Early Morning Flight From LGW
Jan 15, 2018, 4:40 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
As it's a Tuesday, rather than a Saturday or Sunday, it really shouldn't be too bad at security at that time, off season. I've done this, with no Fast Track, about 3 times in the last six months and never experienced a problem, each time taking the train from Clapham Junction. Any earlier, however, and I'd be aiming for a taxi.
Jan 15, 2018, 4:18 pm
#17
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
I would personally stay near to East Croydon station - 15 minutes to LGW and trains more regularly than the stations further north. In many ways that’s much simpler than the airport hotels which involve shuttle rides.
There’s a Jury’s Inn adjacent to the station and a Holiday Inn Express about 10 minutes walk away - I’ve stayed at the latter several times and never paid more than Ł55 a night.
There’s a Jury’s Inn adjacent to the station and a Holiday Inn Express about 10 minutes walk away - I’ve stayed at the latter several times and never paid more than Ł55 a night.
Jan 16, 2018, 2:06 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,769
I would personally stay near to East Croydon station - 15 minutes to LGW and trains more regularly than the stations further north. In many ways that’s much simpler than the airport hotels which involve shuttle rides.
There’s a Jury’s Inn adjacent to the station and a Holiday Inn Express about 10 minutes walk away - I’ve stayed at the latter several times and never paid more than Ł55 a night.
There’s a Jury’s Inn adjacent to the station and a Holiday Inn Express about 10 minutes walk away - I’ve stayed at the latter several times and never paid more than Ł55 a night.
The Hilton and Bloc are both on-site at South terminal (Hilton a couple mins walk through a covered walkway). Hampton is at North with free train shuttle to South every few mins that takes 2 mins. So if price is comparable to the East Croydon options, pick the on-site Gatwick ones.
Jan 16, 2018, 11:14 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
I don't understand why you think your day is being cut short. Either you sleep 10.30pm-4.30am in a Ł150 central London hotel and go to Gatwick in the morning, or you go to Gatwick / East Croydon after the show and sleep from midnight-6am in a Ł50-Ł80 hotel. (If it's the Gatwick Hilton, breakfast starts at 5.20am.) Or pay that Ł150 but only sleep for 3 hours, if you want to stay out even later.
Jan 18, 2018, 12:14 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 111
Thanks for all of the information. I just spent 24 hours at various US airports because of all of the weather delays, and leave tomorrow for London. I flying in from Los Angeles, so I am not sure how I will be feeling. I booked a room for the first night at the Strand Palace. I can add a late check out for Ł30-Ł50 or another night for Ł100. I am diamond with Hilton, so I may just stay the second night at LGW or the Conrad? I am flying out of LGW on Monday morning, not Tuesday as I had said earlier. I am not that familiar with the Underground and don't know Blackfriars, but I will look into it.
Jan 18, 2018, 12:46 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 740
I live in SW London and if I have an early flight from Gatwick I stay at the Hilton. It's way better to be able to fall out of bed and head straight for security than have to get up at the crack of dawn. If you go out in the evening there will be a train down to Gatwick and it won't be busy.
Jan 18, 2018, 12:59 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,962
Not sure I get the logic of only considering those 3, and not the Sofitel, Premier Inn (both North terminal), or even Yotel (though not my cup of tea).
Jan 18, 2018, 2:16 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,769
I generally only stay at the Hilton, but you can't miss the Bloc and the Hampton is right by easyJet check-in. The other three = out of sight, out of mind.
Jan 18, 2018, 3:06 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,962
For anyone else reading this, do be careful which Premier Inn you book if you do, there’s more than one described as ‘Gatwick’. The one you want is the one directly opposite the North Terminal, next to the Sofitel - both being right next to the transit and kind hard to miss ;-p
Jan 18, 2018, 6:07 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AA, UA lowly commoner
Posts: 780
Ha!
For anyone else reading this, do be careful which Premier Inn you book if you do, there’s more than one described as ‘Gatwick’. The one you want is the one directly opposite the North Terminal, next to the Sofitel - both being right next to the transit and kind hard to miss ;-p
For anyone else reading this, do be careful which Premier Inn you book if you do, there’s more than one described as ‘Gatwick’. The one you want is the one directly opposite the North Terminal, next to the Sofitel - both being right next to the transit and kind hard to miss ;-p