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Original poster

2:30pm flight from Gatwick - what time would you leave home?

67 replies

Getonnow · 01/02/2024 21:12

I'm going by train. If everything runs to schedule it's 1hr:45 mins and involves crossing London on the tube.

I'm taking luggage that will need to be checked and there's no on-line check in.

It's my first ever flight alone (at 53yo!) and I'm nervous.

Part of me thinks go really early, another part thinks a long wait on my own won't be fun. WWYD?

OP posts:
Riverlee · 01/02/2024 21:14

Go early. You can always sit and have a coffee and read a book.

bossybloss · 01/02/2024 21:15

I would go really really early. I get so stressed about missing flights!

PuttingDownRoots · 01/02/2024 21:16

I'd aim to get there by 11.30
So leave 9.30... or aiming to get first off peak train.

AgnesNaismith · 01/02/2024 21:17

Go early and get a lounge so you can relax with a bit of quiet!

Original poster
Getonnow · 01/02/2024 21:17

DS can give me a lift to the station on his way to work at 7:45, would that be ridiculous?

OP posts:
NeedAdvice8 · 01/02/2024 21:17

Edit: misread it and thought it was 2:30am 😅 I’d plan to be there 2.5 hours before the flight.

cheezncrackers · 01/02/2024 21:18
  • Flight at 2.30 pm
  • You need to be at the airport 2 hours before for a flight to Europe and 3 hours before for a long haul. So you need to arrive at the airport around 12.30 pm for Europe or 11.30 am for long haul.
  • 1 hr 45 min train journey, but I'd add a bit of extra time so maybe 2 hours.
  • European flight leave home at 10.30 am.
  • Long haul leave home at 9.30 am.
LudoBlue · 01/02/2024 21:18

Midday.

I live 20 minutes from Gatwick though.

BarelyLiterate · 01/02/2024 21:19

If you aren’t familiar with the airport & don’t know the ropes, I would aim to arrive at the terminal by 12-30 at the latest. If you’re travelling at a peak time (Easter, May half term, July & August) I would allow longer. If you’re travelling on a normal weekday afternoon in winter, 2 hours should be plenty.

DinnaeFashYersel · 01/02/2024 21:20

Getonnow · 01/02/2024 21:17

DS can give me a lift to the station on his way to work at 7:45, would that be ridiculous?

They probably won't even let you check in at that time.

Domestic flight checking in luggage I get there 90 mins before

International I get there 2.5 to 3 hours before.

Singleandproud · 01/02/2024 21:21

If your son can give you a lift and you can avoid taking luggage on the underground I wouldn't mind getting there at 07:45, I'd take a book and some podcasts and headphones, and tuck myself away watching the flights take off with a nice coffee

If I wasn't being given a lift I'd get the first off-peak train in the morning. I wouldn't be able to settle at home and would spend the time waiting to leave so I might as well get on with it and relax at the airport.

Stopsnowing · 01/02/2024 21:23

Leave at 930am and take a book to read

Hmmmmaybe · 01/02/2024 21:23

I have travelled LOADS on my own. I was at gatwick just last weekend and got there two and half hours early. I always bring a book an me have a large glass of wine. If I were you I’d get there at 11:30 and head for wagamas and ask for one of the little booths and settle in with a book, get some noodles and have some wine.

Original poster
Getonnow · 01/02/2024 21:23

Singleandproud · 01/02/2024 21:21

If your son can give you a lift and you can avoid taking luggage on the underground I wouldn't mind getting there at 07:45, I'd take a book and some podcasts and headphones, and tuck myself away watching the flights take off with a nice coffee

If I wasn't being given a lift I'd get the first off-peak train in the morning. I wouldn't be able to settle at home and would spend the time waiting to leave so I might as well get on with it and relax at the airport.

Edited

He's only giving me a lift to the station, I'll still be train, tube, train to get there.

Alternative is I'll walk or get a cab to the station. I'm only taking a small wheely suitcase and a rucsac but the flight doesn't accommodate the case in the cabin.

OP posts:
fluffi · 01/02/2024 21:23

I would allow 3hrs even for a Europe flight, and at least an extra 30 mins for cancelled trains and/or tube delays due to person under train causing severe delays when you get stuck in tunnels and will need to re-route. 9:15 / 9:30 latest for me.

SecondUsername4me · 01/02/2024 21:24

Get him to give you a lift, then in London, take a leisurely wak around to the right station to get to Gatwick, but stay in London for a nice Brunch and coffee. Train to Gatwick getting you there for 11ish

But I travel so infrequently that I try to make the travel enjoyable too.

SecondUsername4me · 01/02/2024 21:25

OP why not treat yourself to Lounge access at the airport? Some of them are about £25, so glass of wine and sit with a book got a couple of hours, light lunch etc.

Original poster
Getonnow · 01/02/2024 21:25

fluffi · 01/02/2024 21:23

I would allow 3hrs even for a Europe flight, and at least an extra 30 mins for cancelled trains and/or tube delays due to person under train causing severe delays when you get stuck in tunnels and will need to re-route. 9:15 / 9:30 latest for me.

Yes, my initial plan was the 8:55 train, then I asked DS about his shifts 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Getonnow · 01/02/2024 21:26

SecondUsername4me · 01/02/2024 21:25

OP why not treat yourself to Lounge access at the airport? Some of them are about £25, so glass of wine and sit with a book got a couple of hours, light lunch etc.

How would I go about organising that?

OP posts:
Original poster
Getonnow · 01/02/2024 21:28

SecondUsername4me · 01/02/2024 21:24

Get him to give you a lift, then in London, take a leisurely wak around to the right station to get to Gatwick, but stay in London for a nice Brunch and coffee. Train to Gatwick getting you there for 11ish

But I travel so infrequently that I try to make the travel enjoyable too.

Oh that's a good idea. I could have breakfast near London Bridge.

I've just thought that all this independent travel sounds good but what do you do with the luggage when you need the loo?!

OP posts:
betterangels · 01/02/2024 21:28

SecondUsername4me · 01/02/2024 21:24

Get him to give you a lift, then in London, take a leisurely wak around to the right station to get to Gatwick, but stay in London for a nice Brunch and coffee. Train to Gatwick getting you there for 11ish

But I travel so infrequently that I try to make the travel enjoyable too.

I'd do this. Much less stressful. Whenever I travel (a lot less than I used to) I want to be in the airport 2,5 hours before departure. I hate being caught out in security. Sometimes it's mayhem.

MajesticWhine · 01/02/2024 21:29

I would leave at about 10.00. I quite like being early and it would be nice to get through security and to relax and have a bit of lunch or go shopping.

Hmmmmaybe · 01/02/2024 21:30

Oh yes go to a lounge!!! I’d do that rather than stop off at London bridge there’s a nice one at gatwick and foods included etc

Hmmmmaybe · 01/02/2024 21:30

And you take luggage into the loo with you…

Hmmmmaybe · 01/02/2024 21:31

Google gatwick airport lounges and then you book online