Sailing from London / Greenwich

[Baron Barracuda]

We'll be sailing from London / Greenwich next May on the Sky and are beginning to look at flights.  We’re not using Viking Air and would appreciate the experience of those who have sailed from Greenwich.  From NY we can fly non-stop into either LHR or LGW.  Is one a better choice than the other?  Once there VO has offered us transfers at $40pp which seems significantly cheaper than Uber or black car.   How early do shuttles begin running and with what frequency?  UAL flies into LHR pretty much hourly and I was hoping to find that sweet spot of arriving early, but not too early and not having a long wait for shuttle.  At least at the end of our journey in NY 43 days later dd will hopefully be waiting for us at pier (if not it will be a long walk home).

[JM0115]

34 minutes ago, Baron Barracuda said:

We'll be sailing from London / Greenwich next May on the Sky and are beginning to look at flights.  We’re not using Viking Air and would appreciate the experience of those who have sailed from Greenwich.  From NY we can fly non-stop into either LHR or LGW.  Is one a better choice than the other?  Once there VO has offered us transfers at $40pp which seems significantly cheaper than Uber or black car.   How early do shuttles begin running and with what frequency?  UAL flies into LHR pretty much hourly and I was hoping to find that sweet spot of arriving early, but not too early and not having a long wait for shuttle.  At least at the end of our journey in NY 43 days later dd will hopefully be waiting for us at pier (if not it will be a long walk home).

I would highly recommend going a day early. I try not to fly in the day of the cruise in case something happens.

[shipboy]

Heathrow is much closer to Greenwich than Gatwick

[KBs mum]

Grenwich is in London, Heathrow and Gatwick aren't. Of the two Heathrow is easiest, as Gatwick is an hour further away. £40 for the transfer would save the hassle of the underground, but independent would likely cost less. 

There arn't shuttles for transfer, Viking arrange coaches as required, you may have to waste for people arriving on a slightly later flight

Edited August 27 by KBs mum

[The Other Tom]

The above posters offer good advice...fly in several days early and enjoy London.  Use the extra days to overcome jetlag so you can fully enjoy your cruise.  There's way too much risk of delays, flight cancellations, etc by flying in the day of. 

LHR is a lot closer to Greenwich than LGW, but if you fly into LHR you have to travel through downtown London traffic to get to Greenwich.  It could work out to be the same, time wise.

FWIW, we took the tube from LHR to a major station near our hotel, then a taxi from the tube station to our hotel.  We took a private car (Blacklane) to the ship from our hotel.  Worked well.  

There is an Uber boat that leaves from downtown London to Greenwich.  We took that as well but for sightseeing purposes.

 

[KBs mum]

1 minute ago, The Other Tom said:

The above posters offer good advice...fly in several days early and enjoy London.  Use the extra days to overcome jetlag so you can fully enjoy your cruise.  There's way too much risk of delays, flight cancellations, etc by flying in the day of. 

LHR is a lot closer to Greenwich than LGW, but if you fly into LHR you have to travel through downtown London traffic to get to Greenwich.  It could work out to be the same, time wise.

FWIW, we took the tube from LHR to a major station near our hotel, then a taxi from the tube station to our hotel.  We took a private car (Blacklane) to the ship from our hotel.  Worked well.  

There is an Uber boat that leaves from downtown London to Greenwich.  We took that as well but for sightseeing purposes.

 

No way to get to Grenwich without going through London, it's part of London (but not in the City) 

Best method depends on budget and mobility. Train to Thames boat may be best for most, but the Viking transfer will save hassle. 

 

 

[The Other Tom]

2 minutes ago, KBs mum said:

No way to get to Grenwich without going through London, it's part of London (but not in the City) 

Correct, of course.  Looking at the map, it seems travel from Gatwick to Greenwich would avoid at least some traffic.  Do you agree?

[Baron Barracuda]

Thanks.  Knew I could count on the Viking community.  We always, always, always fly in a day early however considering taking a chance on this sailing because flights arrive early in AM and ship doesn't actually sail until following day.  DW was just in London last month ahead of a sailing from Southampton so isn't looking to spend additional time there.  Might however consider an overnight stay in Greenwich

[LindaS272]

“A [man] who is tired of London, is tired of life.” Dr. Johnson.

😎😉

Edited August 27 by LindaS272

[janetcbl]

2 hours ago, Baron Barracuda said:

Thanks.  Knew I could count on the Viking community.  We always, always, always fly in a day early however considering taking a chance on this sailing because flights arrive early in AM and ship doesn't actually sail until following day.  DW was just in London last month ahead of a sailing from Southampton so isn't looking to spend additional time there.  Might however consider an overnight stay in Greenwich

There is plenty to see/do in Greenwich. We spent a day there before our cruise and wish we had planned for two or three days.

[KBs mum]

16 hours ago, The Other Tom said:

Correct, of course.  Looking at the map, it seems travel from Gatwick to Greenwich would avoid at least some traffic.  Do you agree?

Gatwick to London involves the M25, which can turn into a car park at any time. Heathrow tube and train is more reliable

 

[deec]

Although time was spent in London recently,  I highly recommend the pre-extension of Grand Homes, Gardens and Gin...you stay in Oxford and do day trips...it was wonderful!

[Baron Barracuda]

2 hours ago, deec said:

Although time was spent in London recently,  I highly recommend the pre-extension of Grand Homes, Gardens and Gin...you stay in Oxford and do day trips...it was wonderful!

Others obviously agree as it's sold out for our sailing as is the 2 night London extension.