lalabee79 Posted August 3, 2012 #1 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Hello everyone, My DH and I are taking a Mediterranean Cruise this fall out of Rome, and our return flight to the States has a 20 hour layover at London Gatwick airport. We arrive mid afternoon (3 pm) and leave the next afternoon. We already have hotel accommodations arranged at the airport, but thought it would be nice to take the train into London, since neither of us have ever been. My questions are: is it feasible to have a decent experience in London with just the late afternoon and evening available to us, solely using public transportation? What are the "must-see" locations? I assume we'll need a warm jacket or coat, since it will be early December. Any advice would be cherished. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising cockroach Posted August 4, 2012 #2 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Most definitely. You can take the airport train (Gatwick Express) to Victoria or a cheaper local train to Blackfriars (stairs there) or Farringdon. You can see a lot of sights the rest of the day, have a meal, and see a few things the next morning before taking a train back to the airport. BTW, You must have more than a 20 hr layover if you arrive at 3p and leave the next afternoon? You can assume it will be cold but Rome could be almost as cold (or colder) that time of the year too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lalabee79 Posted August 4, 2012 Author #3 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Thank you for the input! Since we aren't flying into LHR, we weren't sure how far we will be from the major sights in London. Your post was reassuring! Yes i was basing my initial post on my sometimes faulty memory. :) We actually land at 4:50 pm and leave at 12:55 pm the next day, just a bit more than 20 hours later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlyerTalker Posted August 4, 2012 #4 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Ye Olde Six Bells is a great pub/restaurant near Gatwick. Walkable from the Travelodge intersection, if you are staying near there. You can find info online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MawganTr Posted August 4, 2012 #5 Share Posted August 4, 2012 It is possible to get a regular (non Gatwick express) straight to Victoria. Express takes 30 mins. I can't help but think though, even if you're flight is at 3, that you'll be cutting it fine to have a valuable trip to London. If you're flying to USA you'll need to check in 3 hours beforehand. If your flight is later in the day then maybe, but otherwise, Gatwick is some way out of town. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swigso Posted August 4, 2012 #6 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Yes i was basing my initial post on my sometimes faulty memory. :) We actually land at 4:50 pm and leave at 12:55 pm the next day, just a bit more than 20 hours later. Hi You arrive a 4.50 by the time you clear customs and get to your Hotel (I assume you are staying at Gatwick) you will not have A lot of time to get into central London. In December it will be cold and probably wet and not really A pleasant time to sight see and most places will be closed by the time You get there. Have a nice meal at your hotel and book lounge access at Gatwick before Your flight home, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gardyloo Posted August 4, 2012 #7 Share Posted August 4, 2012 HiYou arrive a 4.50 by the time you clear customs and get to your Hotel (I assume you are staying at Gatwick) you will not have A lot of time to get into central London. In December it will be cold and probably wet and not really A pleasant time to sight see and most places will be closed by the time You get there. Have a nice meal at your hotel and book lounge access at Gatwick before Your flight home, Plus it will be dark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lalabee79 Posted August 4, 2012 Author #8 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Thanks for the feedback. Of course we realized that we wouldn't have adequate time to really experience London, but I just can't foresee us being so nearby and not going into the city. Maybe we'll just grab dinner in the city and lay eyes on Big Ben & the London Bridge, since we have such little time. And we'd be okay with that. :) Of course we hope to return in the future and stay longer, but there are no guarantees! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted August 4, 2012 #9 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Thanks for the feedback. Of course we realized that we wouldn't have adequate time to really experience London, but I just can't foresee us being so nearby and not going into the city. Maybe we'll just grab dinner in the city and lay eyes on Big Ben & the London Bridge, since we have such little time. And we'd be okay with that. :) Of course we hope to return in the future and stay longer, but there are no guarantees! OP - I suggest you go onto the city and do a walk with Londonwalks.com. They don't have their schedule for Dec. posted yet, but you can look now to get an idea of what's on offer. Very inexpensive way to get a feel of London and learn something. They do have walks later in the evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted August 4, 2012 #10 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Yes you can have a fun day .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted August 4, 2012 #11 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Hello everyone, My DH and I are taking a Mediterranean Cruise this fall out of Rome, and our return flight to the States has a 20 hour layover at London Gatwick airport. We arrive mid afternoon (3 pm) and leave the next afternoon. We already have hotel accommodations arranged at the airport, but thought it would be nice to take the train into London, since neither of us have ever been. My questions are: is it feasible to have a decent experience in London with just the late afternoon and evening available to us, solely using public transportation? What are the "must-see" locations? I assume we'll need a warm jacket or coat, since it will be early December. Any advice would be cherished. Thank you! Just wanted to ask are you either at the Sofitel or the Hilton. Both Hotels are right at the airport and I would go with one or the other. Look closely which terminal you are flying in and out of to ideally pick the one that is connected to avoid the airport train but worst is you take it. They are both very convenient. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesea777 Posted August 4, 2012 #12 Share Posted August 4, 2012 The only time you'll be able to go into London is the evening you arrive. You need to be at airport 3 hours before - you're flying out at 12:55 pm which means you gotta be there at 10am .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MawganTr Posted August 5, 2012 #13 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Honestly, looking at your times, you won't make it into London. Gatwick may be called 'London Gatwick' but it's not actually in, or that near to, London. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach1213 Posted August 5, 2012 #14 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Honestly, looking at your times, you won't make it into London. Gatwick may be called 'London Gatwick' but it's not actually in, or that near to, London. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Hop on the Gatwick Express and you'll be in London in no time...it's not too far in that case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lalabee79 Posted August 5, 2012 Author #15 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Just wanted to ask are you either at the Sofitel or the Hilton. Both Hotels are right at the airport and I would go with one or the other. Look closely which terminal you are flying in and out of to ideally pick the one that is connected to avoid the airport train but worst is you take it. They are both very convenient. Keith Keith - we are at the Hilton. We can't get much info about the Terminal yet but I'll keep my eyes peeled. Thank you! Hop on the Gatwick Express and you'll be in London in no time...it's not too far in that case Thanks! I have researched the trains and the Gatwick express takes about 30 mins. That's very feasible. We'll just have the evening to enjoy in Central London Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlyerTalker Posted August 6, 2012 #16 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Keith - we are at the Hilton. We can't get much info about the Terminal yet but I'll keep my eyes peeled. You don't know what airline you are flying?? If you do, you could always go to the.....Gatwick Airport website!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lalabee79 Posted August 6, 2012 Author #17 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Thank you for the tip, looks like we'll be at the North Terminal. A little common sense goes a long way :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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