, you can more closely deduce your flight times. If you book your same-day ticket in the early afternoon, you will get only flights that depart after you book. Be ready to get going to the airport immediately, however. (Good luck with the T.S.A.!)
I’ve booked Los Angeles to New York tickets on two occasions, same-day, and paid around $350, saving hundreds of dollars. In both instances, I’ve gotten nonstop flights on Delta. Booking at the last second isn’t optimal, and this is by no means a recommendation of the practice — I’m simply pointing out that, if something last-minute comes up, you’re not doomed to pay exorbitant prices. In fact, you may actually end up paying less than if you had booked ahead
posted by lalochezia at 10:24 AM on July 7, 2016 [10 favorites]
New York Times article
Priceline.com now gives steep discounts on next-day — and even same-day — flights within the United States. (This is available for some international routes, too, but I’ve found the savings aren’t as consistent.)
This, of course, requires flexibility. You’re always rolling the dice with Priceline: You won’t know exactly when you leave, or the airline you’re flying, until you commit to buy. But you do get some information: You’re guaranteed a nonstop or one layover and you typically get a window for arrival and departure times. You’ll also receive a warning (a little moon-and-stars icon) if your flight could be a redeye.
As I’m writing this, the lowest published next-day, round-trip ticket from Boston to Los Angeles costs a little over $500. By booking a Priceline deal, you can buy that trip for less than $360. Next-day from Seattle to Dallas is currently $428, round-trip. On Priceline it’s $285, and you’re guaranteed a departure between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., maximum one layover.
Booking same-day can yield even greater savings and, ironically, greater control over when you leave. The current lowest published price for a same-day New York to Los Angeles trip is nearly $900. On Priceline it’s $428, saving you over 50 percent. Best of all, depending on what time of day you book, you can more closely deduce your flight times. If you book your same-day ticket in the early afternoon, you will get only flights that depart after you book. Be ready to get going to the airport immediately, however. (Good luck with the T.S.A.!)
I’ve booked Los Angeles to New York tickets on two occasions, same-day, and paid around $350, saving hundreds of dollars. In both instances, I’ve gotten nonstop flights on Delta. Booking at the last second isn’t optimal, and this is by no means a recommendation of the practice — I’m simply pointing out that, if something last-minute comes up, you’re not doomed to pay exorbitant prices. In fact, you may actually end up paying less than if you had booked ahead
posted by lalochezia at 10:24 AM on July 7, 2016 [10 favorites]
It may also be cheaper to book a regional air ticket to Atlanta and then book the RT from Atlanta separately, but make sure you leave enough time for the transfer if you have to claim and recheck luggage.
posted by mercredi at 10:24 AM on July 7, 2016
posted by mercredi at 10:24 AM on July 7, 2016
If you can get to NYC/JFK, then Norwegian flies from there to Gatwick. Norwegian fares are usually much cheaper than other airlines.
As a bonus, Gatwick is closer to Brighton than Heathrow.
Right now, it looks like you can fly out tomorrow for about 400$ one-way.
posted by vacapinta at 10:25 AM on July 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
As a bonus, Gatwick is closer to Brighton than Heathrow.
Right now, it looks like you can fly out tomorrow for about 400$ one-way.
posted by vacapinta at 10:25 AM on July 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
I'm sorry to hear about your sister.
Google Flights is good for comparing prices across a lot of different airlines and airports. Here is a search flying from Nashville to London tomorrow (Friday), and here are one-way flights.
it looks like flying into Gatwick might be cheaper than Heathrow, but I don't know about getting from Gatwick to Brighton. If you can afford it, I'd try to take a flight with minimal stopovers, if you have a baby along.
Does your baby have a passport? If not (assuming they are a US citizen), here are the instructions for getting a child's passport, and here are the instructions for getting a passport in an emergency for you and/or the baby.
posted by une_heure_pleine at 10:26 AM on July 7, 2016
Google Flights is good for comparing prices across a lot of different airlines and airports. Here is a search flying from Nashville to London tomorrow (Friday), and here are one-way flights.
it looks like flying into Gatwick might be cheaper than Heathrow, but I don't know about getting from Gatwick to Brighton. If you can afford it, I'd try to take a flight with minimal stopovers, if you have a baby along.
Does your baby have a passport? If not (assuming they are a US citizen), here are the instructions for getting a child's passport, and here are the instructions for getting a passport in an emergency for you and/or the baby.
posted by une_heure_pleine at 10:26 AM on July 7, 2016
Also, most international flights (unlike US domestic flights) require infants to have a ticket, at around 10% of the adult price plus taxes and fees. This is the the case even if they will be on your lap. A quick look at the Priceline booking interface doesn't show an obvious way to purchase an infant ticket on their last-minute deals - does anyone know if that's possible?
posted by une_heure_pleine at 10:35 AM on July 7, 2016
posted by une_heure_pleine at 10:35 AM on July 7, 2016
Gatwick is way closer to Brighton. 30 mins direct on the train vs >2hrs with changes.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:37 AM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:37 AM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
If you can fly into Gatwick, the onward journey is a lot quicker. The airport is on the main line from London to Brighton and it's a simple half hour's train journey to your destination.
The journey from Heathrow to Brighton is trickier, though one way to minimise travel time, plus avoid central London and too many changes is to get a National Express coach direct to Gatwick Airport and then switch to the train.
posted by doornoise at 10:37 AM on July 7, 2016
The journey from Heathrow to Brighton is trickier, though one way to minimise travel time, plus avoid central London and too many changes is to get a National Express coach direct to Gatwick Airport and then switch to the train.
posted by doornoise at 10:37 AM on July 7, 2016
Gatwick to Brighton
Direct train to Brighton takes a little over 30 minutes (train every 20 min): National Express bus takes about 45-50 min).
posted by Mister Bijou at 10:40 AM on July 7, 2016
Direct train to Brighton takes a little over 30 minutes (train every 20 min): National Express bus takes about 45-50 min).
posted by Mister Bijou at 10:40 AM on July 7, 2016
Response by poster: Complications: I'm bringing my son because he's 13 months and very attached and still nursing. My husband does not want me to go alone with our son but is concerned about the unplanned expense. So I am looking at two tickets. My son also will need an expedited passport, which can only be expedited with tickets in hand. My other sister secured lodgings for us in Brighton, but my sister who is very ill is in Crawley, so we will need to bring a car seat too, correct?
posted by Locative at 10:42 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Locative at 10:42 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Crawley is very close to Gatwick and on the same train line, if that's helpful.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:51 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:51 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
You'll need the car seat.
Almost all airlines will let you bag check it for free at the counter, especially if the child is lap riding.
I'd recommend watching them wrap it in a plastic bag if it's available. Car seats accumulate lots of scuffs and grime in the baggage process when they're not protected. Stick barcode tags on the seat and outside the bag.
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:06 AM on July 7, 2016
Almost all airlines will let you bag check it for free at the counter, especially if the child is lap riding.
I'd recommend watching them wrap it in a plastic bag if it's available. Car seats accumulate lots of scuffs and grime in the baggage process when they're not protected. Stick barcode tags on the seat and outside the bag.
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:06 AM on July 7, 2016
If you can get to Baltimore, try Wow Air (yes, that's the airline's name. Yes, they're reputable - albeit no frills). They fly from Baltimore to Gatwick via Iceland, and often have very low fares.
posted by penguinicity at 11:11 AM on July 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by penguinicity at 11:11 AM on July 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
You may choose to buy a full-price ticket for your son if you want to take the car seat on board and have him sit in the car seat (strapped to the airplane seat). This is the safest way for children to fly, but it requires you to buy a full-price seat for him.
Because of the expense, however, you may choose to take your son on your lap instead. In this case you will check your car seat, either at check in or at the gate. You do not have to pay for a seat for your son, but you will have to pay taxes and fees on him, probably about $400-500. Many people, myself included, have flown with children as infant-in-lap although it is marginally less safe to do so. 13 months is pretty tough, as the child is active and will want to wiggle, but it's doable. 2 years is the cutoff for lap children.
posted by Liesl at 11:12 AM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Because of the expense, however, you may choose to take your son on your lap instead. In this case you will check your car seat, either at check in or at the gate. You do not have to pay for a seat for your son, but you will have to pay taxes and fees on him, probably about $400-500. Many people, myself included, have flown with children as infant-in-lap although it is marginally less safe to do so. 13 months is pretty tough, as the child is active and will want to wiggle, but it's doable. 2 years is the cutoff for lap children.
posted by Liesl at 11:12 AM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
I wouldn't worry too much about a notarized letter, but type up a word doc that says, "I, Bob Smith, authorize my wife, Cindy Miller, to take our son, Mason Miller-Smith, to the UK on July 8-August 5 , 2016. I can be contacted at 999-999-9999 or bobsmith@pmail.com" and have a scan of his passport photo page under it. Have this printed out.
In years and years of traveling alone with my kid I've never been asked for this, but just in case.
posted by k8t at 11:56 AM on July 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
In years and years of traveling alone with my kid I've never been asked for this, but just in case.
posted by k8t at 11:56 AM on July 7, 2016 [4 favorites]
They are way less good about it than they used to be, but some airlines do still provide ostensible discounts to people flying because of medical emergencies.
Most of them you have to call for pricing. Here is an example.
Depending on how long you will plan on staying, it may be cheaper to make it two one-way tickets rather than round trip.
posted by Candleman at 11:57 AM on July 7, 2016
Most of them you have to call for pricing. Here is an example.
Depending on how long you will plan on staying, it may be cheaper to make it two one-way tickets rather than round trip.
posted by Candleman at 11:57 AM on July 7, 2016
In reality, expedited passport can be obtained without tickets in hand - I have personally used a cover letter explaining the exigent circumstance, and a printed copy of a potential itinerary.
posted by blue_wardrobe at 11:57 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by blue_wardrobe at 11:57 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Whether or not you and the child share a surname, you should have a letter from your husband authorizing you to take your son out of the country. If you have time to get it notarized, that's great, but an un-notarized letter is better than nothing. More info from US Customs and Border Patrol, including suggested wording available here. Also see the Q&A linked at that site. (On preview, what k8t suggests should work.)
posted by partylarry at 11:58 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by partylarry at 11:58 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
If your kid is in an infant seat, bring it. If your kid is in a big pain in the ass convertible car seat, it might be easier to buy one there versus bringing it on the plane.
posted by k8t at 11:58 AM on July 7, 2016
posted by k8t at 11:58 AM on July 7, 2016
Warning that you and baby's dad will both need to go to the passport office. If I were you, I'd pop over to the post office and see if you can get them to expedite without tickets.
Also, you can do your own passport photos at home with baby on a white sheet, then print them at Walgreens/CVS. There are many online sites that help you set it up.
posted by k8t at 12:02 PM on July 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
Also, you can do your own passport photos at home with baby on a white sheet, then print them at Walgreens/CVS. There are many online sites that help you set it up.
posted by k8t at 12:02 PM on July 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
Also, you can do your own passport photos at home with baby on a white sheet, then print them at Walgreens/CVS. There are many online sites that help you set it up.
Totally. There are also a few smartphone apps that work great too, the screen shows the overlay with where your head goes and etc.
They want you do use their printing service but most let you bypass this, you upload directly from your phone's camera roll to Wag or CVS Photo using their app. I've done passport photos in an hour for $0.49 this way.
posted by JoeZydeco at 12:09 PM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Totally. There are also a few smartphone apps that work great too, the screen shows the overlay with where your head goes and etc.
They want you do use their printing service but most let you bypass this, you upload directly from your phone's camera roll to Wag or CVS Photo using their app. I've done passport photos in an hour for $0.49 this way.
posted by JoeZydeco at 12:09 PM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Do a search on hotwire, then look for the "bargain fare".
I've done more than one last minute flight this way. Both times, it was at least 20% less than anything else i could find. One of the times it was 50% less, straight up. This was a cross country flight too.
You will get to choose the day, but not the time of day or the general itinerary. It gives you that info when you pay.
I recently almost booked an international flight this way, and the price was straight up awesome. The only reason i didn't bite is i absolutely needed to know the times of day to even know what departure day would work. If you're wide open to show up at the airport at like, 5am or at some oddball time like 3pm people don't usually fly out, it's worth it.
I've never seen them be too harsh on the layovers either, the times i've done it. It's usually like an hour. I've been offered way worse for a fuck of a lot more money on regular bookings.
posted by emptythought at 12:17 PM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
I've done more than one last minute flight this way. Both times, it was at least 20% less than anything else i could find. One of the times it was 50% less, straight up. This was a cross country flight too.
You will get to choose the day, but not the time of day or the general itinerary. It gives you that info when you pay.
I recently almost booked an international flight this way, and the price was straight up awesome. The only reason i didn't bite is i absolutely needed to know the times of day to even know what departure day would work. If you're wide open to show up at the airport at like, 5am or at some oddball time like 3pm people don't usually fly out, it's worth it.
I've never seen them be too harsh on the layovers either, the times i've done it. It's usually like an hour. I've been offered way worse for a fuck of a lot more money on regular bookings.
posted by emptythought at 12:17 PM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Warning that you and baby's dad will both need to go to the passport office. If I were you, I'd pop over to the post office and see if you can get them to expedite without tickets.
A normal expedited application at the post office will take several weeks. To get one sooner, you'll need to go to a passport office where they can usually do it on site if you have an emergency need to travel.
posted by zachlipton at 12:28 PM on July 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
A normal expedited application at the post office will take several weeks. To get one sooner, you'll need to go to a passport office where they can usually do it on site if you have an emergency need to travel.
posted by zachlipton at 12:28 PM on July 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
You need to read this page at the State Department site about your situation: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/life-or-death-emergencies.html
Look at east coast airports for flights, along with Atlanta and Charlotte.
You must provide passport info when booking an international flight.
Get the notarized letter. You aren't in a position to risk more headaches.
posted by justcorbly at 12:44 PM on July 7, 2016
Look at east coast airports for flights, along with Atlanta and Charlotte.
You must provide passport info when booking an international flight.
Get the notarized letter. You aren't in a position to risk more headaches.
posted by justcorbly at 12:44 PM on July 7, 2016
Oh... check tsa.gov for possible guidance on boarding with baby formula and such.
posted by justcorbly at 12:51 PM on July 7, 2016
posted by justcorbly at 12:51 PM on July 7, 2016
Car seat rules vary internationally - I know it is illegal to import and use a US car seat in Australia, and car seats here need to be installed by a pro and you get a safety certificate. Bring the car seat on the plane only if you want her to be able to sit in it. If it's just you and the baby going, I'd not want to carry it + baby + luggage. I'd pick up a car seat once you get there. It sounds like it can wait if you'll be taking the train.
A wrap or Baby carrier, to keep her on you and your hands free sounds good.
There is a harness you can install on a plane seat that sort of turns the seat itself into a car seat. This might be easier?
posted by jrobin276 at 1:08 PM on July 7, 2016
A wrap or Baby carrier, to keep her on you and your hands free sounds good.
There is a harness you can install on a plane seat that sort of turns the seat itself into a car seat. This might be easier?
posted by jrobin276 at 1:08 PM on July 7, 2016
I didn't have dad come with me to lodge for baby's passport- I did bring all the signed paperwork and his passport. Call and ask if it will be more convenient.
Have people on stand-by when you lodge. We had some minor errors and had to start over! Have an extra blank copy at home that can be filled out, signed, and emailed to you in a pinch. We had to have a third party sign that they knew kiddo, and a seperate part witness our signatures - that sort of thing.
posted by jrobin276 at 1:12 PM on July 7, 2016
Have people on stand-by when you lodge. We had some minor errors and had to start over! Have an extra blank copy at home that can be filled out, signed, and emailed to you in a pinch. We had to have a third party sign that they knew kiddo, and a seperate part witness our signatures - that sort of thing.
posted by jrobin276 at 1:12 PM on July 7, 2016
car seats here need to be installed by a pro and you get a safety certificate
Only baby capsules to take the baby home from the hospital, and I think only in certain states (NSW is definitely this way but I think Queensland might be a little more lax). My convertible carseat for my toddler can be installed and reinstalled by me. But true, it is illegal to use a US carseat in the UK due to the differing safety standards. You can take a train very easily from the airport to where you're going (and you can do without a carseat there - I doubt it'd even install correctly in the seat, if the train even has seatbelts), and if you take a cab for the last bit of your travel you shouldn't need one. You might consider having your other sister hire one from this service or similar and have it installed and ready for your arrival.
posted by olinerd at 1:49 PM on July 7, 2016
Only baby capsules to take the baby home from the hospital, and I think only in certain states (NSW is definitely this way but I think Queensland might be a little more lax). My convertible carseat for my toddler can be installed and reinstalled by me. But true, it is illegal to use a US carseat in the UK due to the differing safety standards. You can take a train very easily from the airport to where you're going (and you can do without a carseat there - I doubt it'd even install correctly in the seat, if the train even has seatbelts), and if you take a cab for the last bit of your travel you shouldn't need one. You might consider having your other sister hire one from this service or similar and have it installed and ready for your arrival.
posted by olinerd at 1:49 PM on July 7, 2016
If you can get to NYC/JFK, then Norwegian flies from there to Gatwick. Norwegian fares are usually much cheaper than other airlines.
Norwegian's great. According to Skyscanner the cheapest connection using them tomorrow is $1200, connecting at LAX.
If you're happy making your way to Florida, then there's flights from Orlando to various places in Europe for e.g. $333 (Manchester) or Miami to Brussels for $328 on Friday, and a choice of operators on Saturday direct to Gatwick, starting at $392. (All prices are for an adult and an infant, outbound only.)
Skyscanner is better with low-cost airlines and charter (holiday) airlines, which is why these fares are available.
posted by ambrosen at 2:03 PM on July 7, 2016
Norwegian's great. According to Skyscanner the cheapest connection using them tomorrow is $1200, connecting at LAX.
If you're happy making your way to Florida, then there's flights from Orlando to various places in Europe for e.g. $333 (Manchester) or Miami to Brussels for $328 on Friday, and a choice of operators on Saturday direct to Gatwick, starting at $392. (All prices are for an adult and an infant, outbound only.)
Skyscanner is better with low-cost airlines and charter (holiday) airlines, which is why these fares are available.
posted by ambrosen at 2:03 PM on July 7, 2016
Buy tickets using a "new private window" or an "incognito window." It's in the File Menu once you've opened a browser. That way you don't have to clear all your cookies and the prices won't creep higher if you look at flights a couple of times in a day before buying.
posted by colfax at 2:17 PM on July 7, 2016
posted by colfax at 2:17 PM on July 7, 2016
Absolutely make sure either both the baby's parents are present for the passport application or have this form notarized. I just dealt with the passport agency 3 weeks ago and had to get a new form notarized because mine was 5 days out of date.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 4:34 PM on July 7, 2016
posted by Nimmie Amee at 4:34 PM on July 7, 2016
Re getting stuff notarized, I've had to do that a lot lately. Most all UPS Stores have notaries these days (though you may want to call ahead so you don't find the notary out to lunch or running an errand). When you are getting something with a signature notarized, they want to see you doing the signing of whatever it is in their presence. I've found that only some, not all, of my bank branches have notaries.
posted by gudrun at 7:10 PM on July 7, 2016
posted by gudrun at 7:10 PM on July 7, 2016
Do it while you're exchanging a few dollars for pounds so you don't have to worry about finding an ATM that takes your card while you're rushing, exhausted, to Brighton.
Just to assuage any worries this comment might raise: I spend a ton of time in the UK and have never had a problem using an ATM at the airport or anywhere in the country with my US debit card. (If anything, ATMs in the airport in particular will tend to take any kind of card.) There's a certain type of ATM that's given me occasional trouble in Ireland, but even then, there's always another just around the corner.
I say this because some banks in America can still be amazing obtuse about exchanging money. So, just to take another item off your to-do list--just go with your ATM card and take like 60 seconds to use it in the airport.
Although to add to your to-do list, be sure to phone your bank and tell them you'll be out of the country so they don't freeze your ATM card for suspected fraud!
posted by tiger tiger at 4:01 AM on July 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
Just to assuage any worries this comment might raise: I spend a ton of time in the UK and have never had a problem using an ATM at the airport or anywhere in the country with my US debit card. (If anything, ATMs in the airport in particular will tend to take any kind of card.) There's a certain type of ATM that's given me occasional trouble in Ireland, but even then, there's always another just around the corner.
I say this because some banks in America can still be amazing obtuse about exchanging money. So, just to take another item off your to-do list--just go with your ATM card and take like 60 seconds to use it in the airport.
Although to add to your to-do list, be sure to phone your bank and tell them you'll be out of the country so they don't freeze your ATM card for suspected fraud!
posted by tiger tiger at 4:01 AM on July 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
There are trains from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Brighton every 20 mins, take about 2 hrs 20, cost about 50 pound.
There absolutely are not trains from Heathrow to Brighton. If you do the route on the site linked in that post you will see it puts you on a train to London Paddington, then a tube to Victoria Station, then a train to Brighton. You will have to queue for tickets 3 times (OK twice if you already have an Oyster for the tube).
If you want to do it all by public transport it would be cheaper and only slightly slower to take the tube from Heathrow to Earls Court to Victoria, train to Brighton.
Personally, with a little kid in tow, I'd just phone ahead and book a minicab from Heathrow to Brighton.
Cost about 80 to 100 quid, take 60 to 90 minutes depending on time of day.
posted by w0mbat at 10:40 AM on July 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
There absolutely are not trains from Heathrow to Brighton. If you do the route on the site linked in that post you will see it puts you on a train to London Paddington, then a tube to Victoria Station, then a train to Brighton. You will have to queue for tickets 3 times (OK twice if you already have an Oyster for the tube).
If you want to do it all by public transport it would be cheaper and only slightly slower to take the tube from Heathrow to Earls Court to Victoria, train to Brighton.
Personally, with a little kid in tow, I'd just phone ahead and book a minicab from Heathrow to Brighton.
Cost about 80 to 100 quid, take 60 to 90 minutes depending on time of day.
posted by w0mbat at 10:40 AM on July 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
Frontier tends to have good last-minute fares and they fly out of Nashville, in case you need to get yourself to another part of the US for a cheaper flight.
posted by jabes at 10:41 AM on July 8, 2016
posted by jabes at 10:41 AM on July 8, 2016
You will have to queue for tickets 3 times.
That's not how train tickets work. You only need to buy one (extortionately priced) ticket.
posted by ambrosen at 12:29 PM on July 8, 2016
That's not how train tickets work. You only need to buy one (extortionately priced) ticket.
posted by ambrosen at 12:29 PM on July 8, 2016
You only need to buy one (extortionately priced) ticket.
Ah good point. As a (ex) Londoner I didn't know you could buy a national rail ticket that actually included a connection by tube in the middle.
posted by w0mbat at 3:20 PM on July 8, 2016
Ah good point. As a (ex) Londoner I didn't know you could buy a national rail ticket that actually included a connection by tube in the middle.
posted by w0mbat at 3:20 PM on July 8, 2016
« Older Teaching the visual language of user interfaces to... | Looking for a kinetic coin bank Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
You can look up connections here
posted by runincircles at 10:15 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]