Do I risk the train to Gatwick

[pintofsnakebite]

I am travelling by myself from Gatwick.

It's a 3 hour drive, and £130 to park, or I could take a 2 hour train journey for £80. It involves a train to London, then tube to Victoria and train to Gatwick.

This is my preferred option but worry if the trains are cancelled or there are delays I'm screwed!

But is it riskier than the car!

I would allow for a train to be cancelled and still have time to get there. Have been away for work this week and had a train cancelled on both legs of my journey. Equally we’ve nearly missed a flight before due to an accident on the motorway. Both options have risks.

The Gatwick express is a priority service abd generally remains running in the event of train issues. It's very unusual for there to be no trains at all to the airport.
I think the train companies have to give 20 days notice of strike action so check before you go but if it's just work to rule you will be ok Victoria to Gatwick.

You can get the train to Gatwick from Waterloo as well, if that saves you schlepping over to Victoria

Where are you travelling from and at what time

The drive to Gatwick is utterly awful too, if that helps sway you. I mean seriously awful.

Never get the Gatwick Express unless it’s the only service running. It’s way more expensive than either a Southern train from Victoria or the Thameslink. Slightly faster but not enough that it matters.

Train is at 1pm. So need to be there for 11. I'm travelling from Midlands so will be stuck jn rush hour somewhere

Is the flight leaving 1pm. Which station are you leaving from.

Oh dear!! Sorry read it wrong 🤣 thought it sounded mad!

Coventry

Sorry. Meant flight is at 1!

I’d take the train. Any reason you have chosen this route, you can go Cov to Gatwick airport with one change at Reading? 3 hours approximately

(see screenshot) for less than the price you quote but of course depends on time of day. Often if there is a rail delay you can find a way round it, recently there was a landslide blocking the line between Coventry and Rugby so rather than risk the rail replacement bus we got an Uber to Rugby then continued our original journey to Euston on the train.

Aah cross posts.
I’d be tempted to get a cheaper one change train the night before then stay the Gatwick side of London for the night.

My return flight to Croatia in a few weeks is only 80 quid….I couldn’t imagine paying 130 to park my car….we go by train to one of our local airports ( £7 return) or bus to the other airport ( £2)

@Kitkat1523 im not sure that's very helpful to the Op who presumably doesn't have any options from Birmingham to her destination otherwise it seems unlikely she would travel to Gatwick in quite a torturous journey.

Yes there was a Birmingham option but terrible times and double the price (I'm not going to Croatia).

We always go to Gatwick by train. TBF it id easier for us as we live in South London.

There are loads of trains that go to Gatwick. Top tip - don't get ripped off by the Gatwick Express, there are loads of normal, cheaper trains that also go there.

The one thing to be said for the Gatwick Express is that it has room for luggage.

The normal, cheaper trains, being aimed at commuters, generally don't. You can just about get an underseat bag on the overhead racks, if it's squashable, but not a cabin case. As for hold luggage...

You'll know in advance, though, if there are strikes. So I'd have driving as your plan B.

Loads of luggage space on Thameslink though as there are far fewer seats.

Yeah the luggage thing is a good point. I mostly travel fairly light - a back pack and duffle bag I can sling on my shoulder, so don't have many luggage storage needs.

You could get the train to Euston and stay at one of the cheaper hotels there. Then go down to Waterloo on the Northern line and onwards to Gatwick.

To drive to Gatwick, its motorways all the way. Including the M25. For me, I’d go the day before and stay around Gatwick then get a shuttle or taxi in.

One bit of advice: Allow 3 hours before your flight. Two is absolutely not enough at Gatwick.

I have a similar trip to get to Gatwick.

I prefer the train but if it's at a weekend it can be completely thrown off by railway maintenance works. These are usually planned well in advance so you can check before deciding.

I often use hotel 'stay overnight and leave your car for a week ' offers, these are usually not much more expensive than a week's parking in the car park and mean that you don't have to worry about last minute hold ups.

Would it be less stress all round to go the afternoon before and check into a gatwick travelodge or Premier Inn, have breakfast and shower and relax before your flight.

Her option would be to travel from a local airport next time

Hi @pintofsnakebite - we're doing this journey tomorrow too and are in the Midlands! We've done it loads of times and, honestly, just drive it. You could have a nightmare with the trains but can leave extra early if you're driving and will be more comfortable.

We park at APH near Gatwick which you can use double Clubcard points for so that would sort out that cost straightaway if that's a concern.