????'s regarding Heathrow and Gatwick

[marco]

We have flown to London a few times, always to Heathrow. We have the opportunity to fly this time into Gatwick as a substantially better price. Is Gatwick further out from London proper? Can we take the tube from Gatwick into London (we can from Heatrow). Any major disadvantage of flying into Gatwick rather than Heatrow?

[Globaliser]

Any major disadvantage of flying into Gatwick rather than Heatrow?

Not really.

 

There are direct trains from Gatwick to central London (Victoria and London Bridge) - so while it's not the Tube, it's still not difficult to get into town (and arguably faster than the Tube from Heathrow).

 

The disadvantages are mostly minor: it costs more to get into town; it has fewer long-haul airlines, destinations and frequencies; and parts of it can be overrun with the charter airline bucket-and-spade demographic at certain times of the year. Oh, and it requires you to pay to use a luggage trolley, even if you have just arrived from another country and don't have any UK coins on you.

[marco]

Thankyou! For $220 less pp, we'll fly into Gatwick.

[nolatravelgirl]

Gat wick is fine if it is your origin or termination point. I would pick Heathrow if I was connecting since of you are delayed or cancelled for onward travel there are much more options for alternative travel.