London - flying to Gatwick

[mamatoTails]

Hello!

Will be flying into Gatwick later in the year, and will then need to get to County Hall by the London Eye.

What's the best way to go? I don't think we'd want to get a taxi - so probably train and then tube?

How do you pay? Do I need a visitors oyster? Can you use them on the overground as well?

Haven't been to London for many years - and used to get the train to Paddington and then get a day travel card for the tubes - never been to Gatwick so will I get lost getting to the trains?! Or is it simple?

I know once I actually get to the hotel I'll be fine wandering around as hoping things will still be familiar and I'll remember directions, but nervous to get there from the airport!

Train to Clapham Junction, change for Waterloo or train to London Bridge change for Waterloo East. LGW Station is in South terminal.

Iirc you can use contactless from Gatwick into London.

You can get the Gatwick Express to Victoria. From there you can get the Jubilee line to Waterloo which is where your hotel is.

You have to buy tickets for the Gatwick Express (I think) but once you're in Victoria you can use any contactless card to pay as you go. No need for an Oystercard.

Victoria is not on Jubilee line. You could get Circle/District to Embankment then cross the river.

Oh yeah. Best follow LIZS advice. For some reason I was thinking of Westminster.

In any case Gatwick is nice and straightforward to get from and I'm not going to make any more route suggestions because it will complicate things, but if you go to Victoria it's quite an easy trip to Waterloo on the Tube depending on luggage.

You have to go to Green Park and change for Jubilee line from Victoria but basically this.

If you aren't in a rush get the stopping service not the Express, will save you ££.

Use your contactless card.

If you do get the train into Victoria, the 507 bus outside the station will take you to County Hall/Waterloo.

Whatever you do don't change at Green Park unless you like a walk!

I know Victoria line to Jubilee line is a shorter walk than anything involving the Piccadilly at GP, but the Circle/District from Victoria to Westminster then change there for the Jubilee is a much easier option.

Or the bus! It's a pretty good bus.

I'd just get the Thameslink service from Gatwick to Blackfriars. No changes, no tube, and you arrive to a stunning view down the Thames.

Don't get the Gatwick Express as it's more expensive than the ordinary Southern Trains or Thameslink services

Train to Victoria then tube to embankment then walk across the bridge

What I would say is that whichever train you get into London and to whichever station, Gatwick is very well signposted and once you are in town it is very easy to navigate especially if you use the Citimapper app and don't worry about whether or not you're doing it the 'right' way. Despite the constant threads about how grumpy Londoners are if you ask Station staff they will help you and mostly likely once you are there you will remember that actually you can manage it perfectly well anyway.

Why? When she can get a train straight from Gatwick to Blackfriars and see the wheel right in front of her?

I would do Gatwick to Blackfriars Station, then district line to Embankment, walk over the bridge to Waterloo ( there is a lift to get up onto the bridge, it’s round the back of the stairs!)

Blackfriars station is easy peasy, much less confusing than the big stations.

You can use a contactless card to pay for tube , but, dlr, tram , just remember to use the same card every time and always tap in and out.

Unless OP has loads of luggage, I'd walk from Blackfriars if I was her. It's probably nearly as quick as getting a tube, and you see all the sights of the Thames! It's a great way to arrive. When I get off the train there and see the view from the platform, it always takes my breath away.

I agree, it’s a lovely view along the river.

Here's a synopsis (I felt bad about giving you the wrong info re: the Jubilee)

Gatwick Express to Victoria, then Tube to Waterloo. Pros: v easy to find, quick, regular. Cons, expensive, slightly faffy Tube journey.

Gatwick Express to Vic, 507 to County Hall/ London eye pros: quick into London, least walking. Cons: slow from Vic, maybe you don't like buses?

Thameslink (ordinary train) to Blackfriars, walk along river to the Eye: Pros cheap and direct, cons: bit of a walk the other end, train goes to Watford or something so you have to read the announcement, bit infrequent.

There are a few more but I reckon those three are the most straightforward. Use a contactless card.

Wow thank you all, wasn't expecting so many replies!

Won't have luggage, just a small hand luggage bag that I can easily carry.

You've all be really helpful!

Everyone loves giving London travel advice

You can also book train tickets ahead of time on trainline.com and then pick them up at the machine at Gatwick train station. Just make sure you have the credit card you paid with to swipe at the pick up machine

The easiest way is to get the train to Clapham Junction ( about 25 mins) then from there there are trains every 2-3 minutes to waterloo ( train time about 10 mins)

You can pay by contactless card from Gatwick too

Thameslink (ordinary train) to Blackfriars, walk along river to the Eye: Pros cheap and direct, cons: bit of a walk the other end, train goes to Watford or something so you have to read the announcement, bit infrequent.

Bedford. And I think they're every fifteen minutes. The Gatwick express is less frequent, surely?

Ah there you are then OP. Seems Blackfriars is your best bet.