Gatwick - North or South terminal facilities?

[Hilary]

Still in optimistic mode for planning a trip in March, I'm now faced with a toss-of-the-coin decision on which flight to book. Virgin use South and BA use North terminal (I know which airline most people here would recommend, and I always vote for the other one! )

So, this time I'm not asking which airline to pick, but whether there's any difference in the facilities / ease of getting to either the North or South terminals? Which would you choose as a terminal, regardless of the airline?

 

[Claire L]

South terminal has more facilities than the North terminal. I find Duty Free bigger in the South as well. How are you getting to Gatwick, by car?

Claire

 

[Hilary]

How are you getting to Gatwick, by car?

Claire

We'll drive to an overnight hotel and then leave the car - but I don't know yet which hotel and/or car park. I think, from what I've seen so far, most of the car park shuttles seem to transfer to the South terminal, which was partly what prompted the question about which terminal! If getting to/from North is just a bit more complicated and time-consuming, then that would swing it for us to use South

 

[homerdog]

Claire is correct in saying that the South Terminal has more facilities than the North.

However, I have spent a lot of time working in both and the North is much newer, quieter and, in general, a more pleasant place to be in my opinion.

 

[UKDEB]

Hil, the accessibility between the two is very straight forward - a short shuttle ride. We've stayed at Le Meridien (in the north terminal) and flown Virgin from the south. I know quite a few other DISers do the same. Choice of terminals wouldn't be a factor for me.

 

[kristieuk]

I prefer the North terminal - it is quieter. There are not many (if any?) short holiday 'package flights' to Spain etc, so it's not so chaotic.

However, we like Pizza Express, so we stay at the Le Meridien which is attached to the north, and take the shuttle to the south for pizza. It is so easy though, so again, the facilities wouldn't necessarily be my deciding factor for the airline (we prefer BA too!)

 

[Frances999]

I would not let the choice of facilities in either terminal sway my decision. As others have said, there are more facilities/stores in the South terminal, but the accessibility between the two is excellent and only takes a few minutes.

 

[Miffy2003]

Hilary I have flown from both and to be honest there is so little in it - all of the reasons the others mention are valid, but the easy monorail transfer (which sadly I always enjoy as a precusor to WDW ) makes hopping between the two so easy


I think at the moment it is quite a hike to get to the Virgin planes from South, but when we flew with BA the plane was literally at the bottom of a spiral walkway from the "airside" shops etc Not saying it is the same always, mind you LOL.

 

[Hilary]

the easy monorail transfer (which sadly I always enjoy as a precusor to WDW )

LOL! I'm glad I'm not the only one I really love the monorail bit in MCO too! It doesn't take much, does it?

 

[Lesleyluvdisney]

HI,

Can anyone tell me if they done a domestic connection from a regional airport with Virgin? we've gone Virgin before but have driven to Manchester, but this year weve booked Gatwick with BA connections from Glasgow. Can you tell me if your luggage is checked through?

thanx

 

[Hilary]

Well, I've booked - and South terminal it is. In the end, the decision came down to flight timings and the potential to add some Virgin FF miles to DH's account for a fishing trip he's got lined up next year

Thanks for all your input

 

[UKDEB]

Well, I've booked - and South terminal it is. In the end, the decision came down to flight timings and the potential to add some Virgin FF miles to DH's account for a fishing trip he's got lined up next year

Thanks for all your input

Precisely the reasons we keep sticking with Virgin. We almost booked BA this time, but the flight arrives around 40 minutes (?) later. And we're hooked on those Flying Club miles, especially since we managed to get free PE flights for our last trip.

 

[Miffy2003]

HI,

Can anyone tell me if they done a domestic connection from a regional airport with Virgin? we've gone Virgin before but have driven to Manchester, but this year weve booked Gatwick with BA connections from Glasgow. Can you tell me if your luggage is checked through?

thanx

Hi Lesley, you might get a better response starting a new thread

I've not done this myself so can't help I'm afraid!