Gatwick transportation options...
 

I'm flying SFO-LON next week for a personal trip, staying at the Renaissance May Fair hotel (free stay with a friend). Since it is a personal trip, I'm trying to keep the costs under control.

Haven’t been to the UK in some 10 years, never flew into Gatwick. Anyone have any recommendations for transportation from Gatwick to the May Fair? I’ve heard of the Gatwick Express, is this the best option? I’m not sure where it dumps you off and how to navigate from there, but I know that there are scores of Brits in the forums that can probably do this trip blindfolded.

Thanks!

--Doug (San Francisco, CA)

Cost-wise, the Gatwick express is not that cheap and you may be better off (certainly a bit wealthier) if you do the Southern trains to Victoria and then switch to the tube. £12 each way on the Express is a lot at today's UK/US exchange...

Are you sure that's the name of the hotel? I'm not aware of any hotel with that name in Mayfair. I'm pretty sure the only Renaissance in central London is the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel in Holborn.

Anyway, if you are heading to Mayfair then take either the Gatwick Express or the stopping suburban service (cheaper - takes 10mins longer) as mentioned by jabrams72. You'll arrive at London Victoria station where you can jump into a cab or, if travelling light, hop onto a number 36 or 73 bus for the 10 min ride to Mayfair. The Tube is not really recommended.

I took Thameslink from Gatwick to Kings Cross, followed by the tube to my destination. It was very easy. Slightly less posh than the Gatwick Express, but the Thameslink is perfectly fine. Thameslink has various stops, one of which may be most convenient for you.

But none of them will be nearly as good as Victoria for the Mayfair area. Going to Kings Cross and then coming back into that part of town is rather going out of the way.

The Southern train to/from Victoria cost me 9 pounds each way last month.