London and the Gatwick Express.

[balletmuffin]

I have an overnight in London but unfortunately, Hotels are bonkers high with prices at the moment.

I am considering booking a premier inn out at Gatwick airport for the night as I am flying in anyway. I was planning on using the Gatwick express in and out both days. That appears to be £30 return each day and the premier inn is sitting at £95 so pricing wise much cheaper that being more central. There are no premier inns available on the night I need in central London. There are some travelodges but the reviews are poor. Hilton etc are just too expensive at £350 plus a night. Do you think my plan is worthwhile or would you say find the budget and book centrally?

Just get the regular train, it takes about 10 mins longer than the express. I have no idea what it costs now but is a lot less than the GE

Don't use the GE. Just use the normal train, so much cheaper.

Southern train or Thameslink likely to be around £20+ return. Which PI though, not all are at Gatwick but a cab ride away.

PP are right, just get the normal train. Download Citymapper and it’ll guide you through getting on the fast one. Also worth downloading the Trainline app, as that will show you the cheapest options, and allow you to buy an e-ticket you can download to your phone - easier than working out the ticket machines and sometimes works out cheaper than just tapping your card, depending what time of day it is and how far ahead you’re booking.

Thanks everyone. PI is the North terminal one. Website does come up with a few options though.

FYI, When I last did this, (4 people) it was cheaper to book a minicab which incidentally took us right to our hotel, than 4 GE tickets.
Plus at the time the GE was suspended due to Covid 🙄
The normal train was a little bit cheaper, but you had 7(?) minutes to change at E Croydon

Have you looked at prices for accommodation and trains in the commuterbelt but not near airports? Likely to be cheaper.

I am a bit confused about where you want to stay, ideally, but there are some good value hotels in London as well as some cheap hotels that aren't good. People might be able to help with recommendations.

Where in London do you need to get to?

You will need to take the airport shuttle from North to South terminal where the station is. Unlikely you need to change at EC, there are plenty of direct trains into either Victoria or London Bridge (or beyond on Thameslink).

I need to be in and around Covent Garden. Happy to use the tube.

Get the normal train to London Bridge, change for the Charing Cross train then walk (10mins) from there. It's a pretty easy journey :)

checkout prices of hotels in Croydon. A return from Gatwick is £11.80 (travelling different days) , the daily cap on Oyster card is £13.50 which will take you in and about central london.

Thank you all. This has been really helpful.