London Airports transfer FAQ: LHR, LGW, LCY, LTN, STN, SOU, SEN
Feb 27, 2018, 11:47 am
#197
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,089
Just to say that BATransfer have removed a number of benefits of their frequent user scheme.
- 10% discount for online booking is gone
- 15 minute free delay pick up is gone
1 free trip for 20 journeys is still there
- 10% discount for online booking is gone
- 15 minute free delay pick up is gone
1 free trip for 20 journeys is still there
Feb 27, 2018, 11:53 am
#198
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Also, as of this week, the very first Thameslink services to Peterborough and Cambridge are running (only a few per day), providing a whole load of new connections to Gatwick Airport. The full timetable starts in mid-May, and will be great for me!
Mar 8, 2018, 2:06 pm
#199
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Programs: AA EXP; United 1K, Delta, IHG Plat Amb, PE, Marriott/Hilton Gold
Posts: 749
What happens if I fly in from US with carryon, transit to a BA EU-destined flight and Heathrow security decides my carryon is too big? Is that likely to happen? We have two carryon bags, different companies, that are marketed at measurements that would fit BA requirements but are probably a little taller than the required 22 inches. Way narrower than their width requirements. We have used them to travel world wide and US for years without issue but I've had some odd experiences with LHR security (such as wanting me to repack all of my liquids into their plastic bag versus my own).
If they don't like my bag, do I have to detour to a ticket counter to check it? How long would that take?
We have a trip coming up with 1:45 minute layover at LHR. we are in business should should be able to fasttrack if that helps with time.
The flip side is that I don't trust BA with checked baggage. They've lost it too many times and been unhelpful about finding it
AJ
If they don't like my bag, do I have to detour to a ticket counter to check it? How long would that take?
We have a trip coming up with 1:45 minute layover at LHR. we are in business should should be able to fasttrack if that helps with time.
The flip side is that I don't trust BA with checked baggage. They've lost it too many times and been unhelpful about finding it
AJ
Mar 8, 2018, 2:20 pm
#200
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LIS/ATL/other
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Posts: 1,983
Only way to be sure you get though is if you take a bag that does indeed fit BA requirements.
Mar 8, 2018, 2:20 pm
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
BA has the right to insist that your bag must be no bigger than the dimensions which BA stipulates for its flights. Who you have flown before (whether on this trip or on other trips) is irrelevant. The gate is therefore where the enforcement, if any, is likely to happen. Your bags either meet the BA requirements or they do not. But if they do not, they can be taken off you at the gate and checked into the hold from there.
If they only exceed the stipulated size by a tiny amount, then you may well find yourself getting away with it. But obviously there is no guarantee of this.
As this is really a BA baggage query, you may find more help (if you need it) on the BA board: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...tive-club-446/ - this thread is fundamentally about ground transport between London and its airports.
Apr 5, 2018, 12:08 am
#202
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,403
I have a trip next month with a round trip Heathrow-Gatwick transit.
It is T3 to Gatwick South, then Gatwick South to T5. Both trips are in the middle of the day on week days with plenty of time.
I am the only one travelling. I will have checked baggage, but it's nothing particularly enormous.
Based on Google, it seems like the National Express bus is the way to go, but I'm open to suggestions.\
I'm looking for the least amount of hassle without incurring extraordinary costs.
It is T3 to Gatwick South, then Gatwick South to T5. Both trips are in the middle of the day on week days with plenty of time.
I am the only one travelling. I will have checked baggage, but it's nothing particularly enormous.
Based on Google, it seems like the National Express bus is the way to go, but I'm open to suggestions.\
I'm looking for the least amount of hassle without incurring extraordinary costs.
Apr 23, 2018, 9:25 am
#203
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MD, USA
Programs: UA- Pl (2MM), AA-Go, Delta-Silver, Hyatt-Globalist!, MR/SPG comb - Plat, Hilton - nada
Posts: 707
I have a trip next month with a round trip Heathrow-Gatwick transit.
It is T3 to Gatwick South, then Gatwick South to T5. Both trips are in the middle of the day on week days with plenty of time.
I am the only one travelling. I will have checked baggage, but it's nothing particularly enormous.
Based on Google, it seems like the National Express bus is the way to go, but I'm open to suggestions.\
I'm looking for the least amount of hassle without incurring extraordinary costs.
It is T3 to Gatwick South, then Gatwick South to T5. Both trips are in the middle of the day on week days with plenty of time.
I am the only one travelling. I will have checked baggage, but it's nothing particularly enormous.
Based on Google, it seems like the National Express bus is the way to go, but I'm open to suggestions.\
I'm looking for the least amount of hassle without incurring extraordinary costs.
I think Nat'l Express will be the best (time shouldn't be a factor - they have 5 hrs) - just wondering on the NE coaches - is pre-booking necessary? Because that can obviously change due to flight/baggage delays...or is is safe to always just buy coach tickets once you get to the LHR Central Bus Station?? Just wouldn't want to tell them to buy the tickets - and they get there and coaches are fully booked? It seems unlikely to me - but I have no experience with the service.
Apr 23, 2018, 3:40 pm
#204
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
- If the coach is fully booked, then they won't accept any walk-ups.
- It's cheaper
The disadvantage is that you book for a specific coach. Miss it and you'll likely have to buy a new one. I did have a delay into LGW and arrived at the bus stop 45 minutes after the schedule departure of my coach. I expected to buy a new fare but the driver was kind enough to let me board with my ticket.
Last edited by WorldLux; Apr 23, 2018 at 3:53 pm
Apr 25, 2018, 5:02 pm
#205
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
The disadvantage is that you book for a specific coach. Miss it and you'll likely have to buy a new one. I did have a delay into LGW and arrived at the bus stop 45 minutes after the schedule departure of my coach. I expected to buy a new fare but the driver was kind enough to let me board with my ticket.
On this basis if you miss your coach rwm818 because your flight is late I don't think you need to be too concerned about buying a new ticket.
Apr 30, 2018, 11:05 am
#206
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MD, USA
Programs: UA- Pl (2MM), AA-Go, Delta-Silver, Hyatt-Globalist!, MR/SPG comb - Plat, Hilton - nada
Posts: 707
Yes, I have jumped coaches several times - usually one slightly earlier or later than booked. Unless the coach is full (and I haven't had one yet) the driver will be fine with it. Do not go to the NEX office to ask since they will give you the party line that you need to change/rebook.
On this basis if you miss your coach rwm818 because your flight is late I don't think you need to be too concerned about buying a new ticket.
On this basis if you miss your coach rwm818 because your flight is late I don't think you need to be too concerned about buying a new ticket.
Jan 3, 2019, 12:21 pm
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,435
Stansted when the SEXpress isn’t running. ��
A gift of Ryanair vouchers is a lovely present, not only for the chance to fly them but all the hassle of getting to Stansted and then the joy of engineering works announced after you booked the flights, �� Travelling from Kennington there are 4 options
1. Tube to Liverpool and the replacement “express” coach service. Overall time circa 2 hours but with risk of being longer due to M11 roadworks. Cost £12 each
2. BA Transfer - 1h30 mins door to door plus roadwork risk. £33 each/£66 total
3. Terravision coach from Victoria. £8 each but over 2 hours. And it’s a Terravision coach...
4 Train to Chelmsford and cab from there. 1h30 and no roadwork risk. £30 each/£60 total
Critically i really dislike travelling as a car passenger and not so cordially loathe the abomination that is a coach (motion sickness and just, yuck). As a result I am inclined towards the Chelmsford option unless anyone had any brighter ideas or thinks I am being a complete diva for not taking the coach. Thoughts?
A gift of Ryanair vouchers is a lovely present, not only for the chance to fly them but all the hassle of getting to Stansted and then the joy of engineering works announced after you booked the flights, �� Travelling from Kennington there are 4 options
1. Tube to Liverpool and the replacement “express” coach service. Overall time circa 2 hours but with risk of being longer due to M11 roadworks. Cost £12 each
2. BA Transfer - 1h30 mins door to door plus roadwork risk. £33 each/£66 total
3. Terravision coach from Victoria. £8 each but over 2 hours. And it’s a Terravision coach...
4 Train to Chelmsford and cab from there. 1h30 and no roadwork risk. £30 each/£60 total
Critically i really dislike travelling as a car passenger and not so cordially loathe the abomination that is a coach (motion sickness and just, yuck). As a result I am inclined towards the Chelmsford option unless anyone had any brighter ideas or thinks I am being a complete diva for not taking the coach. Thoughts?
Jan 3, 2019, 2:36 pm
#208
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 463
What day of week and time of day is your flight? I ask because the various options have different degrees of roadway travel and may be more prone to congestion at some times than others.
Personally I would take a coach but not if it makes you physically sick, there is nothing worse than beginning a flight in discomfort.
Personally I would take a coach but not if it makes you physically sick, there is nothing worse than beginning a flight in discomfort.