Three hours from central London to Gatwick flight

Don’t do it. Too many variables and that train service is notoriously unreliable.

I’d happily do this - obviously, there could be an issue with the trains but that’s always the case. You don’t have to check anything in and it’s an internal flight so it’s only really security to contend with and Gatwick seems to have improved a lot in recent years. My brother and his family flew at the weekend, so prime summer holiday time, and there were hardly any queues. You won’t have time to dawdle but it’s a pretty easy journey.

I once took a Gatwick train from London Bridge in the evening rush - to test this route. Compared to Gatwick Express it was markedly slower (and delayed), but I left enough time. I said to myself - never agsin, only Gatwick Express.

Do you have luggage to check? I’ve just flown international. While travel there was a breeze as well as security, there was a delay with bag check, as some of the machines seemed to be giving trouble by not recognising the bags. It was quite stressful.

I always aim to arrive 3 hours ahead of an international flight; there is so much that can go wrong like delayed trains etc.

I wouldn't do that. Far too much danger of it all going tits up. It's too tight.

Sounds doable based on what @IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece says. The last few times I've flown, I've started to think that arriving 2 hours before is way over the top as we've usually been able to drop off luggage, got through security, browse the shops, pick up a Boots meal deal and still have well over an hour before take off.

The 'gate closes 40 mins before take off' rule seems nonsense too as I think I've had one flight out of dozens over the years when they've achieved anywhere near that and that was a half empty flight that was the last one before the afternoon siesta from a Spanish airport so I can see how they got everyone through quickly so they could have a leisurely afternoon break. Most of the time there's still a queue to go through the boarding pass check until about 10 mins before take off.

We still generally stick to 2 hours because it gives a contingency in case of motorway queue/flat tyre and long queues at the airport, but if I wasn't driving to the airport that obviously wouldn't apply. Only possible sticking points I can see is that if they won't allow you to take rucksacks into the theatre and make you check them and it takes time to get them back (there should be information in your booking) or that the performance ends later than 4, how sure are you about this? But it does sound like you have plenty of time to catch a 4.30 pm train and there's a spare one after that which would likely get you there on time too.

Is it Ambassador’s theatre?

I think it’s technically possible.

Get seats on the end of the row. Out of the theatre as soon as it ends, don’t stay for the clapping. If you’re not on the end of a row you’ll be caught up in the crowd leaving and that’ll take an age to get out!

5 minutes walk to Leicester Square station. Northern line, change at Embankment, district line to Blackfriars. That journey should take 15-20 minutes.

Train from Blackfriars at 16.29, arrives Gatwick 17.04. Pre-buy the ticket so it’s already on your phone to scan at the ticket barrier at Blackfriars.

Shuttle from South terminal to North - allow 15 minutes. It only takes a couple of minutes on the shuttle, but the time allows for getting off train, waiting, getting on and off shuttle.

Check in online in advance. Pre-book fast-track security queue.

So technically you could be through security by 17.45 which is just enough. But that relies on everything running on time.

To me, it’s not worth the risk. If the train is delayed and you miss the flight, the travel insurance may well question why you didn’t take an earlier train!

I think it is doable but in your position I would not be enjoying the afternoon at all as my mind would be on making the flight.

Loads of time! ESP if checked in already and have boarding passes on phone and no checked luggage.
North term will add 10 mins to the journey though but on the plus side it’s usually less busy.

https://www.gatwickairport.com/premium-services/fast-track-security.html www.gatwickairport.com/premium-services/fast-track-security.html]]]]

I regularly fly from Gatwick having come from either Central London or King’s Cross and I would have no problem doing that. I would

• make sure you leave as soon as it ends, no dicking around
• know your route to the station as much as you can
• dobt plan to stop for snacks until you get to the airport
• pay for fast track security (last week I got through security in under 3 minutes with it. Worth it!) (you need to book a few hours before you’ll be going through)

You can pay to go through the fast track security channel, that might help. Usually not much in the way of queues there; it's certainly a lot quicker than going through the normal channel.

I'd get the Gatwick Express from Victoria, it's only about 30 minutes and quite frequent.

Depends on what the stakes are if you miss the flight.

it wouldn’t be for me, as I hate rushing around and find it antithetical to a holiday.

you could get a day like today where there is major disruption
/ catastrophe on the overground.

If you are game then I’d either: work out other options like uber to Gatwick if the trains or other public transport are no good. Gatwick is a good 1h15 from central London by car notwithstanding unusual traffic; alternatively, If Heathrow or city airport was an option, I’d be much more relaxed about that and would choose that option instead.

It would be doable on a good day. Taking into consideration you will be slow finding where to go quickly and it's rush hour.
No.

Are you & your DD fit & able? Being able to speed walk through the airport might make a difference to this. As will being able to see signs easily. And being able to last from the interval of play until take off without a wee.
This was 20 years ago but me & my mates world routinely fly from Gatwick at about 7pm on a Friday having skived off work a bit early (so about 4.30). We were based in the City so slightly closer to London Bridge but only a few minutes.
Yes there might be chaos on the tubes but I’d say it’s more likely that your flight will be delayed so you’ll have plenty of time.

Train station is South and terminal link is right above it. All I would say is that SE railways are notorious for issues .

I went through Gatwick recently and the no taking laptops out or liquids has really sped up the process.

Which terminal are you flying out of ?

I’d do it. If the trains/tube end up a bit slow then pay for fast track security while you’re in the train. That would get you airside in 20
mins from the train (or 30 if flying from N terminal), then 15 mins to gate.