DD3 travelling from Gatwick

[MyMagicStars]

DD3 is going to Amsterdam with friends soon, and while getting to the airport is sorted, they’re flying back to Gatwick. She’s getting the train somewhere different from the rest. she’ll only have hand luggage and is a UK citizen- how long does she need to leave between landing and booking her train ticket? Flight lands Thursday at 21:45. Thank you!

I would leave at least a couple of hours, and have a plan for if the flight is delayed and she misses her train.

I wouldn't risk booking it unless the difference between the walk on ticket price vs advance ticket is more than £50.

If she's booked on a particular train she'll either have the stress of rushing for it/missing it or the annoyance of having to wait a couple of hours watching trains depart that she could have got on with a walk on fare.

Hours! I was hoping she could grab the 22:25-22:45 train. Wondering if it’s easier simply to collect her, given it’s a 2 hour journey by train as it is.

What about National Express coach? I've got a feeling they let you on the next one if you miss your booked one due to flight delays (please check this though).

There’s a few train options- can anyone suggest an average time to get through Gatwick?

I flew into Gatwick Sunday night. Flight should’ve landed at 22.20 and I only had hand luggage so quickly off the plane then train at 2300 was the plan.

Flight was delayed by 40 minutes then problem with our plane meant half of us had to have our cabin bags checked. So we didn’t land until 23.10 then I had to wait 55 mins for my luggage then trek (ok trek is a bit OTT but it’s so far at that time of night ) to the station then a wait. I got on the train at 01.25.

Obviously chances are it’ll all be fine but I really wouldn’t chance it, even when all goes smoothly it can be a fair trek to the station

The past few times its taken approx 30-40mins from disembarking to being on the concourse where the station is however that's landing at the terminal with the station inside.

That doesn't take into account any flight delays and also delays in disembarking which has happened several times to us recently.

Well, it usually doesn't take long at ALL to get through Gatwick arrivals (as in, I can be home within an hour) but that is presuming the flight arrives on time and there's no delays for any reason (stand availability etc).

Where is she ultimately going? Because if it is within London area it mightnt be any cheaper to prebook!

Almost impossible to predict an average, too many variables. I would just buy an open return, so she can get any train if that is a possibility. I’ve had arrivals where everything was timely and there was no queue at passport control, with E-passports working, and been from the plane to the train in 30 mins. I’ve also had madness- flights delayed on departure and landing, someone fainting in the passport queue and my e-passport being rejected all in one trip, probably took 3 hours more than a good run.

Is she coming into north or south terminal? If you get dropped by bus at north it could take half an hour at least to walk through and clear passport control. Allow about an hour from landing if coming from north to include shuttle across to station. Does she need a timed ticket though, a standard open ticket won't limit her and trains unlikely to be busy. Where is she travelling to?

Landed at Gatwick from amsterdam in july last year at 9pm ish on a Sunday and was on a train home within 40 minutes... BUT I still didn't book the train ticket in case I missed it! I'd pick her up if it's an option as 2 hours late at night after a potentially crazy weekend might mean she falls asleep and ends up God knows where...

I always fly back to Gatwick from Europe and book my train in advance and I usually only leave 45 mins between landing time and train dye time. If the flight is late she can jump on the next available train, I've do evot for years and never was questioned.