Let's Go For a Ride! How to Take the Gatwick Express Train

Where: London-Gatwick Airport, London, United Kingdom

February 16, 2010 at 1:50 PM | by JetSetCD | Comments (2)

To take a flight somewhere is to take a journey before even stepping onto the plane. You've got to get yourself to the airport transportation and take that first! Some airports have Airtrains connections between the subway and the terminals, and fewer have direct subway train stations, but London's Gatwick Airport has a direct train and we love it.

The train between London's Victoria Station and Gatwick Airport is appropriately called the Gatwick Express, and it provides space and comfort for the harried travelers arriving from or departing to flights from the airport. It's a tad bit pricey, but not more so than a cab, and it might just be one of the best airport transports we've ever been on, so how do you get on it?

The Guide to Riding the Gatwick Express, after the jump

How to reach it: The Gatwick Express is extremely easy to locate at both ends: in London or out at Gatwick Airport. In London, it leaves from Track 13 or 14 at Victoria Station, which pretty much one of the easiest tracks to locate at the station, but here's a map, just in case. Reach Victoria station by the Victoria, District or Circle lines on the Tube, or just take a cab like we did when we ran really late. Over at Gatwick, the terminals have signs that direct you out to the Gatwick Express train platform. It's not a long walk at all, so we'd definitely opt for the train over a cab.

Where it goes: The Gatwick Express is a direct train line between London's Victoria Station and Gatwick Airport. So yea, that's it.

How much does it cost? If you're flying in and out of Gatwick Airport, then it's a better value to buy a roundtrip ticket online, in advance for 28.70 GBP. If you buy this at a station, you'll pay 5 GBP more. If you're only needing a one-way ticket, it's a fat 16.90 GBP each. Pricey for sure, but then the train is fast, clean and relaxing. If you'd like beverage service and more space, you can opt for a first class ticket at 24.90 GBP one-way or 48 GBP for a round-trip.

Who rides it? The Gatwick Express is pretty much just for travelers going between London and Gatwick Airport, although we'd assume that some employees of the airport and Gatwick area residents might also hop it for a quick trip.

What's so special about it? Although Heathrow has the Tube going out to it, the Gatwick Express is one of the nicest airport transit trains we've ever traveled with. It has a dedicated platform at Victoria Station, and you won't have much trouble at all with hauling around your luggage or locating the train in either Victoria or Gatwick stations.

Related Stories:
· Gatwick Express [Official Site]
· Let's Go For A Ride! How to Take the Staten Island Ferry [Jaunted]
· Travel Tips [Jaunted]

[Photos: Jaunted]

Comments (2)

Return to » Let's Go For a Ride! How to Take the Gatwick Express Train

In rush hour (before 10am and after 4pm) the Gatwick Express continues to brighton [calling at other stations] after Gatwick Airport. Be sure to get off at the first stop :^) [if you do miss Gatwick airport get off at Three Bridges or Haywards Heath and turn back] Its also useful to know that the other trains [Southern and First Capital Connect] are cheaper and take about 5mins more.

I've always found the Gatwick Express an enjoyable experience. You used to be able to check in for BA flights at Victoria too, so you could ride to the airport in comfort with just your carry-ons. I don't know if that's disappeared in this ultra-security-conscious era.

Jaunted

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