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London
london heathrow to gatwick airport transfer - custom
Posted: Sun June 12, 2005 03:00 AM UTC
If one has to transfer from Heathrow to Gatwich airport on way back to USA, does he/she have to take the luggage out at Heathrow, go through UK custom then take with him/her onto the shuttle bus, then check the luggage in again at Gatwich? Or the airlines will take care of the luggage and we will just 'transfer' ourselves with the shuttle bus without having to worry about checked-in luggage?

How much time usually will it take from Heathrow to Gatwich at the middel of day, by shuttle bus?

Thank you very much for any advice/info!
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London
RE: london heathrow to gatwick airport transfer - custom
Posted: Sun June 12, 2005 04:05 AM UTC
Yes you have to check out (including the luggage) and then back in again at the other end - its a pain in the neck.

How long it takes depends on traffic - the bus goes on the infamous M25 (known as the worlds biggest car park) so its a bit of a lottery. Its supposed to take about 45 mins. The cost if I remember is about STG17.50.

The airlines will arrange nothing.

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RE: london heathrow to gatwick airport transfer - custom
Posted: Sun June 12, 2005 08:05 AM UTC
www.britishairways.com/travel/airpflcnxlhrlgn/public/en_gb will give you all the gen on connecting. However, please note that although it says "the minimum connecting time is 3 hours (this includes coach journey of between 1 and 1 1/2 hours)" you will also have to add on the time that it takes for you to get through customs at Heathrow, plus to arrive in time for check-in at Gatwick. Porbably an additional three hours.

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London
RE: RE: london heathrow to gatwick airport transfer - custom
Posted: Sun June 12, 2005 08:45 PM UTC
Very much agree with Hawkhead......do take care to allow yourself plenty of time. Traffic is unpredictable, and you only need one accident to bring the M25 grinding to a halt. As for baggage, I suppose you might get it checked straight through by the airline (if it's the same carrier at both airports) but you should check with them. If not, then allow plenty of time at both ends in addition to travel time (especially if you're travelling in July and August).

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London
RE: london heathrow to gatwick airport transfer - custom
Posted: Mon June 20, 2005 06:23 PM UTC
According to British Airways, the minimum connection time between flights at Gatwick and Heathrow is 3 hours. That's the time needed to pick up bags, clear customs/immigration, take the bus between airports, and check in for onward flight.

I would be more comfortable with 4 hours--incoming flights can be delayed, traffic on the "M" (highway) between airports is often clogged, etc.

For details:

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/askbainter/public/en_us?p_search_text=gatwick%20heathrow%20transfer

http://www.nationalexpress.com/destinations/airports.cfm?t=air

(if those long URLs don't work, use the basic URL and search)



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