FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Heathrow to Gatwick transport options: a pictorial guide
Old Dec 27, 2015, 3:29 pm
  #3  
corporate-wage-slave
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,475
2) National Express coach service

2) National Express coach service



The National Express runs a door to door coach service from Heathrow to Gatwick. Services typically run from Terminal 1,2,3 then to Terminal 4, on to Terminal 5, the non stop from there to London Gatwick North Terminal (BA's terminal) before heading to Gatwick South. Same procedure in the reverse direction.

Cost
The ticket cost is £25 single, £40 return. In addition, if booking online or the App there is a £1 booking fee, so long as you can print the ticket yourself. If you want a mobile ticket via your phone or App it's 50p extra, and the same fee applies if you opt to retrieve the ticket from a National Express collection point. There is also a £1 booking fee for in person purchases using a credit card, but if you buy from one of the machines in Gatwick or Heathrow you avoid this supplement. There are National Express coachcards available, which save one third off ticket prices and which can be bought by the elderly, young, disabled and those with families. In the case of anyone over 60 years old a single Gatwick - Heathrow transfer would almost pay for the card.

Time / service frequency
The journey from LHR T5 to LGW North typically takes around 45 minutes in good traffic. Note that there can be delays on the motorway so you best allow plenty of time. There are typically 3 to 6 services an hour, but they are unevenly spread out, so there can be 30 minute gaps between services. The coach services come from all parts of the country and are therefore open to delays en route. You can use the App / website to see real time information on movements.
Heathrow T5: http://coachtracker.nationalexpress....ort_Terminal_5
Heathrow T1/T3: http://coachtracker.nationalexpress....al_Bus_Station
then filter of Departures to Gatwick
Gatwick North: http://coachtracker.nationalexpress....al_Bus_Station

Baggage
The maximum baggage you can take on a normal ticket is two bags each up to 20 kgs, plus one small piece of hand luggage. The larger items will go in the pavement level hold, the smaller item goes with you on board. Extra bags cost £8, but it is fair to say that this whole area isn't rigorously policed so long as you don't overdo it.

Where to board the service: Heathrow T5
From International Arrivals bear right towards Costa Coffee, then turn left to leave the building, past a water feature and on to bus stops 11 and 12. It is clearly signposted. The National Express office is on the left of International Connections, below an orange sign saying South meeting point.


In the above photo you can see the water feature to the left, and behind it a National Express coach.



Where to board the service: Heathrow T3
Follow the signs to the Central Bus station. This involves a passageway going underneath Heathrow's road system to a central island from which all coaches and most buses leave. The National Express shop is in a prominent location in the bus station waiting area.

Where to board the service: London Gatwick North
From International Arrivals, bear slightly rightwards, towards the lifts, through the external doors and the coach stop is to the right. The National Express office is just between the lifts and the external doorway.

Step free and accessibility
No steps to the bus stop, a few steps to go up into the coach itself. The service runs close to the terminal buildings and this represents the least amount of walking of any transfer method at LGW and T5. There is a passageway at T3 to get to the bus station, with lifts.

Hassle factor
Low, particularly if you get your ticket sorted out in advance and the service arrives quickly. The seats are comfortable, the coaches have WCs and air conditioning, some have free wifi and device charging points. It is easy to get luggage into the low level hold and the driver will assist you.

How to book
Note that the National Express system requires you to select a specific service on your ticket. In reality between Heathrow and Gatwick your ticket is valid on any service which vaguely resembles the service you purchased. You can also buy a return ticket with an open dated return, and then insert the date via their MMB service.
www.nationalexpress.com/myticket

You can buy tickets:
1) In person or via the machines at the National Express offices in Gatwick and Heathrow. They are both in the arrivals floor area, in the case of T5 to the left of international arrivals, under the orange sign for the South meeting point. At Gatwick it is by the lift area on the right as you leave the building from Arrivals. The best door to the coaches themselves is very close by in both cases. The machines don't charge a credit card fee, and accept Amex.



2) Online (£1 booking fee, plus 50p for an m-ticket if you can't print an email ticket.)
3) Via the App for Smartphones (National Express Coach) - £1 booking fee, plus 50p for an m-ticket if you can't print an email ticket.
4) By telephone: +44 8717 81 81 81 - allowing 7 days for the ticket to arrive in the UK
5) Via tourist boards, student unions, local bus ticket offices and travel agents
6) At your local Post Office, including small village branches
7) If the office is closed, you can buy your ticket from the driver, cash only accepted, and any return would be open dated.

Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Dec 31, 2015 at 10:43 am
corporate-wage-slave is online now