Book a hotel or travel to Gatwick on the day.

[milkyjo]

We will be flying from Gatwick north in June with a 16 month old and 3 year old. Flight is at 11am so travelling down from midlands through rush hour if we were to travel on the day. However, neither children are great at sleeping in unfamiliar places and I think we'd end up getting less sleep and having two very tired grumpy children on the plane if we booked a hotel near to the airport the night before. Pre kids me and DH would have just booked a room. What have others done and how much extra time should I factor in for rush hour? TIA.

There is now a premier inn at Gatwick north & it is a 30 second walk into the terminal.

I assume you are going to have to be there for a 9am check in?

Frankly, I shudder to think how much time you will need to factor in for rush hour travelling from midlands - I'd leave tomorrow, if I were you

I really think you will have a much better start to your holiday if you spend the night before at Gatwick. The stress of traffic on M25 & the rest won't leave you very relaxed at all. I'd honestly put up with less sleep than leaving home at silly o' clock & feeling worried all the way there.

book a hotel - there are several Premier Inns nearby so you can shop around, and also for the parking that you will need.

the M25 can and does jam for hours. Don't chance it.

I wouldn't leave any later than 5am to be honest, assuming you're in a two hour drive radius. However, if I were you I would also get a hotel!

I don't risk travelling to the airport on the day anymore as we nearly missed a flight once due to traffic. It's too stressful. Book the hotel.

Sold! I think I will book that hotel. Prem inn with meet and greet parking is only £14 extra than just parking!

Honestly I would travel down the night before and stay in one of the airport hotels. It will be far less stressful for you all particularly in the event of bad weather.

Driving in the dark as well on the M25 is no fun at all. Much the stretch of the M25 from J5 the turn off for the M23 at J7 for Gatwick is very prone to fog too.

The thing about the M25 is that it can just SHUT. Doesn't happen often but i have friends who have missed holiday flights because of it. We do the stay overnight thing all the time. Can't recommend it enough.

The travel lodge at Gatwick is good. Clean etc. And not too pricey. There are coaches to take you to the airport. Though you have to pay a small charge for these. Times etc are all on the website.

We've also stayed at the hotel with the pool. They often have parking deals with a stay - usually for the return night but if you ring them they change it to the outward night.

And the other one which has fabulous views of the planes....

Warning tho - we were so chilled the first time we did this we didn't allow enough time for passport control. Very stressful!