Travelling south to Gatwick avoiding the M25?

[kevin harrison]

We are traveling to Gatwick from Nottingham in a fortnight, usually it's the M1- M25 - M23.

The M25 certainly is the Road to Hell, is there any other way to get to Gatwick avoiding this excuse for a road?

 

[dazza5931]

hi mate in answer to your question unless you leave very early i dont think you have much choice going through london is a no no so early as you can

 

[bazzanoid]

This will add about 1hr 25 minutes to your journey depending on traffic (and where in Nottingham you're coming from), but i'd really recommend satnavving this route and setting up the VIA points to avoid the M25:

clicky

the extra time isn't worth it IMO - alternatively A1M-M11-M25 clockwise may be a bit lighter

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Park up and get the train

 

[Andrew Bichard]

We are traveling to Gatwick from Nottingham in a fortnight, usually it's the M1- M25 - M23.

The M25 certainly is the Road to Hell, is there any other way to get to Gatwick avoiding this excuse for a road?

As others have said, there isn't an alternative that is that much better. My suggestion would be to go to Gatwick the night before and stay overnight in a hotel. That way you can time your trip so that you avoid pass through, or around, London in the early to mid evening, after the rush hour when there's not too much traffic. If you left Nottingham around 6pm, you would be going around the M25 at 7:30 or so and in your Gatwick Hotel by 9pm.

We always go to Gatwick the night before, so we don't have to worry about traffic, breakdowns or punctures. We have a leisurly evening meal at the hotel (early check-in if you are flying Virgin) go to bed then a relaxed walk over to check-in (we usually stay at Hilton Hotel inside the terminal - but there are other hotel choices) We have breakfast in either the hotel or in the terminal depending on the time of our flight.

It's adds an extra day to our holiday!!

The M25 certainly is the Road to Hell

You obviously never had to use London's North and South Circulars before the M25 was built!!!

If you decide to use the train, you will have to change at London St Pancras. Since March this year, the London Cross Rail route has been closed, which might mean you have to use a bus or taxi to get to London Victoria Station.

Andrew

 

[kevin harrison]

As others have said, there isn't an alternative that is that much better. My suggestion would be to go to Gatwick the night before and stay overnight in a hotel. That way you can time your trip so that you avoid pass through, or around, London in the early to mid evening, after the rush hour when there's not too much traffic. If you left Nottingham around 6pm, you would be going around the M25 at 7:30 or so and in your Gatwick Hotel by 9pm.

We always go to Gatwick the night before, so we don't have to worry about traffic, breakdowns or punctures. We have a leisurly evening meal at the hotel (early check-in if you are flying Virgin) go to bed then a relaxed walk over to check-in (we usually stay at Hilton Hotel inside the terminal - but there are other hotel choices) We have breakfast in either the hotel or in the terminal depending on the time of our flight.

It's adds an extra day to our holiday!!

We are staying at the Gatwick Hilton the night before, just don't like driving on the M25. We always do this.

You obviously never had to use London's North and South Circulars before the M25 was built!!!

It was a joke, remember the Chris Rea song? all about the M25?

If you decide to use the train, you will have to change at London St Pancras. Since March this year, the London Cross Rail route has been closed, which might mean you have to use a bus or taxi to get to London Victoria Station.

Andrew

You get the train to St Pancras, go downstairs to South West trains, get on the train to Brighton, which stops at Gatwick.

 

[kevin harrison]

Park up and get the train

We were going to do that, problem is we have a lot of extra luggage to carry, we have all daniels medical equipment and medication and food to transport, easier to travel down slowly and stop at our leisure.

The worry we have is our son is Autistic, and if we get stuck on the M25 again, Daniel could have a meltdown. The last time we were on there before he was born, we were stuck for hours after an accident.

We are going to travel at a quieter time, when the traffic is lighter.

 

[natalielongstaff]

We have to do the same route Kev ( coming from leicester ) i agree its a nightmare journey but there is no alternative

 

[kevin harrison]

I'm glad it's not just me then !

 

[natalielongstaff]

I'm glad it's not just me then !

We are lucky this year, we are travelling to gatwick on the sun aft and staying overnight at the hilton so the pressures off !

 

[kevin harrison]

We are lucky this year, we are travelling to gatwick on the sun aft and staying overnight at the hilton so the pressures off !

We are doing the same, traveling on Saturday, staying at the Hilton, catching the flight Sunday.

Still doesn't make the M25 easier though!

 

[bazzanoid]

While my journey is short it's still hellish as it's 95% M25!!! Thankfully as i'm literally 5 mins from the Dartford Tunnel i have multiple options - once in Kent I can come off at any junction and cut through the back roads if there's an issue, but I also prefer to go after rush hour and stay local the night before. Thinking of trying the Yotel next time, reasonable pricing.

Wish there was a more direct route from up north!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

You get the train to St Pancras, go downstairs to South West trains, get on the train to Brighton, which stops at Gatwick.

Not denying it!!

I was making the point that the section of line between Kings Cross/St Pancras and London Bridge has been closed for refurbishment in recent months as part of the new Eurostar terminal works and that passengers have had to use a bus link or taxi to cross central London. I believe that works to the line are not yet completed. Anyone intending to make this trip should check first.

Andrew